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
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A shorter way
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
What a difference a day makes! Louis was awake and looking around when I arrived at his room this morning. I asked him how he felt and he said, "Fine." This with needles in his hand and tubing coming out other places. He answered some questions and then was mumbling about something, not understandable. The care tech said he ate all his pureed eggs, grits and oatmeal and drank his juice and milk. Then when his lunch came, he was really hungry and opened his mouth like a bird to eat his pureed beef, mac&cheese. and his pureed spring veg. soup. Also his choc. ice cream and drank all his milk and cranberry juice. Dr. Fubella, the kidney specialist was in and said he would leave orders to get him up and would probably discharge him Monday.
So, back to the nursing home. I talked to the doc, Carol, from Shore Acres, who also came to check on him and told her of my concerns about the lack of care there. She said to address my concerns to the right people there, which I already have to a couple of staff. I cannot have him at home without full time care help, but God has been good to watch over him so far, so I will trust him to give me backbone enough to be the squeaky wheel!
His roommate was gone when I got there this morning, so the bed and walls and tray were scrubbed down and they got rid of the bed and brought in another and then filled that one before too long. This time instead of the TV going all the time, the wife talked non-stop. Well, you can't choose your roommates and fortunately, noise does not bother Louis with the hearing aids out!
Hooray for me.".ve get too soon old and too late schmart" as my Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother used to say. Today I took different elevators, and discovered I came out practically in the mezzanine of the front entrance, which has an elevator down to the ground floor! Not nearly so much walking, but I did have to cross sixth st. to get to the parking garage. Guess it doesn't matter when I discovered the shorter way even if we only have two more days.
Brian was kind enough to spell me this afternoon, and went to give his Dad the evening meal, which he was hungry for. Louis even sang today and said "Happy Birthday" for no apparent reason. God is good! And answers prayers!
Keep praying for us, They are what keeps us going!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
What a difference a day makes! Louis was awake and looking around when I arrived at his room this morning. I asked him how he felt and he said, "Fine." This with needles in his hand and tubing coming out other places. He answered some questions and then was mumbling about something, not understandable. The care tech said he ate all his pureed eggs, grits and oatmeal and drank his juice and milk. Then when his lunch came, he was really hungry and opened his mouth like a bird to eat his pureed beef, mac&cheese. and his pureed spring veg. soup. Also his choc. ice cream and drank all his milk and cranberry juice. Dr. Fubella, the kidney specialist was in and said he would leave orders to get him up and would probably discharge him Monday.
So, back to the nursing home. I talked to the doc, Carol, from Shore Acres, who also came to check on him and told her of my concerns about the lack of care there. She said to address my concerns to the right people there, which I already have to a couple of staff. I cannot have him at home without full time care help, but God has been good to watch over him so far, so I will trust him to give me backbone enough to be the squeaky wheel!
His roommate was gone when I got there this morning, so the bed and walls and tray were scrubbed down and they got rid of the bed and brought in another and then filled that one before too long. This time instead of the TV going all the time, the wife talked non-stop. Well, you can't choose your roommates and fortunately, noise does not bother Louis with the hearing aids out!
Hooray for me.".ve get too soon old and too late schmart" as my Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother used to say. Today I took different elevators, and discovered I came out practically in the mezzanine of the front entrance, which has an elevator down to the ground floor! Not nearly so much walking, but I did have to cross sixth st. to get to the parking garage. Guess it doesn't matter when I discovered the shorter way even if we only have two more days.
Brian was kind enough to spell me this afternoon, and went to give his Dad the evening meal, which he was hungry for. Louis even sang today and said "Happy Birthday" for no apparent reason. God is good! And answers prayers!
Keep praying for us, They are what keeps us going!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, the 15th
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Just a short one tonight, I hope. I am so tired it is difficult to type straight.First, Lauren, the nurse today, is an nice and patient as Phong said she is. She took time to feed Louis, and since he is taking so long to chew and swallow, they have him on pureed foods now, which I am sure are nutritious, but look to me like they have already been through the intestinal tract. He would not eat lunch, just slept, because I discovered that all the bedding was wet from a leaky IV.
So, I was there while the nurse and care tech rolled and changed and bathed him all over. The way they do this is amazing! Even though he has lost lots of weight, they work as a team, using gravity to move him. They got him all cleaned up, and I shaved him with a new Norelco electric razor I bought, which works really well and then all he wanted to do was sleep.
Since they could not find a new vein to put the IV in, they asked permission to do a PIC in the upper arm. I don't remember what that stands for, anyway, they have a special team which does this. His arm will be deadened, and they will insert the needle. Dr. Cabella, (sp) the kidney specialist wants him to still receive the antibiotics via the IV. Lauren gave him the meds crushed up in pudding tonight, and it took about half an hour to get him to open his eyes and eat. He finally drank a little milk and a couple bites of mashed pots. Lauren said she would try to get him to eat some more later.
He is still very sick and Lauren explained to Brian and me how many muscles are involved in the simple act of swallowing, which neither one of us realized. They leave him in a raised position for forty five minutes after eating to avoid aspiration, but he is very glad to lie back down..
Brian left work early tonight so we could go eat together, so we went to Atlanta Bread and were the only ones there for most of the time we ate. It was very enjoyable. Then he drove me back to the parking garage to get my van which was good because I was so tired to trek up the slope again.
One other thing...I got turned around again coming out of the elevator and God had another kind man to lead me out! I am so directionally disfunctional, it is pathetic! But God is good in so many ways to me. I thank Him for kind and loving prayers which are sustaining me! The 23rd Psalm has been running through my mind today and I was reciting it all the way to the hospital this afternoon.
Love and hugs, (did I say this would be short???)
Amaryllis
Just a short one tonight, I hope. I am so tired it is difficult to type straight.First, Lauren, the nurse today, is an nice and patient as Phong said she is. She took time to feed Louis, and since he is taking so long to chew and swallow, they have him on pureed foods now, which I am sure are nutritious, but look to me like they have already been through the intestinal tract. He would not eat lunch, just slept, because I discovered that all the bedding was wet from a leaky IV.
So, I was there while the nurse and care tech rolled and changed and bathed him all over. The way they do this is amazing! Even though he has lost lots of weight, they work as a team, using gravity to move him. They got him all cleaned up, and I shaved him with a new Norelco electric razor I bought, which works really well and then all he wanted to do was sleep.
Since they could not find a new vein to put the IV in, they asked permission to do a PIC in the upper arm. I don't remember what that stands for, anyway, they have a special team which does this. His arm will be deadened, and they will insert the needle. Dr. Cabella, (sp) the kidney specialist wants him to still receive the antibiotics via the IV. Lauren gave him the meds crushed up in pudding tonight, and it took about half an hour to get him to open his eyes and eat. He finally drank a little milk and a couple bites of mashed pots. Lauren said she would try to get him to eat some more later.
He is still very sick and Lauren explained to Brian and me how many muscles are involved in the simple act of swallowing, which neither one of us realized. They leave him in a raised position for forty five minutes after eating to avoid aspiration, but he is very glad to lie back down..
Brian left work early tonight so we could go eat together, so we went to Atlanta Bread and were the only ones there for most of the time we ate. It was very enjoyable. Then he drove me back to the parking garage to get my van which was good because I was so tired to trek up the slope again.
One other thing...I got turned around again coming out of the elevator and God had another kind man to lead me out! I am so directionally disfunctional, it is pathetic! But God is good in so many ways to me. I thank Him for kind and loving prayers which are sustaining me! The 23rd Psalm has been running through my mind today and I was reciting it all the way to the hospital this afternoon.
Love and hugs, (did I say this would be short???)
Amaryllis
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Adventures at Bayfront
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Some good and some not so good news today. When I arrived at the fourth floor today,, I was met by Phong, who said that Louis had refused to eat breakfast and spit out his meds. He asked what I wanted to do if he did not start eating and I said no feeding tube!
He agreed, with the age and condition. I had just had a conversation with Mari about the agony her mother went through with her feeding tube, so God's timing was perfect.
However, when lunch came, Louis surprised us by eating a large portion of lasagna, all his pears, half his soup and all his iced tea! I called Phong in so he could see him eat and he said he was so proud of him! I really did not expect him to be hungry for supper tonight and he did not eat a bite. He also was not thirsty. If he comes back from the severe pneumonia and UTI, it will take a lot of therapy to get him to be mobile again. Only God knows if that will happen.
About Phong...He is a very caring young man. He asked me today if I minded telling him my age, so I did. He seem surprised and wanted to know who was coming to pick me up. I told him I drove and parked in the garage. I believe in their culture the young take care of the old, because he asked if I lived alone and I said I did now, because of Louis being in the hospital. He thought he had been living in the nursing home. I told him just since New Year's eve when all this started. Phong gave me a hug and kiss because he is off tomorrow, but he said the nurse tomorrow is nice.
Then when I left, I got turned around again on the second floor, looking for the Skywalk. A young doctor came out of double doors and I asked him the way and he walked me through the operating section, which he said was a shorter way, and saw to it that I was turning the right way. I repeat, God sends the nicest people to guide me along my stumbling way.
Well, continue to pray for strength for me for the journey we are now walking through. I am getting very tired and dread the long walk to the fourth floor, but God is good to give me the energy to put one foot in front of the other.
We wait to see God's plans for tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Some good and some not so good news today. When I arrived at the fourth floor today,, I was met by Phong, who said that Louis had refused to eat breakfast and spit out his meds. He asked what I wanted to do if he did not start eating and I said no feeding tube!
He agreed, with the age and condition. I had just had a conversation with Mari about the agony her mother went through with her feeding tube, so God's timing was perfect.
However, when lunch came, Louis surprised us by eating a large portion of lasagna, all his pears, half his soup and all his iced tea! I called Phong in so he could see him eat and he said he was so proud of him! I really did not expect him to be hungry for supper tonight and he did not eat a bite. He also was not thirsty. If he comes back from the severe pneumonia and UTI, it will take a lot of therapy to get him to be mobile again. Only God knows if that will happen.
About Phong...He is a very caring young man. He asked me today if I minded telling him my age, so I did. He seem surprised and wanted to know who was coming to pick me up. I told him I drove and parked in the garage. I believe in their culture the young take care of the old, because he asked if I lived alone and I said I did now, because of Louis being in the hospital. He thought he had been living in the nursing home. I told him just since New Year's eve when all this started. Phong gave me a hug and kiss because he is off tomorrow, but he said the nurse tomorrow is nice.
Then when I left, I got turned around again on the second floor, looking for the Skywalk. A young doctor came out of double doors and I asked him the way and he walked me through the operating section, which he said was a shorter way, and saw to it that I was turning the right way. I repeat, God sends the nicest people to guide me along my stumbling way.
Well, continue to pray for strength for me for the journey we are now walking through. I am getting very tired and dread the long walk to the fourth floor, but God is good to give me the energy to put one foot in front of the other.
We wait to see God's plans for tomorrow.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
4th floor at Bayfront
Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
What a blessing today was! I was surrounded by the love and caring of four dear friends as they took me to lunch at Atlanta Bread, and gave me a much-needed break. Mari even drove me home with two quarts of soup and the goodies Carole gave me. Thanks, ladies! Everyone was so nice and it was good to have some laughs. I enjoyed some of the clam chowder tonight. It was delicious!
Mari also baked me some cookies. which are yummy!
I met Louis' Bayfront family doctor today...Dr. Razi, He is big and informal seems very caring. He explained the renal failure goes along with Pneumonia because of dehydration, but is easily corrected with IV's . However, he is calling in a kidney specialist tomorrow to check Louis out. Louis slept (loudly) just about all day while I was there and ate only a bite of food, althoiugh his nurse, Phong, said he ate a good portion of the breakfast . Once again we have a caring nurse who came in frequently. Louis has big air booties on his feet now and a large foam wedge pillow to keep him on his side to ease the pressure on his sore bottom. He is in the cardiac care unit because of the possibility of a clot forming from the inactivity. When Brian visited tonight, he spoke to Phong about the lack of appetite and he said that is not uncommon when he is so sick and fighting the germs.
So we keep on praying and trust God in his infinite mercy to do the healing through the doctors. God is good!
Another great thing God does is send people in my path to show me the way around the hospital. I get so turned around I always have to ask the first person I see for directions and so far they have been men who walked me to the way I should go. Mari and I had a laugh when we got on the elevator and got off what we thought was the wrong floor. Four burly paramedics got on and pushed the up button when we decided we needed to get back on. They stopped the elevator and then told us we were on the right floor to go out the exit. We were laughing and I said we weren't even blond! God has a sense of humor, too. Another chuckle when I walked too far on the fourth floor and looked bewildered, and the guy in scrubs said "Where do you need to go, girlfriend?" :o)
All in all a tiring but good day. Keep on praying for Louis and I know God will hear the prayers!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
What a blessing today was! I was surrounded by the love and caring of four dear friends as they took me to lunch at Atlanta Bread, and gave me a much-needed break. Mari even drove me home with two quarts of soup and the goodies Carole gave me. Thanks, ladies! Everyone was so nice and it was good to have some laughs. I enjoyed some of the clam chowder tonight. It was delicious!
Mari also baked me some cookies. which are yummy!
I met Louis' Bayfront family doctor today...Dr. Razi, He is big and informal seems very caring. He explained the renal failure goes along with Pneumonia because of dehydration, but is easily corrected with IV's . However, he is calling in a kidney specialist tomorrow to check Louis out. Louis slept (loudly) just about all day while I was there and ate only a bite of food, althoiugh his nurse, Phong, said he ate a good portion of the breakfast . Once again we have a caring nurse who came in frequently. Louis has big air booties on his feet now and a large foam wedge pillow to keep him on his side to ease the pressure on his sore bottom. He is in the cardiac care unit because of the possibility of a clot forming from the inactivity. When Brian visited tonight, he spoke to Phong about the lack of appetite and he said that is not uncommon when he is so sick and fighting the germs.
So we keep on praying and trust God in his infinite mercy to do the healing through the doctors. God is good!
Another great thing God does is send people in my path to show me the way around the hospital. I get so turned around I always have to ask the first person I see for directions and so far they have been men who walked me to the way I should go. Mari and I had a laugh when we got on the elevator and got off what we thought was the wrong floor. Four burly paramedics got on and pushed the up button when we decided we needed to get back on. They stopped the elevator and then told us we were on the right floor to go out the exit. We were laughing and I said we weren't even blond! God has a sense of humor, too. Another chuckle when I walked too far on the fourth floor and looked bewildered, and the guy in scrubs said "Where do you need to go, girlfriend?" :o)
All in all a tiring but good day. Keep on praying for Louis and I know God will hear the prayers!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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