Thursday, January 1st...Welcome 2009!!

Blog update by Cindy. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone! I hope everyone had fun ushering in 2009. I know our daughter and son-in-law did! They hosted a big New Year's Eve party for their friends last night, and as of 4 p.m. today, they still had a houseful. Ahhh, to be young again!! George had another good today, and a New Year's surprise outing. My mom traditionally hosts a family dinner on New Year's Day, and yesterday, I was figuring on just making George a plate and taking it down to the Rehab for him. As my mom and I were talking this morning, we thought it would be nice if George could come and eat with us, but I had not made any arrangements for a pass. I took the chance and called the nurse's station and asked if there was anyway I could take him out to lunch. Karen said that she would page Dr. V and see what she said. I called back in 30 minutes, and Susan gave me the good news ... we could break him out of there for up to 3 hours!! Of course, "my big guy" wasn't going to be able to help me this time since they were still entertaining guests, but my brother volunteered to lend me his muscle-power. When David & I arrived at Rehab, George and Jesse Garza were hanging out in the hallway together, most likely plotting the course for their next wheelchair race!! However, George was hungry and eager to get on the road, but the first question he asked was, "Did you bring my dog?!?" I had already dropped Brady off at Mother's before we came to get George, so I was able to say, "yes, he's waiting for you!" David & I transferred George in/out of the car without incident, but it's not easy ... we missed Dave, for sure! Mom fixed a great meal; pork loin, potatoes, sauerkraut & spareribs (a Yankee tradition) and tossed salad, and then I brought black-eyed peas and corn bread, a Texas tradition on New Year's Day! Cheryl & David brought a bottle of champagne and cherry pie for dessert ... George just had a sip and a bite of pie; we didn't want his blood sugar to be high when he got back to the hospital! All in all, it was a very nice start to the new year. We even managed to get a group photo with my camera set on the automatic timer! So far, things are looking good!!

Wednesday, December 31st...New Year's Eve: Let the Countdown Begin!

Blog update by Cindy. Just a few more hours until the new year, and I, for one, am looking forward to 2009. The last six months of 2008 was filled with a cancer scare and two surgeries for me, and just as I was feeling great, George had his stroke. So, let the countdown begin!! George and I had our traditional New Year's Eve date tonight; we usually do dinner and games with friends, but tonight it was just us ... and the nurses at Katy Rehab! My husband told me earlier in the day he was hungry for a steak, so I called Saltgrass and ordered us a steak and shrimp dinner, with all of the fixings, to go!! I got to the hospital around 5:30 p.m. and my New Year's date was anxiously awaiting my arrival. George wasn't kidding when he said he was hungry for a steak; he ate more than half of the 17 oz. T-Bone that I bought for us to share, 3 of the 5 grilled shrimp, a side salad and half of the Romano potatoes! It was a really good dinner; I know I sure miss my "King of the Grill" making me dinner at night. I tried to make the night a little festive by adding some balloons and blowers, and I even brought some plastic champage glasses so George and I could make a New Year's toast. Of course, we toasted to a healthy 2009 and also gave thanks for our wonderful family and large circle of friends that have given us soo much love and support this year, as well as all of the doctors, nurses, therapists and aids/assistants that take such good care of George at Katy Rehab. Oh, and I guess you realize by now that George was not discharged today! The caseworker never heard back from Blue Cross/Blue Shield on their decision, so until she hears otherwise, he's staying!! Also, I want to send out a special thank-you to Van & Jo Gilbert who interrupted their Christmas vacation with family in ENGLAND to call and check on us. The Gilberts, who both have been in the healthcare industry for years, called me bright & early this morning to check George's status at Rehab, answer the insurance questions I had, and give me some tips and advice on some other healthcare options we may be able to utilize in the future. Have a safe trip home you guys!! Also, George had another long-distance "caller" yesterday in the form of a visit ... George's cousin, Donald Ray Meek and his wife, Nadine, drove down from West Point, Texas, and I'm sure he really enjoyed seeing them!

Tuesday, December 30...No news is good news?!?

Mom had a meeting with Dad's therapists and caseworker this morning at Katy Rehabilitation. They all agreed that Dad has made slow but steady progress and that they were going to submit a request to Blue Cross/Blue Shield today to extend his discharge date to Friday, January 9th. Kelley told Mom she would do whatever she could to relay to the insurance company that Dad really needed the extra time to build on the strength and skill he has acquired so far, but as of 5 p.m., Katy Rehab was still waiting for their decision. Just in case they would not approve the extra time, Linda (the caseworker) had the names of several skilled nursing centers listed under the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan where Dad might be able to stay for a few additional weeks. The problem is that none of them are in Katy, and the facility that the therapists recommend in Katy, won't accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Mom is very frustrated because Dad is covered under Medicare as well, and she just doesn't understand why Medicare won't kick in if Blue Cross/Blue Shield denies further benefits at the Rehab or at a skilled nursing center. Carol Humphrey (Mom's "Christmas Elf" turned "Angel") has been working the phones for her all afternoon trying to find other options as well as price daytime caregivers, because Mom also learned that any help Dad needs while she is at work, will have to be paid for out-of-pocket ... neither insurance covers that need either. We're not so sure paying monthly premiums to two insurance companies is worth it since you still don't receive what you need from them. So, after living this nightmare first hand, we all agree that government really does need to revamp the healthcare system!

On a brighter note, I attended Dad's afternoon therapy session with Rochelle & Laurie(Occupational Therapists). Rochelle was showing me how Dad can now open and close his right hand doing a repetitive motion. That was great to see and it was also so nice to see Dad and his therapists laughing and having a good time in between exercises. I think it is so important that Dad really likes his therapists...they have all been so good to Dad and I know that he appreciates all of their patience and all of the hard work they've devoted towards getting him stronger every day. Thank you so much :)

Before I left this afternoon, Dad's PT Kelley, came in and I practiced transerring Dad (with assistance of course) and Dad did most of the work...I was merely there for support/helping him to balance. He did a very good job standing up from his wheel chair to his walker and then getting into bed. Dad also had another wheel chair race today with Mr. Garza (Dad's buddy and next door neighbor at Katy Rehabilitation) and managed to beat him down the hall! It was really good to see Dad having fun!

Stayed tuned for any breaking news on Dad's discharge!!

Saturday, December 27...We're Back!!

Sorry for the delay in getting Dad's blog updated. Dave & I went to Austin Friday morning to have Christmas with his family, and we just got back into town. Mom said that she has had several phone calls and emails today from various friends and family members wanting to know what is going on! So, below you will find all the lastest news and photos taken over the last few days, and hopefully by Monday, we will have news from the doctors and/or therapists on what the plan will be for Dad after the 31st!

Thursday, December 25...Merry Christmas!!

Dave & I headed over to Mom & Dad's house early Christmas morning, with dogs and presents in tow. She had mimosas and sausage balls ready for us, and we snacked as we seared the roast and got side dishes together. Dave & I left around noon to pick up Dad, leaving Mom at home to finish preparing lunch. Terri & Paul were planning to meet us at the Rehab to help us get Dad in the car, but Dad was anxious to get home and didn't want to wait, so with the help of a nurse, we got him out of the room and into the car safely. When we got to the house, Dad had a warm welcome by the entire family. Dad's brother, Johnny, and his daughter, Patricia, also drove up from the Corpus area to spend the day with us. Twenty of us feasted on roast beef, turkey, ham, and all the fixings, including fresh broccoli picked out of Dad's garden. After we ate, we opened gifts, and by 4 p.m., Dad was worn out. We could tell he was getting tired, so we asked him if he wanted to lay down, but he actually said that he was ready to go back to rehab. Even though he was so happy to be home and with his entire family, I think it was a bit overwhelming for his first outing and he was ready for a "Silent Night!" Thanks to everyone who brought us "Christmas cheer" ... we certainly hope you and your family had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!!

Wednesday, December 24...Christmas Eve Battle Wounds!

Mom planned to pop in on Dad this morning for just a few minutes before heading out to finish her mile-long Christmas "to do" list, but when she stepped off the elevator she saw Dad with bandages and a whirl of activity going on around him. He was in physical therapy, and apparently having a great time playing some sort of ball game with his buddy, Mr. Garza, when he leaned too far forward in his wheel chair, lost his balance, and toppled out head first, getting a gash under his eye, a busted lip and a bloody nose. Since Dad is on blood thinners for his clot, they had to use a lot of compression and ice to slow the bleeding, but Dad was being a real trooper. Mom accompanied Dad down to the Radiation Department for x-rays of his face and arm. They wanted to make sure nothing was fractured, and it wasn't, thank God! Mom said Kelley felt terrible about the incident, but we know that she and her staff take excellent care of Dad, and accidents happen. Now to every accident there is bad news and good news, and this one is no different. The bad news, of course, is that dad got pretty banged up. The good news is that he had a "photo finish victory" over Mr. Garza in a wheel chair race earlier that morning! When I arrived and told Dad that I was sorry that he had an accident, but I was proud of him for winning the wheel chair race, Dad's response was ... "I won the race, but lost the battle!" We all laughed at dad's sense of humor in all of this, and I promised him that I would put that quote in the blog!!

Now because of Dad's accident, Mom's visit turned out to be hours long, and she was in a bit of a panic over getting things done for Dad's Christmas visit home. Butch Scherer, a long-time friend of Dad's, happened to show up for a visit, and Butch said he would stay with Dad for a while until they got him settled. When Mom got into her car, a long-time friend of Mom's, Carol Humphrey, called and said that she and her husband wanted to come out and bring Dad some bar-b-que ribs. Mom told her what had transpired that morning, and she didn't think Dad was up to a lot of company, and with his busted lip, she wasn't sure if he could even eat the ribs. Besides Mom was just leaving to try and get a few things done to prepare for Christmas Day. Carol told Mom that she would leave Jimmy at home and just come out and help her since Carol was done with her Christmas preparations. So, Carol, the Christmas Elf, came to Katy and stood in long lines at Kohl's and Beauty Brands to pick up last minute gifts for Mom, and then she came to the house and wrapped nearly all of Mom's gifts! In the meantime, Dave & I took care of picking up Christmas Eve dinner ... Dad wanted fried chicken and red beans & rice! Very untraditional to say the least, but nothing about this holiday season has been normal! So, Mom, Dad, Dave & I feasted on Popeyes with a paper tablecloth covering Dad's bedside tray making the most out of our Christmas Eve. In keeping with at least one tradition, we each opened a gift. Mom opened the one that Dad had wrapped for her, and it was a Nike sweatsuit, Dave unwrapped a pair of shoes, I opened a cookbook, and Dad actually had TWO gifts tonight ... a box with a shirt and a pair of pants from Dave & I, and then one very special gift that he had received from his doctor ... a brand new fishing pole! Dad has been going to Dr. Bing for 20+ years, and they have become good friends. Dr. Bing has been telling Dad that as soon as he's able, they are going to go fishing, so we're guessing Dr. Bing wanted to give Dad a little incentive! After presents, we cleaned up the party area and told Dad he better get some sleep since he had a big outing the next day. I know Dad is really looking forwarding to being home for a few hours, and we are too! Oh, and a big thank you to Rev. Kim Meyers for taking time out of her busy Christmas Eve schedule at St. Peter's to come and give Dad holy communion this afternoon.

Tuesday, December 23...Blood Clot Update

Good news! The blood clot is small and Kelley has gotten the doctors' approval to proceed with Dad's therapy AND his visit home on Christmas Day! Dad didn't sleep all night worrying about the clot, but he feels better this morning after talking to the medical staff and Kelley's pep talk! He is making big strides in his recovery right now, so we are thankful that the blood clot won't keep him in bed. The Lucas' stopped by this evening to encourage dad. Shirley had a blood clot in her leg after a recent out-patient surgery, so she knows first hand the fear of it all. Shirley's clot was dissolved in a week, so we are praying that Dad's is gone just as quickly! Laurie, a therapy assistant, dropped by Dad's room and asked if Dad had shown Mom her surprise?!? Dad said, no, so Laurie pointed out a Christmas present hiding in the corner of the windowsill. She said that "Santa" had dropped if off for Mom but needed Dad to wrap it for him. She went on to explain that Dad used scissors and cut the paper himself, and then Laurie held the paper together while Dad taped it all up. He did a great job on it, so now Mom can't wait until Christmas Eve to tear into it and see what's inside! When Mom got home this evening, Joanne Ligon came by and dropped off a Christmas appetizer and a dessert for us to enjoy on Christmas Day. They look yummy; hope they make it until Christmas!!