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Post by Linda on Aug 30, 2022 3:44:45 GMT
trying to catch up... kitbop - yes, her non-dominent hand thankfully and yes, the radius - the break is at the joint end. The specialists today were able to confirm that her growth plates were closed so that was good - I guess she's still at the age where it was maybe they are, maybe not yet. nylene and grammadee - thank you. She's been a good sport but she's already tired of the cast - it's hard to do art or computer gaming with it...I think it'll be a long five weeks... kellyr21 - I'm not sure if they still sign casts or not - she's adamently against the idea though so no signing for her. We'll see how that stands up to classmates. cycworker - what does he enjoy doing? does he read? listen to music? watch TV? can you ask about that. Would he be willing to share some stories with you about your childhood? or his? Does the respite place allow you to join him for a meal? I know some places do and some don't. I think short visits are good - he might tire easily - especially if you're able to visit regularly. ((((Hugs))) aging parents are difficult in so many ways. Sounds like you had a fun weekend - you're so good about finding crafty/arty classes and taking advantage! We went out to dinner tonight and home for cake and ice cream. Facetimed with the older two - they were excited to see my reaction to their gifts - they got me a hedgehog print handbag and wallet...absolutely adorable!!! DH got me some stamp pads and gnome stamps! |
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Post by grammadee on Aug 30, 2022 3:48:10 GMT
I hope your dd recovers quickly, Linda . I look forward to your pages featuring that green cast. kellyr21 you will have great fun with your gelly plate creating! I spent what spare time I had today looking for some stamps to use for some backgrounds ala the latest Shimelle stamp class. (Also inspired by joyfulnana 's cool page!) Most of the day I was dealing with zucchini. Now have a couple of dozen gluten free mini loaves, and four double chocolate cakes. We were getting a break from the heat today so I was able to use my oven. Hang in there, cycworker . Playing card games sounds like a good idea. If he is like the Eastern European males I know, he believes in keeping busy, or at least DOING something, and playing cards may fill the bill. Is there something you can get him to do for you? Make something? Design something that someone else could make? If you convinced him it would really help you to hear his stories of growing up would he tell them to you? Could you record his stories like nylene is of her dh's life?
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kitbop
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Post by kitbop on Aug 30, 2022 12:08:54 GMT
cycworker, would he watch a movie with you! If you take over the morning coffee and a paper, can you read the paper "together"? Is there a therapy dog in your complex or that you know of who could come for a visit? Can you borrow a cat? Is there any way you can take him out for supper? That was my Dad's favourite thing. If you could convince him to take a daily walk with you, it would be really good for his hip  My DH is heading out to BC to provide respite for HIS dad in 2 weeks. His step-mom planned a month long trip to Scotland, but didn't arrange respite quickly enough so then was left with nothing for DFIL who has advanced Alzheimers. She called on his 3 kids for help. They were happy to help out, but then step-mom decided she wasn't paying for any plane tickets or additional supports. The kids aren't happy about that because plane tickets and caregivers are DANG expensive right now and the ILs do have the funds. DH was happy to go otherwise - and then he injured himself! So now he's only going for a week, overlapping with his brother because honestly, DH cannot be a solo caretaker on 1 leg!
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Post by Linda on Aug 30, 2022 14:24:07 GMT
grammadee - your zucchini baking sounds delicious! kitbop - gosh, what a mess with the respite. I'm sure his stepmother needs the break - being a caregiver is hard - but wow DD went back to school today and has a podiatry appt afterwards. I'm cleaning house as the weekend/Monday was so busy it's been much neglected
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gramma
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Post by gramma on Aug 30, 2022 15:19:57 GMT
cycworker Old men are a challenge in every day life. As they age there are things they simply cannot do any longer. Like lift the front frame of their hot rods with no help! Or climb a ladder to clean the gutters. Add in an injury and things are more difficult. Add memory troubles and they forget they can't do the same things any more. My guy likes talking about the past. This might be a great opportunity to document his childhood and other memories. If you have old pictures, so much the better.
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gramma
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Posts: 3,114
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Post by gramma on Aug 30, 2022 15:23:59 GMT
kitbop What a bummer for the hubby. And for you!! nylene How is your guy doing? Is he behaving himself? grammadee Do you ever slow down? Or do you do what I do - go - go - go - crash! joyfulnana How is your boy doing? The last I saw he had made great progress! I miss you guys!! Between work and Ken's challenges I feel like I'm on a treadmill most of the time. Is anyone up for a crop this weekend?
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gramma
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Posts: 3,114
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Post by gramma on Aug 30, 2022 15:26:21 GMT
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Post by grammadee on Aug 30, 2022 15:29:52 GMT
grammadee Do you ever slow down? Or do you do what I do - go - go - go - crash! Sorta like a toddler, yeah: Giggle giggle giggle WHAAAAAAAH! Dh's sister got back from her vacation on Saturday and wants to make borscht tomorrow. So today I will be digging beets and picking a few other things in my garden to add to what she has. One thing, it is at her house, so she will have the mess to clean up afterward  Don't think I can crop this weekend. Dd's family are planning to bring their holiday trailer to park for the winter, and I think one more ds & family will be up here for a few days. They just got back from her mom's cabin on Sunday, so it will depend on how much energy they have to drive again. |
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Post by Linda on Aug 30, 2022 16:24:43 GMT
gramma - counts as scrapbooking in my book - layouts look great - I love the colour combinations! Hope you get some down time. ((((Hugs))) grammadee - how lovely that your family is able to come so often for visits.
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nylene
Drama Llama
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Post by nylene on Aug 30, 2022 21:39:42 GMT
I have twice written a big post and deleted it because I sound like such a whiner. A routine eye exam yesterday revealed 3 cancers in DH's eye, on the eyeball again. The surgeon wants to jump right on it to save the eye so DH will be in surgery again next week. It will be very extensive, rebuilding his eyelid with a graft from the hard palate in his mouth. He is discouraged and I am anxious. We are a sorry pair! Linda, so glad that DD can get by with just a cast. My cast made me so claustrophobic that I was ready to tear it off with my teeth. I guess I am not the only patient to feel that. They had to take it off and cut it in half, then just hold it together with an elastic bandage so DH could remove the top when I couldn't stand it. They did the same thing when I broke the 2nd one. It sounds like your DD is doing well with it, except for the inconvenience. Hugs to her as she navigates homework and video activities. gramma, your pages are wonderful. I left you love in the gallery. I need to pick your brain on great scripty fonts. I was having trouble with my Silhouette not allowing me to move things around. I asked everyone on the chat Sat and no one had an answer. I played with it a bit and figured it out, finally. I knew you would be able to help me, but I learned a lot trying every button and click on the program. I empathize with your difficulty with DH. These men think they can do what they did when they were 20. Hugs to you! grammadee, how I wish you could hand me a bowl of borscht. Hmmm, it's been years since I tasted any. Your family is lucky that you are such a great cook. kellyr21, your gelli plate class sounds wonderful. My neighbor gave me one and I have only used it twice. I need to watch some YouTube to better utilize it. Will you share what you have made with it? kitbop, "when it rains, it pours". I am so sorry that on top of his Achilles tear your DH is concerned and needs to help his dad. You are right that it's not much help if you are on crutches. I am sending you extra hugs and prayers that the healing process goes quickly. It was fun to visit with you and justjac on Sat. I have missed all you sweet friends online. |
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Post by Linda on Aug 30, 2022 21:44:11 GMT
nylene - I'm so very sorry. (((Hugs))) and prayers for you and your dh...he's certainly going through the wringer. And please - don't feel like you can't complain/vent here - that is what friends are for ...to be there for you in the good times and the bad.
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Post by grammadee on Aug 30, 2022 21:49:08 GMT
Oh nylene, you are allowed to whine, receiving that news. Such a let down after thinking this round of surgeries was done with! Hang in there! You two don't need YOU to worry yourself sick. |
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Post by justjac on Aug 30, 2022 22:37:34 GMT
nylene I’m sorry to hear about your DH’s surgery. Don’t worry about whining.(not that you were really whining.) That’s what friends are for. Who else would we complain to? My digestion is finally back to normal after last week’s scope. grammadee have fun with your visitors. DH and I are off to visit my mom this weekend. Which unfortunately means I’m not available to crop this weekend gramma. My mom is visiting my sister whose birthday is today, but she will home in time for us to arrive Saturday. Then Sunday I’ll knit with my sister over Google Meet. Linda I’m so sorry about your daughter’s injury. kitbop a cross Canada trip while in a cast is no fun. joyfulnana your Christmas album looks awesome. kellyr21 I enjoy hearing about all your creativity.
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cycworker
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Post by cycworker on Aug 30, 2022 22:38:45 GMT
I need/want to catch up on all the posts since yesterday and I will. First, though, an update.
Today went relatively well.
I got up, had my own home support, went to my own physio, and hand lunch/did some work. Got over to see dad around 2:00 pm... I think? Maybe a bit after?
I was there until around 3. It went quite well, all things considered.
The man is incredibly stubborn. He dropped something, and I didn't realize it. I wasn't looking because when I arrived he had just gotten out of the bathroom & he was fixing his pants, so I was deliberately looking elsewhere. I was glad to see he got properly dressed, btw... not in PJs.
Anyway... he goes to hang up a jacket and drops one of the hangers. So, instead of saying, "Tania can you pick that up for me,' he is using the thing he puts his shoes on with to try to grab it. MEN. I mean I know I'm in a wheelchair, but I'm really experienced at picking stuff up. LOL. So once I realized what was happening, I said "Have a seat; I can get it," and I did.
He didn't feel like playing cards He did open up about feeling old & stuff & not liking it. I think he's having a REALLY hard time adjusting to aging & all the side effects of it, and yet the more depressed he gets about it, the less he does, and then he actually ends up in a worse place because he's not doing as much. You know the cycle I mean. It's like a car. If you don't drive it long enough, it damages the battery.
Anyway... he was quite talkative. We talked family gossip. We talked about a little political history, and the impact on our family. And family history. And he admitted he's worried about Mom.
It was really good.
The not so good part is that he admitted that he gets tired easily, especially from talking. And the part that concerns me about that is I don't understand it. We can't find a physical reason for it, ya know? They cannot find ANYTHING wrong with him internally (heart, lungs, I mean).
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kitbop
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Post by kitbop on Aug 30, 2022 23:15:06 GMT
Your post makes complete sense cycworker - the negative cycle, the worry about him getting tired just from talking - has he talked with anyone about depression? It's so common in seniors because getting old and not being able to do the things you love *sucks*. and depression is so fatiguing. I'm glad he was happy to talk to you! nylene - please just let the emotion fly. I promise we won't take it as whining. This is physically and emotionally draining for the both of you. You must be SO worried, yet tired of medical interventions and tired of him not being "well" to do things with you! I know I feel this way - I have NOTHING but sympathy for DH and I WANT to take care of him, but boy, I can't wait until he has 2 legs again!!! It has given me gratitude that I have him and he has me to take care of each other through things like this, even tho it's hard. And this is only a leg injury - not a life threatening/vision threatening cancer. So I think you have every right to your emotions! Thoughts, hugs, prayers, rain-dances, fingers crossed, good vibes and anything else that could possibly help. |
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gramma
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Post by gramma on Aug 31, 2022 1:02:54 GMT
nylene Hey, I whine here all the time! It so hard to be strong. Strong for him - strong for the kids - strong for the grands. Who's strong for Nylene when all she wants is to be held and patted and be told everything will be fine? We are here for you my friend, we are here
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cycworker
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Post by cycworker on Aug 31, 2022 2:33:59 GMT
kitbop I can 99.9999999999% guarantee you he hasn't talked about depression with anyone because I suspect as an almost-83 year old Eastern European man, he would say he doesn't 'believe in that stuff' if you asked him about it.
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Post by grammadee on Aug 31, 2022 15:18:48 GMT
Sounds like you had a good day with him, cycworker. Here's hoping for more of the same. Getting old IS depressing. I remember telling the psychologist who was recommending antidepressant meds for my dmil who was living in a facility, "She has lost her husband. She has lost her home. She has lost many of her friends. She has lost her independence. She is losing her health and her memory. If she wasn't depressed, she would be CRAZY." But we were guilty of not wanting her hear her same sad lament every time we saw her; tried to get her to talk about happier times. She really seemed to like the staff who would just listen to her and sympathize. I tried to find a balance between empathy and encouragement, but it was hard. Hang in there. Maybe talking with you each day will be like a physical workout in a way. If you do a little every day, you can do a little more each day... |
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Post by Linda on Aug 31, 2022 19:14:16 GMT
justjac -glad to hear that you're feeling better after the scope. Happy Birthday to your sister. Safe travels cycworker - sounds like depression...very common in older folks as things stop working as well and independence starts disappearing. But that's often a demographic that doesn't believe in anti-depression meds etc... ((((Hugs))). It does sound like a good visit overall. DD15 is home again today with a sore throat and feeling miserable. for those keeping track, this is absence #3 since school started on the 10th...we're not off to a great start.
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Post by MARIBETHR on Aug 31, 2022 19:46:03 GMT
MARIBETHR , I look forward to hearing about your RV adventure. I'm sure you are looking forward to lots of Fall trips. I spent some time yesterday looking through your Kansas Courthouse pages. They are all amazing. I was excited to see so many Peas willing to take more photos for you! Thank you. Are you able to access the other States or did that link take you only to Kansas? I am looking forward to RVing. Yes, I just love it when I receive courthouse photos from others. |
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nylene
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Post by nylene on Aug 31, 2022 20:47:28 GMT
I just made a long post and my wifi went out. DH got it going again, but I lost the post. I'll add it when I set up a thread for September later tonight or early tomorrow.
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kitbop
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Post by kitbop on Sept 1, 2022 0:47:16 GMT
gramma I'm up for some cropping this weekend! I don't know when you have in mind...but I'm in
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nylene
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Post by nylene on Sept 1, 2022 2:23:39 GMT
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gramma
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Post by gramma on Sept 1, 2022 20:51:55 GMT
gramma I'm up for some cropping this weekend! I don't know when you have in mind...but I'm in Saturday afternoon / evening? |
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gramma
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Post by gramma on Sept 4, 2022 21:03:32 GMT
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Post by Linda on Sept 4, 2022 21:49:02 GMT
gramma - gorgeous cards - I especially love the cute little foxes. And the tools are perfect on your layout
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