Life is Grand

It's 6am and after getting home from work I'm trying to finish my laundry before going to bed. Hard to find time for updates and sometimes there is just too much going on to write about.

The Grand Bob had complications following his surgery. Ended up back in the emergency room that night. Spent 3 days in critical care and then he was moved to a nursing home. I wanted to take him straight to re-hab but the Dr. said he wasn't ready. Nursing homes suck. Visited him everyday while he was there and tried to encourage him to do the small amount of physical and occupational therapy they offered. Made him get out of bed, with their assistance and wheel his own self through the halls. Made him eat in the dining room and encouraged him to interact with people there. It was like dealing with a 6 year old that didn't have to mind me.

After 20 days and many phone calls and visits got him moved to the same re-hab facility that helped Mama after both her hip breaks. He doesn't want to eat and resists therapy. Our sweet angel Lisa is spending mornings through lunch with him trying to encourage him physically and stimulate him mentally. I go for his dinner. Pushing him to eat every bite. Seems like my entire visit is spent pushing him. Trying to get him to eat, participate in his therapies and getting him to allow the staff to do what they need to to get him ready to come home.

He just wants to come home now!! He's disappointed that Mama isn't there with him. I try to remind him of her health issues but he still feels she should be with him. They can't force him to do therapy and if he refuses 3 days in a row they will have to release him. If he can't go to the bathroom by his self, walk, take a shower or get into the car I'm just not sure I can bring him home. If he goes to a nursing home he will lay in a bed until he dies. These decisions for him are just too much responsibility for one person, but I'm the one that has to step up for him!!

My sister Crystal did come to take care of things on the homefront and mother and I got to go on the girls cruise. Ended up being 16 of us. It was a great group of women and other than 2 having to go to the doctor when we got home the trip was great! Laughed alot and even managed to get some much needed rest and relaxation.

Between the uncertainty of my job situation and responsibilities at home my stress level is way too high. Went for my annual physical last week and everything was good, lost 20 lbs this year, but my blood pressure was too high. Dr. said to see how it is when I reach my 25 lb. loss level since I'm still on a low carb diet and then if it hasn't dropped I will have to go on medication. In addition to the stress I haven't had time to go to the gym like I need to so I'm sure lack of good exercise is affecting the blood pressure issue.

Mama is doing really great with recovering from her 2nd broken hip. Physical therapists comes 2 times a week and as usual she exercises in between. She is using her walker and gaining strength everyday. She has an aid that comes 2 times a week and helps with her bath and an occupational therapists that works with her also. Her desire to be the best that she can be is phenomenal to watch and is an example of why the women in our family are so strong!!

There have been days in the last few weeks that I have felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities I have. The other day I told both mother and Mama I felt I just needed an atta girl, pat on the back and to be told I'm doing a good job. That evening my girlfriend Heather and her husband David were giving me a ride to work. I had followed my brother Dan out as he left from helping with things around the house all day, and was waiting in front of the house for my ride. I sat down on the concrete bench that Pop Gilbert loved so much and suddenly remembered how he had always been the one to give those pats on the back to me. He always told me how proud he was of me, what a blessing I was to the family and how much he appreciated what I did. I guess when he died in December I lost my cheerleader. Sure do miss you Pop...

Mother was one of the 2 that had to go to the doctor after the cruise. She has had a horrible cough and been to see him twice. She actually has more health issues than either Mama or Bob, but just keeps on trucking. She had 11 friends over today for a "42" tournament. It's a group of people she met through the senior center that get together once a month and play. Everyone seemed to have fun and the rest of us just stayed out of their way. I know she misses Pop alot. They sure did love each other.

My husband Lee is still the best man that could have joined our family. He works hard on projects around the house, goes to his job and still finds time to entertain us all. Loves us all, and is loved by all.

We're great-great grandparents, great grandparents, grandparents, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters fortunate enough to be able to share a home. We laugh and cry, win and fail. We're widows, workers and retirees. Trying to learn to take one day at a time and make it the best day it can be. We love and we are loved. Life is Grand!!

By the way we have finally tought Mama to belch with us girls :)LOL