end of July update

Not much to report. Mom is still fighting all of the extra fluids in her body. Her legs weep constantly and that just adds to the healing issues. She has an ulcer on the back of her leg again. Her weight went up 12 pounds in 16 days so they upped the water pill again. That can cause problems with her other levels so we'll see how it goes.

She has had trouble finding comfortable clothes since pants are uncomfortable when her weight fluctuates and it is hard to cover the bandages on her legs. I am sorry that I convinced her to say goodbye to her "Muu-Muus" of old since they are very hard to find now. Brendan and I made a trip to Goldmanns on Mitchell street and found an armful of them. It was quite an adventure and Brendan was very impressed with the world's oldest department store. It really is a fascinating relic!

Mom doesn't have much interest in anything these days. She stays in her room, in her chair. It is hard to pry her away. I did get her to church this week and we had a little coffee in the great room and then sat out on the patio for awhile. She really enjoyed it but when I ask her if she wants to, she'll say no thanks. She turns down any offers to join in activities and I guess I'm ready to give up on that. She will only go if someone is there to take her.

Mom's sister Kathleen and her granddaughter visited last week and brought her some chocolates. When I visited on Sunday, one of the aides tattled on her that she had finished the whole box in a couple of days. Needless to say her blood sugar was way out of whack. I guess we'll have to hide the treats from now on.

The Wallace family is planning a family picnic on the 11th. It will be at Mike Wallace's which is very near to St. Anne's. If all goes well, I'm hoping Mom can go over for awhile to see everyone. That will make her happy. Pat is hoping to make it up here one more time before school starts again too so she will have a few things to look forward to.

All's Well

No significant changes lately. Mom is about the same. She isn't challenging herself and isn't changing much. She prefers to eat in her room rather than go down to the dining room. She is sleeping in her chair rather than in her bed. Basically she is doing what she wants to do and not much of what others are suggesting. That's OK I guess, although it is hard for us as it makes more sense to us for her to get involved with people at St. Anne's.

She is struggling more with her memory these days and she is aware of it. She will say, "My memory is getting terrible," and she will often forget who has been to visit her. Bridge, Colleen, John and Kate were all with her on Wed. night but by Thursday morning, she didn't remember the visit. I know Kate, Peggy and John were up last weekend and that, she remembered. What does that say about visits with her children?!?!

Her legs are healing slowly and so walking is difficult and hard on her breathing.

Al is celebrating his retirement this weekend with a party in the local park. We opted (and Mom agreed) not to drag her out there. The weather and facilities are not conducive to all of her needs. Bridge and Al had a wonderful time on their cruise to Alaska. Retirement is already agreeing with Al.

Well here's hoping for more status quo.

Busy 4th

It was a busy visit with Pat and Cyndi and the kids here. We brought Mom home one Saturday and had a barbecue here. She did pretty well. The 4th was spent at the park. I had to march in the Shorewood parade with a group from our school because we won an award for our Character Education Program. I recruited Colin and Mckenna to walk with me. They were good sports since we had already been to the Whitefish Bay parade and spent the afternoon at Klode park. Mom stayed at St. Anne's. That was more than she could handle.

On Friday, Pat, Cyndi, Colleen and I took Mom out to T.J.s (her favorite restaurant) for dinner. We happened to run into Lou Wahl as we walked in and he joined us for a drink. Mom went in the wheelchair and did pretty well although T.J.s remodeling has made the place very difficult for wheelchairs. She was struggling with her breathing by dinner's end so we called it a night.

Mom still struggles with her skin tears. She has such thin skin that it tears easily and then we worry about infections and slow healing. She still has a lot of water weight and so moving and breathing are compromised. Life is not easy for her.

Bridge and Al return this week from their two week cruise to Alaska. I know Mom will be glad to see them. (Bridge keeps her stocked in popsicles and snacks!)