Hello, Hello!
I'm sorry that I missed out on last nights posting. Honestly, I've acquired a little cold here, and in order to kick it quickly (and NOT give it to my grandparents) I hit up the drug stores and ended up falling asleep very early last night. Thank goodness for Zicam!
Yesterday was a very busy day here in Mesa, AZ! Grandpa's "job" here is to go play pool with others at the Holiday Village. He wins, he loses, but most importantly, he has fun. Grandma and I did a few things around here while Grandpa was playing pool.
The three of us made it over to the Mesa Market Place (better known as the flea market) for a little shopping. There were only a few essentials that we needed, and a few things for Carol as well. After that, we went over to the Apache Junction Legion for lunch and BINGO! None of us were lucky enough to win... in fact, our cards were terrible to put it lightly. The last game played is a coverall, and it took 13 numbers before Grandpa even had one!! We had fun though!
Home for only a few minutes before 5 o'clock mass. Then back for a nice steak dinner. There's no way I could complain about how I'm eating here!
This morning was rather low key. Grandma made a couple Lemon Meringue Pies and a Shrimp Salad. This afternoon we had a patio full! Carol, Connie, Natasha, Noah, Gene, Peg, Mary, Ed, Grandma, Grandpa and I all had a little picnic! Excellent food, and excellent company.
The three of us took naps this afternoon and have taken it easy this evening.
Tomorrow is Grandma's Neuro-Ophthalmology appointment, so I'll be sure to keep you all updated!
Sleep well, and have a great Monday!
Loves,
Sarah
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
March 27th, 2009
Hello everyone!
First thing this morning was Grandma's MRI. Things with that went rather quickly actually. She did not have to go in full body, but said that the machine was very loud! It took about 50 minutes, which was shorter than all of us expected.
We dropped Grandpa back off at home and did a little grocery shopping. Back home to clean out the fridge and put away the groceries before lunch.
We had a laid back afternoon around here. Carol and Mary stopped by for a little while to visit.
Grandma, Grandpa and I went to dinner at a little place called Organ Stop. Excellent pizza and a fantastic organ player that is featured in the center of a large stage with all the pipes surrounding the entire restaurant. Really fun!
We're all back and relaxing now. Grandma doing a few things on the computer, and Grandpa playing pool with some friends. It's only about 8:30p here, but I'm guessing it'll be an early turn in for all of us.
Grandpa is doing well with everything, which is why there hasn't been much talk of just him in these last couple blogs. Honestly, I'm hoping it stays that way! :) His hair is starting to grow back a little, and that wave in the front has not been affected (one of my personal favorites about my Grandpa!) He's still laughing, and cracking jokes just like he always has! Ah yes...
Before San Francisco, there was a billiards tournament here. While they were in San Francisco there was a little Award Ceremony from what it sounds like. Well anyway the story ends with Grandpa receiving a framed award that reads as follows:
First thing this morning was Grandma's MRI. Things with that went rather quickly actually. She did not have to go in full body, but said that the machine was very loud! It took about 50 minutes, which was shorter than all of us expected.
We dropped Grandpa back off at home and did a little grocery shopping. Back home to clean out the fridge and put away the groceries before lunch.
We had a laid back afternoon around here. Carol and Mary stopped by for a little while to visit.
Grandma, Grandpa and I went to dinner at a little place called Organ Stop. Excellent pizza and a fantastic organ player that is featured in the center of a large stage with all the pipes surrounding the entire restaurant. Really fun!
We're all back and relaxing now. Grandma doing a few things on the computer, and Grandpa playing pool with some friends. It's only about 8:30p here, but I'm guessing it'll be an early turn in for all of us.
Grandpa is doing well with everything, which is why there hasn't been much talk of just him in these last couple blogs. Honestly, I'm hoping it stays that way! :) His hair is starting to grow back a little, and that wave in the front has not been affected (one of my personal favorites about my Grandpa!) He's still laughing, and cracking jokes just like he always has! Ah yes...
Before San Francisco, there was a billiards tournament here. While they were in San Francisco there was a little Award Ceremony from what it sounds like. Well anyway the story ends with Grandpa receiving a framed award that reads as follows:
11th Annual Boyd Karrer Memorial Tournament
This is to certify that
Henry "Hank" Vogelgesang
has been awarded
1st Place for 2009 in the "D" Division
We all had a little chuckle when we asked what it meant that he was the winner of the Class D Division, and the answer was something to do with losing the first two or three games he played in... He has fun here with his billiards and fishing poles.
That's all for now...
Expect to hear from me tomorrow with updates!
Love,
Sarah
March 26 - First Full Day Back in Mesa
Good morning everyone!
Blogs for the next several days will come from Hank and Marilyn's Granddaughter Sarah... without Mom's two cents, I don't know that these will be quite as humorous either! :) She IS a pretty funny lady!
Mark and the kids where here on Spring Break, so they were on airport duty for Grandma and Grandpa Wednesday evening. Flights went well, on-time and uneventful. It sounds like everyone kind of crashed when they got home from a long trip in San Francisco. A well deserved night of sleep in their own beds! They are glad to be out of hotel and hospital rooms!
Mark and the kids also picked me up from the airport yesterday morning. Back to the house in Mesa for hugs and kisses all around!
Being here is always a great experience for me. I love to sit and enjoy the area, and the company. Grandpa and I got to chat out on the patio for quite a while. (One of the only ways I could get him to sit down! When I got here he was workin' up a storm on cleaning up the bushes and sweeping away the debris the wind blows in!) He's really glad to be done with the surgery, and thankful that he was able to receive it.
Grandpa took a short nap, while the rest of us headed to the pool for a little fun in the sun. Lunch at a personal favorite called Sweet Tomatoes, then a nap for Grandma and Grandpa while the kids took one last dip in the pool before Grandpa and I took them to the airport.
Last night was more relaxing. Carol stopped by for a few minutes before Grandma, Grandpa and I went to the Legion for dinner. Karaoke Night you know...! While no, none of us gathered the courage to grab a microphone, we had a good dinner. Home in time for Grandma and I to catch the last bit of Grey's Anatomy while Grandpa went to 'set up shop' with his fishing pole equipment at the hobby shop. You can tell he's very glad to be back!
It's now the morning of the 27th, and we're all getting ready to bring Grandma for her MRI. We'll learn the results from this mornings test on Monday when we go back to see the Neuro-Ophthalmologist. Grandma has gained a little of her vision back that she lost back in the middle of February, and is working well with what she has left.
Thank you all for your love and support! Knowing what this surgery has done for Grandpa is hard to put into words for me, but it's even more difficult to put into words the proper thanks to you all as well! Feel free to keep the comments coming, and I'll be sure Grandma and Grandpa hear of them!
Stay tuned for another post this evening...
With love,
Sarah
Blogs for the next several days will come from Hank and Marilyn's Granddaughter Sarah... without Mom's two cents, I don't know that these will be quite as humorous either! :) She IS a pretty funny lady!
Mark and the kids where here on Spring Break, so they were on airport duty for Grandma and Grandpa Wednesday evening. Flights went well, on-time and uneventful. It sounds like everyone kind of crashed when they got home from a long trip in San Francisco. A well deserved night of sleep in their own beds! They are glad to be out of hotel and hospital rooms!
Mark and the kids also picked me up from the airport yesterday morning. Back to the house in Mesa for hugs and kisses all around!
Being here is always a great experience for me. I love to sit and enjoy the area, and the company. Grandpa and I got to chat out on the patio for quite a while. (One of the only ways I could get him to sit down! When I got here he was workin' up a storm on cleaning up the bushes and sweeping away the debris the wind blows in!) He's really glad to be done with the surgery, and thankful that he was able to receive it.
Grandpa took a short nap, while the rest of us headed to the pool for a little fun in the sun. Lunch at a personal favorite called Sweet Tomatoes, then a nap for Grandma and Grandpa while the kids took one last dip in the pool before Grandpa and I took them to the airport.
Last night was more relaxing. Carol stopped by for a few minutes before Grandma, Grandpa and I went to the Legion for dinner. Karaoke Night you know...! While no, none of us gathered the courage to grab a microphone, we had a good dinner. Home in time for Grandma and I to catch the last bit of Grey's Anatomy while Grandpa went to 'set up shop' with his fishing pole equipment at the hobby shop. You can tell he's very glad to be back!
It's now the morning of the 27th, and we're all getting ready to bring Grandma for her MRI. We'll learn the results from this mornings test on Monday when we go back to see the Neuro-Ophthalmologist. Grandma has gained a little of her vision back that she lost back in the middle of February, and is working well with what she has left.
Thank you all for your love and support! Knowing what this surgery has done for Grandpa is hard to put into words for me, but it's even more difficult to put into words the proper thanks to you all as well! Feel free to keep the comments coming, and I'll be sure Grandma and Grandpa hear of them!
Stay tuned for another post this evening...
With love,
Sarah
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Travels home - March 25
Last car of the San Francisco journey – yellow 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner –
All have arrived home save and sound. Yesterday was a long day of travel. We returned the car and hopped on a shuttle to the airport. Check in went fine and mom was able to get a wheelchair ride to the gate. I had a courtesy pass to go in and help them get through to the gate. The security gate was quite an experience. Getting mom and dad through with replaced knees and now a pacemaker type device requires that they do not go through the regular scanner. They were each “wanded” and patted down, but shoes and jackets still need to come off, pockets emptied, etc. Then everyone has to be put back together again.
We were at the gate plenty early and in the sit and wait mode so we hade a beverage and popcorn to help get through the time lag. I left mom and dad about 30 minutes before they were to board to run to the next terminal, go through security again and get to my gate. Mom called after they were on the plane and settled in. I was just boarding, so timing was great.
When I called after arriving in Minneapolis Mark had picked them up from the airport and they were just finishing dinner and everyone was doing fine.
Sarah is on her way out as I write this, so the next tidbits will be from her.
Many, many thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers over the last 10 days. They were much appreciated.
Love,
Colette
All have arrived home save and sound. Yesterday was a long day of travel. We returned the car and hopped on a shuttle to the airport. Check in went fine and mom was able to get a wheelchair ride to the gate. I had a courtesy pass to go in and help them get through to the gate. The security gate was quite an experience. Getting mom and dad through with replaced knees and now a pacemaker type device requires that they do not go through the regular scanner. They were each “wanded” and patted down, but shoes and jackets still need to come off, pockets emptied, etc. Then everyone has to be put back together again.
We were at the gate plenty early and in the sit and wait mode so we hade a beverage and popcorn to help get through the time lag. I left mom and dad about 30 minutes before they were to board to run to the next terminal, go through security again and get to my gate. Mom called after they were on the plane and settled in. I was just boarding, so timing was great.
When I called after arriving in Minneapolis Mark had picked them up from the airport and they were just finishing dinner and everyone was doing fine.
Sarah is on her way out as I write this, so the next tidbits will be from her.
Many, many thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers over the last 10 days. They were much appreciated.
Love,
Colette
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24 - Released!
It’s a double car day – ’57 Chevy Bel Air and ’56 Chevy Hot Rod – Whoo Hoo!!
Today was a good day. We had dad’s post-op check up this morning at 10:00 am. Susan was very pleased with how everything turned out. The chest area is a very pretty purple, yellow and blue from his ear down his neck to his nipple where the lead wire was tunneled under his skin. The battery pack is about three inches below his collar bone. It has a nice 3” scar above it and the skin around it is “shrink wrapping” around the battery pack.
Susan took the staples and stitches out today. 12 on the tip of his head, 6 in another spot a little further back and above the ear. Plus a few stitches in the very back of his head where the halo was held in place. Again, everything is healing well so far. And even though he has a really funky haircut right now he is looking good!
I was able to give her a good description of the last few days events and of the med’s that dad had been taking. She did up his voltage from 1.5 volts to 1.7 volts with a contact of -1 (whatever that all means!)
Today has been a record day for his med’s. He has only taken one type of the Parkinson’s med’s instead of the two he usually does and a lesser amount of that one. He hasn’t had a tremor all day. We have to keep in mind that we are still in this “Honeymoon” phase and things may change from day to day for the next couple of weeks.
While we were with Susan she asked if dad would speak to another gentleman, Mr. Legg from Denver, who was in town for a consult for the DBS procedure. He was diagnosed only 5 years ago and was much worse on both sides then dad has been with his left side. They are suggesting he have both sides done at once. He asked a number of questions and he and dad had a good conversation about the surgery and the results. We wish him well in his decisions and for the surgery if he decides to go ahead with it in April.
With that done Susan released dad with the instructions to let her know if anything of the incisions started bleeding, oozing or splitting open.
During a couple of doctor’s exams they had asked dad to write a sentence for them. On Friday just before discharge he wrote “I want to go home”. Well, tomorrow he gets his wish and we will be on our way. Dad and mom back to AZ and me to MN. It will be a long day of travel for all of us, but after a tiring and sometimes stressful past 10 days we are looking forward to being in our own beds tomorrow night.
Hopefully mom and dad will be able to relax a bit once they get home. Dad’s sister Carol is next door to them if they need help. Mark and the kids will be with them tomorrow and leave for MN on Thursday. Sarah (granddaughter) will be flying to AZ on Thursday and staying until Tuesday the 31st. Melissa (another granddaughter) is making plans to be with them from April 3 or 4th until the 8th or 9th. They will have a few days of rest from company before I head out there to help them close up the AZ place and put them on a plane for MN. With dad unable to drive for a month the extra help will be nice for them.
While Sarah is with them she will also be taking mom to a couple of doctor’s appointments for her eyes. Mom had another slight stoke in mid-February that affected her eyesight. Some of her sight has returned, but she will be having an MRI and a follow-up neuro-ophthalmology appointment to see how much was affected. During her time with mom and dad, Sarah will keep up the blog for me.
Bye for now,
Colette
Today was a good day. We had dad’s post-op check up this morning at 10:00 am. Susan was very pleased with how everything turned out. The chest area is a very pretty purple, yellow and blue from his ear down his neck to his nipple where the lead wire was tunneled under his skin. The battery pack is about three inches below his collar bone. It has a nice 3” scar above it and the skin around it is “shrink wrapping” around the battery pack.
Susan took the staples and stitches out today. 12 on the tip of his head, 6 in another spot a little further back and above the ear. Plus a few stitches in the very back of his head where the halo was held in place. Again, everything is healing well so far. And even though he has a really funky haircut right now he is looking good!
I was able to give her a good description of the last few days events and of the med’s that dad had been taking. She did up his voltage from 1.5 volts to 1.7 volts with a contact of -1 (whatever that all means!)
Today has been a record day for his med’s. He has only taken one type of the Parkinson’s med’s instead of the two he usually does and a lesser amount of that one. He hasn’t had a tremor all day. We have to keep in mind that we are still in this “Honeymoon” phase and things may change from day to day for the next couple of weeks.
While we were with Susan she asked if dad would speak to another gentleman, Mr. Legg from Denver, who was in town for a consult for the DBS procedure. He was diagnosed only 5 years ago and was much worse on both sides then dad has been with his left side. They are suggesting he have both sides done at once. He asked a number of questions and he and dad had a good conversation about the surgery and the results. We wish him well in his decisions and for the surgery if he decides to go ahead with it in April.
With that done Susan released dad with the instructions to let her know if anything of the incisions started bleeding, oozing or splitting open.
During a couple of doctor’s exams they had asked dad to write a sentence for them. On Friday just before discharge he wrote “I want to go home”. Well, tomorrow he gets his wish and we will be on our way. Dad and mom back to AZ and me to MN. It will be a long day of travel for all of us, but after a tiring and sometimes stressful past 10 days we are looking forward to being in our own beds tomorrow night.
Hopefully mom and dad will be able to relax a bit once they get home. Dad’s sister Carol is next door to them if they need help. Mark and the kids will be with them tomorrow and leave for MN on Thursday. Sarah (granddaughter) will be flying to AZ on Thursday and staying until Tuesday the 31st. Melissa (another granddaughter) is making plans to be with them from April 3 or 4th until the 8th or 9th. They will have a few days of rest from company before I head out there to help them close up the AZ place and put them on a plane for MN. With dad unable to drive for a month the extra help will be nice for them.
While Sarah is with them she will also be taking mom to a couple of doctor’s appointments for her eyes. Mom had another slight stoke in mid-February that affected her eyesight. Some of her sight has returned, but she will be having an MRI and a follow-up neuro-ophthalmology appointment to see how much was affected. During her time with mom and dad, Sarah will keep up the blog for me.
Bye for now,
Colette
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 23
Car of the day – 1958 Buick Century
We were told there would be a “honeymoon” stage for dad where everything goes great and that there may be a backwards step. Well, today there were a few left side tremors, very few, but noticeable. There was also a bit of left foot shuffling, where his foot seems heavy. Thus the reason we are still in CA and have a “fine tuning” appointment tomorrow. I am sure by the time we leave Susan H’s office tomorrow all will be in sync again.
It was a pretty quiet day here. Mom has come down with a slight cold. We drove around a bit to see some sights but had plenty of nap time too.
We just returned from dinner and are looking forward to a restful night in preparation for the appointment tomorrow.
Sue isn’t here to add the humor to the blog. So that will be it for tonight!
'til tomorrow,
Colette
We were told there would be a “honeymoon” stage for dad where everything goes great and that there may be a backwards step. Well, today there were a few left side tremors, very few, but noticeable. There was also a bit of left foot shuffling, where his foot seems heavy. Thus the reason we are still in CA and have a “fine tuning” appointment tomorrow. I am sure by the time we leave Susan H’s office tomorrow all will be in sync again.
It was a pretty quiet day here. Mom has come down with a slight cold. We drove around a bit to see some sights but had plenty of nap time too.
We just returned from dinner and are looking forward to a restful night in preparation for the appointment tomorrow.
Sue isn’t here to add the humor to the blog. So that will be it for tonight!
'til tomorrow,
Colette
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 22
The winds were high today and the temperature was low. It wasn’t a pleasant day to be outside. Dad and I took Sue to the airport this morning for her flight back to Minneapolis. Everything was on time and she arrived home safely.
After coming back to the hotel it was time for a nap. We did get up in time to go to Mass at the VA Chapel. The priest is a good old fashioned Irish priest straight from Ireland. He has quite a brogue. He had visited dad in his room on Thursday. This was after mom and Sue walked down to see the Chapel and found out that dad had been registered as a Protestant for 2 days.
When we arrived at the Chapel we chatted with the priest for a while. I can’t remember his name. He remembered dad by name. We were the only three at mass plus one nurse. It was a nice service to start the day.
We hit Mel’s again for lunch after mass. The car of the day was a 1955 Ford Fairlane convertible. I think dad was as excited about that as he was about his chicken dinner!
He is doing very well with walking and having tons of patience as we try to figure out his med schedule. Not quite on schedule yet, but we are getting there. After lunch it was home for a nap.
Once up, dad was busy flipping through the phone book. Turns out he was looking for Casinos!! We hit the first one to find out it was cards only, no slots. So off we went to the only one around with slots, an hour away across the Bay Bridge in San Pablo. We were there for a couple of hours before heading home.
It is now time for pizza and beer (Pepsi for dad). Turns out there is a great little pizza place right next door to the hotel. When done it will be time to crawl into bed.
Night all,
Colette
After coming back to the hotel it was time for a nap. We did get up in time to go to Mass at the VA Chapel. The priest is a good old fashioned Irish priest straight from Ireland. He has quite a brogue. He had visited dad in his room on Thursday. This was after mom and Sue walked down to see the Chapel and found out that dad had been registered as a Protestant for 2 days.
When we arrived at the Chapel we chatted with the priest for a while. I can’t remember his name. He remembered dad by name. We were the only three at mass plus one nurse. It was a nice service to start the day.
We hit Mel’s again for lunch after mass. The car of the day was a 1955 Ford Fairlane convertible. I think dad was as excited about that as he was about his chicken dinner!
He is doing very well with walking and having tons of patience as we try to figure out his med schedule. Not quite on schedule yet, but we are getting there. After lunch it was home for a nap.
Once up, dad was busy flipping through the phone book. Turns out he was looking for Casinos!! We hit the first one to find out it was cards only, no slots. So off we went to the only one around with slots, an hour away across the Bay Bridge in San Pablo. We were there for a couple of hours before heading home.
It is now time for pizza and beer (Pepsi for dad). Turns out there is a great little pizza place right next door to the hotel. When done it will be time to crawl into bed.
Night all,
Colette
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 21
Sue and I had great intentions, but for us to ever think that we would all get enough sleep over the night just wasn't going to happen. As we said in our first blog, dad is not a "good" sleeper. He was up at the ass crack of dawn. Even though he was moving about however quietly, we all sensed his movement. He did the "bird bath" thing since he can't shower and get his head or chest wet. He was a bit antsy so Sue and Dad went out for a walk to the little coffee/beer shop next door and had some fruit and rolls. It was a little chilly out so they didn't stay out long. Once back dad took a little nap while Colette and mom got up and ready to go.
We all took our time getting ready to start the day. After sorting through Dad's med's again and getting Mom her 10 pills for the morning it was time to find a real breakfast. Off to Mel's again. We really should be getting paid from them for all the times we have mentioned eating there. They just have some good ole home cooked meals and it is not horribly expensive. We added to the collection of kids meal boxes for the cute car container. Dad went for the 1958 Edsel this time.
We decided to try and find a store to get some more shirts for Dad so he didn't have to pull them over his stapled head. We put Wal-Mart in the GPS and it brought us to Walmart.com head quarters. Tried again with the GPS for Target and we scored. The Target we went to was a two story building so everyone is tired out by the time we finished and we came back to rest for the afternoon.
We are now finishing up watching a second movie and will be heading off to dinner soon. We will be going down to Fisherman's Wharf to hopefully find some shrimp.
Dad is doing great. His medication has been reduced and he is doing fine on it. We are keeping a diary of times and pills to take to Susan on Tuesday. We have taken the bandages off the top of his head and off his chest. He has 12 staples on the top. We can't tell how many in the chest. So far everything looks like it is healing well. Both dad and mom are tired. It will be slow going for a while, but I am sure once they get back to AZ and MN all will be well.
Sue leaves in the early morning, so it will be an early night tonight.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We all appreciate your thoughts and prayers over this last week.
Colette & Sue
We all took our time getting ready to start the day. After sorting through Dad's med's again and getting Mom her 10 pills for the morning it was time to find a real breakfast. Off to Mel's again. We really should be getting paid from them for all the times we have mentioned eating there. They just have some good ole home cooked meals and it is not horribly expensive. We added to the collection of kids meal boxes for the cute car container. Dad went for the 1958 Edsel this time.
We decided to try and find a store to get some more shirts for Dad so he didn't have to pull them over his stapled head. We put Wal-Mart in the GPS and it brought us to Walmart.com head quarters. Tried again with the GPS for Target and we scored. The Target we went to was a two story building so everyone is tired out by the time we finished and we came back to rest for the afternoon.
We are now finishing up watching a second movie and will be heading off to dinner soon. We will be going down to Fisherman's Wharf to hopefully find some shrimp.
Dad is doing great. His medication has been reduced and he is doing fine on it. We are keeping a diary of times and pills to take to Susan on Tuesday. We have taken the bandages off the top of his head and off his chest. He has 12 staples on the top. We can't tell how many in the chest. So far everything looks like it is healing well. Both dad and mom are tired. It will be slow going for a while, but I am sure once they get back to AZ and MN all will be well.
Sue leaves in the early morning, so it will be an early night tonight.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We all appreciate your thoughts and prayers over this last week.
Colette & Sue
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 20 - No Tremors!
Great haircut! 
Susan H programing the stimulator. The battery pack is in his right shoulder.
He is worried about how he is going to shoot his gun for hunting!
Dad with Rachell, one of the great nurses who helped care for him. Great news today, Dad was “turned on”. Susan H arrived around 10:00 this morning to turn on and fine tune the stimulator. Of course, when she came in dad’s tremors had subsided, even with refusing his Parkinson’s med’s. It took a while but tremors finally became apparent and Susan was able to program the connectors. It is truly amazing. Dad felt some slight “shocking” like a little electrical shock at times and some tightness at other times. When Susan finally had the coordinates where she thought they should be we watched for a while and there was NO tremor. She taught dad and mom, Sue and me how to turn dad “on” and “off”. As soon as he was “off” the tremors started within seconds. Once turned on again, they stopped within seconds. WOW!!
We had one more encounter with Dr. No Personality (his name is actually Dr. Barak Bar) and we were able to spring dad from the hospital. So off we went with a sack full of prescriptions and instructions to stay in town and report back on Tuesday to see if there needs to be any “fine tuning” done.
We brought him out to Mel’s Drive In for a great dinner. Figured he should experience where we had been hanging out when we weren’t with him. Dad was in rare form and when Sue was “testing” his memory with types of cars on the kids meal boxes he pulled a fast one on her and cheated by looking at the year on the back. He laughed so hard when she finally figured it out. It was so great to hear him laugh like that.
His roommate in the hospital suggested that we take a trip to see the city lights off the Bay Bridge. Well, Sue’s GPS managed to get us lost and it took forever for Eloise (the GPS) to get us back to the hotel. What we thought would take a short time and be relaxing to see, turned out to be a bad idea on his first night out.
With all of us exhausted now we made it back to the hotel and started getting ready to turn in. We figured out the med’s and set up the c-pap (breathing machine for sleep apnea) and got it going. It took all of three minutes and dad was sleeping like a baby. Mom followed shortly after. Once we knew they were asleep Sue and I snuck out for a much deserved beer right next door. Mom and dad were none the wiser and we were back in less than 30 min. Thank god no one broke in and kidnapped them! Heck, with Dad and his c-pap machine and Mom with her walker it would take the average person at least that long to take them! The kids at the bar were not the brightest of kids and poured us a glass of beer “to go” after we drank one there! Sue showed them our room key card for the motel next door and one of the kids asked the other if it was ok. She said well... I think that's why we have plastic cups! LOL So while we are writing our e-mails listening to our parents snore, we are drinking beer!
Now back to Dad! After the Tuesday adjustment appointment we expect that he will be totally released. Colette will then get them both on the plane back to AZ and Mark will be there to take them off the plane when they land. He is bringing the kids out to Mesa for spring break. Sue is set to return home on Sunday. Now we all wish she could stay and we all realize that it is a lot easier with both of us here to help with the walker and luggage and in’s and out’s of getting things done.
For example: Colette drops Sue and Mom off at the door and they start up to the room while Colette parks the car and most times catches up with them before they got to Dad's room. There is always the numerous bags an such to keep track of too.
Sue’s daughter Sarah will most likely go to AZ Thursday for a few days to help out for a while. Mom has doctor appointments and Dad won't be able to drive for a month. She has been having continued problems with her eyesight. Dad's siblings are also in the Mesa area and are egar to help out. Colette is thinking about taking a road trip out to help them pack up for the season and get them back on the plane to Minneapolis later in April.
Dad is doing super and is every bit the over achiever that the Dr's. and nurses have called him. We hope that he doesn't over do it only to wear down fast and get sick.
On Sat. we will try and sleep in as late as possible grab a late breakfast, nap time for all of us. (Colette and Sue are tired too!) and head to the wharf for dinner. It will hopefully be a lazy couple of days.
Good Night for now, hope everyone enjoys their weekend. (Happy Birthday Karen!!)
Colette and Sue
We had one more encounter with Dr. No Personality (his name is actually Dr. Barak Bar) and we were able to spring dad from the hospital. So off we went with a sack full of prescriptions and instructions to stay in town and report back on Tuesday to see if there needs to be any “fine tuning” done.
We brought him out to Mel’s Drive In for a great dinner. Figured he should experience where we had been hanging out when we weren’t with him. Dad was in rare form and when Sue was “testing” his memory with types of cars on the kids meal boxes he pulled a fast one on her and cheated by looking at the year on the back. He laughed so hard when she finally figured it out. It was so great to hear him laugh like that.
His roommate in the hospital suggested that we take a trip to see the city lights off the Bay Bridge. Well, Sue’s GPS managed to get us lost and it took forever for Eloise (the GPS) to get us back to the hotel. What we thought would take a short time and be relaxing to see, turned out to be a bad idea on his first night out.
With all of us exhausted now we made it back to the hotel and started getting ready to turn in. We figured out the med’s and set up the c-pap (breathing machine for sleep apnea) and got it going. It took all of three minutes and dad was sleeping like a baby. Mom followed shortly after. Once we knew they were asleep Sue and I snuck out for a much deserved beer right next door. Mom and dad were none the wiser and we were back in less than 30 min. Thank god no one broke in and kidnapped them! Heck, with Dad and his c-pap machine and Mom with her walker it would take the average person at least that long to take them! The kids at the bar were not the brightest of kids and poured us a glass of beer “to go” after we drank one there! Sue showed them our room key card for the motel next door and one of the kids asked the other if it was ok. She said well... I think that's why we have plastic cups! LOL So while we are writing our e-mails listening to our parents snore, we are drinking beer!
Now back to Dad! After the Tuesday adjustment appointment we expect that he will be totally released. Colette will then get them both on the plane back to AZ and Mark will be there to take them off the plane when they land. He is bringing the kids out to Mesa for spring break. Sue is set to return home on Sunday. Now we all wish she could stay and we all realize that it is a lot easier with both of us here to help with the walker and luggage and in’s and out’s of getting things done.
For example: Colette drops Sue and Mom off at the door and they start up to the room while Colette parks the car and most times catches up with them before they got to Dad's room. There is always the numerous bags an such to keep track of too.
Sue’s daughter Sarah will most likely go to AZ Thursday for a few days to help out for a while. Mom has doctor appointments and Dad won't be able to drive for a month. She has been having continued problems with her eyesight. Dad's siblings are also in the Mesa area and are egar to help out. Colette is thinking about taking a road trip out to help them pack up for the season and get them back on the plane to Minneapolis later in April.
Dad is doing super and is every bit the over achiever that the Dr's. and nurses have called him. We hope that he doesn't over do it only to wear down fast and get sick.
On Sat. we will try and sleep in as late as possible grab a late breakfast, nap time for all of us. (Colette and Sue are tired too!) and head to the wharf for dinner. It will hopefully be a lazy couple of days.
Good Night for now, hope everyone enjoys their weekend. (Happy Birthday Karen!!)
Colette and Sue
PS- as you can see, tenses and names slip back and forth. Sue and I each put in our "two cents" worth on the blog and we don't necessarily go back to correct it all to sound like it is from one of us!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, March 19 - Post Op
Hank - Tuesday 03-17-09
Dad and Susan Heath - Neuro-surgical nurse DBS specialist
Being fitted for the "Halo"
Post Surgery - 03/19/09Three laps around the ICU!
The hot spot to have breakfast and dinner. Hi all,
Today was a relatively quite day, except for us girls getting in trouble with the ICU dude (head nurse). Mr. Crabby pants didn't like us walking into the ICU because Mom and Sue cruised right on in without making the "required" call to let them know that we were there. We then had to go to the "naughty room" (waiting room) to wait for his call saying Dad was ready for us. Dad was actually in the MRI tube checking to make sure that everything was in the proper place.
The Physical Therapist was in and had dad up and doing laps around the ICU hall, three times around and going strong. Everyone who has seen him is really astonished on how well he is doing and how strong he is.
He also had a 3rd year intern come in for some testing, he is going to present dad's case tomorrow during his clinical time. He did all of the same neuro testing the other doc's did, which we are quite certain that Dad has every bit of it memorized because we don't think we could have passed the tests as well as dad has. He has a remarkable mind. We stayed with him for about 4 hours waiting for the results from the MRI, which of course didn't come during our time there.
Of course as soon as we went out Susan H showed up. They moved Dad out of ICU into a regular room and he was told that tomorrow (Friday) would be the day that Susan H. programs the stimulator for the first time. She will also teach all of us how to use the "wand" that turns the stimulator on again if it is accidentally turned off by any magnetic fields.
Of course as soon as we went out Susan H showed up. They moved Dad out of ICU into a regular room and he was told that tomorrow (Friday) would be the day that Susan H. programs the stimulator for the first time. She will also teach all of us how to use the "wand" that turns the stimulator on again if it is accidentally turned off by any magnetic fields.
Dad has been extremely lucky with the nursing staff. He has another great nurse on the 2nd floor. We all have been treated really well by all the staff with the exception of the resident DR. (personality of a rock) and Mr Crabby pants ICU dude who was mentioned earlier, even though we think we bullied him into not bugging us. (we were only supposed to be in there for 10 min. at a time and only two of us at a time, we were all three there for 4 hours!!)
We went back to tuck Dad in after his meal and left him happily watching the MN-Texas basketball game. We are sure that he wasn't too happy that MN lost!
We went back to tuck Dad in after his meal and left him happily watching the MN-Texas basketball game. We are sure that he wasn't too happy that MN lost!
Just to let you know we always bring him back treats. When we left tonight he was happy eating Ghirardelli chocolate and a sleeve of Girl scout thin mints that Sue brought. He was in heaven.
'til later,
Marilyn, Colette and Sue
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)