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| Storms While Driving Through Louisiana to Texas |
Saturday. 15. Drive from Vicksburg, Mississippi to Little Elm, Texas about 6 hours of driving time. Drove through a big storm front with a tornado warning fairly close. We packed up and were on the road at 9am. We stopped for gasoline on time. We ate lunch at a Honduran restaurant that was quite good. We shopped for groceries around 4:30pm and arrived to our airbnb house about 5:30. Darrell’s mom called to let us know that Dad had fallen and Cyndy was going to be with him at the hospital. We made our dinner and waited to see how he was doing. He was okay and we were able to stay at our house for the evening.
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| Our Sweet Airbnb House in Little Elm, Texas. |
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Inside Our House.
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| Super Nice Kitchen with RO Drinking Water! |
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| This Dining Table and Chairs is Like the One We Sold with Our House in 2020. |
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| Kingsize Master Bedroom with Loads of Storage! |
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| View From Our Patio Sunday. 16. Enjoyed our morning routines: exercises and breakfast. Drove 20 minutes to Denton for worship. We’ve been coming to this little church to visit for several years during our 1-2 times per year visit. The 30-40 people are aging, but continuing in the teaching of the scriptures. Some have passed on. I’m so happy that we know them and they know us. I’ve got a couple of them as facebook friends. On our drive over I was seeing each face I remember and knowing their name and the details I have learned through the years. They were expecting us. Cyndy and Mom didn’t come this morning. We hadn’t heard from them. After worship, Darrell contacted Cyndy and learned that Mom and she were at the hospital and ready for lunch. We drove over to the hospital, parked, went in and rode the elevator up and arrived at Dad's room. We greeted Cyndy and Mom. Cyndy filled us in on all of the information that she was managing with Dad and the doctors and the therapists. She’d like a break, but didn’t want to miss any people coming in and out of the room. Neither Darrell or I could take her place and we all realized that she is the key to this seamless care for Dad. She is also his medical power of attorney. Dad has dementia. He is in pain and thin lying in the hospital bed. Sometimes he speaks about how he feels. He draws up one of his legs and Cyndy touches him and talks him into stretching it out again. She tells us that if he quits extending his leg then he could lose all ability to walk. He has pain in his hips. There have been some diagnostic tests but so far they are not showing issues. The doctors are still trying to get the whole picture of his condition and coordinate all of his doctors and current care needs. Later in the day it is discovered that he has a broken hip. His surgery will be scheduled once he is cleared by his heart doctor.
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| View of Lewisville Lake Out the Front |
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| Our Airbnb View from Lakeside Lot Gate |
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| Walk to the Lake Here |
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| Crane Sighting at Lakeside Monday. 17. Today we have spent our morning doing our routines. I’ve also cooked a pot of black beans and done laundry. Darrell contacted Cyndy and Mom. Mom is at her house and Cyndy is at the hospital. Dad’s surgery is scheduled for 5pm today. Mom wants to go over and be at the hospital then. Darrell and I will head over after we have lunch at our house. Darrell looked again at our catastrophic insurance and travel insurance. We discussed what we have in coverage and what we are paying. It is a cost for living this Nomad life. I have a manuscript of the 2nd book written by my friend Sylvia Pollard. She has sent it to me for a preview and to write a forward. I’m so thrilled to do this. I read her preface this morning and was weeping. I got a good start as she went to the depth of my heart and also gave me a glimmer of peace and happiness that is within the balance of her life, within each of us. Tue-Wed. 18-19. We did our morning routines and around 10am went to Cyndy’s house and did a few things for Mom. She was dressed and ready to go to the hospital. Dad’s surgery was scheduled for 12:30, but then got changed to 3pm. We got over to the hospital sometime after between 11 and noon. Cyndy was there managing doctors by asking lots of questions as each specialist came by. She is the medical power of attorney and is lovingly caring for her Dad. She is an elementary school teacher and on spring break. Her youngest daughter, Kylee is in High School and also on spring break. We spent the day at the hospital and going out for lunch and dinner. A couple ladies, Elaine and Donna, came over to the hospital about 4pm and sat with us all. Dad was all finished and back in his room by 7pm. He gave a sweet smile to Shirley which was unexpected, but so sweet for her! We left and took Mom home. We went to the grocery and then to our house. While at our house for Wednesday morning we are planning to stay through lunch before we head off to the hospital. I’m thinking of my to-do list. Darrell spent some time making sure that our recent medical accounts are paid up and reimbursed. I watch him work this out on his pc. I am watching to learn the different systems and accounts. We get Mom after lunch and go to the hospital for the afternoon. Cyndy leaves to go shopping and get some of her to-do list checked off. She also grills some chicken for dinner and we arrive with Mom back to her house and fix some veggies to go with the chicken. After dinner, Darrell, Mom and I go to Denton for Bible class and catching up with our church family there. Afterward we get Mom back to her home by 9pm. It’s been a long day. Darrell and I go on to our airbnb home. Cyndy has been with Dad at the hospital. |
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| Medical City Hospital in Denton, Texas. Darrell's Dad, age 91 with Dementia, Entered Here the Day We Arrived and Stayed a Week. Two Strokes, Heart Attack, and Broken Hip with Repair Surgery. |
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| Darrell and His Mom, Shirley, age 90, in a Wheel Chair, Waiting During Dad's Hip Repair Surgery. |
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| Down by the Lake is Windy and Cool Today. We Have This Moment. |
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| A Longer Walk at Little Elm Park and Lakeside. The Weather is Warming Up!! |
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| Beach Volleyball at Little Elm Park. Plus So Much More Here!! |
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| Super Nice Fresh Flower Display at the Grocery Thursday. 20. Today is our 5th day in Texas. We’ve been at the hospital with Dad every day. Time seems longer. The perception of time and energy in this care-giving and waiting attention is slow. Darrell and I are not at the center of Dad’s care. His sister Cyndy is the one who goes in the morning and stays through lunch, takes a break and comes back in the evening. She is on spring break from her elementary teaching this week. She is coordinating doctor information and keeping track of Dad’s progress, eating and moods. Darrell and I collect Mom after lunch and then sit in the afternoon at the hospital. It’s not really regular for hours or hospital visits because each day has been unique. We try to get Cyndy a break, and do a few helpful things for Mom. Mom can’t see well but has a few hours of energy each day to devote to sitting next to Dad. She wants to be the one doing all of his care, but has reconciled herself in her age and ability to let Cyndy and others do for her. She still does what she can with her very limited eyesight and mobility. She does pretty well. The hospital is coordinating with the rehab center to move Dad on Friday. It is expected that he will be there for about 2 weeks. Friday. 21. Dad gets moved into Rehab after 5pm. |
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