Grandmas Banner

After work Kathy, Anne and I visited Grandma and took the big banner that everyone made at the reunion. It is hard to describe how stunned and shocked Grandma was when we unrolled the banner in her room. It stretched out into the hall. The nurses even came in to see what all the fuss was about. It has been such a long time that I have seen mother smile like that. It made her day. We then rolled it back up and started unrolling it from the start in front of her. I read her all the comments and she looked at the pictures and read along with me. Many times I had to stop because of how touching each expression of love was for her. This was very hard for me to do. Grandma just kept smiling for a very long time. She was so touched. Thanks for whoever came up with the idea and everyone that participated.

She also went to her Dr apointment early Monday. She reports the she is healing fine and making progress!

Robyn

From Bill

We drove to Robyn’s after Church Sunday, June 13th. Robyn had picked up Mom and had her at his house when we arrived. When we first walked into Robyn's and saw Mom I was pleased with how good she looked, but surprised with her wide-eyed stare that kind of had a wondering look. I was concerned that she might not know us. But those concerns were groundless. She seemed sharp of mind, but doesn't like to talk much. Most of answers to questions were short and usually yes or no. She was very slow in eating and had difficulty getting her food to her mouth. As the evening wore on, I was most pleased with her attitude. She seems content, accepting, and happy. She was very pleasant to be around, something that has been lacking the last few visits I have had with her. Now she seems to be the wonderful mother I have known all my life. Robyn and I loaded her in his car and took her back to the assisted living. I was not looking forward to moving her from her wheel chair because of previous experience and her crying out in pain. But either it didn't hurt this time or she didn't let on. When we got to the Manor and checked in with them, we found that that she has a Doctor's appointment at eight in the morning. There was some confusion if it would be Mountain Standard Time or Pacific Standard Time. We concluded in would be PST and that she would have to leave at six in the morning PST. That's when we would have to leave if we wanted to see her. On Monday morning I was amazed. Everyone was up and ready by 6 PST and we were on our wat to Highland Manor. As it turned out, Mom was eating breakfast and the appointment wasn't until 9 MST and so that meant that they were not going to transport her until 7 PST. We were hoping to visit with her right after she finished breakfast, but she stayed in the bathroom until it was time to go. The driver of the van, a very efficient young lady, loaded her in the front seat, again without complaint, and we followed to the medical center which is right next to the temple in St. George. I went in with her while the nurse took off her dressing and prepared her for the Doctor to look at it. Mom did cry out and say her back hurt as she was transferred from the wheel chair to the bed. She winced with pain as the nurse pulled up the sock on her left leg--it was a support hose but wasn't pulled up to the knee like it should have and was cutting off the circulation in her left leg. That needs to be watched. Sammie was the name of the nurse and has two boys on missions. Dr. Van Gils (known as Bishop Van Gils on Sunday) was so very nice and gentle with Mom. He said there is progress, but was concerned with the swelling of the leg. He says the blood circulation going from the heart to the wound is excellent, but the return trip from the wound is not good. She has to keep her foot elevated. Mom hasn't been doing that--just sitting in the wheelchair with her feet down which is the worst thing that she could do. The other thing that she needs to do is eat protein. For example, this morning she ate the oatmeal and left the eggs untouched. She needs protein for healing of the wound, but her constant worry about her weight and having her idea of a healthy diet won't let her eat the things that will help her heal. They put in their notes to the Manor to give her protein shakes. Those two things need to change with her--elevate the leg and good nutrition. I called Robyn and told him to check on that at the Manor. I also told the driver from the Manor and she said she could get a wheel chair that would prop her leg up. I talked strongly with Mom and told her what she had to do and asked her to promise me that she would. Well, you can guess how that went over--she refused to promise me any thing. I wheeled her out in the parking lot of the church across from the medical center and to the East of the Temple and had the driver take a picture of all of us with her. I can't even begin to express my emotions as I hugged her, gave her a kiss and told her good-bye. I have been fighting back the tears for two days now. Will I ever see her again in this life?

Bill

Up-date on the wound

Last Wednesday, mother had a visit at the wound clinic in St George. Mothers Surgeon, Dr Reber has a partner that is runs the wound clinic so it is a nice marriage. Mother sure seemed happy about her chances now. I visited with the nurses about what is expected now. Mother wears a mechanical wound pump that keeps the wound clean and dry. (I could be wrong about its function but that is how I understand how it works). It has a small 1/4" tube that is inserted into the wound. The hope is that the skin that has sluffed off the wound and wont close and also wont permit new skin growth will die so new tissue can grow in its place. Really it is this "sluffing skin" that is causing the problems. They also change the bandages every 3 days. I think this new approach is very positive.

Brad, Sonjia and family were here this weekend. They spent a good amount of time with mother bringing her to My home on both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday we cooked a turkey that Richard and Rachel provided. Mother ate a big plate of food and I bet that was the best meal she has had since her fall. I know that she enjoyed the day. Thanks Brad and Sonjia for spending the time!

Your faith and prayers are working!

Robyn

Memorial Day Weekend and Dr Apointment

Memorial Day Weekend was good for Mother for visiting. David and Melanie, Richard and Rachael and children along with Nicholas, Kathy Anne and I visited Her. Brother David gave a surprise visit on Monday. He made a special effort to get mother from the care center and bring her my home that day. She came just in time for lunch. We had a house full. I think that she really enjoyed getting out.

Today I visited with her and Dr Reber. Things were not too promising. He could see the plate that is attached to her bone through the wound. He says that when that happens tissue just wont attach to the plate and it will have to be removed. He made an appointment at the wound center in St George for her tomorrow. The only hope is to buy more time for her bone to heal so he can take the plate out. This will require another surgery. He said that there is an outside chance that tissue will begin to grow on the plate. If that is the case then she will heal and not need surgery. He also took a culture last week. The results came back that she has what he called a bug in the wound. He showed me a report of the different kinds of antibiotics that will attack the bug and kill it. They ran test with different kinds of antibiotics so he got to pick the best one.

Mother was very discouraged with the news. She was able to see her leg. She looked very concerned and distraught from both the report and to see her leg. I tried to give her words of encouragement but inside my heart ached for her. Her situation is a tough one. She said "I guess I will just have to take what is handed to me".

Please continue as you have done to remember her in your prayers.
Robyn