The Fam Has Arrived

October 31st . Happy Halloween! Today’s blog is being written by Karen’s sister: Bonita. Karen is enjoying an evening of calories, shopping and laughter. Bonita and their mom: Patty, drove to Boise from Salt Lake City and presented Karen with a wonderful gift: a bright pink ukulele with big white flowers! Karen has been challenged to learn to play a new song each day. With this new talent, she will delight friends and grandchildren alike in no time at all. Bonita has a banjo and Patty plays the piano – imagine what we will have ready in time for Christmas!  Before we left the care center, Karen accompanied us as we sang “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” We had to hold a few notes longer than is comfortable during the chord changes, but she’ll improve. 

We enjoyed a visit with Bruce who looks handsome and optimistic, if a bit tired. Earlier today, he  enjoyed his first food by mouth in over a month. Karen said he shed a few tears as he savored the taste of chocolate pudding and some applesauce. He whispers, but is clear in his speech. (Sounds  like Batman – I rather liked it..). He spoke of the challenge of being able to keep his throat clear – he coughs well, and needs to do better. I think he’ll enjoy the ukulele lessons; he has a great appreciation for good music, I happen to know that.

We left him looking peaceful with his eyes closed and headed off to the Olive Garden. We ate way too much and had a waitress who kept referring to us as “My ladies.” It was charming the first two times she said it.  Mom had soup and salad. Karen had the shrimp Alfredo and I had the Italian sampler. We all agreed we don’t need to eat for several days. We took the two leftover bread sticks; hate to waste good food. We might leave them for the housekeeper at the hotel.

By the way, we are staying at the Hampton Inn. What a lovely place! I’m used to this kind of a hotel when I travel – (generally someone else is paying for it…). They had cookies fresh from the oven waiting for us at check in. Is that class or what!

After we wobbled out of the Olive Garden we found a Best Buy and purchased a CD player (yes! They still make those) for Karen and Bruce to listen to books on CD. (I brought a lovely romance novel on CD – looks like I’ll take it back to SLC – my feelings aren’t hurt. Some people don’t know about these hidden gems in the world of fine literature). Karen also bought an electric razor – Bruce is looking a little shaggy. If he were a bit younger, it would be a “dangerous” look. He’ll be back in a tie soon enough. The beard has to go.

Two different young men told us to go straight home and not party too long. I think they thought we are old enough to be flirted with. I felt like telling them all my grandchildren are under four-years-old pal! 

Back at the hotel – we’ll settle in for a good night’s sleep and look forward to a wonderful morning tomorrow. Patty is saying she is ready for the party to start.... She and Bonita will head back to Salt Lake just after noon on Saturday. Hoping to leave smiles in our wake. Looking forward to our next visit.

Karen wants me to say she is the quiet one in the family. There I’ve said it. Those who know her, run with it, if you will…..  

Thank you to all of her friends. She has been steadied by the prayers, the cards, calls, gifts and visits. She and Bruce are in for a bit of an adventure still – but they are going to make it and will have quite a story to tell. When the time comes, Karen wants Jane Seymour to play her in the movie. We agree Tom Hanks will be Bruce. Our mom has long since chosen Angela Lansbury and I believe Bette Midler will capture my personality adequate.

Thank you for listening! It’s been a wonderful trip and we look forward to coming back soon!

Sent from my iPad

Four Weeks and Counting

     Grandpa K was able to swallow some ice cubes. They removed the Darth Vader breathing machine, aka the ventilator. They said they sterilize it and have it ready for the next patient. 

     Carol Byron stopped by, she works in the building across from our house at Greenwood school.

      Wayne and Kathy Jensen took me to Sizzler's for lunch. We had the buffet, salad, bread, 2 kinds of soup, clam chowder and vegetable beef. It was a very nice to get out, eat and talk. 

    The PT ladies sat Grandpa K in a chair. Then they came back and took him to the gym (torture chamber). They lifted him with a Hoyer machine to a raised mat. Grandpa K said he got really dizzy, they had a vinyl foam wedge behind him with pillows to hold him at an angle. They wanted him to sit upright on his own, he weaves a little back and forth and they set him straight. They had him sitting up, moving his shoulder blades together and positioning his arms to push himself up with the idea that he can do transfers from a wheel chair to a toilet or shower chair or couch. He is teaching his body to sit up just like a baby trying to sit up. 

       One of the Occupational therapists name is Waldo. The nurses are always asking for Waldo. Where's Waldo? He is from Columbia, Medellin. He is very nice, efficient and easy to talk to. He plays soccer three times a week here in Boise. 

   

  Bruce is out of ICU and in to med/surg room. #225 yeah! We will be here another 2 weeks. He is sleeping, they really wore him out with the workout in the gym. 

     Sorry this is late, had a migraine.

More Ramblings

      Made the trip to Boise just fine, listened to a murder mystery on disk on the way over. I want to read more, it is a good story. Didn't cry, sob, weep or howl once. Am I getting stronger or just focusing my thoughts on other things? Perhaps both.

       Bruce talked and told me all about his day, then I read him to him about 20 cards he had received. Bruce went to see Dr. Montalbano, the neuro surgeon in an ambulance ride to St Al's. Bruce told the driver he wanted to see her license first. She laughed and laughed. The visit lasted 15 seconds and the Dr wants to see Bruce again in 2 months. The trip must have worn him out. Bruce rolled his eyes when he said how long the visit was and all the trouble to get him there. He is resting now. 

       I have a ten page medical history the Dr wants me to fill out. I despise forms, a necessary evil, I suppose.

     Still breathing on his own. He is eating ice cubes. The lady therapist told him the prize for eating the ice cubes is more ice cubes. He asked for some later this evening and the nurses said only the ice cube lady can give him those as they don't know how to do it and what to look for and what to do if something goes wrong.

     

       My friends are sending me 2 1/2 inch strips of fall colored fabric to make a quilt. The colors are gorgeous. I just want to play with them and lay them out in rows and well it is a quilter thing.  For a quilter to part with any kind of fabric is an honor as we kinda hoard our fabric. Thank you dear friends. 

      They sat him up in the chair for about 45 minutest his afternoon. They are still wrapping his legs. I helped wrap one leg and the PT told me to make it tighter as I wrapped. Bruce wears a belt/ girdle support around his waist too.

     Audrey Lawrence stopped by for a visit,  Mark Sheldon's mother, he was the custodian at Central. She said she was 87 years old and had been visiting people in the hospitals since 1988. She is a strong woman. She moves slow but she is steady. She said a prayer of comfort and peace with us. I recognize her now when she comes for a visit.

      We turned on the tv this evening and we're watching some bb. Bruce has to have it on so loud for him to hear it hurts my ears. Bruce said he would fall asleep if he didn't have something to do. I sat and squirmed in a very hard seat next to him. 

     He complained he was cold, so I added a blanket and his hat. The temp was up to 73. A bit later he says to remove the hat and cover his bare shoulders. I like his shoulders bare, but I suppose he is in charge. 

    The days are long and monotonous. Change is small and hard to see at times. 

He did say to the nurse he would be fine, I have my wife here with me, so I suppose I will go back and visit him tomorrow. 

   

Improvement

     Sorry about the title yesterday, when I leave the blog page and return, the keyboard letters disappear. So I couldn't figure out how to type a title, infernal machine, I will figure it out, maybe.

      Baby William rolled over for the first time today. He is a genius.

     Went to Sacrament meeting in the Stake house next to the Boise Idaho Temple. They were doing their annual primary children's program. That is where the children ages 3 - 12 present the program. It was a lot of loud singing, one liners, scriptures and smiles. It was delightful. After one loud song, a child's voice could be heard saying" that was loud". Even Andrew smiled at that.

  

   Talked to the Dr. she is thinking 2 more days in here. They will try tonight without the  ventilator.  And swallowing ice on Monday. Yeah progress! Then he moves down the hall to the med/surg hall. 

   

    Baby William sleeping in his daddy's arms. He prefers the tiger asleep in the tree position.

       Grandpa K is in much better spirits this morning. He was cold, said he spent the night shivering. He said if he makes noise the nurses would come check on him. He flaps his arms on the side of the bed. He can't make his fingers push the call button. He said the nurse brought him only one heated blanket. We bought him a hat. Now he is too hot. The nurse said that was part of the healing, ups and downs in temperature. Like menopause?

      We brought him his glasses and a razor. The nurses said they liked the razor.

He asked for a foot rub. Andrew has one foot and Luke the other, they are wearing plastic gloves. 

     He and Luke are talking bb stuff. 

He wanted to read scriptures with us today. His mind is clearing.

    

      I returned home to La Grande and will be here for a couple of days. I hope you don't mind I will take a break from the blog. I need to order Sr. Cap and gown for Andrew and find a photographer for Sr. pictures. I need to figure out how to pay bills on line so I won't have to worry about that. 

    

     I will call the Dr and get a daily report. If anything has changed I will report it. 

Nothing is sweeter than the water from La Grande. I look forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight. Yes! 

       

        

Kiujoumljuuojhy

   Bruce is still cold this morning, I put a heated blanket on him and on his head. He says his feet are cold. He is breathing on his own all day. They put him on the vent at night. He talks pretty much all day. He seems saner this morning. I clipped his toenails and threatened to paint them pink, he puckered his lips at me. A Dr came in to figure out if he has a concussion or not. They will change his medicine.

     They want to put him on a standing board later today.

      Bishop Huntsman and Donna his wife brought Andrew by about 10:30am this morning. Our youngest son looks like he grew another inch while I was gone.

   

      Andrew and I had lunch in the cafeteria, cheese quesadillas, chips, a cup of Italian soup (sausage meatballs and some white, round pasta) and lemonade to drink. Andrew is still hungry. He found some Teddy Grahams in the car he is munching on.

     

    Bruce and Andrew are watching a soccer game, LA Galaxy vs Seattle. 

     Blanch and Walter Hutchison stopped by. They are on their way to a wedding reception. 

     Andrew and I assisted in getting Bruce ready for the standing board. Andrew wrapped his dad's right leg under the direction of the PT with a gauze stretch wrap and she did the other leg. I helped by holding the pillows. It's a gift. 

      Andrew says, "Dads not wearing any underwear?" Yes, he is young to be learning the ways of hospital life. Next we got the beds level. I'm holding a sheet now. What would they do without moi?

     With Andrew on one side and the PT lady and I on the other we slide Bruce by pulling on a sheet to the standing bed. He is strapped in and Andrew presses the up button. We got skills, what can I say? Once again I was helping by standing out of the way. Bruce is getting dizzy and nauseous now, and saying he can't breathe. I look down the hall and Luke and Fam have arrived. I embrace my delightful grandson, I mean my son and his wife. Bruce's mouth is open and making gagging noises so I tell Taylor we can leave with baby William and go down to a lounge area. We leave Luke and Andrew to assist the PT and we make a hasty getaway.

     Ten min later Luke and Andrew join us. They had put their dad back on the bed and he was resting. We go check on him and he wants to rest. So we depart to the mall for more retail therapy. 

      The original plan was for Andrew to spend the night with Luke and Taylor and the adorable baby William at the Thompsons and I go to my host family. Hello, someone forgot to tell Andrew and he doesn't have a change of clothes. That someone needs more sleep, sigh. So we went to the mall to purchase some clothes for the poor child. We found some shorts for him to sleep in and socks and a collared shirt to wear with his jeans for church tomorrow. It will have to do. We ate dinner at the mall. I found some styling walking shoes and a cover for this ipad. (don't tell Bruce I keep dropping it) Saw Michelle and her husband Andy they are from La Grande. 

      We drove to a Wal Mart down the street, with me following, I don't like to drive in Boise, only one car honked at me and I didn't scream once, so this country mouse is getting better driving in the city. We find an electric razor for Andrews chin hair, I mean hairs, ahem and some q tips. Why do my ears itch when I leave town? Is someone talking about me? I told the boys they could each pick a bag of halloween candy. Luke tells his wife, "it was on sale", yes alas, that is from my side of the family. Taylor stayed in the car nursing the three month old child prodigy. 

   I bid adieu and head for my host family. 

     Please do not judge me harshly, I have read accounts of women staying by their husbands side 24 seven in an ordeal like this. I choose to escape. I do not handle seeing my husband in pain, it tears me apart, my stomach is in knots, I do not sleep at night. I keep thinking we will awaken and this nightmare will be over. Night turns into day and this trial continues. One day at a time. 

   

     

      

      

    

Freezing and Hot

     Bruce was doing thumb wars with the young PT girl today. They are testing the movement in his hands.

      He is sitting up now, keeps saying "help" and when we ask what he needs help with he doesn't know. They used the Hoyer sling to get him in the chair. He was sitting up for an hour. He said he was hot, I turned the heat down.

     Bruce is calling me by name. He says it feels really weird not to be able to move his legs. 

   

      Wayne and Kathy Jensen stopped in for a visit. I had just gotten back from a walk and said hi before they left.

    

    Found a nice pond with a fountain and ducks so when the grandchildren come for a visit we could feed the ducks. Saw a flock of geese in the field across the street.

     

     He said,  "I assume Daniel is still deployed." The nurse says his brain is trying to figure out how to heal itself so he will be confused for awhile. Our son Daniel has been home from Afghanistan for a while now. 

      Rhonda Shelton and her mom and husband came for a visit. It is always good to see faces from home. I asked Bruce if he knew who that was when they left and he said "Rhonda". That is good as he has been a little 'off' today.

     Now he says he is cold, turned the heat up a couple degrees.

   

      Andrew, our youngest son called, he got his leg brace off and will only have to wear a knee brace when he does sports. He is still doing PT. He was going to go home to do laundry. He got asked to the Fall Ball! He had to do a scavenger hunt to find out who it was, he was pleased to find out it was Emily Quebbeman. He is coming down on Saturday to see his mom I mean dad. Ahem...

      Bruce wants something to do so I turned the tv on. He has his eyes closed and is listening to a football game. I closed the door as the TV is loud for him to hear it and it also might get the room warmer with the door closed.

     Audrey Lawrence from the Methodist church (Mark Sheldon's mom, he was head custodian at Central) stopped by, she tracked us down from St. Als., for a short visit and a word of prayer. What a kind heart she has. Bruce recognized Mark's name and said amen at the end of the prayer. 

     I received some forwarded cards from Rosala and her three Little Indians (that's how she signed the card) and Jodie Morrison. Glad to see they are forwarding cards.  And thanks for the fabric strips, Rosala, I will have to look up some jelly roll patterns on line for a quilt top. 

      

      Have put four heated blankets on him and he is still freezing. He wanted the blanket over his face, I told him no (that is what you do to dead people) so I put a towel on top of his head, no he did not look like an Arab, more like a nun. The RT man put a heated blanket on his head. That is much better than a towel. Why didn't I think of that?

     Talked to my brother tonight for an hour, he must be lonely or maybe enthusiastic talkers run in the family.  

Three Weeks Today

     Saw a license plate this morning that read YITSMOM, so it is 'why it's mom', or 'Wyatt's mom'? The conundrum (puzzle) for the day.

     

     We wear name tags here. The lady at the front desk knows me but the Drs, nurses and aides (oh my) change so they need to see me in a name tag so they know where I belong. I put the room number on the tag in case I get lost. 

     

     He is gagging and choking. I hate seeing him like this. They have taught me how to suction his mouth. That helps some. I put lotion on his toes, the rest of the foot was in an ace bandage. He is still wearing the dog collar. That must be horrible to sleep in. 

    

      PT came in, the chair Bruce sat in yesterday is being used. So the plan is to sit him up on the edge of the bed and see what he can tolerate. The chairs cost about $5000. I said we need a wealthy donor. They agreed. They only have six ICU patients. They have 40 beds and 34 patients. 

    They are moving his hands and arms. He had a shoulder spasm. Yesterday he did thumbs up. They move his foot up and down to flex his feet.

    

     They had him sit on the side of the bed for about 30 min. He was wobbly at first but then he controlled it. They massaged his scapula on the right side (shoulder blade) They were worried it would stick and not be as mobile, He is still on pain meds. They said not to pull on his arm. 

     I wiped the boogers out of his eyes and eyelashes. His left hand is swollen. They put it up on pillows. The PT lady showed me how to touch and swipe down his arm to help with the circulation.

  

   Carma and her lovely daughter Kelly and granddaughter Presley rescued me for a an hour. We had some retail therapy. Found a sale then to McD's for a smoothie, almost healthy. I think I can get to the mall by myself now. Kelly cut my bangs for me in the parking lot. The owner of the car next to us is going to wonder why there is hair on the back seat window... Thank you Kelly! 

     Seen in the mall parking lot.

 

    Bruce is breathing on his own and not gagging. He is sleeping. I think I will close my eyes for a bit too. 

   They put the voice box in, his words of wisdom for the day:

"What do I have to do to get out of here?"

"Why am I so cold?" "Why do I ache all over?" "I am freezing". 

The nurse raised the temperature from 68 to 72 and brought another heated blanket.

He is still pretty loopy from the pain medication. I'll let you know when he is coherent enough to remember your visit. I hope he won't remember any of this.

      It is raining and drizzling here. 

     

Time

     They are putting a collar on his neck to help protect him and then they will move him, twice a day. They say it is too early to know what the full extent of the damage will be. 

     They like that he has movement in his arms. He can move them when he is mad, he slaps them down. They like that he has feeling sensation in his legs. They said that is usually first to go before motor. It is a puzzle. No movement in legs yet. So in six weeks to six months we will be able to determine the neurological outcome. 

      

    The speech therapist was asking him questions to see how his mind is working. Bruce just rolls his eyes. She will have him talk tomorrow. He got the month and year correct, day wrong. I don't even know the date, they all seem to run together. 

Now I suppose we can insert a discourse on the meaning of time.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

     Bruce is styling with an Aspen neck brace. They are worried he is arching his neck and with the surgery, they want extra support, he has to wear it 24 hours. No it doesn't have spikes, no he doesn't want it bedazzled, don't know if we can sign it. He doesn't like it. He has a large neck, 17 1/2 inches, linebacker oh yeah. Maybe some green and yellow racing stripes? Quack, quack.

      They sat him up for two hours, bathed and oral care. He didn't want a shave. I put Chapstick on his lips.

     I had lunch outside on the patio, leftovers and then went for a walk around the neighborhood. 

     They use Walkie/talkie radios to communicate. St Al's used cell phones. So which is worse? The buzz, crackle of the radios or the ringing of cell phones? 

     Met Shauna a CNN, she used to live in La Grande, small world. 

     As I was returning from an afternoon break, the staff was cheering for a patient that was walking out of here. Later they had a new patient arrive via gurney like we did yesterday. 

     I did some genealogy research. Found some Logwoods from Virginia, an obit with wife's name and children on findagrave.com and photo of headstone. YES! 

     Bruce is doing his five hour breathing now. 

     They changed his wrist band ID bracelet, typing error for his birth year, 1962 instead of 1952. That's okay, I am ten years younger anyway...

     

  Success story seen in the hallways of SWIACH where we are staying.

 

Move to Rehab

     He is breathing for 5 hours twice a day on his own. He talked again for 20 min.

He is very sleepy and his eyes are closed a lot. Waiting to move, no word yet.

They won't do the swallow ice test until he is more alert.

    I asked the owner if I could take a photo of her license plate and she said yea. I asked her if there was a story behind it. She said her husband's name is Bob and he gets teased about it. Bob is the same forward as it is backwards and What About Bob? the movie. we have a Grandpa Bob in our family.

     Okay so the insurance approved the transfer, now we are waiting for approval for a vehicle. Sigh 

      

     Stopped at the hospital library and the lady there said they mostly have journals. She gave me this website for more information and said it doesn't have ads: medlineplus.gov I looked up spinal cord info and it was very helpful. It has a lot of other medical info too.

We got transport permission at 3:30 pm. He was ready to go at 4:30pm. He is hooked up in his new room and was sleeping peacefully. Visiting hours are 8 am to 8 pm. 

The address is SW ID Advanced Care Hospital 

6651 W. Frwnklin Rd.

Boise, ID 83709

I am sure they will forward any cards. I'll ask tomorrow.

 We looked this up and the initials could stand for Best Friend Yet Bug.

   You think this is a gasoline store?

Code

 I hope this doesn't sound melodramatic. This is scary, so please preview it before you share it with your children. I will try to tell it like I remember how it happened.

     Got two calls last night one at 10:16 and one at 10:40. Must have slept through the first call. Both from ICU, awoke to a nurse telling me to get to ICU that it was an emergency anhusband had gone down hill. I told Brandi and she said she would drive me as I was in no shape to drive. I called Ben and he said to remain calm and keep him informed. I called Brooke Thompson (a family friend that works at St Als) hoping he would be at work but he must have conked out at home. They have 24 hour shifts.

    Arrived at the emergency room and they told me they would be with me in a minute. I told the receptionist my husband was in ICU and had gone down hill. She got Jim to show us how to get there, while in elevator to third floor the nurse called and said he was stable. He had flatlined.

   The nurse Josh, explained, every night they give him a suppository at the same time to help get him regular. (Grape nuts works for me) Apparently the rectum is attached to the nervous system and that simulated heart failure. Alarms went off, his heart had stopped, the nurses called "code" which means everybody come. They started compressing his chest. They had an injection and the pads ready to spark him but they weren't needed, his heartbeat slowly returned. 

    I arrived breathless at his room to find the monitor stable, his color was good and his breathing normal. The nurse was explaining this was not an uncommon occurrence. I was just very pleased to see my husband. I called Ben and had the nurse explain all over again to him what had happened. Talked to Ben and he said good luck trying to sleep. Bruce was peacefully sleeping. Trying to sleep after an Adeline Rush is next to impossible. Needless to say my eyes look like puffy watermelons with baggy dark circles underneath. 

     Today was a slow day, I am beginning to appreciate slower days. He is up to four hours breathing on his own and the warm mist spray that goes with it. 

   They put an umbrella filter in his right leg. He has a blood clot which is not uncommon for someone who hasn't been moving for two and half weeks. Bruce had to sit for four hours with his legs down and head up. They gave him blood thinners to help get rid of the clot.

      The nurses shaved him. He is pretty handsome when he gets cleaned up. I put Chapstick on his lips and he puckered up for me. 

    Didn't get to move him to rehab today. When I called the insurance company they said they were waiting for the Drs report from the nurse and then the nurse said she waiting for the insurance okay. Bah humbug. 

   The nurse figured he won't be moved tomorrow before ten am and it will take two hours to move him two blocks away. (All the equipment) So that means I won't make it back in time to see our youngest son Andrew honored with the other Senoirs on the soccer field.  My heart is breaking, I need a clone. Is that a scary thought? Two Karen's?

Here's one for Bruce. Go Ducks! (the lovely finger in the corner is the photographers accent line) ahem

  

Ups and Downs

     Some friends dropped by a dozen crispy creme donuts last night. Sugar, sugar, sugar, I had one for lunch today and shared them with my host family.

     Got another care package from a friend with two fleece blankets in them, and some snacks. The note said when I need a hug to curl up in the blanket. I slept with it last night. 

     Went to sacrament meeting at 8:30 this morning. One of the speakers was a sister missionary. She said she was from Utah and had an awesome accent where she would sometimes repeat her words. She proceeded to tell the story of Ammon and the Kings sheep, where Ammon cuts off the arms of the robbers and the arms are gathered up and taken to the king. The king is amazed and Ammon gets to tell him the gospel of Christ. (My boys loved this story and acting it out) This sister was amazing telling the story with her stuttering accent. She was strong and could stand in front of a congregation of 250 and did not falter. That's faith, confidence and strength. You can read Ammon's story Alma 17: 20 - 39. Google it as I can't make a connection...

    The host family I am staying with has a  three year old son, he asked me if I could crack my nipples. I was kinda dumbfounded for a sec and then he said like this, and was showing me how to pop his knuckles. So no I can't pop my nipples, I don't like the sound it makes.... And I don't even want to try it.

      Bruce is sitting up, he had trouble breathing with the cpap this morning. He had too much moisture and it was making him gag. The nurse explained when he is turned it loosens things up and that causes the liquids to move around and because he can't cough it up it clogs the tubes which makes it harder to breathe. She came and pushed another tube that made him cough/gag and then it was easier on him. He finished his three hours. 

  They tried to have him swallow a small ice cube this morning and that didn't work. He choked on it. So no talking today.

      They are doing the paper work for the move tomorrow. Dr. Morgan said as soon as we get the go ahead he could be moved in a couple of hours. That fast, sure seems slow to me. Everything is in slow motion lately.

   His right leg is swollen which could be a sign of a blood clot, so they will do an MRI to see what is going on. 

       I can't stand watching him gag and grimace in pain. It breaks my heart.

     Jean Secl and her daughter Carrie stopped by for a visit with me. Jean recently lost her husband Dave to cancer and is adjusting to that. She agrees it is mind numbing.

      Lee Flower stopped in for a short visit. Bruce squeezed his hand. He is really tired and not very responsive today.

       

     For all the Donnas out there.

He Talks!

     The nice nurse shaved Grandpa K. He was being a rascal and moving the washcloth off his face. The nurse put it there to soften his face for shaving.

     He is talking! They let him talk for 15 min, he kept going for 20 min.

He is worried about his grapes in the garden. I told him Jean Rogers was going to juice them for him and he can make them into jelly later.

His said his voice was his life to teach the children. They gave him ice chips to swallow. He wanted apple juice. They said they would begin with water and ice chips and that it could be absorbed into the body if it wasn't swallowed correctly. He wants to get out of here. He said he wanted me to talk to Pres Chadwick about getting released from his church calling. I patiently explained that wasn't his decision, we shall see. 

    Ate lunch outside on a picnic table with the grandchildren. After potty breaks and hugs they left to return to their busy lives in Utah. Not too much whining and the grandchildren were good too. 

     This is the outdoor garden at the hospital, lovely family models. Notice how father sets the example of staying off the wall. He gets it from his fathers side of the family... My side would probably be hanging off the fence.

     Bishop Brent Baxter and Jay Blackburn stopped in for a visit, with a giant handmade card (I love the sunflowers) from the high school and a bag of goodies, games and cards to keep us outta trouble. It was good to see them and hear of the love and good wishes from the high school staff. They gave Bruce a blessing of peace and strength for the days ahead.

     

     Ray and Diane Anderson stopped by with a book for me to read to Bruce. The Lincoln Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard. It looks like a good choice. I have always liked reading books about Lincoln.

     This is an unusual plant in the front yard of my host family. I think it looks like an alien species of some sort. Will have to find out the name.

      Went for a walk. It feels good to move my muscles, must remember that when I move Grandpa K's legs for him. The PT showed me some moves I can use on Bruce's legs to stretch them out; the snow angel, and twinkle, twinkle little star for the hands. Must do it two or three times a day. 

     

    

     

     

Food and Friends

    Sorry about yesterday's blog. I thought it worked... Infernal machine.

      This is a friend a found on my walk this morning.

 

  Grandpa K is about the same. He sat up for two hours. He is up to three hours on the cpap. He was having back spasms today. Rob was rubbing his shoulders for him and singing to him. 

     Went to lunch with Carol Murphy and son Rob to Denny's. Thanks for letting me talk and talk and eat, my two favorite things to do. Thanks for the cards. Sometimes I read the cards to Bruce, I am not sure how much gets through to him but I like them, they are encouraging. 

   

    The hospital workers gave me brochures for two places for the next step. Bruce would be in rehab for three weeks in a small hospital with the same stuff as the ICU only more physical therapy. They specialize in getting patients off the ventilator, and off the stomach tube to a liquid diet. The insurance companies like this as it is cheaper than ICU with the same care and a friendlier environment. 

       

     Rob's wife Lindsey took me to both places in Boise. They both have cafeterias and  I can stay in the room, good nurse to patient ratio, doctors and occupational therapists and a gym for physical therapy. Thanks for going with me Lindsey. I sometimes feel numb and can't react. 

   

     Aunt Kathy was telling me the newest therapy in spinal cord injuries is an exoskeleton (Google it) where the back teaches the brain how to walk. Neither place has this equipment. I imagine it is fairly new and very expensive.

     How do you think the unthinkable? With an itheburg... Get it? Rob was trying to cheer me up. For John Lamarou. Get it? An unsinkable ship with an ice burg... Oh well 

 

   

     

     

 

Two Weeks Already?

       Forgot to mention Boyd Rasmussen stopped by yesterday. (need more sleep) Bruce was asleep so he didn't get to talk to him, just me and some would say I talked enough for both of us. 

 

      Thank you Aunt Kathy for the knitted shawl, it will be nice in the freezing ICU. It arrived in the nick of time just as I was compl... ah lamenting how cold it was.

      Today he is still trying to learn how to breathe, swallow and sleep with the trach. He is in pain and grimaces a lot. No voice therapy until the vocal chords heal, so I would hold off on visits until he can talk, the nurses say 2-3 days.

      He did blow me a kiss.

     Pres. Chadwick and Lisa his wife and Pres. Dave Richards stopped by for a visit. 

Got a nice hug from Lisa. And more talking. 

    This a picture of the helicopter only it is behind the stu tree... Okay, so play I spy.

      My son Rob and his family are here. Rob visited with his dad while Lindsey and the children and I went to see the fish in the library, the nurse doll in the display case and walk the walk outside. They liked looking for the red trinity sign and stomping on it. We saw a helicopter land and take off. We went to the waiting room and the children played there awhile. Rob came out and joined us for lunch at the hospital cafeteria. The children had pizza. The children like Grandpa K's hospital. Baby Riley filled a diaper to overflowing... We saved it for Rob to change, tee hee. We bad.

     

     Grandpa K is sitting up now. They have jerry rigged a suction tube so he can suction out his mouth by himself by moving his head.

   

  He is still in a lot of pain and couldn't do the breathing by himself. They said they would try later on today. He is tired and worn out. I haven't showed him the poem or the video, he just doesn't have the concentration yet.

   Why am I only thinking it has only been 11 days? It has been two weeks. I suppose I was only counting the time on the ventilator. 

     Throwing coins in the water fountain.

     

He is Smiling Again!

       My kind of plate. You think it is edible?

    The ventilator tubes are outta his mouth! Hurrah! He is smiling for the first time in a long time. The speech therapist will come in tomorrow and teach him how to talk with the trach in. We are getting better at reading his lips. He was puckering up so I thought he wanted a kiss. Couldn't tribute out what he wanted. Sigh

     Debbie Welch the occupational therapist from the school district stopped by. She said to tell Bruce to listen to the therapists they know what is best. She said her church group is praying for us too. That is comforting to know so many people who don't know us care enough to pray. There is power in prayer.

     Met a group of babies in 2 red wagons with rows outside by the water fountain. The ladies said it is a day care for the employees at the hospital. I think they said it was for age 8 months to three years. The babies did not like the wind. Neither did I and I hurried inside. I couldn't take a picture, they would need parental permission. 

   Seen in the valet section.

      Okay, the sixth and seventh floor, are you ready for this? They are empty! Yes how disappointing. I was hoping for a locked insane asylum or experimental floor. We should write a story about those floors... They are planning on moving an outside building medical floor to this building. 

     

      The 'peg' tube is in for feeding. He will get three 'meals' a day to prepare for a liquid diet when the tube comes out. 

     

        Bruce is resting when the nurses don't come in for some trivial reason. 

It is 68 degrees in this room and he likes the fan on. Brrr, I always wear a jacket.

We compliment each other that way. He is hot and I am cold.

   

    

       Gowns, sheets, towels and washcloths for ICU.

    Here is a YouTube video the third grade made for Mr. Kevan. It is three minutes long and just delightful. 

http://youtu.be/AJ6lQt9Dj-A