Phil and Maribeth had Mother and her sitter, Shelley, over for Christmas Day.
Here are some photos of the event (in random order).
Levi was home from JMU (James Madison University) in Virginia.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Christmas in Texas with the Mays
Here are some photos of the event (in random order).Levi was home from JMU (James Madison University) in Virginia.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
News From Texas
The last few months have been a busy time for all of us. Philip is finally feeling like a new guy following many months of adjusting from surgery (last fall) for the placement of a shunt. I have been busy with the public relations and grant writing for the Catholic School where I am employed and Fran has been busy walking with assistance.
Following Christmas Fran really began to kick her effort up a notch. She graduated from the “Merry Walker” to a regular walker. She still needs assistance in getting up from the wheelchair into the standing position. Once she is standing she grabs the walker (I call it her death grip) and walks down the hallways of the Nursing Home with one of us following directly behind with the wheelchair.
There are days where she can walk the hallway without stopping for a sitting break. There are also days where she needs to sit down and rest from time to time.
She is no longer in physical therapy 5 days a week. Instead she is in “restorative therapy” 3 days a week. Because of stringent Medicare rules, the PT department can only justify their program 5 days a week if Fran is showing significant improvement. The CNA’s walk her, Shelley (her hired sitter) helps walk her and we walk her when we visit.
Philip would like to see her get stronger, of course, but she has been at pretty much the same level for the last 2 months. She is progressing, not in leaps and bounds, but in baby steps. Perhaps this is the best she can achieve -- time will tell.
Her mind is clear; she is beginning to read again, watch TV and attend bingo games and activities when Shelley is with her. I wish I could say that she has made new friends. She really doesn’t seem interested in making new friends because she has Shelley with her during the day and Philip and I with her in the evening.
Philip feels the need to see her daily; I do my best but also realize that I have to take care of myself.
Her care providers treat her with kindness and dignity (they all enjoy coming in and visiting her) so I feel she is being well taken care of.
Fran loves to hear from all of you and does her best to write back when she can.
Keep in touch,
Maribeth May
Following Christmas Fran really began to kick her effort up a notch. She graduated from the “Merry Walker” to a regular walker. She still needs assistance in getting up from the wheelchair into the standing position. Once she is standing she grabs the walker (I call it her death grip) and walks down the hallways of the Nursing Home with one of us following directly behind with the wheelchair.
There are days where she can walk the hallway without stopping for a sitting break. There are also days where she needs to sit down and rest from time to time.
She is no longer in physical therapy 5 days a week. Instead she is in “restorative therapy” 3 days a week. Because of stringent Medicare rules, the PT department can only justify their program 5 days a week if Fran is showing significant improvement. The CNA’s walk her, Shelley (her hired sitter) helps walk her and we walk her when we visit.
Philip would like to see her get stronger, of course, but she has been at pretty much the same level for the last 2 months. She is progressing, not in leaps and bounds, but in baby steps. Perhaps this is the best she can achieve -- time will tell.
Her mind is clear; she is beginning to read again, watch TV and attend bingo games and activities when Shelley is with her. I wish I could say that she has made new friends. She really doesn’t seem interested in making new friends because she has Shelley with her during the day and Philip and I with her in the evening.
Philip feels the need to see her daily; I do my best but also realize that I have to take care of myself.
Her care providers treat her with kindness and dignity (they all enjoy coming in and visiting her) so I feel she is being well taken care of.
Fran loves to hear from all of you and does her best to write back when she can.
Keep in touch,
Maribeth May
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