Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Five Hundred Today

Hey, Y'all,
Yes, today is a milestone of sorts, since this is the 500th posting here at this place, even though some of them were done by daughters (I guess that still counts). First, let me say how much I appreciate all the comments and the faithful readers who visit me here. You are all so very encouraging to me and Gramps. I love you all so very much. You have kept me going and writing, and it means so very much to me. I read them each day, and know that you are out there and caring. God bless you all.

It is 4:30 a.m. and I woke up not able to go back to sleep right away, but I will in a few minutes, I think. You know how you kind of get antsy and have to get up sometimes; well,that was me about 25 minutes ago.

Yesterday at JCNH, Gramps did more walking at a time than he had before just after lunch. It was great. I spoke with the occupational therapist, who has him get dressed, and Gramps did most of it by himself, with some aid from the OT. He also combed his hair, cleaned his teeth, and washed his hands. This was done from his wheel chair. She told me to keep him comfortable, and if there was anything he liked or wanted to bring it for him. I asked the head nurse about his condition (the 10% use of his gall bladder and the Foley) and he said that one would do better with at least 30% use and the longer the Foley is in, the more likely it is to remain in. He had no idea as to when it would be removed. I think they are telling me that it is only a matter of time, but no one knows anything for sure. Only the Good Lord, and He's not telling. I know that Gramps wants to go on home, and I want it for him because we both know where he is going when that happens.

A nursing home is a place of hope for some, of despair for many, and of resignation for some. You can see it wherever you look. It is a way station for those awaiting the final journey. One lady who sits in the hallway is continually asking those who pass by her for help. Many times she will say, "Will you please help me? I need to wee wee" and other times she will say, "Help me, Lord Jesus, take me to heaven". Sometimes, in the mid afternoon, there will be help bells chiming from several rooms with patients needing something. It may only be a small thing (to one of us who is mobile) but a great thing to them because they cannot help themselves.

Then there are those like Gramps' roommate who cannot ring the bell because he is blind and cannot find it, so he shouts aloud (very loudly) "help! help!". Then there are those who cannot shout or won't when they want or need something (like Gramps). He could shout, but doesn't; he just lies there or sits there waiting and quite often sleeping. Quite often when I go in, he is lying skygoggling ( askew) in bed, in a partial sitting position, sleeping and bothering no one. It depends on how early I get there.

I know this all sounds somewhat "down" but it is reality. I actually got him to engage in some conversation with me yesterday afternoon when we were sitting in the 'break room' and looking out the window. We had visitors yesterday around lunch time. Our neighbors, Scott and Laurie, came to visit with their three children, and we sat in the sun room near the dining room and he ate his lunch with no help from me except for my cutting his salisbury steak for him. I told him that Scott and Laurie had come to visit and asked if he knew who they were and he told me their last names and who they were. That was so very encouraging!

Well, my eyes are beginning to feel a little like sleep again, so I am going back to bed for an hour or so. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you, my friends. More later. Bye for now.

19 comments:

Natasha said...

I have been reading your updates, but haven't had the words to express how I feel.
But when you spoke about the different kinds of people in a nursing home, it struck a chord with me, I had to comment.
They are places of hope, of despair and of resignation.
I just hope He knows what He is doing and everything works out for the best.
Hugs from across the Oceans.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Congrats on your 500th posting, you're a marvel.
Gramps is in a good place, he is being taken care of so when you go to visit him you can devote your time to him.
I wish you both well and take care.

Yvonne.

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

Congrats on number 500!

I really feel for you and Gramps. You both continue to be in my thoughts.

Margie's Musings said...

I also feel for you and Gramps. I have recently been through what you are now going through so I can really relate. You both are in my prayers and thoughts each day.

Unknown said...

always thinking of you and gramps hope you get some rest

Clara....in TN said...

I know all about those sleepless nights, believe me! Congratulations on 500 posts. How do you keep up with that? Is there some place that tells you how many you have done...or did you start out with a counter? I can't remember when I found you...it seems like it was near the beginning. Anyway, you have sure been an inspiration to me. I hope you continue to post and I pray that Gramps will soon be well again.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Keep an attitude of hope for Dub.
And congratulations on 500 posts. Don't stop now, Ruby!

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Gramps!!! I read your posts daily, but with my 4 kids, it is all I can do to read them! I actually think of you two quite often! It is amazing how much you learn to care for people through their blogs.

We have an assisted living place across the street from our apartments. I was thinking of taking my kids over there this summer (with permission from the people who run it, of course) and let them visit with the people there. My kids are not around elderly people often at all, and my best memories are from spending time with my grandma and granddaddy, as well as their friends. :)

It saddens me that Gramps is having such a hard time. Reading your words also gives me some insight as to what my grandmother went through after granddaddy had brain surgery. You are one faithful and caring person. God bless you and Gramps!

Linda L. Henk said...

I can't begin to remember how many times I've awakened in the early hours and needed to write in order to get back to sleep again. God bless you and Gramps.

Wanda said...

Congratulations Grammy on accomplishing your 500th post.

txbennett said...

Yep, that is a description of a nursing home. They seem to be about the same, and have much the same residents all over the country. Some are a little better than others, some a lot worse. You can tell a lot about a facility by the outlook of its residents. I really liked the last one where we had my mom.

Grammy said...

Hi, Y'all,
Thank you all for the sweet and understanding comments and for the continued prayers. It is very early in the morning right now, nearly 6 a.m. and I will probably try to catch another Z or two.
Clara, when you sign in, and it takes you to the top of your dashboard, it tells you how many posts you have done.(on mine anyway). Just check it out (like Randy Jackson says on American Idol) ha. Now I'm off to bed for another hour maybe. Love to you all. Ruby

Grammy said...

Rayna, God always knows what He is doing, and I have the utmost trust in His power. Love, Ruby

Anonymous said...

Hi Grammy, I get up all hours of the night and get on the computer and mess around the house and then go back to bed. Have been doing that ever since I retired. My father was in a nursing home for a while so I know what you are talking about. I hope Gramps will improve a little each day and you take care of yourself, too. Love and hugs.

unnamed lad said...

...if givin` a choice, i'd rather be "home" too. i can't begin to understand God's purpose in some instances for the delays that take place....but believe that everything that happens in our lives is for a purpose. His purpose and His ways have meaning. i'm sure you are bright light that shines in a very dismal place and are a blessing to those you are in contact with at the nursing home. keeping you both in my prayers.

Arlee Bird said...

500 postings is a milestone indeed. Congratulations!

Nursing homes can be pretty depressing sometimes. I had a friend who was in one in Loudon, TN and he was only in his late 50s. Due diabetes his legs had been amputated plus all sorts of other problems. The few times I was able to visit him, I would notice as I was entering, a bunch of the folks lined up in their wheelchairs at the front door just waiting and hoping someone was their to visit them. My friend died early last year. He always enjoyed my visits or if I answered the phone when he called me just to talk for a few minutes. Some people I know wouldn't answer when they saw it was him calling, but I could never do that.

Lee
I think there should be a standing rule of blog etiquette that if you stop following someone you need to let them know and tell them why. If we have offended someone or are doing something wrong on our blogs it would be nice to know so we can fix it if we need to.

I feel a little (just a little) down because my visits and comments to my blog have been dropping of late. It could be my subject matter, but it could be a lot of other things as well. I know my comments on other blogs have dropped some too.

Be happy!

Lee
Tossing It Out

Grammy said...

Lee, (and others) I haven't really stopped following anyone, but haven't had the time to read but I will soon pick up and read. I appreciate those who do have the time to read and leave comments. it means so very much to me, especially at this busy time in my life. Thank you all so very much. I feel guilty and like I am letting you all down, but I promise I will begin reading when this all kind of lets up.
Love to you all,
Ruby

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

You're not letting any of us down, Ruby, don't worry.

Arlee Bird said...

Ruby -- On my above comment please ignore the message about the "stop following" that came after my first "Lee" signature. It was copied from a previous comment on someone else's blog who was talking about that topic. It was not intended for you.

I know you are so busy and I know you wouldn't stop following anybody (well, unless there was a darn good reason). But I was just careless and pasted a wrong message as a tag to my comment to you sorry!

Although the "Be Happy" part certainly could apply.

Take Care.
Lee