One Day More

   Monday - We bought some taco soup and brownies for a dance fund raiser so I didn't have to cook today.

Have been sewing today. Made autumn leaf covers for the pillows and matching curtain for under the sink. 

Need to clean, don't want to.

Getting rid of Santa suits, more stuff to get rid of. 

Trying to get some quilt tops done to put in the local quilt show at the shop down town. They serve cider and cookies too. 

Will have to find another murder mystery to read.

   Wednesday -  I have an awful head ache, sinus again, couldn't be stress, right?

  I did clean two toilets and a load of dishes and cut out more strips for border and binding.

I need to thin the iris, but don't think that will happen this year.

Maybe I will sweep off the deck. Maybe

  Andrew took the white car back to Pres. Richards on Sunday. He needed it for family. We have had it a year. I should ask Andrew to write a thank you but he hasn't even sent any for his Sr grad gifts. 

Have to make three more blocks for the string quilt. Six blocks just isn't big enough.

  Bruce has an appointment in Baker today. If this headache doesn't go away I will stay home. Duncan is the designated driver. Bruce turned on Peter, Paul and Mary had to leave the kitchen, it hurts my head, it is too loud.

 It is raining here, no mail either.

     Bruce left for a Drs appoint and I felt better. You think there is a connection? An outward manifestation of inner turmoil. Sigh

   Thursday - Went to sewing this morning. Almost finished a top. The ladies are helpful with opinions and ideas. One lady brought sausage and potato soup in a crock pot for lunch, it was so good.

Bruce is back on his therapy schedule. It is only an hour a day until he gets stronger. Then he will work up to an hour and a half a day.

 Andrew got a job working at Goss motors. He will wash and vacuum cars from 8 am to noon or so. We are just glad he will be busy and have Sunday's off.

  Going to night RS tonight. We do a quilt class and then the regular meeting.

It is nice to get away.

  

    Friday - Had slight trauma last night, as I was settling into our cozy warm bed at 11 pm. Bruce's catheter came off. Had to get him up in the sling, change the sheets and blankets and put him back to bed. Had to get Andrew to help me get him back to bed and then Duncan to position him with pillows. I have trouble rolling him over. It is nights like these I wish he was in a hospital bed. I was very frustrated and had to hold my sobs back so Bruce wouldn't see or hear. When he loses control of his bowels he gets really quiet, it is humiliating for him. It makes me angry, tired and mean.

    I sewed all day at UFO yesterday. I did get a top almost finished, needs borders. I come home and things are still the same. I suppose the trivial things are what will keep me going. The top is cheddar yellow and indigo blue with Scottish thistle. It will be very nice.

Need to sleep

Goodbye October

Notes from last week Nov 1 - 8

Sunday - Nov. 1st - Ended up going to the ER this morning. The wound vac sponge came out. 

They taught me how to secure the patch when it leaks, add more tape and this putty stuff. But the sponge on the wound came out and I don't know how to do that. This trip was only an hour and a half. So got out of there in a timely manner for ER. We knew two of the nurses and a Dr. from church so that was nice. 

The good thing is they called our wound nurse and she said to stop using the wound vac and they just put a big bandage on it! Yeah! We will see her tomorrow for our weekly visit.

  The sun is shining, must be time to got to sleep in the sunshine, like Garfield. Couldn't face going to church for the last hour. Well meaning people ask how Bruce is and we tell them we are getting stronger. Some days are difficult, some days are easier. 

Tuesday - Andrew raked leaves for us. They are in piles, Duncan say he would move them, he didn't say when.

I did some sewing today. I feel like I have accomplished something when I can see it in my hand, cleaning and cooking are fleeting and my quilts seem to last longer.

Might go to the FHC depends on how Bruce is doing and if I need to get away.

Wednesday - Andrew made sketti and meatballs on Tuesday. He cooked the sauce down. He didn't ask about adding spices, so we talked about that. He likes to do things on his own. He said it would have been nice to know while he was cooking. It is hard to know when to tell him things sometimes he wants help and other times 

 Thursday - Went with Carol last night to the Potters House open house. Got some huckleberry syrup for tomorrow and a birthday yearly calendar hanger for all the grandchildren. Janie Orton had one and I thought it was a fun idea.

  Walked the dog, read a conference talk.

Bruces toenail came off. I hate looking at it. We soak it in Epsom salt, lavender scented. It is supposed to be soothing.

 Our morning helper was sick so asked Greg to come over. He has to get a ride because he is not driving because of his sleep problems.

   Poor Duncan discovered a piece of Bruce's poop on the shower floor. It happens. He tells me so I can clean it up and he says he is officially switching bathrooms now. Give me strength.

Guess I better clean bathrooms today.

Got out twice today. Went to Norco for more bandages and then Safeway.  Duncan wants to cook hamburgers and tater tots for dinner tonight. So had to get buns and tots and donuts, since it is national donut day. 

Went to a RS Presidency meeting. It lasted nearly an hour, it is good to think if there are other people I can help. And then figure a way. 

Tomorrow morning is a pancake breakfast for the VT sisters. I got some huckleberry syrup to take.

Bruce is at the Dr with Duncan, so will finish my book.

   The lord must have heard me whining. Christie and Fred Nelson brought over dinner tonight, tacos from la Fiesta, it is taco night. She always says tell us what you need and I say we are fine and dinner is what we needed. I don't like asking people to do things for us. I am not sure what we need. Just TLC., most days.

   The boys did rake some of the leaves, one more time and it will be done. It is good for them to do it.

 Jean Secl called and she will pick me up for pancakes tomorrow. I told Christie and she might come. She has done Bruce's HT route and Rick Isaacson's route with her husband and hasn't had time to her VT.

   I vacuumed today and wiped down the frig, oven and dishwasher. I am glad I did as Christie's house is always seems to be spotless. I changed the sheets on the bed. Then when she called and said they were coming over, I whirled around the house and put a lot of things away. That is one way to get it picked up. What do I do with my piles?

Saturday - Went to stake conference last night. Bruce spoke for 15 min. He stayed for the whole meeting so got him to bed late. There was a couple that spoke who went to West Virginia Charlestown mission. She made 5000 cookies to take to people and he did four times that in curly ribbons to put on the cookies. They were a team. They were fun. Andrew brought home a big bag of individual size chips left over from dinner. All the sub sandwiches were gone by the time he got there.

Will get Bruce up and do it again. He is not speaking in conference today. 

  Will put a roast in the crock pot so it will be ready when we get home.

  I went to three church bazaars yesterday with my friend Carol. I got some candle soaked pinecones from the Christian church, some green, warty looking Osage oranges that keep spiders away, you put them by outside doors and under beds from the Methodist church and some donut holes from the Presbyterians. We ate taco soup, Carol had the chicken polenta soup with the Methodists, although the turkey noodle soup sure smelled good at the Christian church, and the homemade donuts were worth getting out of bed to bring home. They were individual bites of soft sweetness. The green pepper jelly was gone. It is good over cream cheese with cracker dip or on meatballs. Will have to get there earlier next year. She said it goes the first hour. I think we might have some in the basement will have to look for it.

Will go to more bazaars next week.

It is cold and windy here. 

 I did cut out some fabric squares yesterday. 

  Bruce's big toe is looking a lot better, we are still soaking it twice a day. The Dr. says it will grow back. I think I will take Bruce there every other Wednesday to get his toenails clipped so I don't cause any more infected toenails. It is only a 15 min. visit. The Dr. sure gets people in and out of there fast.

  We paid our taxes for another year. 

  One of our caretakers, Sheila said there is a business in town that will come in and vacuum out the heating ducts. Every time the heat comes on we both start sneezing and getting watery eyes, so will look into that tomorrow or see if the boys will do it for me. Some of the vents are difficult to get off. I remember I vacuumed the ducts when we first moved here 28 years ago. 

  Please forgive me if I do not invite you in for a visit. Some days are harder than others. Bruce would talk to everyone. I just want to curl up in the fetal position.

Thank you for your tender mercies and kindness. 

Notes From Last Week

   Some notes from last week.

Went to sacrament meeting, there was a young man doing his farewell. He is going to Texas, Spanish speaking. A good sacrament all three talks based on 1 Nephi 3:7.

Some priests brought us the sacrament. Should be the last time, hopefully will come home tomorrow. 

The pic line is out, the catheter is out. We are unhooked and approved to come home in our van. Our new wound vac is ready to be a attached.

Duncan said they helped for about an hour yesterday moving a family into a house. 

 Getting tired of sitting, will go for a walk.

Monday - Bruce will sit up some, he can feel when he needs to change positions so that helps.

Duncan will do the 2:00 time and Andrew said he would do the six to get used to getting up early. I will help and go back to sleep.

Still have some unpacking to do and have to get meds for Bruce tomorrow.

Don't have anything planned tomorrow so that will be nice.

Some friends from church brought us a meal tonight, that was very helpful.

I  know I will do better with more sleep. Haven't slept well trying to remember everything.

Going to get ready for bed.

Tuesday - can't find the charger cord for the dang wound vac. Will call the hospital and see if they have an extra one til we get one here. Bah humbug. We think we left it plugged in the wall as the vac is attached to Bruce's chair. 

Still tired didn't sleep well, feel better though, just being home. Will nap this afternoon.

Will have to get Bruce to use the urinal every two hours til he gets more control because he had the catheter he needs to relearn.

The boys were happy to see us. The meal was wonderful we had a sit down meal.

Have to go grocery shopping, walk the dog and pick up meds at rite aide.

Then a nap. But can't leave until someone is awake to help keep an eye on Bruce.

Waiting for a call from SWIACH to see if they can find the cord and mail it. 

We have rain coming this week. 

Will have to get my sewing machine repaired. Sewing keeps me from feeling sorry for myself when it rains or maybe I will just read a murder mystery. Buying fabric helps too.

This morning is awful. Bruce had blood in his stool from the bowel care and the bandage for the wound came off. The blood was bright red so we figure it is the hemorrhoids. Hope to get to the wound dr at the hospital today. I covered the wound with a patch but the wound is seeping because the vac isn't on it. Bruce is sleeping. I want my mommy.

   Will probably cancel PT today. Hope to hear from Roxanne the wound dr. I think we are going to be bonding soon. Oh did I tell you he has an infection in his toe so if the wound dr doesn't want to deal with that we will have to go to a foot dr. It looks like an infected ingrown toenail. Normally I wouldn't bother with it but because of the infection from the wound I think we need to treat it right away.

  On the bright side, I ordered some pink unicorn fabric for girls. Couldn't resist, it will make a nice baby girl quilt. It was one of the weekly or daily deals from MSQC.

  We have had the heat going since Bruce got home, he is cold, even with a blanket and hat on in the house.

       I made a roast in the crock pot and it wasn't done by 6:30 so made Bruce a BLT sandwich last night. 

 I think I will just stay home this week with Bruce. 

   Rosala is bringing dinner tonight. Yeah that is another positive thing. I am having difficulty looking for the good things this morning. 

Must call the dr.

  Wednesday - We went to ER and they patched the wound and gave us another cord so we are set until tomorrow. Then went to the toe DR and Bruce had part of his nail removed. I left the room. Now home and he wants to nap. I am so tired.

   Thursday- Okay, feeling better today not as overwhelmed.

I cleaned out some old fabric to make room for all the new precursor I am ordering.

We got Bruce's wound recovered. We got his infected toe taken care of. Yeah!

The part for the wound vac arrived. The smell of the wound is what bothered us we didn't want to end back in Boise for another three weeks. I suppose we will be paranoid from here out.

Today we go to the wound Dr to set up a schedule. And the wheelchair person will arrive to put a brake on the shower chair.

Maybe I will clean something or at least vacuum. 

    Feeling much better this morning. 

I was tired, mean and grumpy when we got home. Not feeling quite so overwhelmed.

We put Bruce back in bed, he is only used to being up for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. 

I will talk to him about sleeping in. He tires really easily.

I need to go purchase more vitamins and things for him, will do so when one of the bros gets up. 

I will take a rest this afternoon.

After a morning shower the sun is peeking through. 

Need to walk the dog.

Sunday -  We are full of too much candy.

We had eight trick or treaters. We stayed home. The boys went down to Connie longs house, they had soup, hot cocoa, scones and candy. 

We were afraid Bruce would get chilled outside. 

He has a busy day then he gets tired the next day.

He will go to an afternoon church so he doesn't have to race around to be on time. I will have to race around to get there on time after taking care of him.

Looking forward to being with adults.

We Come Home Tomorrow!

   Our first visitor today was Jaycee, a service dog. Bruce got to pet her. She is part poodle and golden lab, very friendly.

   Bruce is very tired, was up a couple of times last night. Of course he is trying to sleep and he gets interrupted every ten minutes and then it is lunch time.

 Tanner and Tyler brought us the sacrament this afternoon from the Bitterroot ward. 

   The pic line is out, the leash, I mean the catheter is out and we are ready to come home. The wound vac has arrived, they will put ours on Bruce's wound tomorrow. 

  Bruce's kidney count is down, they will do one more lab tomorrow. He has been on oxygen at night He sleeps so deeply his oxygen count goes down. We will do a sleep test when we get home.

         Houston it looks like a go to come home tomorrow.

Family Visit

   My mother and sistah, Bonita and her lovely daughter came for a visit. It is what I needed. We went to cracker Barrel twice and Olive Garden once. Hog heaven, slurp, slurp.  And maybe we did some shopping. My 80 something mom got a coloring book with fashion designs in it. She already had colored pencils. Coloring is apparently the newest thing to distress. I showed her the Duolingo app for free for her iPad. She is learning Italian again. Our family was stationed in Italy when I was young and mom remembers some of it.

   Bonita brought me a recorder and book so will get busy on that. She wants the ukulele back, no problem man. I do not like to say good bye.

  Josie painted our toenails. Very comforting.

  Thank you Ortons for letting my family take over your basement,

 I went home for three days, paid some bills, cleaned the house and found some hand sewing projects to work on. And something new to teach Janie.

   Menu options in the cafeteria this week. Meals are $4 and the salads are great. Today the non patients had hot dogs and onion rings. Only thing offered. Not my favorite but I love onion rings.

  Looks like we will get to go home on Friday or Saturday, a couple of days early. They took him off the antibiotics. Bruce's kidneys are not doing something according to blood tests. The antibiotics he was on have that side effect. So if they are functioning properly we get an early out. 

  I am not looking forward to it. It will mean Duncan and I will have to do the turning every two hours. I need my sleep. Maybe I will sleep on the couch. Andrew might take a night too so that will help.

  Otherwise the wound is healing and is healthy. He has lost almost all movement in his legs. He needs to be ranged twice a day. We will do that at home as I will help to do it. 

  It is raining. The earth is getting cleansed. I am taking a nap.

Slowly Getting Stronger

   Bruce had therapy, he used the table bicycle for ten minutes, the pulleys and then lifted 20 lbs. it wore him out. At least we are not starting with 3/4 lbs this time last year.

   Jean Secl came to visit. It is wonderful to see faces from home and to get away for a bit. We went to Wendy's for dinner, then over to the bookstore to pick up an order I made last week.

   Bruce stood up to day. He is weak and it wore him out but he said his muscles liked it.  Bruce has a Skype meeting with Pres. Chadwick and Pres. Richards tonight. 

Ann and Lee Flower stopped in. Thank you for letting us talk and listening to us.

   Bruce has been sleeping a lot, he gets waken up every two hours day and night to change positions so no pressure on his sore. 

    Robert skyped us. It is most excellent to see the grandchildren. 

   Luke called his father in law passed away on Monday. What a shock, he is only 50. He died in a plane wreck. They are in Cedar City for the funeral. 

   Mom, sistah Bonita and her daughter Josie are here for two days. 

Dad sent a gift certificate to Cracker Barrel and we stuffed our faces. I mean we had a pleasant dinner and quiet social time. Tomorrow we will go for retail therapy.

Boise, ID

   We arrived in Boise n Thursday and got Bruce settled in his room. We will be here 2 - 3 weeks, insurance pays up to 25 days. 

Here is the address if you want to send balloons, cards, chocolate, flowers or treats, oh my.

Southwest Idaho Advanced Hospital Care

Room 216 Bruce Kevan

6651 Franklin Rd, Boise, ID 83709

A lot of the staff remember us and are glad to see Bruce's improvement from last year.

  Bruce slept most of Saturday and today. Eating seems to perk him right up.

He asked for a blessing and Pres. Orton and his son, Devin came over. 

Lonnie Robinson and her husband came over to visit this evening too. I stayed with them last time I was here. They are very kind to us. 

  So we locked the keys in the black car and the nice locksmith came to our rescue this morning. He used a device like a blood pressure tool that inflates a space inside the door then he inserts a long orange wire with hook and the door was open in less than 30 seconds. He said he does 20 - 30 cars a day. He charged us $54. A lesson learned. He sent us a receipt by email fo us to use with our insurance and to make sure we are not stealing the car. We look honest, don't we...

   Duncan went home today. He was here long enough to get me settled but staying in a hospital watching his dad sleep gets a little old after a while. I am staying with Janie and Pres. Orton. I am more comfortable with La Grande folks and I have the whole basement to myself. Visiting hours here are 8am to 8pm. Hopefully PT and OT will begin tomorrow. We need Drs permission for him to sit up on his wound. The weather here is warm enough for hm to go outside so maybe we can do lunch outside tomorrow.