@sheba2011

It’s so good to be back. Missed you all, and like Sheba, I was quite busy. Thanks so much for the belated birthday greetings. Hubby thought it was our anniversary which has always made me laugh. So that was nothing new. We are both fine and hubby is still in rehab. But, Sheba, falling on ice is no fun and hitting you r head, not a good idea. I do know that feeling quite well when I fell backwards while cleaning the stairway at our Ct. home and hit the back of my head against the wooden door. Like, you, I was fortunate that all I had was a few areas of tenderness and some swelling. See stairs, I either fall stepping up or stepping down. Steps have been my nemesis from childhood.

I have some updates for you on hubby. On January 19th we had an appointment with the orthopedist that we have been seeing for two years or more. X-rays were again taken. This time our appointment lasted no more than 10 minutes (probably less). The left knee is inoperable because there is too much destruction and the other reason is he does not remember dates which could be a form of dementia. Right in front of us he said, and I will quote: “Your husband belongs in a convalescent home. Assisted living is out of the question.” Then he left. Of course my husband was upset and tears were flowing when we reached the waiting area for his ride back to rehab. I did ask for alternatives. There were none. Over the weekend and into the beginning of the following week, I did some research and found another physician who said surgery was the last option. This group sounded good and as I delved further found that one of the orthopedists was the top in his field and one was the head of the department at the hospital. I made a phone call and secured an appointment for last Friday. Again, x-rays were taken and this doctor also felt that the left knee was too deformed for a surgical procedure. He explained that surgery may or may not work and could impair his health which right now is OK. I suppose he is at that awkward age. However, he felt that therapy could help in the long run. He may never walk again, but he will be able to use the right leg to stand and maybe eventually, the left one may come around so he can take a few steps. He will never have the full range, but at least he will be able to return home and do the things he loves. As far as the dementia goes, there are many new and exciting things happening and we are both game to see how the new meds would work. These meds will be good for any stage the person is in, though the onset would show more of a sustain relief. My main concern is to return North of course. However, being that the house in Ct. is a raised ranch, concern is for mobility to get to the top floor where our main rooms are located. The Cape house is better equipped. We have a few months to toy with the idea. One thing for sure is that I will not leave without him. And, yes, I will make sure that we will have the help we need at home. That’s it for now. Glad to see we are back. I think the last thing I saw posted was Shoelady stating that for some reason Community wasn’t being updated. Me. I couldn’t sign in. Thought for sure Community was going by the wayside. Contacted CS several times and knew there was something going on. At least, I was still able to “window shop” and purchase. 😀😎😀

@sheba2011

No laundry today. It was calm all morning with a little bit of sun and then around noon, well, the wind picked up and then later the rain came. Rain wasn’t so bad, but the wind…..I did see hubby today. When I arrived he was in the wheelchair and fully dressed. He mentioned that the rehab lost power during a thunderstorm. Funny, we are only 8 miles a part and we had nothing like he had. After about an hour and a half he said he needed to get into bed. I rang for the aides and they did come but mentioned it would be awhile before they could help hubby. Hubby got tired of waiting and took the “bull by the horns” as the saying goes. I pulled the sheets off the bed and then lowered it almost to the floor. Remade the bed, and then hubby wheeled himself to the bed and without any difficulty got in with no help. He breathed a sigh of relief at that point. The aides showed up after 10 pm and I stayed to make sure he was comfy. I am home now and will do a few things before going to bed. So glad that you have an extra pair of hands to help. Guess there is more for the weekend and oh yes, just received an e-mail that our water will be shut off on Thursday. II had a feeing they weren’t done.

@taci

Not you too……Looks like you will need to hike indoors. Stay calm. Maybe your son can help . Just take care of yourself.

@sheba2011

The water has been turned on. Since our hot water heater is electric, had to shut it down during the repairs. We had water when I arrived and everything is OK. Our weather here will be awful starting this afternoon. We expect high winds and rain. However, Tallahassee Has had several tornados and those are now heading to the Atlantic and then Northeastward. I think I read that there is another storm for the weekend. They are expecting beach erosion and flooding along the coast. Temperatures are in the mid 70s and tonight will be around 65. At least I will not have to water the outdoor plants. I am hoping to get some of his laundry done today and will hope that our electrical will not be affected by the winds. Xango may have it worse than us. She and her husband are not far from Tampa and they will probably have stronger winds and more rain than us. Tampa may also be under the gun so to speak with
tornados.

I did leave a message with the head nurse stating how disappointed I was seeing hubby in bed yesterday afternoon and that he complained about the stiffness in his legs. I will be on my way there as soon as the laundry is done and folded.

Another suggestion is to have small, electrical heaters near the pipes. Just make sure that the heaters are not on high and that they are near the area and not on top of.

Wow…..staying another week…….wonderful. But, not being with his girlfriend, not a good idea. Unless, of course, he plans on dating others. However, on another note, weather may not be conducive to travelling at this time.

Stay safe, the four of you……

@SDSheba2011

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@sheba2011

Water has been on an off since Friday. Seems the main line broke and though it was repaired, mud is seeping in. The plumbers were here with a backhoe and not sure where we stand since I haven’t checked the e-mail as yet. Arrived home a few minutes ago and noticed that the wind is picking up. I checked our things outside and moved a few to another area so as not to be at a neighbor’s home or causing damage to others. I may leave here early tomorrow to be with hubby. The Rehab seems to be a bit safer. Besides it good to be with him. Tonight he was OK. He ate his dinner. I arrived just in time to see. Unfortunately, he was in bed. He mentioned that both legs are now stiff. The head nurse will get a phone call from me in the morning. He needs to be able to move around.

Stay warm. Did you ever try putting insulation around the pipes that freeze??? It may help.

@taci

Hi. Losing sense of taste and smell is part of Covid. These can return within days or can take years. So please have patience. Guess your hubby enjoyed that ice cream a little too much (LOL)😀😀.
Best advice is to stick with vitamins, hot soup, tea, ginger, Manuka honey, etc.. Let it take the normal course, but tell both patients that exercise is the best medicine. Also give them clean sheets daily. Give them each a plastic bag to put them into. Use gloves and a mask at all times. Wash ASAP. . If you have sunshine, you can put the plastic bags outside in the sun for a few hours. However, still wear mask and gloves when loading into the washer.

@sheba2011

I spoke with the Head Nurse this morning. Seems we are on the same wave length. We will be working together to get hubby home. It seems my idea is working and we will try to get a second opinion in Florida and see if anything can be accomplished. As far as hubby’s dementia goes, there are new drugs on the market that may be beneficial since we are dealing with the beginnings. I will try to get more info on this and to see if I can make this work as well. I think I mentioned this in Trivia one time. I feel very confident that I am finally on the right path. Everyone seems to be in agreement that hubby needs strength exercises and hopefully, this will start soon.

I was hoping to do laundry today. But, alas, no water. Seems the main pipeline is broken and it will be off all day. No laundry, no dishes, no using the disposal (I already did this) Since today is clean your desk day, will do that instead.

It’s cold here in Florida also. Windy with temps in the low 60s, though it feels like 10 degrees colder. Hope you four have a great day. Are the kitties using the new shelter???? If not, anyway you can give them warmth on the patio?????

Uno, the last time Andrew did a TS on the Omega 3’s was April 9, 2022. I also ran out and purchased another couple of bottles recently. Also, you can check the last time of purchase by going into your Orders and use the search area. Just type in Omega 3s and you should see the last time purchased. He also had it as a TS in 2020, and that was in April as well.

@sheba2011

Just returned from being with hubby. I mentioned my latest idea to him and he is so excited to see if my suggestion can be done. This would mean additional therapy to strengthen the right knee more and also his arms. The way we were treated on Friday was heartbreaking as well as heart wrenching. Today, I given the name of another orthopedist who works with the patient to give them a better life. I will try to meet with him Thursday morning when he speaks to a group of us. This one the nurses at the rehab could not stop raving about this person as a doctor. They never heard of the one we saw on Friday, nor do they like the place we went to. I surmise things change when you build new offices within a few miles of one another. I will write more when I can. If this isn’t good, will get another opinion in Ma… Yes, he has a touch of dementia. Wish he would pick up a book or read the Mushroom one. He really needs to get the brain to work again. Well, tomorrow will be an early visit since I want to speak with the head nurse/unit mgr. in the afternoon. It will be a long day for sure. And of course I will let him know that hubby spent two and a half days in bed. It’s almost like the help want to make him bedridden. I will be looking at other facilities which might be a better alternative. I need to visit our primary care physician to pick up some papers for myself. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks.

@sheba2011

That’s my necklace and I also have the ring and 3 bracelets. Compliments always. The best one is from hubby who is mesmerized with the necklace. It sparkles everywhere.

@sheba2011

Ditto and I helped. 😀😀😀😀

@sheba2011

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your concern, but I think I may have a way to get hubby home. We have three steps leading to our front door which will require a ramp. I have wanted to move from this area for years but found homes (before they increased in value) to need work and I just didn’t want to spend the extra $$. I am now beginning to find some in our price range and they are brand new with a layout that is similar to what I have now. There are no stairs leading to the front door. I will just have to make sure that the doorways are wheelchair assessible. I will need to work with people to also make it handicapped ready. Ok, now I may have a solution that will require some help from rehab. I think hubby can stand on one leg. In his case I will not recommend crutches. I am thinking of a walker (which we have) that can get him to the bathroom on his own. Amazon has bars that go around a toilet that will enable to get from wheelchair to that area with the walker also aiding if need be. If he can stand on one leg he can also use the walker to get out of bed and into a wheelchair (which we also have). This is thinking out of the box. I’m just wondering if it will be feasible. Since we lost all but a few pieces of furniture due to rodents, we will be starting out from the beginning. Of course this is a temporary solution until something permanent can be arranged but will enable him to be home and may be get the assistance he needs in order to work out the problems of the left knee. And, if we can find a home that meets our needs we will be on our way. If this is workable he will be able to go shopping in grocery stores using their carts or I may find one for ourselves. Our walker does not have wheels. If and when he is able to use both legs I may take a look at the ones with wheels. This is just a thought. It looks good to my head, but may not be. At least it is giving me food for thought.

@shoelady60

I couldn’t agree with you more. He mentioned that the knee was beyond repair, yet it did not look that way on the x-ray. I feel he was looking for any excuse not to operate. Hubby may have a bit of dementia, but not enough to say that there are other methods that may help. I was reading about an orthopedist off Cape who actually does not believe in surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. He claimed that there are other things that should be tried first. When hubby is ambulatory, I will try to make an appointment with this physician. The first orthopedist we saw here had hubby go for therapy. At that time it was the right knee that could not take any pressure. We never got to the surgery part because he was transferred to a hospital near us that had a real bad reputation due to bacteria and fungus throughout the rooms. I was reluctant to use this hospital because a friend of ours almost died. I just want hubby to be as comfortable as he can be and to live without pain. He was in good spirits tonight. One good thing is that he remembers the therapy he had with the first physician and has been practicing. I also agree with Taci that he may have an interest in this Rehab or with some of the personnel. Hubby stated tonight that it is a tough go in that the left knee is quite painful. We shall see what we can do to alleviate what we can.