Hello From Rockville

Denese and I Took Harlan to church, it had been some time since he was able to go.  After church we went to Perkins to eat then she took us back to the VA where I spent the afternoon.  We watched TV and napped.  It was a great day and I know Harlan enjoyed getting out.

Today when I went in to see him I made a stop at McD and picked a couple of burgers and fries.  I got a call from the VA that Harlan had not eaten lunch and I was in need of food and  burgers seemed like a plan to me.  We enjoyed the food together.  

I did not take him today out as the weather is so cold with wind chills well below zero and it will be this way for the next several days, BRRRR!  

Everyone keep warm..................Fran

Hello From Rockville

Becky, Walt and two of the children, Luke and Kristen came up to see us today.  I went to spend time with Harlan and the Caffery family joined us.  We had a treat at McD then I took Harlan back to the VA and I joined them and Denese for a Lasagna dinner.  Our dessert consisted of home made cheese cake it was so good!

Harlan had a good day and talked about going to church tomorrow, if he is up to it I'll help him get ready to go and we'll see about eating out afterward.  He is not taking any pain medication for his leg and didn't complain about any pain, that's so good, the clot seems to be gone.

Today was a very good but busy day.........Fran  

Hello From Rockville

Harlan called me several times today wondering when I'd be coming in.  He was waiting for me when I finally made it.

He was eager to get out.  When I suggested the Pizza Ranch he said, "The one on the hill."  I know it's not on a hill but when we go through K-Marts parking lot there is a little incline before getting to the Pizza Ranch.  We hadn't had pizza for so long, it was back last year and it was so good!

While I was going back to the VA Harlan worked on getting his gloves on and he really worked at it finally he says to me, "I have a finger left over on my gloves how come?" I looked at him, "You have two fingers in one finger but that's okay."  He says, "I had that same problem with the other glove but I got that one fixed, I fix this one too."

We had a good time today, tomorrow is bingo we'll see how that goes....Fran

Hello From Rockville 

I made my usual trip to St. Cloud to spend time with Harlan and I had been there about 15 minuets when the following conversation took place -

Harlan:"Can we go out for a treat?"
Fran: "Where do you want to go?"

Harlan: " Can we go to that place that has those little hamburgers?"

Fran: "Sure".  It's cold you'll have to dress warm! We'll go to the Park Dinner for the hamburgers"

This is the first time I have taken Harlan out of the VA for quite some time.  When we got to the signal by the river he says, "If we go straight ahead we'd go to Perkins."  And then he asked, "Does she work or is this the week-end?"

We shared the sliders then back to the VA where we took a little rest then it was time for me to leave.  I helped him with his meds and stopped at the desk to check on his pain meds, he was able to walk from the elevator to the car with out pain, I didn't think the pain meds was necessary.

Each day I can spend with Harlan and enjoy the time with him is a blessing and this was one of those times....Fran

Hello From Rockville

My day started with a phone call from Harlan, what a surprise, the Dr. changed his medication and he was able to use the phone, unbelievable!   He had such uncontrolled jerks he was not able to hit the right numbers on the phone and it appears the meds he was on caused the problem. 

I got my hair cut and stopped for breakfast and picked up my mail before coming home.  I had been home a short time when Ricked called me, he was visiting Harlan, we chatted a while and decided to take Harlan to eat at the canteen.  Harlan had a lot of coupon books to be used at the canteen, he had enough to buy us lunch.  We enjoyed eating then Rick took him back to his room.  I took him for a walk on his floor  and he did so well I seized the opportunity to give him a much needed hair cut.  He was tired so I just gave him a buzz job then he could lay down for a rest.  I put heat on his leg and we both took a nap. Today I stayed with him until supper time then left for home and guess what he called me when he got back to his room after eating.  He is so thin that anything I can get him to eat should help as he eats so little.  Many days he may only eat one meal or maybe none.  It seems each day is a surprise and I never know how things will go for him....Fran

Hello From Rockville

Today was not at all like yesterday, Harlan slept while I was with him not too much aware of what was going on around him.  He had not eaten anything (breakfast or lunch) and didn't appear hungry or thirsty although his mouth seemed dry.  When I got there his upper plate was in a small container of water, I cleaned it up and he put it back in his mouth but decided not to have me clean his lower one. He did drink a little when he took his meds,  I helped him with that and gave him his nebulizer and I came home.  The parking area where I usually park was full and as cold as it was I didn't want to have to walk any distance out side so I went around the back of the VA and parked several buildings down and walked a distance but it was an inside walk with no wind. I made a mental note to remember where I had parked so I wouldn't walk the wrong way well guess what I guess I didn't press SAVE when I made the note and headed to my normal parking area I had a longer walk then I had planned but as I said before it was inside.

Will let you know what tomorrow brings....Fran

Hello From Rockville
We are getting more snow, it's still winter!!!

Today was an exciting and reality day.  I went in to see Harlan this afternoon and he was more alert then he has been so I took him to the canteen, he has canteen books he can spend on food etc. we had ice cream.  On the way back we pass by the "Eye Glass Place" and his glasses needed some TLC, he sleeps with them on and I've found them on the floor, we got that taken care of and then back to building 50-1 and Harlan's room.  I took him in a wheel chair as it's much too far for him to walk.

We watched TV, Harlan had his meds and it was time to go home.  Before I left I decided to see if he was able to call me on the phone and he was unable to push in the right numbers, so many things are changing and they certainly are not for the better, these are things that are hard for me and so again I cherish each day I have with him, days that I can enjoy, today was an anther special day and I thank God for each of them........Fran