Grandpa in hospital. Dust, prayers and well wishes, please.

[isaku5]

Gypsy, I''m so glad to hear that your grandpa is on the mend

Poor Grandma is probably worried sick about her dear hubby. How many years have they been married?

More fairy dust and healing vibes for Grandpa!

Big hugs going out to you and Grandma. ((((BIG HUGS)))))

 

[coatimundi_org]

Gypsy, so glad to hear that your Grandpa is feeling better. Sending good thoughts and dust to both your Grandma and Grandpa!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m glad to hear he is doing better, too, Gypsy! I am just sorry you are working and having to take care of your grandparents all while planning a wedding!

 

[AmberGretchen]

So glad that the news is good so far - I''ll be keeping you and grandpa in my thoughts.

 

[sera]

Prayers sent your way... I hope he continues to improve and will have a quick and complete recovery. Hope you and your family are doing well, too.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/10/2008 12:35:10 PM
Author: Gypsy
Yeah, honey I remember. ((HUGS)). You''re right. But it still floors me. You all do. As for the scooter, I''m praying you are right. I met with the florist on Friday and forgot to mention to her that I wanted some sort of floral decoration for the scooter. But I did by sturdy shoes this weekend that will give me some stability on the grass as I''m trying to keep pace with Grandpa''s Ferrrari (that''s what he calls it).

Haven''t heard anything this morning. I''m waiting till 10 to cal. THank you Kaleigh, for the perspective, Lorelie (the bunny is killing me with those eyelashes ellen added), Storm (who is always so good about supporting me) and of course, Ellen for driving home Kaleigh''s point.

Special huge hugs to you all. And humbled thanks as well.

That''s hysterical Gypsy.

Love it.

*holding good thoughts*

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 3/11/2008 7:49:04 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/10/2008 12:35:10 PM
Author: Gypsy
Yeah, honey I remember. ((HUGS)). You''re right. But it still floors me. You all do. As for the scooter, I''m praying you are right. I met with the florist on Friday and forgot to mention to her that I wanted some sort of floral decoration for the scooter. But I did by sturdy shoes this weekend that will give me some stability on the grass as I''m trying to keep pace with Grandpa''s Ferrrari (that''s what he calls it).

Haven''t heard anything this morning. I''m waiting till 10 to cal. THank you Kaleigh, for the perspective, Lorelie (the bunny is killing me with those eyelashes ellen added), Storm (who is always so good about supporting me) and of course, Ellen for driving home Kaleigh''s point.

Special huge hugs to you all. And humbled thanks as well.

That''s hysterical Gypsy.

Love it.

*holding good thoughts*

ditto, he sounds like a special grandpa!!! Holding good thoughts here too!

 

[Gypsy]

He was MUCH better last night-- completely coherant.

A little crotchety.

Which made me smile. He was panicking about his reduced lung capacity, which was making him hyperventilate a bit. I talked him through the reasons for his reduced lung capacity, he was upset that it was taking him two weeks to kick the bug... I pointed out that it took me (32 and much healthier) 2 months to recover from my pnemonia last year and that he needs to be patient, and explained that since his lungs are filled with fluid, they can''t fill up with air. His lung doctor came by while we were there and he agreed to maximize his respiratory therapy with Lasics (don''t know how to spell that) and more frequent nebulizer treatments. Also he agreed to start Grandpa (who is all skin and bones at this point from not eating) back on some appetite increasing medication he''s been on before so that he can get his strength back. They did more heart and brain tests, no heart attacks or strokes. The Lasics should also take some of the strain off of his heart in terms of breathing. By the time we left he was much calmer, and more aware of the process it was going to take for him to recover. He''s a very logical person, he was an airforce pilot and a mechanical engineer (and a math genius too) so if you talk to him and explain things to him he''s very good about calming down. He taught himself how to use the computer at 80, and can still use photoshop better than I can. He rocks. And I think he''s going to be okay.

THank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts and all the fairy dust. PS can work wonders. Really. I believe in fairy dust!

I took grandma some flowers and some baked goods she likes, bribed her to feeling better. Spent sometime with her, which is what she really needed. She''s lonely and has never known what to do with herself when she''s alone. So I think that helped a little. I''ll keep calling her everyday, and will probably visit her again on Wednesday.

Also spent time with my mom, stopped by my uncle''s house, and fed my bosses dog. Didn''t get home till well after midnight. Guess what I''m doing for lunch? Napping!

Yeah, the Ferrari thing is hysterical. John wants to get him a Ferrari sticker and decorate the scooter with it. When he told grandpa his eyes lit up... he was all for it. So we''re looking for Ferrari stickers. LOL.

 

[Octavia]

Crotchety is good! Whenever my friends/relatives have been ill, it seems that the first big step toward recovery is when they get cranky about being sick and stuck in bed. When people are too sick to complain, that's when it's scary. So I'm glad that your grandpa is both coherent and crotchety, yay for him! I'm glad your grandma is feeling a little better now, too -- it must have been a tough few days for her.

Also, not sure whether this is what you were looking for, but just in case, Ferrari Stickers

 

[ladypirate]

There''s also this sticker.

I''m really glad your grandpa is feeling better, Gypsy--he sounds like a really special guy.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/11/2008 12:21:51 PM
Author: ladypirate
There''s also this sticker.

I''m really glad your grandpa is feeling better, Gypsy--he sounds like a really special guy.

It has been a tough few days for grandma. But she''s happy he''s getting better. Crotchety is VERY good. He''s a very special guy! Thank you for the good wishes!

Also, thanks for the stickers Octavia and LadyP... the one above is PERFECT. It''s exactly what John wanted to get him! YAY!

 

[Linda W]

Gypsy,

I am so happy to hear that your grandpa is getting better. I know how special he is to you. I am still sending tons of fairy dust to him and the prayers continue. Big hugs to you and to your precious grandpa.

Linda

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I''m coming in late to this thread - I''m so glad your grandpa is better. My hopes and prayers for his continued recovery.

 

[allycat0303]

I''m really happy for you gypsy. When I saw the thread was getting really long I had a moment of *gasp, I hope everything is alright* Once he starts being mobile, encourage him to do as much activity (i.e sitting up) as he can tolerate! It will help for speedy recovery. Hugs!

 

[sera]

Date: 3/11/2008 11:38:36 AM
Author: Gypsy
He was MUCH better last night-- completely coherant.

A little crotchety.

Which made me smile.

(snip)

Yeah, the Ferrari thing is hysterical. John wants to get him a Ferrari sticker and decorate the scooter with it. When he told grandpa his eyes lit up... he was all for it. So we''re looking for Ferrari stickers. LOL.

Glad to hear he is feeling well enough to be crotchety!

A while back I used to do home health care... one house I was at an amputee had one of those and he made me drive it (he wanted to show off his wheels!). I tried to get out of it by repeatedly saying, "I can see how fast it goes watching you." Yeah, that didn''t work. I was not getting out of taking that thing for a ride. That lil'' thing really moved- thought for sure I was going to end up in the pool!

Then (due to post-knee surgery) I rented one at Disneyland (though theirs are v e r y s l o w)... Space Mountain the guy tells me to park it in the corner... mind you the rails are only on part of the corner (keeping you from falling on the track)... well... I was afraid I was going to tumble off so I was verrrry careful manuevering that thing... to my embarrassment, I kept hitting the rails which made a loud CLANGNGNGNG! As if people didn''t already look at you like a freak when you''re in a wheelchair/scooter... try re-enacting that Austin Powers scene making a 3-point turn on the cart in the narrow hallway... Forwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Backwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Forwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Backwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Forwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Backwards, CLANGNGNGNG! Good times.

Seriously, very glad things are better

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I was hoping to read good news from you! YAHOO

Here''s to his continued recovery!

 

[Gypsy]

THank you Linda and Madame. I''m very happy he''s doing better as well.

Ally, they are having him take meals sitting up in a chair as activity losens congenstion. And I hear he''s getting rides around the hospital floor from his visitors in the wheelchair. It occupies his mind so he''s not as focused on the reduced lung capacity. There was some enforced TV watching time, again to occupy him... he''s normally very mentally active at home so we want to make sure that he''s not dwelling on this lungs and having more panic episodes while recovering. Still need to call grandma today, but I will do that when I get home from work.

Sera... LOL. I''ve never ridden his, but I know it can move, he''s driven it around and he''s zippy on the thing. Reason number one for a rehearsal was to make sure I could keep up with him!!! Seriously everyone''s been like... that thing is fast, maybe we should get you a boxcar and have you ride along instead of staying behind. My uncle was even considering renting a golf cart for the two of us to drive up to the altar in. ROFLMAO. No matter what happens with grandpa''s transportation the pictures are going to be priceless.

 

[gwendolyn]

So glad he is doing even better, Gypsy!! And what do you mean, you''re walking behind? When I heard he was walking you down the aisle with his scooter, I figured you''d be riding side-saddle behind him on the seat!

 

[FrekeChild]

Oh Gypsy I just caught up to this thread, and I''m sorry that your grandpa is sick, but I''m also glad to hear he''s doing better. You and your family are in my thoughts. Make sure to take care of yourself too.

Hugs.

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you Gwen and Freke, you are both so sweet! Gwen..lol at the sidessaddle, it's not that big a scooter. The plan is for me to walk BESIDE him. They're are just afaid he'll leave me, accidentally in the dust. We'll see how that goes.

 

[strmrdr]

glad he is doing better!
prayers continue!

 

[allycat0303]

Gypsy, It sounds as though you have really good care at your facility. I am in geriatrics, and I''ve seen how devestating it can be if an elderly and fragile person doesn''t get the movement required. One of the things that helps heal pneumonia the fastest is movement (walking and sitting safely as soon as tolerated) helps ventilate the lungs (and helps the person spit out accumulated secretions) My very first patient that I had was a 99 year old man with aspiration pneumonia and his family wanted him TIED to the bed. We tried everything to reason with them, but they were 100% adament. In any case he passed away, and I remember asking the internist if there was anything we could have done better and he said ''''well it probably would have helped if we had been able to get him sitting and walking.'''' So that was my biggest lesson.

Take care and keep us updated!

 

[bee*]

That''s amazing news that he''s doing so much better! Woohoo!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/12/2008 7:04:33 AM
Author: bee*
That''s amazing news that he''s doing so much better! Woohoo!!

Ditto!

 

[dani13]

So glad your grandpa is doing better, Gypsy. I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers....

 

[sap483]

I just saw this thread. I''m glad to hear that your Grandpa is doing better! Before you know it he''ll be well and riding his scooter down the aisle!

 

[Maisie]

I''m glad he is feeling better.

 

[Gypsy]

Grandpa came home yesterday everyone. I''m sorry I didn''t post the update sooner!!! All your prayers and thoughts and dust WORKED, he''s weak, but feeling much better!!!

He was zipping about the house in his scooter. (We ordered the sticker!) And Grandma is happy.

We''re all happy. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU SUPPORT and your love!


Update on mom as well. She''s 99% sure she''s having the surgery, she''s not sure if she''s having it at UCSF or Stanford yet though. So... that''s in the offing sometime soon. I''ll update when I know more.

((HUGS))) to all and MUCH BLESSED THANKS!

 

[diamondfan]

Gypsy, that is just the best news of all!

I can see him zipping about.

I hope he continues to improve and is in fighting form at the wedding!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/16/2008 9:16:34 PM
Author: Gypsy
Grandpa came home yesterday everyone. I''m sorry I didn''t post the update sooner!!! All your prayers and thoughts and dust WORKED, he''s weak, but feeling much better!!!

He was zipping about the house in his scooter. (We ordered the sticker!) And Grandma is happy.

We''re all happy. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU SUPPORT and your love!


Update on mom as well. She''s 99% sure she''s having the surgery, she''s not sure if she''s having it at UCSF or Stanford yet though. So... that''s in the offing sometime soon. I''ll update when I know more.

((HUGS))) to all and MUCH BLESSED THANKS!

WOOHOOO!!!! That''s great news Gypsy!!! I bet your Grandpa is thrilled to be home with Grandma, zipping around in his scooter. Doesn''t get better than that. Bless him, I have become fond of him through you. He''s got spunk!!!