Mom and Dad are continuing to adjust to their new home. It has been a busy month with a number of doctor appointments in different places. We so appreciate those who have provided transportation for them.
Dad has been battling cellulitis in his legs, along with the pain caused by his spinal stenosis. He had a steroid shot in hopes of some relief, but unfortunately it did not help.
Mom saw a neurologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock who believes that reducing her anti-seizure med dosage will relieve her lightheadedness and short-term memory loss. He said he would recommend that change to her PCP.
Mom is back online, which is very exciting for her. Her new e-mail address is maryjaneames(insert "at" sign)oxfordnetworks.net, and she is also on Facebook. Unfortunately she lost her e-mail address book, so she would love to hear from everyone so that she can have your address again.
I am flying North a week from tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad (and Josey) in their nice new apartment. I'll be cleaning out the house in Gorham to prepare it to sell. Jack's parents are coming to Florida to help Jack with the kids while I'm gone. We all need and appreciate your prayers!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
April 13 - In Their New Home
Thanks so much for praying for our family, as Mom and Dad transition from their home of 40 years in Gorham NH, to Ledgeview Living Center in West Paris ME.
Official "Moving Day" was Saturday, April 11--the day before Easter. We are so grateful to Mom's sisters, Rebecca, Betty, and Jane, for the incredible amount of work they have invested into getting Mom and Dad moved. They helped to convince, they helped to direct, they helped to prepare, they helped to pack, they helped to transport (including Josey the cat), and now they are helping to unpack.
Other friends and relatives helped on Saturday too--thank you to each one of you.
Mom was able to celebrate Easter at West Paris Baptist Church, where she and Dad met and were married! (Dad didn't feel up to going.) Now that will be their home church once again. Chris and Lois drove up from Virginia to spend Easter, and this week following, with them. Chris set up Mom's computer, and Lois will be able to take care of a few things that need doing at the house in Gorham also.
I have a ticket to NH on May 14 (thanks to Tim, a frequent flyer friend!!). I am looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad's new place!! I'll be staying in Gorham, cleaning out the house and preparing it for sale. Jack and the kids plan to come up mid-June. Jack will stay a couple weeks and then return to FL. The kids will stay with me if my job isn't finished. I'm hoping it will be.
Mom is anxious about finding new doctors. She and Dad have a number of appointments in Berlin and at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in the next month. Transportation is a bigger issue now, with the longer distances, so they really need to transition to providers who are closer to their new home. We are grateful to those who are helping to drive them--THANK YOU!!
Most of all, we are thankful to God Who has brought us this far and will not abandon us.
Official "Moving Day" was Saturday, April 11--the day before Easter. We are so grateful to Mom's sisters, Rebecca, Betty, and Jane, for the incredible amount of work they have invested into getting Mom and Dad moved. They helped to convince, they helped to direct, they helped to prepare, they helped to pack, they helped to transport (including Josey the cat), and now they are helping to unpack.
Other friends and relatives helped on Saturday too--thank you to each one of you.
Mom was able to celebrate Easter at West Paris Baptist Church, where she and Dad met and were married! (Dad didn't feel up to going.) Now that will be their home church once again. Chris and Lois drove up from Virginia to spend Easter, and this week following, with them. Chris set up Mom's computer, and Lois will be able to take care of a few things that need doing at the house in Gorham also.
I have a ticket to NH on May 14 (thanks to Tim, a frequent flyer friend!!). I am looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad's new place!! I'll be staying in Gorham, cleaning out the house and preparing it for sale. Jack and the kids plan to come up mid-June. Jack will stay a couple weeks and then return to FL. The kids will stay with me if my job isn't finished. I'm hoping it will be.
Mom is anxious about finding new doctors. She and Dad have a number of appointments in Berlin and at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in the next month. Transportation is a bigger issue now, with the longer distances, so they really need to transition to providers who are closer to their new home. We are grateful to those who are helping to drive them--THANK YOU!!
Most of all, we are thankful to God Who has brought us this far and will not abandon us.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April 1, 2009 - Mom's home
Mom was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, after a stress test showed no problem with her heart. I asked her, "So, how are we going to keep you from overdoing after you get home?" She laughed a little bit.
We are thankful for everyone who has offered to help Mom & Dad with their packing. We think it will work best if the efforts are coordinated so that a maximum of two people are helping at a time. That way it will be more low-key and manageable for Mom to give direction.
The exception of course will be Moving Day, April 11, when many hands will make light work!! We would really appreciate anyone who would be available that day.
Jack and I are working on planning our travel up there. Nothing is final yet but looks like I will go May 14, and Jack and the kids in early June. Jack is planning to stay two weeks, and the children and I may stay several weeks longer if necessary until the house is cleaned out.
Lois and Chris and their family will be there the month of June as well.
Thanks so much for your concern and prayers. They are a blessing and a great help!!!
We are thankful for everyone who has offered to help Mom & Dad with their packing. We think it will work best if the efforts are coordinated so that a maximum of two people are helping at a time. That way it will be more low-key and manageable for Mom to give direction.
The exception of course will be Moving Day, April 11, when many hands will make light work!! We would really appreciate anyone who would be available that day.
Jack and I are working on planning our travel up there. Nothing is final yet but looks like I will go May 14, and Jack and the kids in early June. Jack is planning to stay two weeks, and the children and I may stay several weeks longer if necessary until the house is cleaned out.
Lois and Chris and their family will be there the month of June as well.
Thanks so much for your concern and prayers. They are a blessing and a great help!!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
My mom was taken to the hospital with chest pains again this afternoon. Her EKG looks normal and Dr. thinks it is stress-related. That is certainly understandable, since she is very anxious about their upcoming move to assisted living, and she is driving herself and working extremely hard.
I suggested she make lists of things she knew she would want, but I BEGGED her not to look in bags or boxes that she couldn't remember the contents. . . because that is all stuff she doesn't need, but once she had seen it she would want to keep it. And she won't have room for it in the new apartment.
Unfortunately, what I feared is exactly what is happening. And it has put her in the hospital.
Thankfully, she should be able to go home tomorrow, and we will keep trying to convince her to take it easy.
Thank you as always for your prayers. Jack and I are talking about when I'll be able to go to NH . . . It looks like early- to mid-May.
I suggested she make lists of things she knew she would want, but I BEGGED her not to look in bags or boxes that she couldn't remember the contents. . . because that is all stuff she doesn't need, but once she had seen it she would want to keep it. And she won't have room for it in the new apartment.
Unfortunately, what I feared is exactly what is happening. And it has put her in the hospital.
Thankfully, she should be able to go home tomorrow, and we will keep trying to convince her to take it easy.
Thank you as always for your prayers. Jack and I are talking about when I'll be able to go to NH . . . It looks like early- to mid-May.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 28
It is late and this will be brief. My parents are planning to move to Ledgeview Living Center in West Paris, Maine on April 11. God did a miracle in my dad's heart as they went there today for a tour--my dad WILLINGLY agreed to the move and seems quite happy about it.
Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
My mom is overwhelmed and anxious about packing...and all the stuff she won't be able to take. Please pray for our family, as the coming months will be difficult for all of us; but when everything is settled, I know Mom and Dad will be much more comfortable and better cared for.
Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
My mom is overwhelmed and anxious about packing...and all the stuff she won't be able to take. Please pray for our family, as the coming months will be difficult for all of us; but when everything is settled, I know Mom and Dad will be much more comfortable and better cared for.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The past month or so has been very difficult for Mom. Although thankfully she has not had any more chest pain, her head has continually felt "strange"--dizzy and lightheaded, but beyond that, in a way she struggles to describe. She says it feels like everything in her brain is bubbling up and out.
Naturally this makes it tough to do much of anything. So she has felt additional stress from the difficulty of trying to wait on Dad, who has been suffering pain in his legs and hips that significantly hinders his mobility.
In an attempt to discover the cause of Mom's symptoms, her oncologist ordered a PET scan and MRI, which are scheduled for tomorrow (March 25). She will also get a follow-up mammogram after a suspicious one. She has an appointment with a neurologist on March 31, and on April 13th will see the oncologist again to get the results of tomorrow's tests.
Regardless of the test results, it is becoming evident that the effort required to live independently and care for Dad is too much for Mom, and is contributing to her current problems. She realizes this.
Yesterday, their family doctor came to the house to see Dad, and broke the news to him that it is time to consider moving to assisted living. Mom and I had prayed fervently about this meeting. Dad's reaction has been tears and sadness . . . which is better than the angry refusal that we feared.
The most likely option is an assisted living apartment in West Paris, Maine, near Mom's sisters. The logical next step is for Mom and Dad to visit there and ask questions. The biggest one is whether they could bring their beloved cat.
Our family pleads for your continued prayers. This will be a tremendously traumatic upheaval. After 40 years in their home, it will involve changing location, doctors, and church; as well as disposing of a tremendous amount of possessions and selling an old house that has not been updated since the 1950's--something that lenders are reluctant to finance in the current market.
The logistical details of Lois and I's involvement need prayer as well, as neither of us lives nearby; but helping Mom and Dad move and cleaning out the house are tasks that we need and want to help with. It will require considerable time, probably two or three months.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
Naturally this makes it tough to do much of anything. So she has felt additional stress from the difficulty of trying to wait on Dad, who has been suffering pain in his legs and hips that significantly hinders his mobility.
In an attempt to discover the cause of Mom's symptoms, her oncologist ordered a PET scan and MRI, which are scheduled for tomorrow (March 25). She will also get a follow-up mammogram after a suspicious one. She has an appointment with a neurologist on March 31, and on April 13th will see the oncologist again to get the results of tomorrow's tests.
Regardless of the test results, it is becoming evident that the effort required to live independently and care for Dad is too much for Mom, and is contributing to her current problems. She realizes this.
Yesterday, their family doctor came to the house to see Dad, and broke the news to him that it is time to consider moving to assisted living. Mom and I had prayed fervently about this meeting. Dad's reaction has been tears and sadness . . . which is better than the angry refusal that we feared.
The most likely option is an assisted living apartment in West Paris, Maine, near Mom's sisters. The logical next step is for Mom and Dad to visit there and ask questions. The biggest one is whether they could bring their beloved cat.
Our family pleads for your continued prayers. This will be a tremendously traumatic upheaval. After 40 years in their home, it will involve changing location, doctors, and church; as well as disposing of a tremendous amount of possessions and selling an old house that has not been updated since the 1950's--something that lenders are reluctant to finance in the current market.
The logistical details of Lois and I's involvement need prayer as well, as neither of us lives nearby; but helping Mom and Dad move and cleaning out the house are tasks that we need and want to help with. It will require considerable time, probably two or three months.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Mom and Dad have been continuing to "manage" at home, but Mom's energy level has been low, getting her anti-seizure meds to the correct level has been an issue, and she continues to experience frequent headaches. She has had occasional chest pains as well--and yesterday it became so severe that the home health nurse who was there called an ambulance.
She was admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. Thankfully, a number of tests showed no evidence of any problem with either her brain or her heart. So she was released this afternoon and a friend from church took her home.
We continue to be concerned about Mom and Dad trying to live on their own. We keep hoping, and Mom does too, that she will improve and be able to do more than she can now. If not, then a different living situation for them may be necessary sooner than summer 2010, the goal we had originally discussed with Mom. It will be traumatic for them no matter what. Dad hasn't agreed to move at all yet.
She was admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. Thankfully, a number of tests showed no evidence of any problem with either her brain or her heart. So she was released this afternoon and a friend from church took her home.
We continue to be concerned about Mom and Dad trying to live on their own. We keep hoping, and Mom does too, that she will improve and be able to do more than she can now. If not, then a different living situation for them may be necessary sooner than summer 2010, the goal we had originally discussed with Mom. It will be traumatic for them no matter what. Dad hasn't agreed to move at all yet.
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