Eddy's point of view

Family:

Wanted to give you a quick report since I got here in Florida late thursday... everything Cindy, Loren, Alex & Pete said is true... So I will not repeat that info...

From my point of view, I think she has good movement, but then the pain flairs up and she shuts down. On top of that, controlling the parkinsons creeps in and she has to fight (a battlefield of the mind) to get out of the funk.

Since I got here, dad has been consumed with jaguar (not sure of all the details) but it is plain to see mom/dads work situation is day to day, week to week...

I proposed to mom/dad if they can come for thanksgiving to texas? Maybe then jaguar will be further along, mom's recovery will be further and along, and we can all figure out ways to help our wonderful parents who need our help more now than ever...

Thats all I have to report for now, we are taking it easy this weekend

Love you guys and miss texas and my girls a bunch!

Eddy

Peter Heading Out

Hi all, wanted to report my last update before heading home to Texas.

Mom had a good day today, she was as usual a little fussy in the morning cause she doesn't sleep well, because of many reasons.

Overall her arm is getting better & movement more easier although she still can not use her right arm to perform every day activity.

So Eddy, be prepared to baby sit a lot. After she gets up and goes through her routine: hurt, anger, frustration & anxiety, you must be very, very patient. I kept reeling her back to reality "it could be a lot worst, let's count our blessings". Mom has lost her trust in God & just needs to be reminded often how blessed our family has been.

There's also some insecurity with the current job situation and makes mom even grumpier.

So the support medicine is lots of love, patience & plenty of humor.

Also, she is bored out of her mind and has nothing to do AT ALL. So all she does at all times is monitor every pain in her body.

If anyone has any ideas of some time consuming activities, please give them to mom and dad.

Well, I need to get ready to board so will talk to all later this week.

Love ya guys.

Pete

Pete's Post

Sunday Update: mom is doing a little better. Morning as said is not always good. Her arm movement is still very stiff & exercises loosen it up but she still says it hurts very hard. As the day progresses it gets better.

We are going to Mass then have dinner with Faust & hopefully will get to see Jeff. He's very busy & working alot.

Trying to get mom out sometimes is tough. She thinks everyone stares so encouraging her is needed to get back to normal.

It will be tough for Dad when we all return. Inez is helping as well but i don't think it's a good idea that mom should come up yet.

Her dependence on Dad is too great for now. She will be miserable & desperate to come back as soon as she gets there.

Better for us to come back & help out for now until she can get her arm moving but will take time.

Love ya guys.

Pete

Loren's Passing the Baton

I got home tonight from Mom and Dad's. It's good to be home. It's been great to be with Mom & Dad, and Cindy is right, they have so much love for eachother, it's amazing. She is soooo grateful for everyone's of what she calls "sacrifices" and all of us going there to help. She appreciates all of you, especially the NJ, Cherie, Linda, and Steve in supporting the brothers and sister going there, and taking time out of our busy lives to do this. I would encourage all the grandchildren to call Mom periodically to check in. She loves that.

When I arrived, she didn't look well at all, but I think she's made great progress with her movements in her arm and spirits. It's been painful and a very slow recovery with a lot of patience, love and care. The PT was there this morning and said she's doing great, and is well ahead of what the recommendations are from the Doctor and degree of movement. So that is great news. She needs to do her exercises everyday, and I told Mom this is going to take months. She didn't want to hear that, but she is aware of it.

I have tried to give her encouragement and positive reinforcement on a daily basis. She needs that. I've learned she is a very strong woman physically, but needs the confidence building from a mental perspective. Let's work on that. In addition, I've been trying to convince her that she may need a walker since she is unstable when she walks. This is a progression from Parkinson's. We don't want to her to fall again! She's thinking about it. I took her to get some comfy clothes, because it's difficult to get dressed. We went to dinner last night and today ate at Padrino's (yummy).

Inez came over every other day to assist & visit as well. She offered to have Mom and Dad stay there at their house after Eddy returns, but Mom wants to see what the Doctor says about her progress on 16th. Mom also talked about coming here and maybe doing the PT at a facility here. Not sure, we'll have to see how that works out with her progress and insurance coverage. Cris is primarily helping Dad with Jaguar and is a great help for Dad. I didn't see Rodrigo much because of his work schedule. I did get the cleaning lady to come in and clean their apartment every other week, and I helped Dad with some other things around the house.

Alex, thanks for the Handicap sign. They definitely need it!!!

That's it for now.

Love ya's,

L

I'm passing the baton to Pete and he is in flight as I type.

Loren First Days

All, update on MOM...she's doing better. Needs alot of attention and caring. We are about to go to dinner, and getting out of the house.

Dad's is good and his therapy is work, glad to have me here to get a break.

We are trying to get Mom to get a good nights rest. We are going try the bed again.

Anyways GO RANGERS!!!

I'll chk in later..

Luv ya's

L

Alex's Updates

October 15th:

Here is an update to all about Mom , the last two days she has been having a tuff time dealing with the fact has been limited to the simplest of things she is unable to do i.e. Shower get out of bed etc she has been crying often so today I called her doctors office made an appointment at 11am because her dressing bandage was coming off , after the dr visit in which they got an X-ray an exam the dr said that all is looking good and that six more weeks of in home therapy was approved and the dr reassured her all is on track on her recovery, after dr visit dad and I took her to lunch at padrinos for some Cuban food yummy, I think the little road trip made her feel a little better getn out of bed and house. When you talk to mom make sure you advise her the this process is a long one be patient and do exercise that therapist ask her to do at home daily.

October 19th:

Family, Mom is doing better and like we all know this will take time, yesterday I went to tag agency and got them two handicap permits for both vehicles so anytime they goto grocery store or doctors office etc they can park in those prime spots close to entrances hope that will help and hope they use them. After Loren, Pete, and Eddy's stay here I think mom should come up to dfw after thanksgiving and should stay a few weeks so dad can get a break??? Ill be headed back tommorrow.

Mom's Surgery Days 2 - 7

Day 1:

I arrived at the airport in Miami apprehensive. I wasn't sure how Mom was doing, feeling, looking. My brother Faust is there to pick me up with his wife Inez. They give me the "skinny" on Mom's condition. She is in pain, on morphine and basically not making sense. We go by the hospital and Dad comes down to give me a key to their apartment. Mom doesn't want to stay alone so he is sleeping in the hospital. Dad looks tired and I begin to worry. He assures me he will be fine and he should stay the night.

Day 2:

Dad came to their apartment bright and early to change and have some breakfast. He didn't get much sleep. He showers and gathers some of Mom's things. While we are eating breakfast, Mom calls a few times. She isn't making much sense and is hard to understand. I'm worried again but Dad said it's the drugs. It's obvious she doesn't want to be alone.

We arrive at the hospital. Dad leaves to get a break and get some work done. Mom looks worn out. I'm happy to be able to help Mom out. She needs a lot of assistance with the basics, getting out of bed, eating, walking, etc. It is obvious she is having a tough time but she is already off of all the heavy drugs and can take pain meds if needed. She chooses not to.

The physical therapists come by and have Mom get up and around and start moving her lower arm. I'm not sure how she will react to this but she is doing well. The male therapist is very cold, clinical and says she will be going to a rehab center and most likely be doing 3 hours of therapy. This is news to us. We have limited information at this point so we will have to wait to talk to the hospital case manager.

Day 3:

Dad spends the night in the hospital again. Mom definitely needs Him there and I just won't do. Dad waits for me to come and leaves when I arrive. He will run errands and do a little work. I'm happy to help Mom out, she still needs a lot of assistance.

The physical therapist comes by, a male different from last time. He is kind, it's apparent from his first questions to Mom. He has her do the same exercises and it's clear Mom has more ability. I ask him about the rehab center. He asks Mom if she is living alone and we say No. He says the rehab center really is for folks lacking a support system at home. Mom proudly says, "I am blessed and have 6 kids that want to take care of me.". My heart smiles.

The case manager calls Mom about going to the rehab center later that day. I talk to her and get the details. I let her know that Mom is not interested in the rehab center and she has help at home. I tell her that Dad is on his way to make the final decision.

Dad arrives and we all decide Mom probably wouldn't do well in a rehab center (assisted living/senior center) so we let the case manager know that we would like her to get home therapy which was the other option. She is released at 5 pm! Her hospital stay is officially over!

Day 4:

Mom has spent the night in her own home and was so happy to be out of the hospital. She is still in pain but doesn't want to take any pain meds. She is stubborn this way. She is doing pretty good getting around but gets dizzy and I worry about her falling again. I make her put on the hospital booties with the stoppers on them.

The home therapy folks come by, a nice gal by the name of Jennifer. She does all the paperwork and an evaluation of the home and Mom. She assigns Luz as the therapist who will start coming the next day.

Mom is sore after she leaves with all the activity and finally takes some pain relief. Dad runs to the store to get food items. I am happy to cook dinner for them. Happy to report that Mom has been eating well!

Days 5 and 6:

An array of things occur on these days that included household chores on my part. Just really happy that I was able to help Mom and Dad out. I had been worried about Dad - he is like the energizer bunny. Also worried about Mom - she is obviously frustrated and emotional. Here are my thoughts:

Everyday she is doing a bit better and the good news is she wants to get better so is doing her part on her recovery. She does get emotional I think out of frustration I didn't know how to deal with it and realized after the fact she just needed a hug. Dad the smart man he is knew what to do. When you are there with them you will witness the amazing love they have for one another. I walked away realizing moms best medicine and recovery is dad. So amazing!