I apologize for not posting sooner. Finding time to work, uninterrupted, is difficult right now. If I get interrupted I have to re-read everything I have written and that leads to rewrites which I refuse do do.
Generally Gretchen is doing well. Memory is the big issue right now. It is easier to say that she suffers from confusion but really she isn't confused unless her memory is being a problem. The manifestation of it is confusion. There is definitely improvement on the memory issue but it is still a problem when Gretchen is tired.
One very good bit of news is in relation to her feet. I don't remember if I mentioned it but Gretchen has been having constant foot pain (to the point where she switched to taking her pain meds that were prescribed for shoulder pain to her foot pain - with doctor approval). She was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in one foot and tendinitis in the other (with a bit of the other in each foot). On Friday I took her out and had her fitted for running shoes (Peter and I can only wear running shoes). I spent $90 on shoes. She spent most of the day yesterday on her feet and said she had no pain.
I spent most of yesterday sick with a sinus headache (I had to work for a couple hours in the morning) and Peter says he is battling a sinus infection. I think Peter and I are reaching the point of exhaustion. Please continue to pray for us, and especially Gretchen's memory.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
October 15, 2012
Gretchen had a doctor appointment today. When we got there we found that he had not been told by the hospitals that she had a stroke, even though they asked me for permission to get Gretchen's records from him. The appointment went well. Turns out that Gretchen has, what appears to be, a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis. We are assuming that this is the result of all the time she spent in bed and then strapped to a wheelchair, essentially off her feet. The doctor wants her to go back to physical therapy and have them work on it. The pain is actually radiating up into her ankles so he is not positive it is Fasciitis but thinks it probably is, given where it originates.
Gretchen's memory issues are going to make me crazy. She has lost her purse twice recently (both times it was in the house) and today she lost her calendar. We think it was left at the checkout desk of the doctor's office but we aren't sure. She is going to check tomorrow when she goes down to that area for therapy.
When Gretchen goes places it makes her memory worse later in the day. When the she starts looking for something where it doesn't belong and I start to direct her to the right place she tells me that she used to keep it where ever she was looking, even if she never did. I want Gretchen to be able to do as much as possible but unless I watch her when her memory is bad she starts getting into all kinds of things that she has agreed that I need to manage. I know that she is trying to get it right but her brain isn't cooperating.
Right now I feel like I work all day and then come home and, after a brief break to eat dinner, have to begin coordinating all the night time stuff. I realize that these feelings are because tonight has been a bad night in that regard and because I spent most of the weekend with a blinding headache (stress/sinus, I knew it was coming a couple weeks ago, I just didn't know when it would hit).
Pray for Gretchen's feet and memory and for my health and patience (and that I will have what it takes to keep going).
Gretchen's memory issues are going to make me crazy. She has lost her purse twice recently (both times it was in the house) and today she lost her calendar. We think it was left at the checkout desk of the doctor's office but we aren't sure. She is going to check tomorrow when she goes down to that area for therapy.
When Gretchen goes places it makes her memory worse later in the day. When the she starts looking for something where it doesn't belong and I start to direct her to the right place she tells me that she used to keep it where ever she was looking, even if she never did. I want Gretchen to be able to do as much as possible but unless I watch her when her memory is bad she starts getting into all kinds of things that she has agreed that I need to manage. I know that she is trying to get it right but her brain isn't cooperating.
Right now I feel like I work all day and then come home and, after a brief break to eat dinner, have to begin coordinating all the night time stuff. I realize that these feelings are because tonight has been a bad night in that regard and because I spent most of the weekend with a blinding headache (stress/sinus, I knew it was coming a couple weeks ago, I just didn't know when it would hit).
Pray for Gretchen's feet and memory and for my health and patience (and that I will have what it takes to keep going).
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October 7, 2012 - I feel like a ping pong ball
Before I get to my post, if you read my last post (October 4) before I edited it today please go back and look at it to see what I removed and please don't discuss what was removed. The problem is not what I posted but what non-family members posted somewhere else (the beauty of my blog is I can delete comments that are inappropriate - and I will, but haven't had to) which got read by someone and then passed on as "we are so sorry to hear about..." (this is how it was told to me when I was asked to remove the post). I am able to be transparent in my blog with things related to Gretchen, Peter, and me because I know explicitly what can and can't be talked about. When I post about my family in Washington I give just enough information to allow people to pray intelligently unless I have specific permission to give out details.
One more thing: Remember, if you post anything on the internet it is public (regardless of settings, all it takes is one person copying and pasting...) and it is permanent, even if you come back in a couple days and delete it (I look up old versions of things all the time).
Gretchen is doing quite well these days, except when she has memory issues. I frequently kid her about being a 4.7 year old in a 47 year old body because I have to follow her around to make sure I know where she put things so we can find things later. She frequently tells me how frustrating it is with her memory going in and out. She is trying to do some things around the house and that is good.
When Gretchen sings (in church or with the radio/CD) sometimes I can hear her old voice and sometimes there is no umpf behind it. I am pretty sure this is related to the memory but it is maddening for Gretchen and she looks forward to getting it under control.
One good thing that is hard to notice is the shakiness in her hands is starting to diminish. She had some shakiness before when trying to do detail things and I think that is about back to normal.
Please continue to pray for Gretchen's memory and her attitude (it has been good in spite of frustrations). Also pray for me as I deal with this and things on the other side of the country.
One more thing: Remember, if you post anything on the internet it is public (regardless of settings, all it takes is one person copying and pasting...) and it is permanent, even if you come back in a couple days and delete it (I look up old versions of things all the time).
Gretchen is doing quite well these days, except when she has memory issues. I frequently kid her about being a 4.7 year old in a 47 year old body because I have to follow her around to make sure I know where she put things so we can find things later. She frequently tells me how frustrating it is with her memory going in and out. She is trying to do some things around the house and that is good.
When Gretchen sings (in church or with the radio/CD) sometimes I can hear her old voice and sometimes there is no umpf behind it. I am pretty sure this is related to the memory but it is maddening for Gretchen and she looks forward to getting it under control.
One good thing that is hard to notice is the shakiness in her hands is starting to diminish. She had some shakiness before when trying to do detail things and I think that is about back to normal.
Please continue to pray for Gretchen's memory and her attitude (it has been good in spite of frustrations). Also pray for me as I deal with this and things on the other side of the country.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
October 4, 2012 - I can't keep up-updated
Okay, let me start by saying that I am glad that I can't keep up.
This has been a busy week and I am worn out (which is why I haven't been posting). Last night I sat down to post but decided to catch up on a couple of email accounts. One of the emails was from Breakpoint and had a reference to a comedian named Brad Stine. I looked him up and tried to watch a couple videos but they were choppy (audio was okay, maybe I need new drivers on this netbook) in the process I also found a site with (mostly) clean jokes and sat reading them until my time was gone. It was helpful.
Gretchen is making incredible progress. When she first arrived home she couldn't really carry a complex thought, let alone run a household. Less than a week later she is mostly running things. There are still memory issues but they are getting less and less. To those who have been praying, thank you!
We had a lot of difficulties the first few days of this week because Gretchen is the parent but Peter was "in charge". Add to that some time critical events on Monday and Tuesday that cause confusion and I almost pulled the plug on having Gretchen and Peter at home alone. After talking with Gretchen I decided it would be okay to see how Wednesday and Thursday went. I was still concerned but was willing to wait.
I am glad I waited. Gretchen is now in charge with Peter just keeping her from doing something dumb. She does have to ask what needs to be done from time to time but she can usually do it. Cooking regular meals is still out of the question but she is getting a handle on the day to day stuff.
Please pray for my family out in Washington State. Specifics, though vague, removed by request because some folks have gossiped. Also pray for my dad's prostate cancer. I don't know the status and there was supposed to be a doctor appointment today but I don't know what this was for or what the outcome was. Also, please pray for a friend of mine's wife who keeps having heart palpitations but the doctors can't find a cause.
Yes, I know that I am asking for prayer beyond my situation. You people have been so effective in praying for Gretchen that I covet your help for my family and friends!
This has been a busy week and I am worn out (which is why I haven't been posting). Last night I sat down to post but decided to catch up on a couple of email accounts. One of the emails was from Breakpoint and had a reference to a comedian named Brad Stine. I looked him up and tried to watch a couple videos but they were choppy (audio was okay, maybe I need new drivers on this netbook) in the process I also found a site with (mostly) clean jokes and sat reading them until my time was gone. It was helpful.
Gretchen is making incredible progress. When she first arrived home she couldn't really carry a complex thought, let alone run a household. Less than a week later she is mostly running things. There are still memory issues but they are getting less and less. To those who have been praying, thank you!
We had a lot of difficulties the first few days of this week because Gretchen is the parent but Peter was "in charge". Add to that some time critical events on Monday and Tuesday that cause confusion and I almost pulled the plug on having Gretchen and Peter at home alone. After talking with Gretchen I decided it would be okay to see how Wednesday and Thursday went. I was still concerned but was willing to wait.
I am glad I waited. Gretchen is now in charge with Peter just keeping her from doing something dumb. She does have to ask what needs to be done from time to time but she can usually do it. Cooking regular meals is still out of the question but she is getting a handle on the day to day stuff.
Please pray for my family out in Washington State. Specifics, though vague, removed by request because some folks have gossiped. Also pray for my dad's prostate cancer. I don't know the status and there was supposed to be a doctor appointment today but I don't know what this was for or what the outcome was. Also, please pray for a friend of mine's wife who keeps having heart palpitations but the doctors can't find a cause.
Yes, I know that I am asking for prayer beyond my situation. You people have been so effective in praying for Gretchen that I covet your help for my family and friends!
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