Saturday's visit was a little rough, Kris had a bad afternoon, BUT the good news was that after a while of settling down he and I actually danced a little - to my humming a Christmas song.  It was so wonderful, a great memory for me.  This picture was from Valentine's Day two years ago - was taken in Estes Park,, had a great day.    Hope you all have a great day too.

Well, I am going to tell a couple of stories before I post the update.  Here is Kate after her surgery and the Kone of Shame she has to wear, poor little thing.  Today I went out early to pick up a month's worth of dog-do-do (4 bags full - thought i would share that important detail) :|  It was actually good to be doing something constructive plus being outside.  This has always been Kris' job so it was a reflective chore of sorts. 

Yesterday was Valentine's Day as you know.  The visit with Kris was bittersweet.  I took a card and box of his favorite chocolates - Russell Stover's turtles.  He looked at the envelope and was not interested in the candy, maybe today.  At times like these you reflect on holidays past and so i remembered all the past Valentine's Days when Kris would have a dozen roses, chocolates and a stuffed animal waiting for me or delivered to the office - as much as I loved them, the next year I would say "now don't spend alot, just get the flowers from the grocery store".... why did i do that?  I guess I didn't think that one day he wouldn't remember what Valentine's Day even is. 

So, yesterday was the first day without the pain med he had been taking, they will not start a new medication until Tuesday.  He was very weepy but tired, hadn't eat breakfast, and was sleeping when I left at 12:30 to pickup Kate.  As of last night he had not eaten supper, so will see what i can take him today that might entice him to eat.  He wants to come home in the worst way and in time we will try it to see how things go.  In the meantime, I am reminded daily (if not hourly), that I am not in control - "... the safest place to be is in My will."  amen

The last three days have been rough for Kris - he is still not eating much and is still not sleeping in his bed except for short (very short) naps when I am there; well, i take that back one night he slept in bed for about 3 hours.  He is able to use a heating pad so i think that is helping his back pain.  He has been very weepy (and who can blame him).  His feet are both swelling again, probably from not keeping them propped up,, he spends most of his time pacing around the facility and looking....  The good news is he has become quite fond of the caregivers there and often hugs them and smiles and teases his favorite ones.  It was hard to leave tonight for some reason.  I don't seem to be getting much done, maybe tomorrow.    Katie, our youngest dog, has a malignant growth on her front right leg, she will have surgery to remove it on Friday :|   Well, God bless everyone...

Yesterday was a long day of sorts.  Kris barely ate anything, but he did eat some green grapes I took and some ice cream that evening.  He was happy to see me as always, but time is not measureable for Kris so he isn't sure if i was there an hour ago, a day ago or a week ago.  We sat and i read "Illusions" for awhile, the looked at the lunch plate, then napped for awhile.  His back is still very painful, for my oil friends, i am rubbing his spinal cord with Panway and the neck with Peace & Calming.  Ed, Trista and girls were here this weekend finishing up the renovations - it was good to have some lively company :). 
Sunday:  Looked like snow this morning, so i left about 9:00.  He fell again this morning before I arrived, must have been stretching and fell backwards - nothing hurt that they could find :|  Arrived with Kris and his plate of french toast at the table, he finally ate a few bites; then fruit jello for mid-morning which he ate all of; and ate most of his lunch,, yeah!  Spent most of the time on the couch as he napped off and on - rubbed his back with oils again and he laid down on the heating pad around 1:30,,, zonked out as they said he hadn't slept much the night before.  Stay warm everyone, thank you for thoughts and prayers.
  and comforting thought from Jesus Calling, "nothing that you do or don't do can separate you from My Presence."  Peace be with you...

Kris was playing balloon volleyball when i walked in, he didn't notice me until i sat behind him and spoke his name and then touched his shoulder, he stood up but did not turn in my direction... we were once again very happy to see one another and sat on the couch and watched the others - he kept reaching up when the ball and watched intently,, patty my hand in between times.  He ate two big pieces of meatloaf but that is about it, no breakfast, no supper but did have two protein bars and banana bread that I had left after the supper plates were gone. Had a good nap and is watching a movie.  I hope he sleeps in his bed tonight, or at least i hope he sleeps.  I am tired today for some reason.. old age I suppose:)  So dear friends, I pray you all have a good night.  thanks for the reminder Shari,, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Kris was not as perky today, however he had been up since about 3 a.m.  He was a little upset about where I had been since yesterday but the happiness overcame.  We spent most of the morning sitting on the couch and visiting and hugging :), one of the gentleman in Kris' area said "stop that nonsense" and smiled.  He didn't eat well today, maybe tonight.  We laid down for a little nap on 'his bed' and it was nice to see him relax and rest.  Took alot of treats but mostly he was interested in the clementines.  About 3:00 we walked to keep his mind off me leaving, after a few minutes of visiting with others and checking the offices, I think he forgot i was even there.  It is always hard to leave, but joyful to arrive.  From Jesus Calling, "Come to Me and rest."   I pray you always have a peaceful night.

February 5, 2014

My new blog, thanks Trudy for setting this up for me.  Today I was able to visit Kris for the first time in 6 days!  I was supposed to wait at least 7 days so he could get used to having others help him, trust and let the new caretakers get to know him... this was the best I could do.  He has not been eating or sleeping well, nor taking medications which were imperative to his moods and ability to rest, etc.  After visiting with the doctor, we both agreed less is best and now have him down to 3 medications instead of 9 or 10.  So the visit:  he was sleeping when I got there, touched his arm lightly and said "you have a visitor",,, oh how I wish I could have captured the look on his beautiful face!  He started crying and so did I,,, he said "I thought you were gone forever."  He looked thin and tired but his blue eyes were so happy.  We went to his room (which I don't believe he knew was his room) and sat on the bed, ate a clementine, put some things away, walked around the facility (his steps are very shuffled and short, he seems tentative at times to make the next step - but does), and then it was lunchtime.  He had not eaten a full meal since his arrival 6 days ago, but he sat down and ate every bite, plus dessert and a Coke!  We cleaned up, fixed a couple of rough places on his feet, walked a little and then the terrible back pain got him down... we went to his 'new' room, he laid down, and went to sleep.  Kissed him goodbye with a heartfelt "I will see you tomorrow", "maybe tonight" he replied with a smile.  Felt like leaving your child in someone else's care... but I was much relieved after seeing him, holding his hand and watching him interact with others... he is so charming.  Then back home, the quiet empty place called home.  Thank God Abby and Kate (our dogs) are here and my sister Ghoni is still staying with us... there is just something missing without Kris here.  I will close my new blog for the day with a prayer of thanksgiving, from Jesus Calling "The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand."

Just before I hit 'publish' (old dogs and new tricks :( ), the caretaker called and Kris had just fallen - no one saw him fall so not sure except it doesn't look like he was hurt, except for his back probably.  Prayers Kris to keep you safe.