It's been too long since this blog has been updated. The last entry was from Green Bay. Mom and Dad have been in St. Paul for a week now. Time has definitely taken on a different rhythm, as you can imagine.
Quick read: Mom and Dad are staying at Deb and Tom's place. They're settling in. We take turns being with them during the day and overnight. Sheryl, Tom and David have been helping during the day. Rachel, Christian, Deborah and I have been taking overnight shifts. Dad still has to be woken up and taken to the bathroom during the night.
His physical and mental strength gets better every day. He's stronger and more stable. His language and thinking is much clearer most of the time unless he's tired or on cough medicine - medicine he has because he has a horrible cough. It started in the rehab center in Green Bay but they essentially ignored it (shame on them!) After we pushed (don't mess with the Orman clan!), they did an x-ray, patted him on his head and sent him along. Since then he's been to others for it. He's had two different kinds of antibiotics, but it's persisting. The most recent thing we've heard is there might be some paralysis on the left side of his diaphragm. But we're not entirely sure. The cough is getting in the way of his healing so we hope to get this taken care of soon. Updates to come.
Mom is doing well. It's incredible how her care taking instinct is shining through. She looks more alive and present than she has in a long time. She has a purpose and she's tending to the most important person on the Earth for her. It's a strange blessing. Even Dad notices. The other day he stopped her as we were out for a walk and held her face and told her how beautiful she is and how she looks happier than she has in so long. (And then he kissed her.) She has moments of extreme sadness, though, because she understands kind of what's going on. Aging isn't the easiest thing sometimes (ask the woman who just turned 40). But generally she's doing really well.
Everyone is being fed and loved and there's some laughter, some tears and a whole lotta talkin' goin' on. We find ourselves in the last few weeks of one heck-of-a-summer for the greater Orman clan.
Please leave comments. I will be tending to this blog more now that I have editing access. I'll post pictures as soon as I get some.
Keep sending that love. It's helping. And we'll send you some back.
--Rebecca, 40
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Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. I found tears coming to my eyes as you described Eddie taking Millies face and kissing her. I can picture them doing this so clearly, as they have always loved each other so. They are one of the happiest married couples I have ever known in my life (unlike my folks). Their love has always been an inspiration for me, and one to try to attain in my own life and marriage. I am glad Eddie & Millie are up with you all, and that Eddie is getting better and stronger. I give you all my love. Carla
I hope the docs can figure out Eddies lung problem--has he had an MRI? here in DePere the downstairs bath is finished. Bob and I--Clamped/glued/and screwed together the half dozen window sash that were falling apart--including the garage. since we have the painers here for the bath, I folowed through on a request Eddie made earlier and I have them sprucing up the exterior of the house. It will look nice to live in, and perhaps eventually to sell. Jim Davis
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