Hello From Rockville

I have not written for a while, because there isn't much to write about.  Harlan is not up to going out and the weather is not the best to take him out in.

Sue left on Wednesday and had a good flight back, it was so good to have her here.  Friday she is having foot surgery so she will be incapacitated for a while, but it's something she needed to do.

Yesterday when I went in to see Harlan he was missing his upper plate and I looked everywhere for it, under the bed, in his bed and in all his nightstand drawers, it was no where to be found.  I checked at the desk thinking maybe he had taken it out when he ate lunch and it was left on his dinner tray, the kitchen was informed to be on the look-out for it.  I then went back to his room and looked under the bed at a different angle and there it was so that was a good thing I washed it and he had his teeth back.

Today he asked about his ring, it had fallen off his finger earlier so I took it home with me and now I'll see what I can do to to make it stay on his finger, he has lost so much weight, I'll just have to see what I can do.

Today was one of his better days he was a wake the whole afternoon while I was there but his speech is garbled and hard to understand and he has a hard finding the words he wants to use, I do my best to at least pretend to understand what he says. 

This should update everyone and I'll try and write more often......Fran

Hello From Rockville 

Today we said "Good Bye" to Sue as she left for home, I'll miss her.  When I got up in the morning she had a fresh cup of coffee waiting for me to enjoy.  We had a good time together.

We met Rick for food at Five Guys then on to the VA for a short visit before Sue left.  We had a surprise, when we got to the VA Harlan was eating his lunch in the dinning room, he ate half a hamburger and drank his milk.  The rest of our visiting was done in his room, then Rick and Sue left for Mpls and the air port.  I spent the afternoon with him helped him with his meds and went home.  He had good today and was able to be up some we'll see what tomorrow brings......Fran  

Hello From Rockville 

I have enjoyed Sue's visit but as all good things must come to an end so must her visit, she leaves tomorrow.  Rick and DeeAnn will see that she gets to the airport.

We had a good day today shopping and eating and spending time with Harlan.  He is not doing well, today I was told there are symptoms indicating yet another bleed.  His leg is still sore from the clot but not as sore as it was, walking is easier for him.  He went to the dining room for two meals today so he did eat some.  Before I left we (Sue and I) helped him with his meds and his neb.  His weight is in the high 120's but it is slowly going down as it has for the last several months.  He no longer asks to go out for a treat as he has no energy and and no desire for food.

I'll update this blog tomorrow.....Fran
  

Hello From Rockville

Today is Monday and I didn't write yesterday.  I went in to spend time with Harlan in fact Sue went with and we stayed with him until we left for church, put some heat on his leg and chatted then to church and back to see him.  Denese and Sue went to pick up chicken and ribs, ribs for him and chicken for the rest of us.  Harlan had eaten a few bites when he declared, " I wouldn't order this again!"  Just a few weeks ago we had picked up the same thing for him and he just inhaled it he enjoyed it so.  We just never know how he'll react to any thing.

Today I had a meeting with the staff and because he is failing there were only four staff members there and then the NP joined us.  After the meeting we went to his room to see how he was, he was awake and ready to visit.  I put some heat on his leg, I don't think it is as sore as it had been but it's still quite swollen and with pain medication he is able to do some walking.  We were told he had gone for breakfast and lunch but no report on how well he ate.  Rick & DeeAnn and Sarah & Wes stopped to see him, he was ready to sleep when I left.

We will see how tomorrow goes.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was a busy day.  Denese and I went tot Becky's to pick up Sue, she flew in from Atlanta and will leave on Wednesday.  From Becky's we went to Owatonna  to spend time with my sister Lucille we also met Cheryl and the six of us had a lot of laughs talking about funny things we do, oh yes, we also ate.  After all this we headed back to St. Cloud first stopping to drop Becky off and spend some time with Walt and Luke.  We got to the VA around 7:30 and spent about 45 minuets with Harlan.  His leg is quite swollen and still very painful making it hard for him to walk, he just doesn't understand that if he takes his pain medication he won't hurt so bad.  We got him to take his meds while we were with him and they helped him get cleaned up ready for bed.  He enjoyed seeing Sue and Denese that seemed to cheer him up we'll see how tomorrow goes......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was C-O-L-D but some how we get through it.  We, the support group from the VA, had a lunch instead of a meeting, each one brought something to share.  My contribution was vegetable pizza I brought the left overs to the staff on Harlan's floor.

Harlan did not have a good day, his leg is very sore and his pain medication has been increased from two a day to one every 4 hours.  He had an appointment to see Dr. Fox and because he did not feel up to go I cancelled the appointment and Dr. Fox came to him he had to walk the full length of the hall way connecting the VA a campus some one told me that the walk is half mile making the round trip a mile, WOW!  He changed Harlan's medication we'll see if that helps.  Harlan is again not eating and drinking very little.  I feel as if I'm on a "Roller-Coaster" ride and I can't get off.

Tomorrow Sue comes in maybe she will brighten his day and the time she is here.

Denese and I will get her and bring her up here, I'm looking forward to her visit, we'll be busy as we always are and we'll pack a lot in while she is here...........Fran

Hello From Rockville
It is cold, temperature is -15, wind chill -33, the place to be is inside looking out!!!!
I spent the afternoon with Harlan, his leg is still quite sore and they are giving him stronger pain medication.  He says he feels like he might fall.  They took him to breakfast in a wheel chair.  I hope the pain medication takes care of the pain for him.
We had our pot luck tonight with 9 of us attending, not a good very turn out.
Tomorrow our VA support group has our finger food pot-luck followed by a Dr. for Harlan.
Until tomorrow Good Night..........Fran

Hello From Rockville
It is going to be cold in fact it will be dangerously cold, BRRR!!!!
I spent time with Harlan today, he was tired and slept a lot.  Pastor Campbell came to see him and I think he enjoyed that.  I did not take him any where so it was a quiet day, I'll see how tomorrow goes.............Fran

Hello From Rockville

I listened to children read today at school then I came home for lunch and went into St Cloud to spend time with Harlan.  Rick called to tell me that he, Sarah and Wes stopped to spend time with Harlan.  When I got in Harlan was so excited to tell me he had had company, Rick had been there and, "The one you know in the National Guard and that tall guy."  He didn't remember names but he did a good job of describing them.  He told me he had eaten lunch and he was eager to go out for a treat which we did.  I took him in a wheel chair as the walk in the basement from the elevator to the car is so long.  He had a root beer float but only ate about half of it, mostly the ice cream.  He looks so thin and pale, every little bit he eats gives him strength but he walks so slow and it is a lot of work on his part to go any where even just on his floor.

Today was a good day, everyday we can be together and can enjoy each other is a blessing....Fran  

Hello From Rockville

Today was warmer then it's been for a while, but the warmer temps made the snowy slush slipperier.

I spent time with Harlan he was more awake today and was up and walked around.  Rick, DeeAnn Sarah and Adam came up to see him and because his room is small we walked down to the TV room and visited the walk tired him out and he was ready to lay down when he got back.  Denese stopped to check on him on her way home from work and Kelsey came up to see him too.  With all the activity of the day he should have a good night's sleep tonight.  He does not eat  or drink much today he had a banana and some water.  When you give him a hug and rub his back you can feel his weight loss.

Today he let me lie down on the bed with him something he hasn't let me do for several days, we'll see how tomorrow goes.............Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today has been a hard day.  Denese and I went to Sunday school ( yes we have an adult ladies class) then church then we went to the VA to see Harlan and to see if we could bring him something to eat.  He wanted us to leave him alone.  We went out for lunch then back to see him.  I asked him if he wanted me to shave him and he told me, "Later."   He really wants to be left alone, no water no food that's it.  I will go in tomorrow to see how he is I don't expect to see any change I think he is just plain worn out and wants to leave this Earth for Heaven.   I'm speaking from my heart when I say it is very hard for me to see him this way, he has been through so much in the last two and a half years and has concord so many mountains and valleys and I think he is just tired and just can't make it over the next hill.

Please pray for me and my family that we will have peace as only God can give.......Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today has been a hard day.  I washed clothes this morning then looking over the plants Denese and I had in the living room I decided they need some grooming - removal of dead leaving, repotting, water- by then the living room needed vacuuming and I needed a bite to eat then on my way to see Harlan.  

Harlan is not doing well he is not eating or drinking and I feel he is shutting down.  He has no hunger or thirst which is a sign of shutting down.  He took a small glass of juice and a bit of water nothing solid.  I came home early and will try and spend more time with him tomorrow, I will not be able to take him to church as he is very weak and he didn't seem to care when I mentioned that tomorrow would be Sunday.
I need hugs, I wish you were here so I could get your hugs they are so comforting, thank-you for listening...........Fran

Hello From Rockville

Another snow storm or at least weather that makes driving miserable, a slow drive home from St. Cloud, yuck!

We changed our community room decorations from Christmas to winter with a touch of Valentine Day we will leave the decorations up until the first part of March.

I spent time with Harlan this afternoon, and again he was tired as he has no desire to eat, the staff at the VA do what they can to get him to eat but he really has no appetite.  Today I noticed his voice had very little volume and he mumbled a t lot and he was hard to understand.  I also noticed it was hard for him to follow directions, he is having more and more problems expressing himself.

I stopped at McD for coffee and cookies, he ate a few cookies and drank about half of his coffee, it's like he is shutting.  He was started on mew mediation so I'll check that out to see if the symptoms he is having are side effects.
We didn't do much but just laid around and I left for home about 5:00 and my 15/20 minuet trip took 45 minuets.  
I will write again tomorrow................Fran

Hello From Rockville

I had a good report from my dentist, just a cleaning and that went well.  A stop for a few groceries and a bite to eat then home.  

I went in to see Harlan about 2:00 and he was ready for a trip out for a treat.  He told me a chocolate malt would be good so we shared one but after eating about half if his he said was not what he wanted, at times it's hard for him to communicate his wants.  After eating our snack he went to the bathroom to wash his hands and while he was gone the waitress sat down to chat a bit and when Harlan came back she was sitting in his place so he stuck his nose in the air and just sailed right by us and sat in the next booth, that just cracked us up his sense of humor shows up every once in a while and I just love it. 

If he takes his pain meds regularly his leg pain seems to be controlled at least he didn't complain of any pain.  He was tired after our outing, it was good to get out and this was another treasured time with him....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I missed writing last night as I couldn't get on line so here goes two days in one.

Yesterday was a busy day, first I went in to help the children with reading, I do this every Tuesday.  I went home ate a bite then went in to spend time with Harlan.  He has some pain in his leg due to partial blockage of  a blood vessel and the VA will try and treat it with meds and control the pain with Tylenol, it's hard to know what to do because he just was treated for a GI bleed.

Denese and I went to church for Ladies Bible study, a monthly meeting first a buffet followed with the meeting/Bible study.   

Today was cleaning/laundry day for me I also got my hair cut and I went in to see Harlan.  He never got out of bed and he didn't eat any of his meals.  When I told him he needed to eat as he hadn't eaten today his response was, "Who told you I didn't eat?"  I stayed  until he took his meds and neb then I left for home around five.  He called me this evening saying his leg hurt and I went through the procedure with him on how to use his call button, a nurse came and said he would get him something for his pain, I just hope Harlan will take it.  When I ask him if he takes all the medication they give him he says he does, but I know he doesn't always understand and take them, when he takes the meds he expects instant help.
Tomorrow will be another day which will start with a morning dental appointment for a cleaning, until tomorrow Good Night.....Fran

Hello From Rockville
A snowy day, not a lot of snow here but nasty driving.

Harlan had a 2:20 appointment for an ultra sound on the sore area on his leg.  I took him as he is not a "Happy Camper" when there is any kind of testing done on him and today was no exception.  The testing took about a half hour or better and he wanted to leave the whole time, just a difficult day but we got through it.  If I understand what was found I'll explain the best I can, a clot was found in his leg but it was not large enough to stop the flow of blood so there is not a concern about it and I'm not sure what will be done if anything about it.  I  hope they will give him pain medication as it was quite painful.  When the testing was done he told me that the pain was no better he, he thought when she was done the pain would go away, he just didn't understand why it still hurt after what he had gone through.  He was very tired after the ultra sound and we didn't go any where just rested and after his meds I went home, the trip went slow because of the roads.  Tomorrow should be better as the roads should be better. I have not heard from Harlan so I hope he'll have a good nights sleep and I will go in to see him tomorrow.........Fran 

Sunday January 9, 2011

Today was a day that went well.  I stopped at McD for my regular Sunday morning breakfast, OJ, Breakfast burrito and two cups decaf, the coffee is shared with Harlan.  I took him to church, he missed two Sundays and when people talked to him and welcomed him back he just didn't understand and didn't realized he had missed two Sundays.  After church we went to Perkins to eat then back to the VA and I took a nap.  The VA has a music channel that has very soothing music and outside pictures, water falls, water lapping over rocks, birds flying, flowers, butterflies, some still life and some in short video's, just so peaceful it puts the viewer to sleep.  About 4:00 P.M. I went home.  The whole day was wonderful and it was good to have Harlan back to a normal Sunday.

Sundays are special and today was a very special Sunday.....Fran

Hello From Rockville

I picked up my car before going in to see Harlan.  He was sleeping when I got there but his coat and cap was out, I don't know if he was cold and had them ready to wear or what.  He played bingo and did quite well winning one game.  He hadn't been out for several days and wanted to get out, I took him to McD for a burger then back to the VA for his meds etc. I noticed his left ear looked sore and when I took his hearing aid out there was a little sore in his ear, we'll leave the hearing aid out for a few days so the ear can heal.

Today was a good day I enjoyed my time with him............Fran 

Hello From Rockville
Another cold day, wind chills below zero BRRR!

The support group met at the VA today a very small group, six including our facilitator and a student.  In two weeks we will have a pot luck with finger foods and we'll meet at noon which works well for me as Harlan has a Dr. appointment just after 1:00.
After the support group meeting I went up to spend time with Harlan.  I had talked to him at noon to encourage him to go for lunch, he was not happy as they had wanted him to go for his bath, he told me he wasn't going for his bath until after he ate, I suggested he eat then go for his bath and he didn't think he wanted to bother with a bath and I tried to encourage to get his bath taken before I got there his response to that, "You never stick up for me!"  When I got there his clean clothes were out for him but he didn't want that bath.  Long story short he did get his bath.
Got a call from Rick, he and DeeAnn wanted to come up and see Harlan then go for a bite to eat.  I talked them in to coming here for lasagna and a few games of bowling we had a good time, DeeAnn even tried her luck at Wheel and was the top winner.  Oh yes, I was the winner in bowling.  Today was a good day, always fun with family.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

I was not able to get on line last night to publish my blog, once again I'll do two days.  Yesterday was quiet Harlan did not want to to much other than sleep and today was about the same.  He just wants to sleep both day we watched TV and he did his meds and I went home.

Tonight was a dessert time in our community room with only 4 of us later a fifth lady joined us for coffee and some cookies and cup cakes.

today was a quiet day, will write more tomorrow.......Fran

Hello From Rockville
My day started with my volunteer job at church then home for lunch and back to St Cloud for time with Harlan.  When I got to his room he was ready to go out his choice was "Where the girl doesn't work week ends" which is the Park Diner.  He ordered a hot fudge sundae and I had chicken drummies with cole slaw.  Harlan only ate about half his sundae and we went back to the VA.  I took him up to his room in a wheel chair and he was exhausted just walking from the elevator to his room.  We just took it easy until I went home, he took his meds but not his neb.  
I had a good day with him as I have said before each day with him is a treasure and I treasure each day, so until tomorrow Good Night...........Fran

Hello From Rockville
I went in to spend with Harlan, he was so tired he just wanted to sleep, I only stayed half an hour then went home, we were having some snow and driving was slow so it was good to be home.
Denese gave me a wii game, she set it up and we had a good time bowling, I need a lot of practice, Denese did quite well at least she improved with each game she played, I got worse
I hope to spend more time with Harlan tomorrow and we aren't suppose to have snow but it will be cold.
Good Night....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Yesterday (Saturday) it was so cold I really hated to leave the house.  Denese and I went in to spend time with Harlan.  He had not been out of the VA for a week so we bundled him up with coat, cap and gloves and headed to Perkins, one of his favorite places to eat.  He had not eaten dinner and he decided breakfast was in order, he had an egg, sausage patty and pancakes and ate every bite.  The trip out of his place exhausted him and we will not do that again unless we take him to the car in a wheel chair just too much walking.  When we got back he took his meds and Denese and I headed out to Walmart for some shopping then home to relax and retire for the night.  

Today (Sunday) because of the cold weather I decided not to take Harlan out for church instead Denese and I went to Sunday School and church then to the VA to see if Harlan wanted to go out for lunch and he did not want to, which is not like him so we know he is not feeling good.  We placed an order with Grizzlies and Denese picked it up, BBQ Ribs for Harlan and he really enjoyed them he was BBQ sauce from ear to ear with a grin as big as his face it was a joy to see how much he enjoyed his dinner.  

After eating Denese went to see Rick as Jenny and Tori went there to do skating and sledding then she came back to the VA to pick me up.   Harlan and I napped the afternoon away.  

Today was a good day.........Fran

Hello From Rockville 

It has been a while since writing in my blog, I will try and update everyone reading this on what has gone on.

Monday December 27th  The VA called to let me know that Harlan was being sent to x-ray as he was having more then a "flu bug" problem, I went in early and was told he had a GI bleed.  I was joined by Denese, Rick and Sarah to decide what to do - hospitalization or keep him at the VA.  All things considered the VA could give him the care he needed.  He was very dehydrated, to help rehydrate him an IV was started and I stayed over night with him, he needed help if he got out of bed, we didn't want the IV pulled out of his arm.  The IV did not function as it should have and was removed and a new one started this caused a lot of discomfort for him.  He would have never allowed them to insert another one had I not been there. 

Tuesday December 28th  Rick came up to relieve me and I went home to shower and a little rest so I could go back and stay for the night.  He had a quiet day slept a lot of resting.  Pastor CampbeIl  stopped to see him, Rick said he slept the whole time Pastor was there.  I stayed with him Tuesday night.

Wednesday December 29th They felt his bleed had stopped and he was hydrated enough so his IV was removed and I did not need to stay the night. His day went well and he looked good.  Now it was a wait and see game.

Thursday December 30 Becky came up to spend time with us, Harlan did well and enjoyed her visit.

Today Friday December 31st  I went in to see Harlan and he was sleeping and hard to wake up he just wanted to sleep.  When I inquired at the desk on how he was doing they told me he had had his bath but hadn't eaten or taken any liquids.  He did take several small glasses of juice and some hot chocolate also some cheese, lunch meat and crackers while I was there.  I can see symptoms of dehydration returning.  I talked to him later in the evening and he had not eaten his supper but a nurse was with him to see if she could get him to eat and drink something.  

I will go in tomorrow and see how things are going for him.

I am so Thankful for my praying family and friends and a God who knows all about my concerns and comforts me, he gives me strength and help in all decisions that have to be made.

I'm so thankful for the visits and support from family in person and by phone, aren't phones great when a personal visit isn't possible?

We'll see what Saturday brings......Fran