PROGRESS!!......Post Views,,,,12,869

      Wednesday brought us good news that Louie would be discharged on Thursday to an inpatient rehab in Wausau!  Yeah!

     He got busy writing----make that, dictating to me---a letter of appreciation to the Marshfield staff, especially his surgeon.              Al stopped in with the kids in the evening.                  Autumn wrote, ILYVM on his board....I love you very much...                            Eddy wrote, I care..I hope you feel better Papa Louie (Louy)

  

     That night I made my last of 28 walks between the hospital and my little motel home away from home. 













      By 8 Thursday morning, Jen arrived to help load my belongings into their vehicle and then on the hospital to transfer Lou.

             Happy Day.....

Getting out of here.....

          On my way....Woo! Woo!

Getting outside at rehab.....

                                                                                      

Lou has 3 hours a day of physical, occupational and speech therapy.  He has very weak muscles in the back of his throat.  They will do another swallow test on Tuesday.  (He is getting better...at least he is dreaming about cookies and coffee.)  

THE GOAL......BE RELEASED TO GO TO BURT'S ON FRIDAY!

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       This is Saturday afternoon.  Lou is snoozing after 3 therapy sessions.  Chuck and the girls are coming up for the night.  I think we are anticipating a pizza dinner somewhere.  

       For me the 2 days here in Wausau have been a welcome change, even though the weather has been hot and humid with a few heavy thunder storms.  I have played an exciting board game with 3 young grandkids, watched 2 movies with them and enjoyed a cozy bed.  

        Things have gone well these past 18 days but I am getting weary and ready to get back to "normal" life.  This coming week 3 siblings are driving up from Indianapolis and I will join them for a few days in Park Falls.   My thoughts are drifting to returning to Vancouver before too long.

      This has been a good 4 "progress" days in the life of Grandma G.

      "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, The Lord is my strength and my song; he had become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)

Looking Forward......Post Views.....12,783

     We received good news that plans are being made for Lou to move on to an extended care facility for more therapy and then on to Burt's home in Wausau.   Yeah!!
      Lou is still weak but is up more and walking more.  His breathing is labored.  Doctor says it is from fluid on the lungs.  His biggest challenge is liquids seeping into his lungs.  He needs to strengthen his swallowing muscles. 

       He had a special visitor today......Chase, a therapy dog, a mix of collie, shepherd, and husky.  It was a fun experience.  Beautiful, large dog.  His owner said he showed up on her porch when he was only a few months old.  

      
At one point today I was sitting, working on my computer when a nurse came in.  She said to me, "Oh, excuse me, I didn't know we had an intern observing today."   I said, "that's OK, you aren't bothering me". (Smile)  Actually I admitted I am family and keeping Lou company.  She commented I look professional.  Made my day! 

    Since we are hoping to be moving on soon I present an assortment of "local pix".      


A pretty walk down Upham St.

Grandma G's
home for the past 15 days....
medical facility down the street....

 Water tower--

       Wisconsin corn.....
a few blocks up from the hospital

 Blue sky and wispy clouds

Time to think about flying west....warm sun, but crispy, chilly air.....

       Yummy wild rice chicken soup....






The past 15 days have passed well and quickly.  Lou has me waiting on him occasionally, including shaving his face....first time I have shaved anyone.....






              And I've had a few "bad hair" days....





     This has been a good two "looking forward" days in the life of Grandma G.

     "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'."  (Jeremiah 29: 11)

Hanging Out.....Post Views.....12,741

     Sunday has been a quiet day hanging out in Louie's room.  He has taken a few walks between his snoozes.  We are hoping he will be discharged to Burt and Jen's home at least by Tuesday.  
     Hanging out in various time zones can be a bit confusing at times. I called my sister, Kate, in Indianapolis this morning at 10:15.  When I got a hold of her daughter because I couldn't connect with Kate, I said something about she should be up and doing stuff since it was 1:15.  Steph told me that it was 11:15. What?  How did that happen?  Indianapolis is 3 hours ahead of my time.....No....Not when one is in Wisconsin.  Oh.  
       Lou is recovering enough that I am planning ahead to further visiting with my brother, Nick, and friend, Betty, besides others in Park Falls.  Siblings from Indianapolis are hoping to drive up when I am there.  
       Thinking ahead even more, I have been invited to join nieces and Kate on a "50 years" B-day trip to Utah National Parks in late Sept.  Hmmmm......might be ready for more adventure by then.   
        I do admit I am enjoying the economical already prepared food these past 2 weeks.  Oh Yah.....my waist line probably shows it too... 
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       Friday evening I enjoyed a time away with Chuck and his family at their vacation cabin on Little St. Germaine Lake. Though the weather was foggy, hazy, rainy, humid, the family time was very warm and cozy.... 






        

three precious fisherladies......

 Collecting and learning about Monarch butterfly, caterpillars, chrysalis.....  

 Soon to emerge a butterfly....

Grandma G going for a boat ride with Mimi and Chuck..

A hawk greeting us in the morning...

Quiet lake and tea as well......





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Saturday visit with Lou....
Angie, Olivia, Al, Chuck, Anna,
Lulu, Mimi......







Oops......                                                                                       (photo by Al)
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    In the evening Burt picked me up to go to an outdoor concert that grandson, Devin, is participating in.  He is lead guitarist and singer for the Christian youth band, titled Without Excuse. They define themselves as pop punk Christian.  

   Performing in 98% humidity these 15 to 18 year olds did a great job.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                         Devin.....

 Playing a little ukulele (Ha, Ha) 

        Quieter...worship song.....

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One of occasional walks....

A peaceful tomb marker...











    This has been a good 2 "hanging out" days in the life of Grandma G.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

Waiting and Flashback....Post Views....12,688

       It has been 16 days since I left Vancouver, WA to come to Wisconsin.  The time has passed quickly with a variety of attention grabbing activities.  There hasn't been much time to think about life "out west" but I have contacted a few friends.  Must mean that I "have a life" in the Pacific Northwest.  It is rather comforting to realize that I know a few folks and they care about me.  

   Lou is progressing and "itching" to "get out of here".  We are hoping that early next week he can move on to Burt and Jen's home in Wausau.  Jen is an emergency room nurse, quite capable of handling whatever situation that might arise.  Burt works from home most of the time and I will stay with them for a week or so. 

   Later this afternoon I will go with Chuck to stay overnight with his family at a vacation cabin near Eagle River and then return here early tomorrow afternoon.  Angie is coming to visit Lou, so is Burt.  

   In the meantime I have reminisced a bit about  what I was doing 2 years ago these days.   

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY.....

AUG. 20-21, 2012

THE GREAT  

3 SISTERS, AND A NIECE,

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP

Packed to the FULL....

Enjoying a few cups of tea.....

 "Going to the Sun Road" in Glacier National Park 

                                                             International Peace Park

Lake Louse, Canada

Grandma G, Betty, Vicki, Kate

 Lake Louise through a  hotel window

 Athabasca Glacier.....Alberta,Canada

This has been a good 2 "waiting and flashback" days in the life of Grandma G.

    "For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." (Psalms 57:10 & 11)