Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that the swelling in Katie's knees was a strep infection? Well she was on penicillin for 10 days and there was no change.
Last Wednesday, the dr called back to check on her - I told them her knees don't look any different. She said she was expecting that...a few doctors had met and talked about Katie's case (cuz it was pretty puzzling to them) and they brought in the Infectious Disease Specialist at Children's Hospital. They agreed that given the high strep results, and the swelling joints it has to be treated as a type of Rheumatic fever. It just means infected tissue....that, if left untreated, damages children's kidneys and heart valves.
So - Katie has been put on 6 months of penicillin (at least) and we go had to go back to the clinic on Friday for them to take a urine sample and more blood tests to see if her kidneys have been damaged so far. It took a while, but Katie had her first "pee in a cup" success. Then they wanted to draw more blood for a Lyme's disease test. I pointed out that we requested that test during the last blood draw, and it was negative. Sure enough...that request saved Katie from having to get another needle!
The clinic called us about 3 hours after Katie's appointment to let us know that her kidneys look good so far. They'll probably check again in a few weeks to make sure everything stays functional. They also did an EKG, which looked good, but was sent on to the pediatric cardiologist at Children's Hospital for a second opinion. Then, in 3-6 months we have to go do an echocardiogram to check the status of her heart valves.
We go back in 6 weeks for a checkup.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Letting the cat out of the bag
I guess I'm ready to let the cat out of the bag. I say that like I've known for a long time, but I actually just found out a few days ago.
My nephew and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in August. I switch between moods of extreme calm about the whole situation and flipping out because he's my nephew. Granted, he's 21. I figure if he can build a computer, he can figure out a diaper.
I wish he had told me sooner.....BUT it'll give me some fun stuff to look for at garage sales this summer.
Oh, and I also know the sex. Do you want to know?
My nephew and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in August. I switch between moods of extreme calm about the whole situation and flipping out because he's my nephew. Granted, he's 21. I figure if he can build a computer, he can figure out a diaper.
I wish he had told me sooner.....BUT it'll give me some fun stuff to look for at garage sales this summer.
Oh, and I also know the sex. Do you want to know?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Remember my foot??
A few weeks ago I posted about my foot and how much it hurt - don't think I ever updated you on it.
I did get x-rays, went and saw a podiatrist cuz after 3 days it just wasn't any better and by 5 or 6 pm, I couldn't put any weight on it at all.
Nothing was broken. He thought he saw a crack, but turned out just to be lines in the bone (or something like that). From the exam he could tell that the long tendon that ran under my foot and up the outside of my ankle was swollen and VERY tender. So I got the typical dr advice...ice it and take Aleve. I skipped the pills, but I did ice it for a few days as much as I could.
He also said that I shouldn't run on it for 2 weeks, and then when I do start - start at the very beginning of a running program. Well, 2 weeks was up yesterday so I was interested to get back on the treadmill. I had been able to walk normally for about a week - no pain, and the run went well too.
I started an 8 week 5k program, and even though I felt I could jump to week 4 or 5, I didn't. I also didn't start with week 1. I started with week 2.....yeah, I'm a rebel. I guess it'll be good to follow a program and see if that helps me get a better time at the end of 8 weeks. Before....I was just running til I got tired, then walk, then run a bit, the walk a little, etc. with no measurement or knowledge if I was really pushing myself more each time.
I did get x-rays, went and saw a podiatrist cuz after 3 days it just wasn't any better and by 5 or 6 pm, I couldn't put any weight on it at all.
Nothing was broken. He thought he saw a crack, but turned out just to be lines in the bone (or something like that). From the exam he could tell that the long tendon that ran under my foot and up the outside of my ankle was swollen and VERY tender. So I got the typical dr advice...ice it and take Aleve. I skipped the pills, but I did ice it for a few days as much as I could.
He also said that I shouldn't run on it for 2 weeks, and then when I do start - start at the very beginning of a running program. Well, 2 weeks was up yesterday so I was interested to get back on the treadmill. I had been able to walk normally for about a week - no pain, and the run went well too.
I started an 8 week 5k program, and even though I felt I could jump to week 4 or 5, I didn't. I also didn't start with week 1. I started with week 2.....yeah, I'm a rebel. I guess it'll be good to follow a program and see if that helps me get a better time at the end of 8 weeks. Before....I was just running til I got tired, then walk, then run a bit, the walk a little, etc. with no measurement or knowledge if I was really pushing myself more each time.
Dream drama
Don't you hate it when you have a pretty involved dream.....a bad dream actually and the people in it make you so mad that you wake up angry? And you just want to say "So what the hell was THAT last night?" But you know that they would stare at you blankly and assume you're crazy.
That was my dream last night. I dreamt that John left me for some chippee in Decorah, but he wasn't telling me about her - just that he wanted out of our house. Pleasant, huh? So then I visit his apartment in Decorah and found remnants of a girl being there. Talk about a nightmare! I kept waking up, tossing and turning - then going back to this stupid dream - all. night. long. I was never so glad to get up in the morning.
So as John came down the stairs, getting ready for work - it was all I could do to keep from yelling "Who was she?!" Again...I stopped myself because I knew I'd get the blank stare and the assumption that I had left for crazy town.
As far as dream interpretation goes, this probably means I want a puppy or something.
That was my dream last night. I dreamt that John left me for some chippee in Decorah, but he wasn't telling me about her - just that he wanted out of our house. Pleasant, huh? So then I visit his apartment in Decorah and found remnants of a girl being there. Talk about a nightmare! I kept waking up, tossing and turning - then going back to this stupid dream - all. night. long. I was never so glad to get up in the morning.
So as John came down the stairs, getting ready for work - it was all I could do to keep from yelling "Who was she?!" Again...I stopped myself because I knew I'd get the blank stare and the assumption that I had left for crazy town.
As far as dream interpretation goes, this probably means I want a puppy or something.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Fun animals
If you have time, check out this site - it streams animals from all over the world. There is an eagle's nest near Decorah, IA that has 2 eagles egg-sitting currently. We're keeping an eye on it to see if we can see the babies soon.
Also - the CA squirrel is fun to watch in the morning....up close and personal.
http://www.ustream.tv/pets-animals
Also - the CA squirrel is fun to watch in the morning....up close and personal.
http://www.ustream.tv/pets-animals
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday today to my sister, Janet and my friend, Julie!
Happy Birthday and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy Birthday and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Janet, my sister, in her glory days of high school.....a bit of time ago. :)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Japan's Devastation
I'm sure you've all been watching the news, reading the stories coming out of Japan.....but here's a new angle from someone who's actually living it.
http://marosu.blogspot.com/
It's a blog written by a friend of a friend of a friend. :) He's an IT Specialist over in Japan who is originally from Minnesota. It's amazing to read his account of all that's been happening. If you have time - check it out.
http://marosu.blogspot.com/
It's a blog written by a friend of a friend of a friend. :) He's an IT Specialist over in Japan who is originally from Minnesota. It's amazing to read his account of all that's been happening. If you have time - check it out.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Happy Birthday Jordan!
Happy 17th Birthday to my nephew Jordan. Sheesh - 17! I think it's totally sad that I had to look back at last year's post to make sure I wasn't going insane, and that he really was 17!!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Happy Pi Day!
It's 3/14.....Happy Pi (3.14) Day. :)
It's Monday - another weekend in the books, and it's already mid-March. This past weekend John manned the house himself with both kids. I was off to WI (no, not to Madison). I spent the weekend with girlfriends from college and had a wonderful time. We went out to eat, had some drinks, and skyped with some friends in New York City and Texas. I should have taken the camera along....but of course, it was left at home.
Before I sign off - we got the test results back on Katie's knees. Remember last week we took her in because of the swelling in her knees? They drew blood and ran a bunch of tests to see what was going on and it turns out she has a strep-type infection in the fluid and tissue surrounding her knees. According the pharmacist, it's more common than you might think. So she's on antibiotics for that and hopefully, we should see her knees return to normal in a week or so.
It's Monday - another weekend in the books, and it's already mid-March. This past weekend John manned the house himself with both kids. I was off to WI (no, not to Madison). I spent the weekend with girlfriends from college and had a wonderful time. We went out to eat, had some drinks, and skyped with some friends in New York City and Texas. I should have taken the camera along....but of course, it was left at home.
College gals....spent the weekend with the bottom 3....and that's me up on the top.
John had to take Katie to a birthday party on Saturday at the bowling alley and Katie really had a great time. Sounds like the girls bowled, danced, and had yummy cake. Will talked John into playing some video games while there and I guess, from the conversation at the dinner table last night, Daddy let them get away with just about anything. :) That's ok - maybe it'll make it easier to get away in the future.Before I sign off - we got the test results back on Katie's knees. Remember last week we took her in because of the swelling in her knees? They drew blood and ran a bunch of tests to see what was going on and it turns out she has a strep-type infection in the fluid and tissue surrounding her knees. According the pharmacist, it's more common than you might think. So she's on antibiotics for that and hopefully, we should see her knees return to normal in a week or so.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Molly's in the mood for love....
Yesterday I thought Molly had eaten something she shouldn't have or was feeling ill....today it hit me. Duh, she's in heat. How long does this last again? :)
It's snowing again today, but we aren't due for much more than 1-2 inches....we'll see.
"Pebbles" is still with us, and fitting right in. She seems to be getting louder...that's probably a good sign. Also, the last 2 days she's wanted to sit on the little potty every time Will went to the bathroom, so we did it a few times on Monday....and then Monday night I was told she actually went pee on the potty at home for the first time. Yep, sure, I'll take credit for that. :) (Odds are it may be a while before it happens again.)
Yesterday we took Katie to the dr. for a little check-up because we'd been concerned with her growth/weight gain and her knees. Anyone that knows Katie, knows she's always been petite...and probably always will be. However, in the last 2 years we've seen her grow 2 inches, and gain 4 pounds. On the handouts they give at the doctor's office it says "Average weight gain for a 6 year old is 6 pounds a year." Hmmm.....
Well, long story short - they aren't concerned at all, we don't have to alter her diet, she still "makes the chart".
Now her knees....we noticed about a month ago that one knee was really swollen - much larger than the other one....and actually they both looked weired. It didn't seem to go away, but it wasn't bothering her - no pain or discomfort. We still wanted to get it checked out and the doctors that looked at her were a bit puzzled too. They took x-rays, which showed nothing, and they drew blood for various tests that will tell us if the swelling is due to specific inflammations. We get those results back in a few days.
Ok - is it my turn? Now me....my foot is killing me! Geez, last night all of a sudden whenever I put weight on my left foot, I get a shooting pain on the outer side of my ankle. If I walk on my tip toes - it feels fine. And I can do ankle circles, flex my foot, etc. - no problem. But if I walk for a few minutes, I can't take it. I ran on Monday....felt fine. So I called a dr. and I'm gonna go get it looked at tomorrow. From what I am reading online - it seems as though there is a bone/joint out of position that just needs to be popped back in.
On to Will and John......
Will is fine and John is playing raquetball tonight - be careful! :)
It's snowing again today, but we aren't due for much more than 1-2 inches....we'll see.
"Pebbles" is still with us, and fitting right in. She seems to be getting louder...that's probably a good sign. Also, the last 2 days she's wanted to sit on the little potty every time Will went to the bathroom, so we did it a few times on Monday....and then Monday night I was told she actually went pee on the potty at home for the first time. Yep, sure, I'll take credit for that. :) (Odds are it may be a while before it happens again.)
Yesterday we took Katie to the dr. for a little check-up because we'd been concerned with her growth/weight gain and her knees. Anyone that knows Katie, knows she's always been petite...and probably always will be. However, in the last 2 years we've seen her grow 2 inches, and gain 4 pounds. On the handouts they give at the doctor's office it says "Average weight gain for a 6 year old is 6 pounds a year." Hmmm.....
Well, long story short - they aren't concerned at all, we don't have to alter her diet, she still "makes the chart".
Now her knees....we noticed about a month ago that one knee was really swollen - much larger than the other one....and actually they both looked weired. It didn't seem to go away, but it wasn't bothering her - no pain or discomfort. We still wanted to get it checked out and the doctors that looked at her were a bit puzzled too. They took x-rays, which showed nothing, and they drew blood for various tests that will tell us if the swelling is due to specific inflammations. We get those results back in a few days.
Ok - is it my turn? Now me....my foot is killing me! Geez, last night all of a sudden whenever I put weight on my left foot, I get a shooting pain on the outer side of my ankle. If I walk on my tip toes - it feels fine. And I can do ankle circles, flex my foot, etc. - no problem. But if I walk for a few minutes, I can't take it. I ran on Monday....felt fine. So I called a dr. and I'm gonna go get it looked at tomorrow. From what I am reading online - it seems as though there is a bone/joint out of position that just needs to be popped back in.
On to Will and John......
Will is fine and John is playing raquetball tonight - be careful! :)
Friday, March 4, 2011
End of week 1
I'm at the tail end of my first week as a full time babysitter. I've really liked this "peek" into what life is like with 3 kids. In some ways it's easier than I thought. Katie and Will are really helpful with "Pebbles". Probably because they aren't related to her.
Will loves to run and get a diaper when we need one. Katie enjoys entertaining in the afternoon, showing off all her stuffed animals. There've been no bumps, no bruises, Pebbles is still alive and smiling. That's a successful week in any house.
Look for some more Wizard of Oz pics coming soon....I was just e-mailed a link to 703 pictures that were taken over the last week of production. 105 of them are of Katie......
Will loves to run and get a diaper when we need one. Katie enjoys entertaining in the afternoon, showing off all her stuffed animals. There've been no bumps, no bruises, Pebbles is still alive and smiling. That's a successful week in any house.
Look for some more Wizard of Oz pics coming soon....I was just e-mailed a link to 703 pictures that were taken over the last week of production. 105 of them are of Katie......
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
It's later, so here's more.
The kids are asleep right now so I will take the opportunity to write a bit more. Katie is at school.
It's day #2 of my babysitting gig and it's going great. Little "Pebbles" is very cute, just the "right" age - 1 1/2, and Will adores her. Since I've already had 2 this age, it doesn't seem like much has changed. Katie comes home from school and I have 3 for 2 hours or so....but that's not bad either since they all have a way of entertaining each other.
I am now driving the truck because it's the only vehicle that will hold 3 car seats in the back seat. But that's not bad either because I know John is happy to drive the car.
I would say it's longer hours than helping the elderly woman, but much less stress. Basically, I can just go about my normal day....play in the morning, home for lunch, home for naps....which we would be anyway. On the weekends we try to head to IA, it would be nice leaving town before 5:30 pm.....so hopefully we can strike a happy medium there.
It's day #2 of my babysitting gig and it's going great. Little "Pebbles" is very cute, just the "right" age - 1 1/2, and Will adores her. Since I've already had 2 this age, it doesn't seem like much has changed. Katie comes home from school and I have 3 for 2 hours or so....but that's not bad either since they all have a way of entertaining each other.
I am now driving the truck because it's the only vehicle that will hold 3 car seats in the back seat. But that's not bad either because I know John is happy to drive the car.
I would say it's longer hours than helping the elderly woman, but much less stress. Basically, I can just go about my normal day....play in the morning, home for lunch, home for naps....which we would be anyway. On the weekends we try to head to IA, it would be nice leaving town before 5:30 pm.....so hopefully we can strike a happy medium there.
Goodbye Wizard, Hello Pebbles
"Pebbles" is here at our house for day #2. Yesterday went very well - her and Will (Bam-Bam) get along very well and Katie likes having another girl around. More later....
Sunday, February 27, 2011
3 Down, 1 To go
We've got 3 Wizard of Oz performances under our belt so far.....one left today. It's going to be kinda sad when it's all over. :( I know Katie will miss it. (She's reciting the play from start to finish right now.....)
Yesterday was a loooong day. We arrived at church around 12:45 in order to be ready for our 2:00 show. By 4:30, we were done with the first show and all cast members and helpers were treated to Subway sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, homemade mac and cheese, corn, mashed potatoes, chips, cookies, and jelly beans while we watched a movie. It was a nice time to relax together. But by 6:00 everyone was gearing up to get ready for the 7:00 show.
I'm so proud of Katie - she's done an amazing job. In the past 3 days I've had roughly 150 people tell me how much they've enjoyed Katie's performance and how well behaved she is, how relaxed she is up on stage, and how impressed they are with her. (Basically, stuff we already know.) :)
And to say I'm proud of her doesn't even begin to capture how I feel - it's more than that. I'm so happy for her that she has been able to have this experience. Not everyone gets to stand on stage, under the lights and have everyone in the room clapping and cheering for you.....Katie has gotten that. :) Also, she's made so many friends over these past 6 weeks and has been able to be a part of such a wonderful group who sincerely care about her.
For those of you who haven't been able to make it to the show....I should have a video in a couple of weeks that I guarantee I'm going to make you sit through. :)
Yesterday was a loooong day. We arrived at church around 12:45 in order to be ready for our 2:00 show. By 4:30, we were done with the first show and all cast members and helpers were treated to Subway sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, homemade mac and cheese, corn, mashed potatoes, chips, cookies, and jelly beans while we watched a movie. It was a nice time to relax together. But by 6:00 everyone was gearing up to get ready for the 7:00 show.
I'm so proud of Katie - she's done an amazing job. In the past 3 days I've had roughly 150 people tell me how much they've enjoyed Katie's performance and how well behaved she is, how relaxed she is up on stage, and how impressed they are with her. (Basically, stuff we already know.) :)
And to say I'm proud of her doesn't even begin to capture how I feel - it's more than that. I'm so happy for her that she has been able to have this experience. Not everyone gets to stand on stage, under the lights and have everyone in the room clapping and cheering for you.....Katie has gotten that. :) Also, she's made so many friends over these past 6 weeks and has been able to be a part of such a wonderful group who sincerely care about her.
For those of you who haven't been able to make it to the show....I should have a video in a couple of weeks that I guarantee I'm going to make you sit through. :)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
GREAT Opening Night!!
Last night was the first Wizard of Oz show, and it was wonderful!! Katie had a fun time. She said she was nervous before it started, but then once she got on stage, she wasn't nervous anymore. She remembered all her cues, entrances, exits, dances, everything! Daddy had flowers for her after the show. :)
Not only did Katie have a good night, but we won 2 of the raffled off gift baskets too! I bought 5 tickets for $20.....put 2 tickets in a bucket for $120 worth of kids' books and 3 tickets in a bucket for a restaurant gift certificate and one night hotel stay here in Chanhassen. We won both. :)
Today we have 2 more shows, and one tomorrow. Sure makes the weekend fly by.....
Not only did Katie have a good night, but we won 2 of the raffled off gift baskets too! I bought 5 tickets for $20.....put 2 tickets in a bucket for $120 worth of kids' books and 3 tickets in a bucket for a restaurant gift certificate and one night hotel stay here in Chanhassen. We won both. :)
Today we have 2 more shows, and one tomorrow. Sure makes the weekend fly by.....
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A sneak peek....
Miracle upon miracles....I remembered my camera at practice last night AND it was charged. So, here are just a few peeks at the musical this weekend.
Dorothy and her buddies, Tinman, Scarecrow and Lion
Toto and Lion - two fuzzies of a kind.
Scarecrow, Dorothy and Toto - with an Emerald City Guard in back
That's it so far....stay tuned for peeks at Glinda, munchkins, and the Wicked Witch!
Monday, February 21, 2011
I meant to include a picture with my plea for help.......
This is after.....
Picture this with black shoes/socks.....and I'll either re-make the ears black...or just glue on extra bits of fur fabric, if there's any left over from the cut off parts.
It'll work, because I've kind of given up and made peace with it.
HELP!
We had our first dress rehearsal last night for Katie's Wizard of Oz musical. It was the first time I would be able to get to see her costume finished. The costume ladies were going to take a Halloween costume and cut off the head, add a few panels in to allow air to circulate through and dye/spray it brown.
When I got there last night, nothing had been done to it.
There's only 2 women making ALL the costumes for everyone in the musical. They are swamped. And believe me, when you get to see pictures of all the costumes....which are coming....you'll be impressed. BUT I'm still upset that 5 days before the first show, I now have to worry about Katie's costume. She tried it yesterday for a bit. 45 minutes in and she was beet red, about to fall over. I took her out, talked to the costume lady who immediately chopped off the head, feet, and hands. Ok - that's a start.
Katie work it again for the run through and was still red an hour into it. And yes, she'll get a break during intermission....I can take it off, BUT it's not like we do this show once and that's it. We do it 4 times in 3 days, so I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible.
I said I would take it home and do what I can to it.
As we speak, I'm giving the entire suit a "haircut". With the amount of hair I'm chopped off this thing, I think I could make 10 more dogs. And that's only the backside. Once I get all the "hair" off that I want....I'm going to cut about 3 inches off under the arms, from the wrist down to the waist. Then, I'll sew in cotton pieces...that should help. I'm thinking I'll also cut off 3 inches in the inner leg area, from the crotch down on both sides and sew in the same material. If nothing else, it'll be easier to move in.
Then the problem.....turning it brown.
It was suggested to me to use the Halloween hair spray that people use to turn their hair crazy colors. First problem - brown isn't that crazy so I can't find it in any stores. Second problem - the guy at Party City told me that the stuff rubs off like crazy and gets everywhere. I do NOT want Dorothy's white and blue checkered dress brown from her dog.
I can't use Rit dye or any thing like that because the suit is all polyester, and unnatural fibers don't soak up the dye. I don't want to use regular "spray paint" because it would be irritating to Katie's skin and mat all the hair together in clumps.
Worst case, I guess it gets left white and blue (yes, the damn thing has blue spots). Trouble is, I already made her stinking ears brown. Yes, yes, I know - dogs are all kinds of colors.
So help me out, crafty brainstormers.....have any of you used the colored hair dye? Does it rub off badly? ( I am testing a patch out in the garage right now cuz I was able to find black color....not sure how long I have to let it set.)
What else can I use to color it brown/black???
Oh, and I was told she now has to have black socks and black shoes. Black socks are do-able...but where they hell have you seen plain black shoes for little kids? It's too late to order anything, so I'm taking a sharpie to an old semi-black pair of sandals and praying they fit her.
When I got there last night, nothing had been done to it.
There's only 2 women making ALL the costumes for everyone in the musical. They are swamped. And believe me, when you get to see pictures of all the costumes....which are coming....you'll be impressed. BUT I'm still upset that 5 days before the first show, I now have to worry about Katie's costume. She tried it yesterday for a bit. 45 minutes in and she was beet red, about to fall over. I took her out, talked to the costume lady who immediately chopped off the head, feet, and hands. Ok - that's a start.
Katie work it again for the run through and was still red an hour into it. And yes, she'll get a break during intermission....I can take it off, BUT it's not like we do this show once and that's it. We do it 4 times in 3 days, so I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible.
I said I would take it home and do what I can to it.
As we speak, I'm giving the entire suit a "haircut". With the amount of hair I'm chopped off this thing, I think I could make 10 more dogs. And that's only the backside. Once I get all the "hair" off that I want....I'm going to cut about 3 inches off under the arms, from the wrist down to the waist. Then, I'll sew in cotton pieces...that should help. I'm thinking I'll also cut off 3 inches in the inner leg area, from the crotch down on both sides and sew in the same material. If nothing else, it'll be easier to move in.
Then the problem.....turning it brown.
It was suggested to me to use the Halloween hair spray that people use to turn their hair crazy colors. First problem - brown isn't that crazy so I can't find it in any stores. Second problem - the guy at Party City told me that the stuff rubs off like crazy and gets everywhere. I do NOT want Dorothy's white and blue checkered dress brown from her dog.
I can't use Rit dye or any thing like that because the suit is all polyester, and unnatural fibers don't soak up the dye. I don't want to use regular "spray paint" because it would be irritating to Katie's skin and mat all the hair together in clumps.
Worst case, I guess it gets left white and blue (yes, the damn thing has blue spots). Trouble is, I already made her stinking ears brown. Yes, yes, I know - dogs are all kinds of colors.
So help me out, crafty brainstormers.....have any of you used the colored hair dye? Does it rub off badly? ( I am testing a patch out in the garage right now cuz I was able to find black color....not sure how long I have to let it set.)
What else can I use to color it brown/black???
Oh, and I was told she now has to have black socks and black shoes. Black socks are do-able...but where they hell have you seen plain black shoes for little kids? It's too late to order anything, so I'm taking a sharpie to an old semi-black pair of sandals and praying they fit her.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Hmmm...maybe not
Ok - remember when I said I would still help out the elderly lady while I was babysitting? Hmmm...after today? I'm thinking maybe not. Can I vent a bit?
Today was a rough one with the elderly woman. (Is that how I should refer to her? I don't know....seems weird....let's call her "Edith".) Anyway - boy, was she agitated and angry. When I arrived there was a hospice nurse there visiting, doing a check-up, etc. Hospice has a locked box of medication they keep in her apartment - for them to administer to her. Edith screamed she wanted me to have the code to be able to open it anytime so I could give her what she needed. I certainly didn't feel comfortable doing that. So THAT upset Edith more.
Then the hospice nurse left and another "helper" came. We busied ourselves with the trash, cleaning up tables, dishes, etc. The other helper left to start the laundry and Edith went on about how much she hated the other helper. Ugh. (Personally, I love the other helper...she's sweet, funny, helpful, you name it.) When the other helper came back she asked Edith a question and that set her off yelling again, "Don't talk to me! leave me alone!" etc. Ok.....
Once we were getting her lunch ready, Edith was sitting up in bed waiting for it and Will came in because he was getting antsy and was ready to go home. Edith started yelling "Get him away from me! I don't want him in here!" Ok - that's my cue to leave, so I left immediately with no good-bye.
What this "Edith" is looking for is someone to stay overnight with her every night and stay with her all day long. Hmmm...that doesn't sound like assisted living to me - that sounds like a nursing home. Oh, and you can't talk to her or ask her questions, you just have to do what ever she wants you to do. I was hired to do 1 hour of help, 3 times a week. Right now, I'm at 3 hours, 3 times a week - at least...and even then it's hard to get out of there. I told her son that I wanted to do 1-2 hours 2 times a week once I started babysitting the extra little girl, but now I'm concerned about even doing that. And at this point, Edith needs a lot more than what I am willing or able to give her.
So - I'm thinking about writing her son an e-mail expressing my concerns and letting him know that I'll help out next week, but then I probably shouldn't. They need to look for more help. And it sounds like they've been through a LOT of help....Edith tries someone for a week or two, then decides she hates them. She tells me she loves me, wishes I could stay longer, come more often, stay overnight, etc. Nope, not gonna happen.
Today was a rough one with the elderly woman. (Is that how I should refer to her? I don't know....seems weird....let's call her "Edith".) Anyway - boy, was she agitated and angry. When I arrived there was a hospice nurse there visiting, doing a check-up, etc. Hospice has a locked box of medication they keep in her apartment - for them to administer to her. Edith screamed she wanted me to have the code to be able to open it anytime so I could give her what she needed. I certainly didn't feel comfortable doing that. So THAT upset Edith more.
Then the hospice nurse left and another "helper" came. We busied ourselves with the trash, cleaning up tables, dishes, etc. The other helper left to start the laundry and Edith went on about how much she hated the other helper. Ugh. (Personally, I love the other helper...she's sweet, funny, helpful, you name it.) When the other helper came back she asked Edith a question and that set her off yelling again, "Don't talk to me! leave me alone!" etc. Ok.....
Once we were getting her lunch ready, Edith was sitting up in bed waiting for it and Will came in because he was getting antsy and was ready to go home. Edith started yelling "Get him away from me! I don't want him in here!" Ok - that's my cue to leave, so I left immediately with no good-bye.
What this "Edith" is looking for is someone to stay overnight with her every night and stay with her all day long. Hmmm...that doesn't sound like assisted living to me - that sounds like a nursing home. Oh, and you can't talk to her or ask her questions, you just have to do what ever she wants you to do. I was hired to do 1 hour of help, 3 times a week. Right now, I'm at 3 hours, 3 times a week - at least...and even then it's hard to get out of there. I told her son that I wanted to do 1-2 hours 2 times a week once I started babysitting the extra little girl, but now I'm concerned about even doing that. And at this point, Edith needs a lot more than what I am willing or able to give her.
So - I'm thinking about writing her son an e-mail expressing my concerns and letting him know that I'll help out next week, but then I probably shouldn't. They need to look for more help. And it sounds like they've been through a LOT of help....Edith tries someone for a week or two, then decides she hates them. She tells me she loves me, wishes I could stay longer, come more often, stay overnight, etc. Nope, not gonna happen.
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