Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Since we spent Jan. 20 in the ER, pretty much all day, Brian and I were together at Louis' bedside today just watching him sleep. As long as he is sleeping, I know he feels no pain. I washed his face and used the flavored sponges to moisten his mouth and lips, which caused him to close his mouth.
My dear friend, Mariagnes, wanted to take me to a belated birthday lunch, so after the Hospice nurse came, and all the papers were signed, Brian said to go ahead. Mari picked me up at the circle entrance and took me to Fresco's on the waterfront. We ate outside and it was a lovely break from the hospital walls. Due to a mix-up in my order, I received two lunches, on the house!, so had enough to take home for supper. God is good !
Another joy was seeing Ryan again, on the third floor this time, and I was happy to greet him, as he was to see me! The praying housekeeper, Malinda, was also back and i thanked her for her prayers for Louis.
Another answer to prayer..there will be a bed waiting for Louis at Hospice Woodside tomorrow...Magnolia 40. There is always a waiting list, so miracles still happen, (thanks, Russ).
Brian and I will go together to the hospital to wait for the papers to be signed and cleared, so Louis can be moved out in an ambulance which is paid for by Hospice.
And so another day comes to a close, but I am feeling more peace about the situation. The 23rd Psalm keeps running through my mind and I recited it on the way to the hospital yesterday. God's will be done.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Decision made
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Tomorrow I will tell the doctor to have Louis transfered to Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, I have not toured it yet, but it looks like a lovely place from the virtual tour I took online.
I held his hand today and washed his face and he tried to speak to me, but couldn't get the words out. I am full of tears right now at the thought of my beloved husband of 61 years leaving me, but I know he will have a new body and will not be suffering any more.
Once more, other believers were visiting the man in the next bed and gave me a little encouragement. God is good!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tomorrow I will tell the doctor to have Louis transfered to Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, I have not toured it yet, but it looks like a lovely place from the virtual tour I took online.
I held his hand today and washed his face and he tried to speak to me, but couldn't get the words out. I am full of tears right now at the thought of my beloved husband of 61 years leaving me, but I know he will have a new body and will not be suffering any more.
Once more, other believers were visiting the man in the next bed and gave me a little encouragement. God is good!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Another day at Bayfront--more decisions
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners.
To those of you who have been praying for Louis and me, I thank you. When I think of all the germs I have encountered as I walked through and sat in the ER and throughout the hospital, I believe God must have a shield protecting me. While I feel tired and am not eating at regular times, I still am pretty healthy.
Louis was on his right side all day, and mostly slept. He had a sitter whose job was to just sit and watch over him and, I guess, the man in the other bed. Louis was awake at different times and when his eyes focused on me, he seemed to know me, but is not speaking much, just whispering. Joel, the nurse, told Brian that they have called in an ENT doctor to check on him, as they believe he has mastoiditis. I was not told this, and I was there over four hours.
The doctor wants to put in a feeding tube and I am not for it, so Brian and Daryl and I will consult with a hospice rep to find out more about it. At this point, I do not see Louis coming back to where he was before the infections and pneumonia invaded his body.
I am asking for prayers for divine guidance and wisdom as to the next step. I know Hospice takes wonderful care of patients, even when they are not dying, so we will see if that is an option.
God, in his goodness, sent a wonderful person in the cleaning lady who came in after the patient left this afternoon. She said her husband was in the hospital six months and the doctor said he would die. She said "My God did not tell me that" and her husband is now home, walking around the block and does everything but bathe himself. At the time, she was working and visiting him at the hospital twice a day...very hard on her, but she said, "God made your husband, and He will take care of him!" Amen
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
To those of you who have been praying for Louis and me, I thank you. When I think of all the germs I have encountered as I walked through and sat in the ER and throughout the hospital, I believe God must have a shield protecting me. While I feel tired and am not eating at regular times, I still am pretty healthy.
Louis was on his right side all day, and mostly slept. He had a sitter whose job was to just sit and watch over him and, I guess, the man in the other bed. Louis was awake at different times and when his eyes focused on me, he seemed to know me, but is not speaking much, just whispering. Joel, the nurse, told Brian that they have called in an ENT doctor to check on him, as they believe he has mastoiditis. I was not told this, and I was there over four hours.
The doctor wants to put in a feeding tube and I am not for it, so Brian and Daryl and I will consult with a hospice rep to find out more about it. At this point, I do not see Louis coming back to where he was before the infections and pneumonia invaded his body.
I am asking for prayers for divine guidance and wisdom as to the next step. I know Hospice takes wonderful care of patients, even when they are not dying, so we will see if that is an option.
God, in his goodness, sent a wonderful person in the cleaning lady who came in after the patient left this afternoon. She said her husband was in the hospital six months and the doctor said he would die. She said "My God did not tell me that" and her husband is now home, walking around the block and does everything but bathe himself. At the time, she was working and visiting him at the hospital twice a day...very hard on her, but she said, "God made your husband, and He will take care of him!" Amen
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A birthday in the ER
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
After being at the bedside of Louis in the ER from 10 Am until 5:30 or so PM, Brian and I left Louis in a room in good hands. We met Dr. Cohen the neurologist, who took His history and ours, is very kindly, and someone I would love to have as a doctor, also met the speech therapist, who recommended a feeding tube, which I said no too, and then was assured by the nurse practioner who works with Dr. Cohen that there was no need to make that decision yet.
Louis was x-rayed, chest, abdomen and hip-knee...things I think should have been done the first time he was admitted. We had to wait all day because the hospital is full and no beds were available for any of the ER patients, so I guess they had to check out the ones well enough to go home, in order to get beds for the new ones.
The one thing that is wrong again is another UTI. Dr. Cohen said constipation and infections can cause a normal person to have slight dementia and a person already suffering from dementia to have a bad reaction.
So once again , and as he has been all along, Louis' future is in God's hands. I had a really nice visit from Pastor Rick, who prayed a wonderful prayer for us both as he sat with me in the ER for awhile. What a blessing! God in His infinite mercy is good!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
After being at the bedside of Louis in the ER from 10 Am until 5:30 or so PM, Brian and I left Louis in a room in good hands. We met Dr. Cohen the neurologist, who took His history and ours, is very kindly, and someone I would love to have as a doctor, also met the speech therapist, who recommended a feeding tube, which I said no too, and then was assured by the nurse practioner who works with Dr. Cohen that there was no need to make that decision yet.
Louis was x-rayed, chest, abdomen and hip-knee...things I think should have been done the first time he was admitted. We had to wait all day because the hospital is full and no beds were available for any of the ER patients, so I guess they had to check out the ones well enough to go home, in order to get beds for the new ones.
The one thing that is wrong again is another UTI. Dr. Cohen said constipation and infections can cause a normal person to have slight dementia and a person already suffering from dementia to have a bad reaction.
So once again , and as he has been all along, Louis' future is in God's hands. I had a really nice visit from Pastor Rick, who prayed a wonderful prayer for us both as he sat with me in the ER for awhile. What a blessing! God in His infinite mercy is good!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Another day
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Without seeming to be too discouraged, I must admit that I cannot see that Louis will ever be able to come home again. I don't know what God has in store for tomorrow, but today My beloved slept nearly all day, and did not eat much lunch... just a couple bites. He was awake when I came back this afternoon, but does not seem to really know what is going on. I think he knows me and my touch, and responds when I touch his knee which pains him when it is moved.
He ate well for supper, and drank the Glucerna shake I brought and most of his apple juice, but once again is running a slight fever. I cannot seem to make the nurses and staff realize that he needs to be turned every two hours and I know they are probably not as busy as the hospital staff, but need to be more organized. The morning nurse did not know a thing about him except his last name. I had to fill her in when I got there.
John Honey visited today, which was a real blessing. He went over the speech with me that he is giving at AA tonight. Karin and Jim brought a delicious stew and accompaniments for my supper, which I really appreciate. Thanks, you all.
As always, God is in control and He is good, May his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Without seeming to be too discouraged, I must admit that I cannot see that Louis will ever be able to come home again. I don't know what God has in store for tomorrow, but today My beloved slept nearly all day, and did not eat much lunch... just a couple bites. He was awake when I came back this afternoon, but does not seem to really know what is going on. I think he knows me and my touch, and responds when I touch his knee which pains him when it is moved.
He ate well for supper, and drank the Glucerna shake I brought and most of his apple juice, but once again is running a slight fever. I cannot seem to make the nurses and staff realize that he needs to be turned every two hours and I know they are probably not as busy as the hospital staff, but need to be more organized. The morning nurse did not know a thing about him except his last name. I had to fill her in when I got there.
John Honey visited today, which was a real blessing. He went over the speech with me that he is giving at AA tonight. Karin and Jim brought a delicious stew and accompaniments for my supper, which I really appreciate. Thanks, you all.
As always, God is in control and He is good, May his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, January 18, 2010
Back at Shore Acres
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Well, when I arrived at Bayfront this morning, no one had been able to wake Louis for his breakfast, so I just raised his bed and started feeding him while his eyes were closed. He started eating and soon woke up and ate a good portion of his cold meal and drank his juice and milk. His nurse, Amelia, said I was an angel, and mashed up his meds so she could give them to him while he was opening his mouth.
Two of his doctors came by and said the kidneys were clear and his pneumonia was practically cleared up, so I was glad I was there to meet them. I must say Amelia is a very caring nurse and as busy as she was, she gave time to talk to me and take care of Louis. I thank God for her and she was very encouraging and thanked me for my help, which I, in turn, thanked her.
I was told that he would be discharged, but no time, so after giving him his lunch and waiting there for six hours, I went down to Joffrey's and got a sandwich and then was overcome by fatigue, so I told Amelia I was going home and the paramedics could take him to shore Acres and Brian would meet them there, which he did.
He has a different room and nurse and he was cleaned up and bed changed and taken care of while Brian was there, so I just stayed home and rested, which I am still doing. I think the talk I had with the nursing home rep and remarks I made about the care, may have had a good effect. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."
Thank you all for prayers, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God is good to keep me going.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Well, when I arrived at Bayfront this morning, no one had been able to wake Louis for his breakfast, so I just raised his bed and started feeding him while his eyes were closed. He started eating and soon woke up and ate a good portion of his cold meal and drank his juice and milk. His nurse, Amelia, said I was an angel, and mashed up his meds so she could give them to him while he was opening his mouth.
Two of his doctors came by and said the kidneys were clear and his pneumonia was practically cleared up, so I was glad I was there to meet them. I must say Amelia is a very caring nurse and as busy as she was, she gave time to talk to me and take care of Louis. I thank God for her and she was very encouraging and thanked me for my help, which I, in turn, thanked her.
I was told that he would be discharged, but no time, so after giving him his lunch and waiting there for six hours, I went down to Joffrey's and got a sandwich and then was overcome by fatigue, so I told Amelia I was going home and the paramedics could take him to shore Acres and Brian would meet them there, which he did.
He has a different room and nurse and he was cleaned up and bed changed and taken care of while Brian was there, so I just stayed home and rested, which I am still doing. I think the talk I had with the nursing home rep and remarks I made about the care, may have had a good effect. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."
Thank you all for prayers, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God is good to keep me going.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sixth floor Bayfront
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Today I went up to the 4th floor as usual and walked down to 454 and there was a stranger in what formerly was Louis' bed. I asked the nurse and the charge nurse, and no one knew where he was, so she got on the computer and found they had moved him to the sixth floor. I asked why and the reason was he no longer needed to be on the cardiac care floor, because the monitor was removed, so I have no idea what the sixth floor section he is in is for.
Anyway, I found him and his breakfast tray which was untouched...it was 10:30 already. I started to feed him and the care tech came in and I told her he needed to be fed and she had just found that out. Sigh. Sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Louis ate a good cold breakfast, and then was tired. Moves like that totally exhaust him. I met the doctor on call, and he said that he will be discharged tomorrow to be sent back to Shore Acres. Another ambulance ride! Brian and I have decided to have an appointment to talk with the nurse in charge, and ,if necessary, the administrator to get things changed and get him properly taken care of.
I stayed long enough to give him lunch, which he was hungry for, and ate just about all of it...still pureed stuff, but that seems a lot easier for him to swallow. He gave the raspberry, and popped his lips a couple times like he was doing at home, so he is gradually remembering the things I wish he would forget. :o)
On my way home, I took a ride through the crowded park and saw dozens of turtles of all sizes catching some rays on the bank of the canal. I also saw the usual ibis and herons and then realized that God was smiling, because the song on the radio was "All Creatures of our God and King". I admired the various contrails criss-crossing the sky on this beautiful, warm day. I went home, ate a little lunch and took a short nap. which was good.
I felt like I should go back down to the hospital, instead of waiting for Brian to fill in, and got there just as they were loading Louis on a gurney to take him to x-ray for his chest. When he came back he was too exhausted to eat any supper, but the nurse Amelia seemed to be very conscientious about his care. Brian stayed longer, but could not get his dad to eat any more.
Well, we will see what takes place tomorrow and when he gets moved, but God is good and will watch over us through it all.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Today I went up to the 4th floor as usual and walked down to 454 and there was a stranger in what formerly was Louis' bed. I asked the nurse and the charge nurse, and no one knew where he was, so she got on the computer and found they had moved him to the sixth floor. I asked why and the reason was he no longer needed to be on the cardiac care floor, because the monitor was removed, so I have no idea what the sixth floor section he is in is for.
Anyway, I found him and his breakfast tray which was untouched...it was 10:30 already. I started to feed him and the care tech came in and I told her he needed to be fed and she had just found that out. Sigh. Sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Louis ate a good cold breakfast, and then was tired. Moves like that totally exhaust him. I met the doctor on call, and he said that he will be discharged tomorrow to be sent back to Shore Acres. Another ambulance ride! Brian and I have decided to have an appointment to talk with the nurse in charge, and ,if necessary, the administrator to get things changed and get him properly taken care of.
I stayed long enough to give him lunch, which he was hungry for, and ate just about all of it...still pureed stuff, but that seems a lot easier for him to swallow. He gave the raspberry, and popped his lips a couple times like he was doing at home, so he is gradually remembering the things I wish he would forget. :o)
On my way home, I took a ride through the crowded park and saw dozens of turtles of all sizes catching some rays on the bank of the canal. I also saw the usual ibis and herons and then realized that God was smiling, because the song on the radio was "All Creatures of our God and King". I admired the various contrails criss-crossing the sky on this beautiful, warm day. I went home, ate a little lunch and took a short nap. which was good.
I felt like I should go back down to the hospital, instead of waiting for Brian to fill in, and got there just as they were loading Louis on a gurney to take him to x-ray for his chest. When he came back he was too exhausted to eat any supper, but the nurse Amelia seemed to be very conscientious about his care. Brian stayed longer, but could not get his dad to eat any more.
Well, we will see what takes place tomorrow and when he gets moved, but God is good and will watch over us through it all.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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