Barb, I am confused. (A state I seem to be in quite frequently).

You mean T/W changed your internet address? So you weren't getting your e-mail? And didn't tell you?

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

AHA. The e-mail I just sent to you came back as undeliverable! What a nuisance for you!! I'll resend later ....

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Barb.........just a warning. If you take Larry home, *then* back to a SNF, Medicare probably won't cover the cost. It sounds harsh, and I know that you both want him home, but you may need to pull rank and insist that he go for at least a few days.

Everyone else Gotta go dry my hair.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Hi everyone! Don't have to leave the house at all today. My parents, who are leaving this Saturday, will pick up ds from school today since it's snowing and DH could take car to work. My parents are so good to me that I know once they're gone we'll notice how much they do for us. // With all this home time today I'm just working on cleaning, babysitting and getting in pedometer steps. Did take a nice rest this morning to color out of my Strawberry Shortcake coloring book while the kids colored in theirs. Also quizzed ds on spelling words since he only has 3 days of school this week. Spelling is hard for him so we have to put in some good time with Spring break. // Also working on saying nice things about myself every time I pass by a mirror. Been to negative on myself lately. Need to stop that nonsense.

Shelley - Cleaning is like exercise. Feels good when you are done - lol. Especially decluttering. I guess they pretty much are the same since the body is the home for the soul. I often like to store junk in both areas. Hope that you get that satisfaction feeling that comes after doing both.

Nita - I've been doing pretty good with going to the doctor since the time I had strep throat that turned into psoriasis. That was maybe 2 years ago and since then I'm proud to say I've been to the doctor 3-4 times since then. It has to be something that has the possibility of staying for a long time or not going away at all still before I go. Did I tell you that my mom is the same way? She had shoulder surgery last Friday after being in pain for over a year. Doctor said that she had torn muscles! She kept thinking it would get better too. Like mother, like daughter. // Sorry to hear about your hip but good to know you have a nice affordable chiropractor you can see for this. $35 is an amazing price. I'm thinking that in a few weeks I might look into seeing one to see if they can work out anything extra from my scoliosis pain. Limited pain good. // Expander for Jade, poor girl. I hope she enjoys your monk e-mails. Can I have the link for that? // A doctor recommending smoking for nerves, that is so sad that not even doctors could see that smoking was bad for you back then. My Grandpa said that it was easier to give us alcohol (he was an alcoholic) then it was to give us smoking. He heart gave out on him before he died. Smoking is not a friend. Hope to hear some miracles working in the life of your brother and sister-in-law.

Peg & Shelley - Your poor foot! I'm so glad that Shelley is taking good care of you. I'm glad that you are here Shelley.

Donna - Promise I won't push myself. Don't want to risk getting this crud back. Even though there is snow outside I'm hoping that the end of my sickness will come along with good walking weather. // Maybe the visit with the mental health worker could get here in sooner with her depression on the line? Hope that is the case.

Barb - I agree, 1/2 the process of the hospital is waiting. Think that patience being a virtue God said for times like this. I'm betting Larry will feel better at home and it'll be easier on you too. Will the social service people be making arrangements to have a nurse come by and visit daily? // Ha, ha...didn't think Peg used real butterflies. Although the temporary tattoo types might pretty up that foot. // I'm glad to hear that you are doing Al-anon and giving it a go for 4 visits. If you decide not to keep attending maybe picking up some books/pamphlet's?

BC - Talk to you after your workout!

Judy - Morning Judy Jetson. Have a great day!

Alida - I agree! Rest with kids in the house is not something that can be done easily. They are good for keeping you moving, that is for sure. Some days all that lands on the floor is great for stretching and my pedometer. // This must be the etch job that the lady said can wait until the first week of April? Hope that it goes by smoothly for you.

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Morning, all. It's a beautiful day, with blue skies, lots of sunshine, and just a special touch today, because Dan & I are having our 38th wedding anniversary today. We're not doing anything special, though. Usually we have a meal with all the kids & grandkids sometime close to this date, but this year we have a lot of stuff going on, as do all of them, so we might have to delay it for a few weeks, or even forego it altogether. We decided several years ago that we don't need anymore stuff, so we told the kids no more anniversary gifts. Instead, we give THEM gifts. It's so much more fun! The first year we did it, all the girls got homemade aprons from me, and identical makeup bags, and the guys all got identical tool thingys of some sort. The grandkids get toys or clothes. I think it's a much better tradition.

Today is also our busiest day at work, because all the Social Security checks are coming in, as well as TANF, so it will be a steady stream of tenants paying rent today. So, I'm just popping in real quick to say hi to all.

And Barb, everyone's right about the SNF, if you can get Larry in one for at least a few days before he comes home, it will make a big difference. My dad was in one, which was an entire floor of the hospital he was in when he had his second stroke, and they really helped him a lot. And Medicare will pay for a certain number of days of skilled nursing care. See what social services say.

All of you have a great Tuesday.

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Nita

Barb, I have to second and third and fourth The advice on the skilled nursing facility. I hope you don't mind if I add my two cents.

It's not so much the "hospital environment" that causes debility IMO (although can be depressing and disorienting), but the illness itself, the lack of certainty in the situation, the medications and the enforced inactivity. A SNF's main purpose is to get people back on their feet. Larry will not be allowed to lay there even if he wants to! Therapy will be specifically structured to get him up, strong, eating well, able to attend to his own personal needs, and all in all functioning to the highest degree possible within the time his is there.

Homes are full of hazards when you are weak, and even as strong as you are, it is physically draining to attend to and assist a larger person with their needs 24/7 and it is unsafe for you both as well. Lay people are not trained in the skills necessary to safely lift, balance, and ambulate other people. The need for you to learn those skills may come some day, but it needn't be now.

Larry will also likely NOT make as much effort at home in your hands as he will in a SNF (let's call it a skilled rehab facility) because 1) you are the wife and all that, and 2) there will not be the incentive of giving rehab his all as it would at a rehab facility, precisely because if he does he can then go home.

We tend at the outset to believe ourselves capable of "whatever needs to be done" for our loved ones. We want to believe it! In truth it is more difficult than you imagine. Hang tough for Larry's sake, and for your sake. It's no favor to bring him home early for the sake of appeasement.

Back later, kids.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Yes...exactly what Bren says about SNF.
He would have to meet certain goals in PT(physical therapy), nutrition, OT(occupational therapy). They would not let him *sit or lay* around. They will crack the whip and get him up and moving. Also nutritional assessments can be made and teaching regarding nutritional needs.
Our SNF had an *apartment* where the patient could spend a night prior to discharge and do everything for themselves and still be supervised and assisted if needed.

It's still your choice, but SNF is a good thing. Sometimes the SNF is in the hospital and sometimes it's a free standing facility. But the objective is always to get the patient back to baseline or BETTER.

I promise end of nagging....
(((hugs)))
S.

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Nita - Happy Anniversary!! Hope your day goes by quick and easy so you can go home and enjoy your evening with DH.

__________________

Nita!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU AND YOUR HUBBY!!!!
Hope you can celebrate the moment!

S.

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Nita, Happy Anniversary indeed! This our 38th year, too. Hope you have an enjoyable celebration, whatever you do.

THANKS ALL for reminding me about SN Care, and pointing out the advantages. Y'know, you're so right about Larry not responding well to my prompting at home. He certainly didn't at the hospital. This morning, he was up and EATING, and showing some energy about going home. But I can see the handwriting on the wall. I forgot to ask the Social Services Rep about SN, but will do so before the end of today. No problem about insurance, as he's covered under my corporate policy as primary. I've put in the call-backs, so now I'll just...wait.

Alida, I don't know what T/W did--they changed the Internet IP address for my account, which switched me over to RoadRunner, another T/W partner. Why they did that, I have no idea. One more thing on my list of stuff to do. Meanwhile, I'm back at my earthlink address (thanks to good customer service from earthlink) and seem to be receiving mail as usual.

Life does go on.

P. S. Okay--done! I just talked to the doc, and he agrees that a transitional plan involving SNF sounds good. We'll facilitate that. Larry won't be thrilled, but DANG! He made this bed and he gets to lie in it or get up out of it on his own.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I think it is wonderful that you love Larry enough to do what is best for him. The doctor is on board so you can always blame him.

__________________

Good choice. He'll probably whine, but it will be better for both of you in the end. The sooner he gets up and gets on with it, the sooner he gets to go home. And, when he is there, he will be closer to being "normal" again.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Hi guys,
Just wanted to say hey to everyone. Looks like everyone is going to have a busy week.

I have done something to my back...argh! I noticed when I went to bed last night that it felt *sore*. Then this morning when I got up, it was really painful. D@mn! Always something, it seems. I have low back pain especially when I work long shifts, but this is different. If it doesn't get better in a few days, I'll go in and have it looked at.

Barb...wishing good things for Larry in SNF, and hoping your world will soon be upright and turning at a slower speed.

Everyone else...(((hugs!!!)))

I'm off to a hot shower, jammies, and *nesting* on the sofa

have a good evening!

Shelley

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Have a good evening everyone and see you in the morning!

__________________

So, Shel...........Can I come over and ice my foot while you lay round to get your back better? My foot just keeps getting blacker. Now, all my toes are black at the base, and the bruis has spread all across my foot, side to side and down on the bottom. It's also really sore on the top when I press on the bones. So, I've decided not to press on the bones. I will not go to Tahiti with a cast on my foot!!!!! I just won't!!

Today, I went to class, came home, ate and went to bed, slept, got up and watched TV until now just before we eat dinner. Then, more TV and bed!

Congratulations, Barb on what I think is the right decision! You da woman!

Good to hear from all of you. I'm here, reading along, leading a fairly boring life (TTL) and trying not to get too caught up in dd's dramas. We're having a girls day out on Friday. Lord, help me to keep my mouth shut!

See ya tomorry
Peg