Moms Visit

VeAnn, Heather and I enjoyed our visit with Grandma Saturday and Sunday, July 24th and 25th. I did not know how I would feel seeing her in the care center but was soon relieved. She brightened up and greeted us with the smile I have always known. She doesn't try to say much but is always glad to have visits from family. We stayed with her on Saturday for an hour and shared pictures from Teresa and letters. Grandma was interested in how Teresa is doing, seemed connected and knew who we were. While at the center, Kathy's mother and her sister, Teresa came for a visit. We all enjoyed our conversation with Grandma. Before we left we went for a walk around the center and grandma wanted to go out on the patio. As I wheeled her through the door and outside the blast of the 113 degree day hit us all like a furnace blast and that ended our outside experience. Grandma was dressed warm and didn't like how hot it was outside. On Sunday we helped load her in Teresa's car for the trip to Robyn's home and then on to church. She was up, dressed in black slacks, shoes and a light sweater and already in the wheelchair at 9:45 when we arrived at the care center. Her hair looked well brushed and again she was happy to see us. I found it challenging in moving her from the wheel chair to the car but we did okay and she didn't complain even one time. She so much enjoyed being at church, took the sacrament by herself and listened to Wesley's talk of his mission experiences with interest. I asked her afterwords if she was able to hear and she gave the standard answer, "not much". The hearing aids continue to be a challenge for her. Robyn gave one of them to me and showed me how to clean the contacts but I never could get it to work. Robyn said he would take it in to have it fixed on Monday. One lesson my mother taught me over the years is to bear our burdens with patience and that is what I noticed with our visit. She is very accepting with her situation and allows others to help her, even though it isn't comfortable nor really enjoyable. She has always been the one giving service to others and now it is time to accept it in return. She allowed me to feed her lunch after Sacrament meeting and was grateful for the help. VeAnn also helped care for her needs. It was difficult to say good-bye Sunday afternoon but we really enjoyed the few hours we had with grandma.

Greg

Wesley Returns/Nicholas Call

Boy, things are sure popping here in Mesquite and Grandma is the center of attention! As you know Wesley cam home Wednesday and Thursday Nicholas received his call see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INiy-66TDSs We are having fun with Grandma this weekend. I have all my family here and we will have a picture with her and everyone so check back.

By the way Grandma got rid of the boot. I went to the Dr's office Wednesday with her and the surgeon released her from his care. She has healed. Yea!!

Robyn

Visit With Grandma

On Sunday, July 18th, Dustin, Damien, and I had the opportunity to visit with Grandma. Grandma is still just as pretty as ever and had the cutest smile on her face when she was wheeled in to her room and saw us sitting there. We had planned on going to church with her at the care center, but were late and didn’t make it, so we waited for her in her room. She didn’t know we were coming and so she was quite surprised to see us!
It was a hard thing for me at first to see my Grandma with slow movements and a slower ability to comprehend what is being said and a tougher time talking. She’s not much of a conversationalist these days and she had a hard time hearing, but it was fun to talk to her. I asked her about when she would get her boot off and she said hopefully in a day or two, so since a day or two has come and gone since we saw her, maybe it’s off now. We talked about upcoming family events: Wesley coming home, MJ getting married, and Jordan getting married. She knew all about those events and seemed excited for them. I mentioned Teresa coming home in a couple of months, but she didn’t seem to know much about that and I don’t know if it’s because she didn’t hear me or if she had a bit of a memory lapse. I got the feeling that she knew who I was even though she never said my name and that she knew Damien was my son. When it was time to leave and we were giving Grandma hugs goodbye she said to Dustin as he hugged her, “I don’t believe we’ve met. Have I met you before?” Dustin said, “A few times.” I said, “Grandma, this is Dustin. I am married to Dustin.” She said, “Well, I knew that, but I don’t ever recall meeting him.”
She loved to watch Damien play. She said she loved having him there because she doesn’t get to see many small kids. I asked Grandma if I could get a picture of her with Damien and she said sure if he’ll let her hold him. Damien did great! He sat on Grandma’s lap for quite some time and she kept hugging and kissing him. So precious!
We mentioned to Grandma that Uncle Robyn said she would be going back to Vernal at the end of the month if the doctor says it’s ok. She said that she thought Uncle Robyn was a skeptic for thinking she could go back to Vernal so soon. I think she meant that he was optimistic!
One thing I loved to see was that Grandma seemed very HAPPY! We were so glad we were able to stop and see her!

-Janell

Change Comming!

I wanted to up-date you after Mother got her "boot" off but that has not happened yet. She had an appointment yesterday but the Dr had to reschedule. So she has to put up with it for a few more days. I have not seen the wound but I believe that it has almost healed.

I went to visit her this morning to give her Bill and Sharon's letter and to see how she is progressing with therapy. She is trying hard to do what is asked but with the boot on her progress is slow. The shape of the bottom of the boot causes her to not have as much support on her right heel so she has a fear of falling backwards while walking. We hope to get the boot off soon and then we will see how she does.

The change that is coming is that her Medicare and supplement is running out on the 21st of this month. It looks like she will still need the type of care that she is getting so we will take her to Vernal on the 29Th of this month when we go to MJ's wedding. The Uintah Care center is a bit cheaper so we feel that this will be a good move for her.

Robyn

Healing

First of all great news. I was with Mother on Sunday to bring her to enjoy Sunday with us. the changed her bandage. I check it out. All I could see from the wound was a scab and some redness. As far as it looked to me is that it has almost healed!!

Saturday I went to the care center to bring Mother home with me for the day...if fact we had her over for 3 days in a row and we watched the fireworks together on Sunday. They had them at the Eureka Casio just next door to Highland Manor. We had 3 fun days with her. I spent the weekend painting my home and remodeling my kitchen. I had Mother help!

She sure cant get up and move around very good. I think that taking the boot off will help some but I just don't think that she will be able to walk much on her own. She is trying but it is slow progress.

Robyn