Mama info

Hi all...it's Kate

I just spoke with Mama's nurse, Sheena. Sheena has been there with Mama Monday, Tuesday, and Weds. Tomorrow and Friday, Mama's nurse will be Heather. Sheena told me that they did begin physical therapy yesterday, and are working on transfers and sitting up right now...not walking yet. They got her in and out of wheelchair several times and she went down to the dining hall for breakfast today in wheelchair. She seemed to enjoy the dining hall, and ate a full bowl of cereal with some hot tea. (They were offering coffee, and I told them she prefers tea...so she will get tea from here on out.) I also told them she loves fruit, and that is something that she will usually eat. She will receive physical therapy 5x a week (Monday-Friday).

She does have a bed alarm on the bed now, so if she attempts to sit up and move off the bed the nurse's station will be alerted.

Lastly, she does have a follow up appointment with the surgeon on July 9th at 11am. Sheena has arranged for transport to and from, but is hoping a family member will be available to meet Mama at the doctor's office (Sheena said she has given Mary the info on address, etc.). Margaret and I are out of town this whole week...so is there a family member that can do this? We defintely need someone to listen to what the surgeon says and pass on info, ask any pertinent questions, etc.

I talked to the hospice nurse yesterday, Denise. She was waiting for Papa to come back to his room from lunch, so we got to chat a little bit. She was the one to see Mama when Mama fell, so she wanted to know how Mama was. For insurance reasons, we had to withdraw Mama from hospice while she is being treated for hip fracture and recuperation...then she can go right back under hospice care when she is back at the Forum.

Denise also told me that she knows Papa has little sweets around his room, and seems to really enjoy those...Technically Papa is on a sweet restricted diet. She felt the enjoyment he gets from these is more important at this point, and asked if it was okay to talk with the doctor about doing away with the restriction on his diet. I said yes. One more step...

I think that is all for now. Margaret was hoping to see Mama and Papa today. I am hoping to see one today and one tomorrow. Margaret and I will both be out of town from July 5-12. Cell phone service is spotty up at the Ranch. If an emergency arises, try my cell...but then Wolf Lake Ranch phone is 1-231-745-3890. One of the owners, or staff will answer, but they can get us a message. (We might be down at the lake, or on a horse ride, so if you leave message with them, they will track us down.)

I thinks that is all for now. Love, Kate