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Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Blogger Outrage Outage - 7:45 a.m. PST

Let's see if I can get this on here. It's 7:25.

We put off the cake and ice cream until Saturday because Carol came home for a few hours. We sang Happy Birthday to Rochelle and then she took all three to see Happy Feet.

She did okay but by the time my friend drove her back, she was really hurting. She'd originally planned to stay over but it was just too much. It gave us an idea of what she can and can't do and it was good to see her here. They had been talking about sending her home but I hope they rethink it. I don't see how she can do it, especially if 6 hours was too much.

They think she's too independent to need full time care. That's just not true - she tries to keep her spirits up which leads them to believe she's better than she is. They had to call the doctor late last night because of an infection in her stitches (which should have healed by now but haven't). It's all about money of course. The facility is afraid Medi-cal won't approve the charges as long as she can still crawl out of bed on her own part of the time.

This was a series of errors. When the facility sent her to the hospital in Turlock, they didn't sent any paperwork with her. The hospital didn't realize that Carol didn't want further treatment and she was too sick to tell them. She signed a surgery form without realizing what she was signing. She thought it was to remove a small cyst - it wasn't. They repaired the blockage and confirmed what we already knew from the Merced doctors. Of course they didn't realize there had already been a diagnosis and that the surgery was left undone for a reason.

Now, barring miracles, she has to go through the whole thing all over again. She's distraught and we aren't thrilled either.

(If I've already said all that, I apologize. I can't remember right now what I said on the blog and what I've said in email to a few friends).

Rochelle still hasn't done her shopping trip but we will. She's remarkably patient.

It's cold, cold, cold. Supposed to drop to 20 (about 6 Celsius) by Thursday or Friday. I've scraped frost yesterday and today. We even have a possibility of snow. I know to those of you in the Denver area this is nothing but we're not used to it and the houses aren't built for it. I'm sitting here with a blankie around me I just heated in the dryer. By the time I got back from taking kids, I was shivering.

Yes, they're finally back in school but they have a 3 day weekend (MLK Day) coming up. They'll be in the march and I'll be working a booth at the fairgrounds for PFLAG. My friends said they'd keep an eye on the girls so I wouldn't have to walk the whole distance. They'll have fun.

I'll try to get back to everyone I've missed on the comments but with Blogger down it may take a while.

This is short but the weekend got away from me and so did yesterday which was very busy although looking back I'm not sure what I accomplished. It must have been something.


4:45 p.m.

Having done all that with ten minutes to spare, Blogger shut down early and I've been waiting most of the day for it to come back.

Hi and welcome to Jobthingy from Ottawa, Ontario. She's the mom of an 8 year old girl with mild cerebral palsy so she and I have that in common.


They've officially decided Carol will come home tomorrow on a trial basis. Tim and I will go pick her up.

I'll talk to the hospital social worker tomorrow and see what can be done with respite or in home services. I know I can't do it all myself.

And we're waiting for a hospital bed for Ray once again. He seems to go along for a little while and then get sick again. Back in hospital, feels better, out again and we start over.

Sorry this is so scattered. We're doing okay, the girls are home from school and behaving themselves. At least two of them are, Rebecca went to the after school program at the church, followed by bell choir.

Take care everyone.

18 comments:

Susie said...

Hi Ann,
Once again you have your plate heaped over don't you!
Surely Hospice will provide respite care or Home Health??
I've spent so much time dealing with them lately, yet I'm not sure I know much more than when I started..
Never an experience I'd wish on anyone.
((hugs))

Anvilcloud said...

I'm not sure how you keep it all togtehr so well. You're quite remarkable.

Yondalla said...

Thank you for taking time to update us. I'm so sorry the news isn't better.

Take care of yourself Ann.

Missy said...

Argh...I hate the new blogger...I had something posted and it ate it.

Anyway, what I wanted to say, in a nutshell was this: I know it doesn't get easier the more difficult things get. I do know, however, that there's plenty of people out here that are more than willing to help you out if you need it. Just ask.

Good luck.

Puss-in-Boots said...

Lordy, Ann, things are certainly in a turmoil around your place. I do feel for you and surely Social Services or whatever will realise you have enough on your hands and give you some extra help. One would like to think so.

It must be so hard on you and the girls with the worry about Carol and Ray. My prayers are with you all.

Big hug to you.

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~ I am so sorry that Ray is unwell again and that Carol is not well
enough to come home. I hope you can get
some help - surely there are home help nurses or something. Glad the girls got to see Happy Feet and bless Rochelle for being so patient. She knows you will not forget her shopping trip and that you keep your word to them all. Keep up the good work Ann, Bless you. Love, Merle.

Anonymous said...

So they're sending her home regardless? That doesn't seem right? Hopefully you can get some help from hospice, or someone. Hang in there. It will get better.

Spadoman said...

Granny Ann... Wish I could do more than pray. Please know we care deeply and want everything to be better for you and everyone.

Pat said...

Granny you are a great girl and I admire you so much. I am hoping that life will get easier for you. Keep warm. We don't have such extreme temperatures but we don't have double glazing and I too snuggle under a blanket.

Gina said...

Hang in there!

And the cold you are getting is a preview of what I'm going to get tomorrow. I'm not sure we're going to get quite that low, though.

~*Jobthingy*~ said...

thanks for the welcome and i hope things look up for you and yours very soon. *hugs all the way from Ottawa*

Carole Burant said...

Oh dear, I do hope you will get some help caring for Carol..as you said, with everything else going on around you, you can't take care of her yourself! Blogger certainly has been a pain lately...I don't know how many of my comments it's eaten tonight while I've been doing my visits! Sigh! Still haven't changed to the new Blogger, they're still not letting me so Lord only knows what's going to happen!! Hang in there, Ann, we're all here for you! Hugs xox

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Ann ~~ I am also so sorry that Ray is unwell, as recent as new years day you were both toasting in the new year , from what I can remember.

I trust you’re able to make satisfactory arrangements for Carol with home help.
Don’t be afraid to enquire at your local church for some respite help. We have a Caring Group, who are always on the lookout for folk hesitant in asking for a little help along the way. Helping with chores and cooking just to provide a break when it is needed most

Happy Birthday to Rochelle, I am sure she appreciates your love and affection.

Best wishes to you all of your family

Madcap said...

Ann, I wish I was closer and could offer you some help. I'll pray that someone, or several someones, steps up to the plate for you.

XO

Missy said...

Damn blogger. Meant to say "Hey Ann, hope you're hanging in there" a couple of nights ago but it crashed.

Anyway, I really hope you're all doing all right and managing, considering. Just be glad there's no snow there! Man, it really messed us up today.

clairesgarden said...

you are a strong, capable and totally amazing woman!!

Janice Seagraves said...

HI Ann,

I really don't know what to say, but hang in there.

Your still in my prayers as well as Carol, Ray, and the girls.

Janice~

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about all the mix ups etc. with Hospice. I have no love for Hospice ever since they sucked so bad when my dad was passing away. I hope she does OK at home, if not, I hope they take good care of her.

Hang in there Ann.