Where, Oh Where Have I Been?
By Kareng
@kareng (80243)
United States
September 22, 2020 2:52pm CST
Hello everyone. I have been laying low lately and just wanted to pop on to let every one know I'm still ALIVE!!
Things have been busy around here and it seems like each day just flies by. I have been keeping up with notifications but not writing any new discussions.
My mom was released to a nursing home after her hospital stay. She staying in the hospital two nights. I had taken her to the emergency room to check for dehydration and a urinary tract infection. She was dehydrated and had very high blood pressure and was admitted to the hospital when they couldn't get her blood pressure down. She actually stayed in ER the first night she was there.
We have not been able to visit her in the nursing home (same with the hospital) due to COVID-19 restrictions. In fact, she had to do a quarantine stay of 14 days in the nursing home when she first got there. She is out of that now and able to walk around to a certain area to get get some exercise.
The no-visiting restriction was taken off yesterday so I have an appointment to go visit her tomorrow (Wed.). That will we nice since I haven't seen her since the beginning of the month. I will not be able to go inside. They are setting up a visiting station outside with a plexiglass barrier. The rules are no touching patients, but at least I will get to see her face to face. I got approval for three people to visit her. I know one of my daughters will be going and another one that lives in Baton Rouge may be going too.
I've been catching up on doctor appointments that I had missed and hubby has been doing the same. His MRI didn't show anything unusual for his back to be making him have trouble walking so that problem has been put under the neuropathy heading. He is still undecided if he will do the surgeries on his arm and wrist.
Other than that I've been trying to catch up on rest. Hope everyone is doing well and not dealing with any virus illnesses.
Photo is of the banana bread I made yesterday for a fast breakfast before heading to Baton Rouge for hubby's dr. appointment. We had it again for breakfast today with coffee since we both slept late.
© 2020 Karen Gros, All rights reserved
24 people like this
25 responses
@kareng (80243)
• United States
27 Sep 20
@LadyDuck I go very few places in public. When I do I wear a mask. I'm high risk and I don't want to be responsible for giving (if I did have it and not know I had it) it to others. I am however, appalled at the number of people who don't wear face masks. It's more than half the people at most places that I have noticed around here. This is never going to get better at this rate. People need to have some respect and to use their brains.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135638)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Sep 20
There she is. Glad to see you. Very happy to hear that you can start visiting your mom again. Even through plexi glass. It is better than no visits.
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
26 Sep 20
They have it set up in the front. Major highway just 40 feet away. Couldn't hear her and she couldn't hear me. I did get it moved on the spot and moved back a good 8 feet but it didn't help a whole lot. I ended up standing behind the contraption where there was no plexiglass but still 6 ft. away. Nobody even got on to me 
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
26 Sep 20
@wolfgirl569 It seems like they could have figured that out but I guess not. And you know a lot of the people there are hard of hearing to begin with!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135638)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Sep 20
@kareng They need a different spot for sure. Glad you still got to visit.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 20
I've been wondering why you haven't been posting much lately! Thanks for letting us know you're okay, and for giving us an update on your mom. I hope she's not too apprehensive about being at the nursing home. I also hope your husband finds relief in his walking troubles.
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
26 Sep 20
Yep, lots of things going on at the same time. The headlight assembly went out in my car and was right at $2,000 to replace. We ended up going car shopping. Finally found what we were looking for. I got the new 2021 Kia Sedona with the third seat. Can haul all the grandkids now...well almost!
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
27 Sep 20
@moffittjc The Sedona took tops in safety for 2021 which was another plus. They also have a better warranty.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Sep 20
@kareng I am really starting to like the new Kia models. They look very stylish. And Kia makes good cars.
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
22 Sep 20
We have the blood pressure under control so that is a plus. Since she has ALZ we can't expect a mend on that one, but she is getting good care as best as I have heard. I'll be glad when I can get inside the place and make a better evaluation on that aspect.
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
23 Sep 20
@TheHorse We can visit but no touching. There will be a plexiglass barrier. I think it would depend on the day as to what makes her happiest. She loves sweets so I will be bringing her some treats and snacks that I'll give to attendant to take to her room. Other than that, I wouldn't know. She never had any hobbies, didn't like pets until recently. I don't think we can bring pets up there though. She seemed to enjoy music when I had it on at the house and that was something else she never enjoyed. Her personality has totally changed with this disease.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (84736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Sep 20
It appears you've managed to stay rather productive. Glad to see you're still somewhat active. I too hate the nursing home situations as well. My mother-in-law is in a nursing home in Ovido, and they aren't allowing in-person visits, either. Last time we talked to my sister-in-law, they won't even bring her to the door currently, because she supposedly tested positive for covid. I stil think it's a bunch of bs if you ask me... because everything about it change.
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
22 Sep 20
I'm sorry you can't visit your MIL, and hope that situation changes real soon. We are allowed an outdoor visit with plexiglass set up between us. I'll try to take a picture while I'm there. I know I'm having a hard time visualizing it all.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
15 Oct 20
I hope your mom is doing better! I would love banana bread, yum 
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
17 Oct 20
@infatuatedbby Thanks but there is no cure for ALZ.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
16 Oct 20
@kareng glad to hear
Hope she has a strong recovery soon
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
22 Sep 20
aw, bless her. i'm so glad the restrictions 'tis been lifted a tad 'n thus y'all can go'n see her. 'magine such's gonna be diff'cult ('d be fer me) not to sneak a hug...delighted she's no longer confined to quarters. can't e'en think 'f how all's gotta be most confusin' fer her'n others with her illness.
'tis great that y'all 're gettin' to dig a bit deeper 'nto y'alls health issues. a bit relieved 'tis neuropathy 'n not somethin' else he'd need to go 'nder the knife to 'fix'.
that naner bread looks mighty yummy! i've not fixed one fer some years. that nor pumpkin' bread. 'tis nobody but me to eat such (the hubs'll not e'en try, coz 'tis gluten free...) 'n i find myself consumin' those all by my lonesome'n 'bout 3 days time, lol.
so glad ya finally slipped'n a discussion :) 
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
22 Sep 20
It's good to see you back and popping in too! From what I gathered from talking to her on the phone, she thought she was in another hospital. She said the nurses and all were good to her and the food was good so at least those things made her happy. I had a television dropped off and waiting for her permanent room. Couldn't imagine her not having something to do while in her room. Last time she was in nursing home when she broke a bone in her shoulder, she hated it and stayed in her room 24/7. Hoping this time is different since her personality isn't inline with what it used to be!
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
26 Sep 20
@crazyhorseladycx Not much activities going on there and I expect visitation to be halted also as one patient came down with Covid this week. At least I got my visit in.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
23 Sep 20
@kareng dunno how long such'll last fer myself, but do hope yer able to pop'n fer yer 'njoyment.
wonderful 'bout'cher momma (sometimes confusion 'tis a good thingy?), a dedicated staff 'tis 'f great 'mportance. i'd not trust a place'n these parts coz i've been to 'em 'nknow how their 'guests' 're treated. glad she'll 've a t.v. to watch to help her bide her time. then 'gain, they may've 'ctivities (i've seen some do) where's the residents still play games 'n such - jest carefully distanced with masks. some've moved quite a bit 'f that outdoors. e'en saw a video 'f one where they'd set'p 'ponds', stocked 'em with fish 'n let those who wished fish.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
22 Sep 20
Praying your mom will recover soon and your husband too. That banana bread looks so yummy.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Sep 20
I'm glad your mom is okay. I'm just working as usual
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222280)
• United States
23 Sep 20
Glad to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your mom and husband. I'm glad you will be able to visit your mom. I'd be interested in hearing what happens with your husband. I hope the neurologist finds out what is wrong with your husband. I have trouble walking; and the doctor says it's not my spinal stenosis; so maybe you can open up another option for me. Banana bread sounds good. Have a good day; and don't be a stranger around here!
1 person likes this
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Mom is doing good.@kareng (80243)
• United States
28 Sep 20
@LindaOHio Thanks, hun. Spinal stenosis is no fun either. Have they given you any options to help you?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222280)
• United States
27 Sep 20
@kareng I'm sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
28 Sep 20
These nursing home restrictions are touch and so hard on families. After all, they are exposed to staff every day, why can't you see her with a mask on?
1 person likes this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
26 Sep 20
That's true. This visit was outside with plexiglass walls on 3 sides and a four lane highway 40 yards away. Couldn't hear her and she couldn't hear me. I got them to move the unit over about 8 feet further from highway but it didn't really help. I ended up standing in the back where no wall was but 6 ft. away in order for us to hear each other.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
27 Sep 20
@kareng
Glad you are alive and welcome back or glad you could stop by and say hi. That must have been very hard that you could not visit her. I am glad you did get to see her. I am glad that she will have people visiting even though they cannot touch her and probably have to chat from afar. I hope your husband will be ok.
1 person likes this
