saw mom yesterday with lucy and nathan. we went at lunch, she was eating well and getting after nathan. After lunch she was ready for a nap so they got her in bed. we came back about 1530 and brought her a cup of coffee. Cleo and mary sanderford (sp?) were there visiting. Cleo looks the same! when cleo left mom grabbed her hand as she leaned over the bed to say goodbye and told her to come again. It was kinda sad to me- two old friends that lived across the road, and went back and forth visiting and having kids growing up, all the way to losing husbands and visiting in a rest home-- ahh time goes by. Mom had a yogurt for a snack and then they put her in her wheel chair. Sitting in the wheel chair for a long period bothers her back. Joey brought in her brown chair-hopefully we can put it in her room facing the Tv. It is a pretty small room, like a dorm room. When we see her we try to give her a drink of water(always at her beside) and put on her chapstick, hand her her toothbrush etc. she seemed in good spirits yesterday. Lucy will be going to see her today. Barb

Yes the bumps on mom's head are sebaceous cysts of some sort--hereditary-- had 2 removed years ago and Sallie has them as did Sam. Although i think Sam took care of his own. But they can be a pain in the neck, or head in this case.
Talked to mom today --she was offended I asked who she was talking to too. She responded "Julie" and "I'm going to slap you the next time I see you". The she chortled. She was hanging out at the nurses station--didn't say anything about leaving as she does frequently--just happy to visit. I usually catch mom in that area--nursers said they have her sit out there quite often, which is good. She asked about Perry--and mentioned he is always so busy (didn't tell her what his project is presently).
Well Barb we are probably low on Vitamin D because as we slather ourselves with sunblock in those summer months which of course impedes the synthesis of  D. What to do?

Joe was in to see Martha today. She told him she thought the place was "a pretty nice place and boy it's pretty big too!" Kindra took the little one that she babysits to visit today too. She loves babies you know! The nurses have been checking her legs and feet a lot and she does have the Jobst stockings but her lower extremeties are still swelling so they have an appointment with Dr. Tallieur on Monday. They will also have him check out the bumps on her head. We had Dr. Beeson remove one for her 3-4 years ago but these have been there for quite a while and are kind of a nuisance. Her bottom has been healing well. The stint with the catheter probably helped that quite a bit. They do still put something on it. I signed her up for a haircut last week, but they haven't done it yet. When I told her she said, "Oh, no I don't think so. You know I have that one girl that does it. (Kay)I signed her up for a manicure too but Dolores Steiner came in and trimmed up her nails for her. We got notice from Medicaid earlier this week that we needed to get them more paperwork before the end of the month so I think we have everything together and Joe will take it in tomorrow. If you call and the line is busy for a long time, it's probably because she forgets to end the call. The other day when I got there it had been on for 300 minutes. Thought her own phone would be better so we brought it from the house but we may have to go back to the desk phone even though it is harder to find a spot for.

saw Mom last night-it was about 7 p.m. she was tired and ready to go to bed but it took until 830 to get her settled- bathroom, getting in bed etc. I informed her that all 4 of her daughters will be there in a couple of weeks and she asked if she should kick the bucket after that. I asked her if she wanted to kick the bucket and she said not really :). Talked to her briefly on the phone today- she said she made meat and potatoes for Dad and sewed a dress for Sallie! Talked to her nurse last night - they did a vitamin D on her and evidently was low because she will be getting some which is great (p.s. we should all be on vitamin D!) She is pleasant, as usual, told me last night that if I ever go to a rest home I should have her ( her being tammy the CNA putting her to bed at the time) take care of me. Cathi said she seems to be eating better. Cathi told me Doris Jane has called mom a couple of times too. Mom recognized all the old pictures of Doris Jane that Kindra brought in. Sallie will be down to see her next week and Lucy too. Cathi and Joey see and look after her everyday so she is still getting lotsa company even if she forgets!

Monday, 1/25

Sallie: When she hung up the phone, someone asked her who she was talking to and she said "Toni Hardy". :-)

Susie either stopped in or sent a nice notebook and pen to leave on her bedside table for everyone to sign and write a note when they stop. I was going to get a guest book and leave it for everyone to sign but this is better because people can write a little note when they stop by and then she can read them later. Thanks Susie!

She was up in the w/c and out watching TV in one of the common areas when I got there after work. Cathy Carr Tooke called me to tell me that she had a really good day today with PT. They had her up and with two people and the big walker that she can lean on, they got her to actually go almost 14 ft. Cathy was amazed because up until now, she said it's been a struggle to get her to want to move very far, if at all. So, now there is some definite progress that they can document and continue with skilled care a little longer. She still needs 2-person assists and the Sara-lift to get out of the bed but the short term goal is to get her to where 1 person can assist her to the toilet, etc.

She didn't want to eat tonight because she kept saying she had already had supper but it was tacos so they brought her one and she ate half of it. She was ready to get back in her bed after that.

Talked to mom on the phone and she said she was at Tony's and they were going to drop some stuff off and be back. Her and Tony might make it up this way but she didn't know.

I don't think she has been doing any walking yet. Only up with the lift to the wheelchair, unless they had her doing something this weekend...but PT usually sticks to a M-F schedule. There wasn't anything new on her PT sheet.

She is always pleasant and the staff love her. She told me she had taken a drive and was glad to be back now.

Kindra,

Sallie said mom was walking with PT. How did she do?

Talked to mom yesterday, said "she had gone to Billings with the girls and they ate out and just came home." She seemed in good spirits and was really visiting. I told her I would call her this evening and she told me to call her much later because she might have to go to the church to do some things. She is confused but seems to be enjoying her lillt jaunts to different places! Love her!

Talked with mom today. She was pleasant, knew who I was the entire time but was totally confused with all responses. So good natured.

Wed, 1/20/10 Visit

They are getting Martha into the wheelchair now (since Monday I think)using the Sarah-Lift so at least she can sit up to the table in the dining room .
She was hungry tonight and kept wanting me to go get enough stuff to feed everyone. Each aid or nurse that came into her room got an invite to stay for dinner. Or she thought she could maybe cook a roast or a "duck" :-)
For some reason she always thinks I have come to take her home and she asks what time we're leaving, etc. so she can get her coat and be ready to go.

Martha 2008

Four Generations of Peilas - Zach, Wyatt, Joe and Martha

Wyatt and Martha Fall 2008 (when we went up for Gina & Sam's Wedding)

Martha 2007

Cathi and Martha at the park in Miles City 2007

Post from 1/18/2010 from Email

called mom today 1/18/10-she went to the rodeo today. she asked if anyone she knew was in town- i said joey and cathi lived in miles city and she asked me if they were sane. I put in a good word for you joey and cathi!! i also talked to her nurse today and asked that they put her water and phone within her reach. the nurse was very nice and said mom was such a pleasant lady


Posted by Barb

1/18/2010 Post from Email

Yeah, I hope she enjoyed it too...I'd bet my bottom dollar that she did! When Sam, the kids and I stopped by on our way back from MN, and Jake mentioned that he was going to go skiing the next day, she said she didn't really like that sport - too cold and dangerous - and that she'd have to take up something different. She went on to say that she was a rodeo person, too! Gotta love that lady....


Posted by Sam and Gretchen

Hey Folks!

Trying to get the word out about this blog..if anyone wants to jazz it up we can add pictures, etc.
Rachel

I've never done much "blogging" but trying to be in the flow!
Thanks Rachel for setting it up.

Martha seemed to be having a pretty good day today.