tuesday, 8/14/07

just heard from mom... she's in great spirits! incredible!

the trauma team removed her neckbrace and she was allowed to eat and enjoy a glass of milk. they removed her monitors, etc. and allowed her to go into the bathroom instead of using the dreaded bedpan. next up for her is the new splint... followed by a regular cast.... however, if she's heard everything correctly-- she'll be released for home today.

my brother will swing by after his meeting to stay with dad so i can motor over to the hospital and be with mom until they release her-- or whatever!

dad was up a lot last night "to check" on mom's doggie and me... but he was able to get some sleep despite his worries and is now enjoying some breakfast. i was able to get the trash out, the barn chores done, the dishes from yesterday and some laundry washed before he walked out to start his day with me... there was relief in his eyes when i shared all the updates and completed tasks.

7pm update:

mom is home. she's got the new splint on and we follow up with an orthopedic on thursday. no cast yet-- seems so wrong to me. thursday can't come fast enough. the arm is needing stabilized-- i can hear and feel it moving when i assist getting her up and down. gonna be another interesting 36 hours. she's moving ever so slowly and is a very tired lil lady. i've put the "cast platform" we got for dad's walker back in the winter and put it on moms walker. her injured arm rests on the platform so she can motor with the walker without putting any weight on the hurt limb. problem is, she's too tired to push the walker! patience, please.

is it a coincidence that both dad and mom had their left wings injured? i think not.

dad's so darned concerned about mom. hearing him offer to help or simply stepping up to do whatever for mom is downright sweet..... and by golly... mom letting dad help and liking it. if you could only see the smile on my face. it's taken 30 years for these two people to come back together. they need each other.

tell me there's not a silent player in this game.....

amazing how the human mind can come up with solutions to problems.... the problems tonight will be mom getting to the toilet and mom's habit of sitting in her closet to read.

exactly how many ways can an old milking can be used? truth be known, i don't know that answer.... but i'll put money on the fact that it's not been used as a port-o-potty for a very long time. think about it-- it's the right heighth, it's got a big enough hole to put another pot inside it, it's got handles and it's gotta lid. ta-da. a big old towel lines the rim for a tad bit of comfort and all mom has to do is slide from her bed to the milking can, then slide back-- no travel required.

the reading thing was easy-- just a chair, a light and a table situated in the right positions next to her bed.

she's too tired to fight with me.... so when i announced she was in no way, shape or form leaving that room tonight, i swear her eyes replied back "uncle. ok." her lips said, "you're right." my calendar will get marked tonight.

after i do the barn chores, walk the dog and close the house up.... the 'rents on on their own for the night. phones, walkie-talkies and prayers are everywhere. next up, my house.