We had a quiet Christmas. I baked a turkey breast and stuffing with gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and deviled eggs. We got out the good dishes and put on music. Cowboy ate pretty good, especially the sweet potatoes and the eggs. Lots of leftovers for turkey pot pie and such.
The VA called on Tuesday and said they would start covering six hours a week in 2012 for Marsha for 30 weeks. Anything else this year is on us. The way they operate is so confusing but I am grateful for the reimbursements. I called and cancelled my cleaning service. Not happy with the job they are doing and they are too expensive. Am going to try to find someone to come in and mop the floors every couple of months.
Spent part of Monday and all day Tuesday cleaning, putting away, etc. I will be vacuuming up glitter for a month !
On Monday I discovered that Cowboy had a sore on his neck and one under his arm. To top it off I have a sore under my arm !! I hearby declare every right to scream and yell and cry !! My first thought was, "I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN" Made an appointment to see the Dr. on Wed PM.
Today Marsha was here and I went to Barnes and Noble and bought me a cover for my "NOOK" and a new CD. Messed around in there for quite a spell. I love book stores.
When I got home we took off to the Dr. He put us both on antibiotics, took nose swabs to see if the staph bacteria might be in our noses (some of the latest thinking about this I understand) and ordered some special soap called Phisohex for us to bathe with. When the swab results come back we will decide what to do about our noses if they are the culprits. Also, he put in a request for me to see a surgeon for the sore under my arm, which is much worse than Cowboy's. Since it is holiday time, it will probably be next week. It hurts but not unbearably.
I have been working extra hardsince October to keep everything clean and bacteria free and washing my hands every five minutes, etc. (never thought about washing my nose) More to follow.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday, December 24
It has been cold and rainy today but that is OK. We have stayed home and watched TV, read some periodicals and enjoyed the lack of activity.
Yesterday the supervisor for the home health aid came and did an re-evaluation so they can continue visits until the wound is healed. Kind of seems like overkill to me but I guess it beats taking unnecessary chances on something coming up that I don't recognize as a problem.
Tomorrow is Christmas. It will be a quiet one for us and I am fine with that. We talked to some of the kids today and am sure we will hear from others tomorrow. Everyone is enjoying their children and grandchildren. One of our great grandchildren has the flu which is bad anytime but particularly right here at Christmas! It is probably a very good thing we decided to stay home. We plan to "SKYPE" with some of them tomorrow.
Cowboy is taking a nap and doesn't seem to want to get up. I tried to wake him about 10 minutes ago and he said he would get up "as soon as he got these two horses in". I suspect corraling the horses in his mind is more engaging than watching TV. I hope he doesn't end up staying up tonight.
Yesterday the supervisor for the home health aid came and did an re-evaluation so they can continue visits until the wound is healed. Kind of seems like overkill to me but I guess it beats taking unnecessary chances on something coming up that I don't recognize as a problem.
Tomorrow is Christmas. It will be a quiet one for us and I am fine with that. We talked to some of the kids today and am sure we will hear from others tomorrow. Everyone is enjoying their children and grandchildren. One of our great grandchildren has the flu which is bad anytime but particularly right here at Christmas! It is probably a very good thing we decided to stay home. We plan to "SKYPE" with some of them tomorrow.
Cowboy is taking a nap and doesn't seem to want to get up. I tried to wake him about 10 minutes ago and he said he would get up "as soon as he got these two horses in". I suspect corraling the horses in his mind is more engaging than watching TV. I hope he doesn't end up staying up tonight.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 22
I have no idea where this week went. I just know I have been busy. Monday, physical therapy and chores. Tuesday, Dr. appointment with Cowboy's PCP. Wednesday a very trying trip to the army base for medicine, gas and groceries. I also picked out and ordered some eyeglasses.
This morning our pup had a groomers appointment so while she was there Cowboy got a haircut and then I took him to IHOP. He always cleans his plate at that place ! I spent a good part of the day trying to resolve a techniical issue with my new tablet, a Nook. Finally got in the car and drove to Barnes and Noble and they helped me solve it. When I asked Cowboy to come with me I told him I needed to stop and buy a circuit board and he misunderstood me. He kept questioning me about why did I need to "cut a board". I tried to explain and he was obviously confused and frustrated. He kept thinking he needed to help with getting a "board cut".
He is continuing to remove his bandages whenever he thinks he needs to "check it". We wash it and rewrap it and on and on. It will be good to have it all healed and be done with it. The doctor predicts it will take until about mid to late January.
We got a box of fruit and a box of chocolate covered strawberries and cheesecake delivered today from Cowboy's daughters. I could not possibly eat it all and Cowboy hardly eats so we shared some of it with our lovely neighbors. I managed to almost finish off a piece of cheesecake and it was wonderful. We will have grapefruit for breakfast.
Tonight I called an old friend I had not talked to in forever and had a great long talk. She said she is going to come down to see me in a couple of months. I look forward to that.
This morning our pup had a groomers appointment so while she was there Cowboy got a haircut and then I took him to IHOP. He always cleans his plate at that place ! I spent a good part of the day trying to resolve a techniical issue with my new tablet, a Nook. Finally got in the car and drove to Barnes and Noble and they helped me solve it. When I asked Cowboy to come with me I told him I needed to stop and buy a circuit board and he misunderstood me. He kept questioning me about why did I need to "cut a board". I tried to explain and he was obviously confused and frustrated. He kept thinking he needed to help with getting a "board cut".
He is continuing to remove his bandages whenever he thinks he needs to "check it". We wash it and rewrap it and on and on. It will be good to have it all healed and be done with it. The doctor predicts it will take until about mid to late January.
We got a box of fruit and a box of chocolate covered strawberries and cheesecake delivered today from Cowboy's daughters. I could not possibly eat it all and Cowboy hardly eats so we shared some of it with our lovely neighbors. I managed to almost finish off a piece of cheesecake and it was wonderful. We will have grapefruit for breakfast.
Tonight I called an old friend I had not talked to in forever and had a great long talk. She said she is going to come down to see me in a couple of months. I look forward to that.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday, December 16
Fridays are trash day. We put it on the curb for the pickup. There is a tub for recyclables that is sorted by the company that does the pickup. I got up this morning about 7:30 to find Cowboy already up and dressed in his jeans and the paper in and the trash out. When I took some more out I found that there were newspapers blown from our house for about a block. They were everywhere. It did not occur to him that if you put a lot of newspapers on top and there is a breeze, they are going to blow out of the tub.
It was about 45 degrees outside and my hair was wet but I took off and gathered up as much of the mess as I could. When I came in and told him he just laughed. I could have smacked him but what are you going to do?
I had three hours today while Marsha was here but felt tired and not much in the mood to do anything. I went and bought our tax software and went to the grocery store. Laid down this afternoon for a bit.
Nice quiet weekend coming up. Just need to get Cowboy bathed and medicine applied, etc and then can relax. He ate well tonight. I had bought a rotisserie chicken and made some dressing and sweet potatoes.
Lots of Christmas cards coming in. I really enjoy getting them. I read some of the notes to him but he doesn't seem very engaged. Not sure he remembers some of the folks we have heard from.
It was about 45 degrees outside and my hair was wet but I took off and gathered up as much of the mess as I could. When I came in and told him he just laughed. I could have smacked him but what are you going to do?
I had three hours today while Marsha was here but felt tired and not much in the mood to do anything. I went and bought our tax software and went to the grocery store. Laid down this afternoon for a bit.
Nice quiet weekend coming up. Just need to get Cowboy bathed and medicine applied, etc and then can relax. He ate well tonight. I had bought a rotisserie chicken and made some dressing and sweet potatoes.
Lots of Christmas cards coming in. I really enjoy getting them. I read some of the notes to him but he doesn't seem very engaged. Not sure he remembers some of the folks we have heard from.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, December 16
Wednesday I had a different caregiver. Marsha was not available. Her name was Jolene. She did OK but I really like Marsha because Cowboy is comfortable with her. I ran some errands and went shopping for a little while. Wasn't really in the spirit. Had to return early so could take Cowboy to see the plastic surgeon.
The surgeon tells us that he is doing very well. The wound is healing on its own. No more wound vac ! I am to just keep doing what I am doing and we go back in two weeks. She really encouraged that he eat lots of protein. This has been a challenge because he won't eat pork or beef hardly at all anymore. We have eggs most mornings, beans, peanut butter, chicken, fish and such. Tonight I cooked a steak that had been in the freezer for quite a spell. I told him to think of it as medicine. He did eat a few bites, refused his salad and ate some potatoes.
Every night Cowboy gets a shower, we dress the wound, I apply his cream to his body and he tucks in. His usual bedtime is about 7:30 at this point. It does give me some time in the evening to watch a little TV or read.
I found out yesterday when the visiting nurse came that they will furnish the dressing supplies even though I am doing the actual dressing so she has ordered me a supply. That was a nice bit of news.
A couple of times in the night he has unwrapped the wound so he could "check it". I have explained to him he should not do that but he doesn't really get it. I suspect I will have to continue to deal with it.
This morning we had a dentist appointment and he insisted on wearing his jeans. I checked everything when we got back and it had stayed in place but it rubs where they removed the skin for the graft.
After we got back from the dentist the physical therapist came and I went to book club. Spent the afternoon doing very little.
Marsha will come tomorrow for three hours and I have to get some ink for my printer, the software to do our taxes and get a few groceries.
It has been drizzling and raining off and on for about three days. We desperately need the rain so I am not complaining but it is messy to get out in.
The surgeon tells us that he is doing very well. The wound is healing on its own. No more wound vac ! I am to just keep doing what I am doing and we go back in two weeks. She really encouraged that he eat lots of protein. This has been a challenge because he won't eat pork or beef hardly at all anymore. We have eggs most mornings, beans, peanut butter, chicken, fish and such. Tonight I cooked a steak that had been in the freezer for quite a spell. I told him to think of it as medicine. He did eat a few bites, refused his salad and ate some potatoes.
Every night Cowboy gets a shower, we dress the wound, I apply his cream to his body and he tucks in. His usual bedtime is about 7:30 at this point. It does give me some time in the evening to watch a little TV or read.
I found out yesterday when the visiting nurse came that they will furnish the dressing supplies even though I am doing the actual dressing so she has ordered me a supply. That was a nice bit of news.
A couple of times in the night he has unwrapped the wound so he could "check it". I have explained to him he should not do that but he doesn't really get it. I suspect I will have to continue to deal with it.
This morning we had a dentist appointment and he insisted on wearing his jeans. I checked everything when we got back and it had stayed in place but it rubs where they removed the skin for the graft.
After we got back from the dentist the physical therapist came and I went to book club. Spent the afternoon doing very little.
Marsha will come tomorrow for three hours and I have to get some ink for my printer, the software to do our taxes and get a few groceries.
It has been drizzling and raining off and on for about three days. We desperately need the rain so I am not complaining but it is messy to get out in.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday, December 13
I took Cowboy to IHOP yesterday morning and then we went to WalMart to pick up some gauze pads and gauze wraps for his knee. It is going to run about $4 a day to do this. We are looking at weeks. I wonder if insurance will do anything? Must check.
The physical therapist started coming again this morning. He did a series of exercises with Cowboy and measured how he compares with others his age (81). Cowboy is not quite up to what is considered normal for his age. For instance it took him 17 seconds to do something it should take 13 seconds to do.
He offered to contact the occupational therapist about some more help from him on cognitive things but I said to wait until I spoke with the doctor. Not sure how much value it would have.
I was notified by the VA that beginning Dec 1 we are back to paying for Marsha. We moved from having it paid to the waiting list. They can only do so many at a time. Funding issue I guess.
I got all the packages boxed up and filled with bubble wrap and then went and stood in line to get them shipped. There is a place nearby and Cowboy was watching TV. I told him I would be back in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, there was a long line and it was about 45 minutes before I got back home. I was nervous he would forget where I was and come looking for me. He has done that a couple of times. He had gotten himself a glass of eggnog and was watching Bonanza. No problems.
The physical therapist started coming again this morning. He did a series of exercises with Cowboy and measured how he compares with others his age (81). Cowboy is not quite up to what is considered normal for his age. For instance it took him 17 seconds to do something it should take 13 seconds to do.
He offered to contact the occupational therapist about some more help from him on cognitive things but I said to wait until I spoke with the doctor. Not sure how much value it would have.
I was notified by the VA that beginning Dec 1 we are back to paying for Marsha. We moved from having it paid to the waiting list. They can only do so many at a time. Funding issue I guess.
I got all the packages boxed up and filled with bubble wrap and then went and stood in line to get them shipped. There is a place nearby and Cowboy was watching TV. I told him I would be back in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, there was a long line and it was about 45 minutes before I got back home. I was nervous he would forget where I was and come looking for me. He has done that a couple of times. He had gotten himself a glass of eggnog and was watching Bonanza. No problems.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 11
We saw the plastic surgeon Wednesday afternoon and learned the skin graft had failed. It was removed and we were told to give him a daily bath with a good soap and water washing of the wound and then apply some silverene cream and wrap it. It is healing and she wants to see if it continues to heal on its own. If not, we may have to go back to the wound vac. She feels pretty confident that it will heal on its own.
Thursday I got the house cleaned. I am not really happy with the service I am using. Need to find time to look around for someone else. I have considered doing it myself but just not sure I can.
The neighborhood had a coffee Friday that I was able to attend. Marsha was here. Then I went to the grocery store.
Yesterday a neighbor sat with Cowboy and I went to the dulcimer rehearsal. Don't get to go much right now and it was really fun to see everyone. We are starting to work on a January concert date. The neighbor who sat is a very lovely lady whose own husband had Lewy Body Dementia. He is deceased. So nice of her.
I had a dinner party Saturday night with the help of the attendees. A friend next door made the entree' and everyone brought something. I made some green beans and of course got the table set up, bought some wine and made appetizers. It was a great evening. These are neighbors who are always ready to do something for each other and look after each other. I so treasure them.
I have some tidying up to do today but hope to spend most of the day reading the paper and maybe getting in a nap. May be warm enough this afternoon for a walk.
Cowboy is doing pretty well. He has been cooperative about his baths and getting wrapped up and seems to reached a point where he doesn't constantly want to put on his jeans. He ate pretty good last night. I am seeing signs of crankiness now and then but I really don't blame him. It must be hard in so many ways. I just wonder what goes on in his head.
Thursday I got the house cleaned. I am not really happy with the service I am using. Need to find time to look around for someone else. I have considered doing it myself but just not sure I can.
The neighborhood had a coffee Friday that I was able to attend. Marsha was here. Then I went to the grocery store.
Yesterday a neighbor sat with Cowboy and I went to the dulcimer rehearsal. Don't get to go much right now and it was really fun to see everyone. We are starting to work on a January concert date. The neighbor who sat is a very lovely lady whose own husband had Lewy Body Dementia. He is deceased. So nice of her.
I had a dinner party Saturday night with the help of the attendees. A friend next door made the entree' and everyone brought something. I made some green beans and of course got the table set up, bought some wine and made appetizers. It was a great evening. These are neighbors who are always ready to do something for each other and look after each other. I so treasure them.
I have some tidying up to do today but hope to spend most of the day reading the paper and maybe getting in a nap. May be warm enough this afternoon for a walk.
Cowboy is doing pretty well. He has been cooperative about his baths and getting wrapped up and seems to reached a point where he doesn't constantly want to put on his jeans. He ate pretty good last night. I am seeing signs of crankiness now and then but I really don't blame him. It must be hard in so many ways. I just wonder what goes on in his head.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wednesday, December 7
Cowboy had not had a bath in a week as of Monday. We had been washing him as best we could but it seemed inadequate to me. I told him to take everything off and I put some water in a basin and had him step in it so I could really wash his feet. Couldn't do much about his legs from the ankle up because of him being wrapped up but we then washed the rest of him as best we could. He wasn't liking it much and wasn't real cooperative but we managed to get him cleaner than he had been in a few days. Will be glad when he can take a shower. I proceeded to closely supervise a scrubbing of his teeth, a good shave and the application of creams and lotions. When we were done I was tired but I know he felt better even if he grumbled.
Monday night my bandmate came over and sat with him and I went to Bunco. We had a little Christmas party with pizza and then played bunco. I won high score. It was a really fun time.
Yesterday, Tuesday, I finally got my cards written and labels affixed and all of that. I was making a few special cards on my computer and my printer decided to foul up. Couldn't figure out how to clean it. Will work on that some more later. I am sending money to some of the kids so they can go shopping but I bought toys for some of those nearby. I still need to get Cowboy something but don't have a clue what to do. He just isn't going to care about anything I purchase.
Marsha comes today and I have a whole list of errands. When I get back we go to see the plastic surgeon at 3:30 so a full day.
Monday night my bandmate came over and sat with him and I went to Bunco. We had a little Christmas party with pizza and then played bunco. I won high score. It was a really fun time.
Yesterday, Tuesday, I finally got my cards written and labels affixed and all of that. I was making a few special cards on my computer and my printer decided to foul up. Couldn't figure out how to clean it. Will work on that some more later. I am sending money to some of the kids so they can go shopping but I bought toys for some of those nearby. I still need to get Cowboy something but don't have a clue what to do. He just isn't going to care about anything I purchase.
Marsha comes today and I have a whole list of errands. When I get back we go to see the plastic surgeon at 3:30 so a full day.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday, December 5
There weren't many people at the museum Friday night. I suspect the rain and cold kept them away. We had a good time anyhow. Always do.
Saturday was devoted to wrapping gifts and doing the laundry and Sunday to the paper and just stuff. Well, of course, there are the meals and the getting Cowboy to keep his leg up, etc.
Sunday night we had a neighborhood Christmas party. I made my food and took it but could only stay a short time. It was nice to see the neighbors and have a bite of great food but I felt rushed and uneasy. I left Cowboy in his chair watching TV. Was back in about 45 minutes and brought him some of the goodies. He liked that.
I heard thunder and saw lightening during the night. We are so grateful for the rain. We didn't even get up until about 8.
I have Bunco tonight but have someone to sit. It has quit raining but is cold. There's plenty to do around here. Still have laundry to fold from Saturday and my stove needs attention. Cowboy is watching TV and seems content.
Saturday was devoted to wrapping gifts and doing the laundry and Sunday to the paper and just stuff. Well, of course, there are the meals and the getting Cowboy to keep his leg up, etc.
Sunday night we had a neighborhood Christmas party. I made my food and took it but could only stay a short time. It was nice to see the neighbors and have a bite of great food but I felt rushed and uneasy. I left Cowboy in his chair watching TV. Was back in about 45 minutes and brought him some of the goodies. He liked that.
I heard thunder and saw lightening during the night. We are so grateful for the rain. We didn't even get up until about 8.
I have Bunco tonight but have someone to sit. It has quit raining but is cold. There's plenty to do around here. Still have laundry to fold from Saturday and my stove needs attention. Cowboy is watching TV and seems content.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Friday, December 2
We went to the plastic surgeon this morning. They removed the wound vac. That's the good news. The wound where they took the skin is looking good. However, the skin is not attaching as well as she would like to the knee. They wrapped it up very securely today and asked him to try not to move it any more than necessary. Still hoping will take.
Marsha came and I spent a couple of hours looking for Christmas presents. The requests from some of the grandchildren are toys I have never heard of but I managed to find them. Target has things arranged really nicely.
Tonight the dulcimer group plays at the museum. I was going to take Cowboy but now I can't. A neighbor is going to sit with him. I ran into her at the nail salon. I was taking my phone out to make some calls to find someone and told her what I was going to do and why and she offerred to sit with him on the spot ! Somehow I just know I am being looked after.
It is raining which is going to make things messy but we are so grateful for the rain. and it is much cooler. I had almost forgotten what cool weather felt like.
Marsha came and I spent a couple of hours looking for Christmas presents. The requests from some of the grandchildren are toys I have never heard of but I managed to find them. Target has things arranged really nicely.
Tonight the dulcimer group plays at the museum. I was going to take Cowboy but now I can't. A neighbor is going to sit with him. I ran into her at the nail salon. I was taking my phone out to make some calls to find someone and told her what I was going to do and why and she offerred to sit with him on the spot ! Somehow I just know I am being looked after.
It is raining which is going to make things messy but we are so grateful for the rain. and it is much cooler. I had almost forgotten what cool weather felt like.
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