March 16 and 17 update

March 16 and 17, 2009

 

Report from Doreen, Carl, and Judy—

 

On March 16, granddaughters Amanda and Kelsey came to visit from New York and New Jersey, respectively. Dick and Judy traveled up from Lafayette to visit with them and with Doreen and Carl. Here are some tidbits from the visits, many “dictated” by Doreen and sometimes Carl (their notes are in quotations).

-         Doreen has named her wheelchair “Wheel-helmina.”

-         The therapy aides report that Doreen’s walking with a walker has been going well. She has been walking only in the therapy room, though. Doreen called Judy on March 18, however, to say that she will now be walking to meals with her walker (after the aides are trained to do this and with someone following with a wheelchair). This is good news! It will help to build up Doreen’s strength and coordination!

-         Doreen has now had cataracts removed in both eyes. The eye doctor told her not to wear her glasses for a while, because the prescription isn’t right any more, and it could confuse her brain to try to focus with them. That means that she can’t really read, and it gets difficult to see things. “We are hoping that when the lenses are changed, it will help with balance and dizziness.”

-         Judy, Doreen, Carl, and Dick worked together on the St. Patrick’s Day crossword puzzle being circulated at Timbercreast. We did well, but what is the pagan religion converted by St. Patrick? And what is the name of another (female) saint celebrated in March?

-         “We got encouraging news from the surgeon.”

-         They are working on getting the annual letter out—although it hasn’t been annual for a while, and Doreen says that she will need to get back on her computer for that.

-         “We continue to have great confidence in family supporting us so strongly.”

-         Doreen—“Your dad has been so supportive. He eats his breakfast upstairs [note—they are on the same level, but they talk about upstairs and downstairs] and then is so faithful in coming to get me and take me to my breakfast..”

-         Carl—“It is hard to select her clothes. She asks for her dark this or dark that. I try to be an encourager. It is a loving environment here.”

-         “We have enjoyed the visits of our very favorite granddaughters. [note—their only granddaughters] All of our granddaughters are good kids.

 

All of us have been saddened to learn of the death of Egon Borgmann, Doreen and Carl’s first exchange student from 1953-54. We were all comforted by the fact that he apparently died in his sleep with no pain or struggling. He had so many ailments that it could have been much more difficult.

 

Thank you again for your ongoing support and prayers.