MOM

Update

Mom passed away this morning, April 10th, 2007

(More Below)

For all my online friends:

My elderly mother fell and broke her hip while leaving the March 4th. 2003 meeting of Bluebird Club. She was still in the ER when I left the hospital. They didn't have any beds available at the time. It isn't a good time for someone her age to heal a broken hip, so we would appreciate all your prayers for her at this time. It is expected that she will need to have a pin surgically inserted into her hip, but that is still up in the air too. I will try to keep you updated as things progress.

Thank you all for your prayers. I would appreciate hearing from you.

Another note:

Lynn Rush, our club leader since the beginning, informed us at the meeting that this was her last meeting. An increase in her workload is making it just too much for her to continue. We will miss you, Lynn.

Update - Mar. 5th

Mom was found a room at St. Jo's after spending the night in the ER. Her leg has been put in traction. Other tests are being done. The x-ray shows a very bad break at the ball, and the bone is split below that. It will need to be wired together, and plates will be used to repair the ball connection. It is expected to take 5 hours.

Update - Mar. 6th

The other tests indicate Mom suffered a mild heart attack. The operation will have to be post-poned until that situation is sufficiently under control. Mom was moved to the ICU at St. Jo's. Her leg is still in traction. Your prayers are requested as the situation is serious.

Update - Mar.7th

Mom was looking more like herself today. She is still in ICU and her leg is still in traction. Nothing new as to when they will do the operation, but should be sometime within the next 2 weeks .

Another note: I was talking to a fellow officer of our guest speaker a few months back... Patti DeBresser... she has also been hospitalized recently with shoulder problems..... Hope you get well soon too Patti.

Update - Mar.8th

They got Mom a special air mattress as she cannot change position. The air mattress is inflated in alternate ribs to change the support points constantly.

Update - Mar.9th

Mom is moved from the ICU to 3rd floor.

Update - Mar.10th

It may be another 6 weeks before they can operate.

Update - Mar.13th

Latest word is that they may be doing the operation next Tuesday. (Mar.18th)

Update - Mar.16th

The doctors will only be using a spinal anesthetic for the operation, which will be hard mentally on Mom. I hope they will have some good 'distractions' for her.

Update - Mar. 17th

Mom was in good spirits today when I visited her. She will be glad when its all over as 2 weeks flat on her back unable to move much will hopefully soon be a bad memory. They expect an additional 5 day stay after the operation, then she will likely go to a nursing care facility until she is back on her feet.

Update - Mar. 18th

The 5 hour operation is scheduled to start at 4:00 pm today.

But it took less time, and started much earlier. Mom made it through alright, but still has a lot of pain which is being treated with medication. We don't have any details, as the doctor didn't bother to let us know that he was even done. When we hadn't heard anything well past the time they said it should take, my sister and I went to find out what the situation was, and found out that they were about to return her to her room.Maybe we'll know more tomorrow.

Update - Mar.19th

Mom was put on a less potent pain medication. They also had her up out of bed and sitting in a chair for about an hour at suppertime, although Mom did find that rather painfull, it was doctor's orders.It was also the first time up in that position in 2 weeks.

Update - Mar.21st

Some family members will be checking out local facilities that can supply nursing and rehab services for when Mom leaves the hospital. It will take quite some time before she is able to be up and around on her own.

Update - Mar.28

Mom is now able to lay on her side for awile now. The doctor changed some of her medications , so hopefully she will have more 'better' days.

Update - Mar.30

They have been getting her standing up to move from the bed to the chair so she can have her meals , but it is still very difficult for her. They may be re-locating her soon, as the hospital is on the move to the new building.

Update - Apr. 1

The hospital has been closed to visitors due to the SARS scare. It is unknown when we will be allowed back in. I just hope this will not impair Mom's recovery.

Update - Apr. 2

Mom has been moved to a nursing facility, but it too has been closed to visitors because of SARS. See page "SARS" courtesy of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for more info.

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April 6, 2003

Mom's number 3 granddaughter ( my niece), passed away early this morning. She was the 2nd daughter of my youngest brother. She survived much longer than the doctors had expected... by almost 12 years, and is survived by both parents and an older and a younger sister. Your prayers would be appreciated during these difficult times, with Mom still recovering at the nursing home, and it comes just days after the anniversary of my father's passing as well (April 1, 1989).

Visitation at McKinley Funeral Home at 459 St. Clair St., Tuesday April 8th. from 2 to 4 pm, and 7 till 9pm. Funeral will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church 100 McNaughton Ave.W., at 1:30 pm Wednesday April 9th.

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Update - Apr. 8

Restrictions have finally been somewhat relaxed, and family members are now allowed to visit at the nursing facility, one at a time, so I was able to see Mom for about an hour. She was doing well. They are still using a lift device though to get her up into a chair for meals. She had been told about her grand-daughter's passing by a couple of family members, earlier.

There were a great number of visitors to the funeral home for my niece. Her life, although greatly restricted, had impacted a great many others. Her passing is going to leave a big hole in many lives.

Update - Apr. 9

Mom was in the dining room finishing her meal when I arrived to visit with her after the funeral for my niece. My brother and sister-in-law (my niece's parents) stopped by while I was still there to visit too. The funeral procession took us right past the nursing home that Mom is in. There was a large turnout for the funeral too.

Update - Apr.20 Easter Sunday

Mom had her first outing since she broke her hip. They allowed her to join the rest of the family for Easter dinner, and later went to church where they put on an Easter cantata. She is still confined to a wheelchair at present, but is spending more time in it and less in bed now.

Update - Apr. 22

When I went to visit Mom, I had to do some looking to find her.... she was involved in some special activities at the nursing home.... becoming more mobile now that she is able to be up for longer periods of time, and with a set of wheels under her...

Update - Apr. 30

Mom had x-rays done of her injuries, and was given the ok to put as much weight on her leg as she can stand.

Update - May 6

Mom is standing for very short periods now. She's feeling better now that she is up more.

Update - May 11

Mother's Day - Family gathered at the local Swiss Chalet for lunch with Mom. She is looking to do more sewing now that she is feeling better.

Update - May 20

Mom is walking further now with aid from a walker. Slow but sure progress.

Update - June 3

Mom is spending more time on her feet... and without pain... but uses a walker for those exercise periods, and is still in the wheelchair most of the rest of the time. She is having a problem with fluid build-up, but is on medication for that.

Update - June 19

When I visited Mom today, she was in a regular chair, not the wheelchair. I haven't seen her on her feet so far, but other family members have, and have had her out to other events.

Update - July 22

Mom walked with me for a ways after her evening meal using her wheelchair for support, but I did provide emergency back-up support just in case. I don't want her to have another fall to set her back again. She has been on more outings with other family members. She would enjoy having some friends visit her.

Update - Aug. 22

We have been getting Mom out for some 'swimming' time... at my youngest brother's pool. It's been good exercise for Mom, and she has been able to walk further too, but still has a ways to go.

Update - Nov. 4

Things are in the works to get Mom a new set of 'wheels' to get around with. Ones which will allow her to spend more time walking.

Update - Dec.3

We had our Christmas Social. The entertainment was provided by the "Alter Egos" again. Mom got to enjoy them in person, as it was her first time back to club since her accident.

Update - Mar. 2004

Mom now has her footwear adjusted to compensate for loss of leg length, making it easier to walk, and she also has a wheeled walker and is doing very well with it, 'racking-up the miles' as it might be said. She enjoyed her outing to the March meeting.... one year after her fall.... with guest speaker Dr. C.A. Frey of Louisville, Kentucky.

Update - Mar. 2005

Mom has been doing well, but the home has been locked down to visitors for some time now due to a flu outbreak there. I can only see her from outside... not much of a visit.

Update - Nov. 22, 2005

I've been visiting Mom quite frequently lately, almost every time that I go to town. I took some samples of my latest bread recipe with me for Mom and the ladies at her table.

Update - May 1, 2006

I was in to see Mom earlier today, as I had to come to town for an U.S. test, and got to hear one of the residents playing the piano from memory, before lunchtime. As Mom used to play piano herself from a young age and hasn't for a number of years now, I thought it was time for her to get 'back in the saddle' so to speak, and as the room the piano was in was empty, I was able to persuade Mom to sit down at the piano and try it again. We found a book in the bench with pieces she used to play, and she played some of them... some better than others, but she was 'back in the saddle' at least. She played a Sunday School song from memory, and some other residents who had come into the room, began to sing along. I hope she will keep at it.

Update - Oct. 10, 2006

Mom was having a lot of pain in her left arm and shoulder, so when I was visiting her, I stayed extra late until the nurses had checked her out and assured me it wasn't her heart causing the pain. It was still bothering her on Sunday when the family had a Thanksgiving get-together, so my sister took her to the hospital for x-rays and tests. We still haven't gotten the results at this time, but when I visited with her today, she was at least back to getting around with her walker, instead of a wheelchair.

Update - Dec. 30, 2006

Mom's shoulder is better. Doing as well as expected for someone who has seen as many birthdays as she has... the next one in early January.

Update - Mar. 10, 2007

We had Mom out recently to her brother's birthday party, my Uncle, who turned 90 this year, and is doing quite well. I also took her to our March 6th Bluebird Club meeting, with guest Debbi Corbett, foot care specialist.

Update -April 10, 2007

I last visited with Mom last night at suppertime. I hadn't planned on being in town , but some other business needed my attention, so I always stop by for a visit when in town. It was the last time I would see her alive. She was fine then, and even fine at breakfast this morning , so the other ladies at her table told me. They were in shock as well when they learned she had passed. Many have told me how nice she was... she is going to be greatly missed by not only our family, but the 'family' at the nursing home as well. I had baked a fresh loaf of bread last night, intending Mom to be the recipient of one of the 'sample' pieces I normally bring in for her and some of the other special friends. I had a visit with them..... Its going to be hard changing my routine to not visiting Mom there... One of the ladies that doesn't sit at my Mother's table, didn't know why Mom's place was empty, as she had seen her there at breakfast. I had to tell her that Mom was gone...........

I expect this will be my last Update here.

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