Odds and Ends Report

Today's News:
Mom has suffered from a persistent runny nose since she got to Texas. Today she had a routine doctor appointment to check on her and her meds. Of course, today she was wheezing because she won't cough up the phlegm from the sinus drainage and frequently gets attention because her voice is hoarse. We just tell her to cough that stuff up and give her Mucinex twice a day. (She is reluctant to cough because she pees) We have tried numerous times at Dr. Birdwell's direction, to get her to use the nose spray but gave up on it when we could not coordinate our squeeze with her sniffing it in! So today as preventative measures, we went from the doctor's office to get chest x-rays. It took much simple explaining about having to get undressed again and "hugging" the machine and take a deep breath and hold still. But they got some good shots. I did hear by the end of the day that her chest is clear and no further treatment is needed except for having her use the nebulizer three times a day and taking a small dose of Claritin for the allergies.

Yesterday's News:
Mom received two Christmas cards in the mail yesterday. Joe had not given them to her so after supper I gave her the mail to open. Her vision is very bad so she had difficulty reading it, but Joe and I assisted, telling her who it was from. The first one was from sister Judy. I just told her it was from Judy and asked if she knew who that was. She did not. I tried to get her to think about it but nothing came. When I told her it was her sister, she immediately knew who I was talking about and went in to her Judy and Joey story. Cutting that a little short, I read the next card and signature to her - Dolly. When I asked if she knew who that was, she answered after some thought that "it must be one of the sisters." We then were able to talk about the other sibling's names. Talking about Dolly being "Olive" and Carl being Lloyd. She knew that was her father's name and said that her mother's middle name was Eileen. (was it?) When I asked her who CheChe was, she immediately knew it was Sheila. When I mentioned Richard, mom related it to Elaine and recognized when I referred to him as Uncle Dick. Little drills like this are common at our dinner table. Today we sang the Muffin man song because we were talking about what special name I should have for my next expected granddaughter. When she asked again when Erin would be her, I told her Friday. Mom laughingly complained that I tell her Friday every time she asks but Erin is still not here!

So that is how our week is going! "We" are happy and healthy. Mom confessed to me this morning that she prayed for snow! I suggested that if she wanted snow, she could go to Pennsylvania! Tomorrow mom goes to the podiatrist and that always makes her feel good! Her shoes fit better! And of course, Erin will be her on Friday!