TRAFFIC REPORT AT NURSING HOME

Well fellows it has 30 days since I moved in with my wife. The most fun is just watching people We have the table queen that rule around there table and raise a fuss when someone new is seated at there table, Then there is the two ladies that set across from each other and every meal have a tough of war over the table. The big excitement is going to the dining room for lunch. This home Is laid out like a wagon wheel . Each hall is like a spoke with rooms on both sides the halls come together at the nurses station and dining are. well at lunch there is a massive traffic jam of slow moving wheel chairs some are one leg powered others are two leg powered some are arm powered finally everyone makes it to dinner with a few fender bender and examples of Road Rage/ Food is excellent. It is your fault if you go hungry. Good old home cooking. It is nice to be with my wife where I can spoil her. I am glad to have my computer with pictures and CD of her playing the organ. The aide’s are wonderful as they open you bed covers for you or help get that pair of shoes on.. Son says “I am going to get fat and out of condition”. I f it were not for my computer I would go nuts! Fight it as long as you can but give in and enjoy it.
gittib

Keep it coming - you are an inspiration to those of us who fear our mortality!

Have you heard any good nursing home jokes yet?

I'm getting a lot of pleasure out of your posts, gitrib. Most don't go to a nursing home until there is no other choice, but I'm sensing that you don't absolutely have to be there (especially mentally), but want to be with your wife, and you're getting to the point (physically) that you could use some help, as well. So instead of fighting it, you just said, "Lets do it." Good for you. And your insights into what goes on there, from the standpoint of one entirely in possession of his senses, is refreshing.

My dad had two best friends. Dad and one died in their 80's, but the third continued on. He came into my office at age of 99, to make some changes to his Will. I commented that he didn't appear to have deteriorated any, mentally, and his answer surprised me. He said, "No, I haven't, and that may be more of a curse than a blessing. I think I could cope with my ongoing life better if I didn't know what was going on. I can't do what I need to do, physically, anymore, and every morning my prayer acknowledges that I am ready to go. But it doesn't happen. One day it will, but that's up to the Man upstairs."

He died 3 years later, at 102, and I was happy that he was finally where he wanted to be.

30 Days and they haven't kicked you out yet - You must be behaving somewhat!

Good to hear from you and keep the reports coming.

Jim

Mike you are right I was able to make do living with my son, I was able to watch the cow observing heat cycles and helping determine mating and looking parts he needed on the internet. I realize know I was being selfish with my wife but realy ther was nothing we could have done different. She needed me but perhaps I would have been in the way. She is a strong women and she understood what had to be done. We have always been a pair. My legs,feet and shoulders are just shot. I have had both knees replaces and rotor cups are shot and I am not a candidate for surgery. The fact that if I ever fell I could not get up by myself was part of my decision. Graydon

always nice to hear from you, so glad things are working out well for you, you will do well with your positive additude,and will be an inspiration to many, Please keep on posting!

Thank you for your post. I wish I had something intellegent to say but I do not. Please keep the positive attitude.

JWalker

I don't ever remember anyone giving a report from the nursing home. It's very refreshing and entertaining. Keep up the good work. Jim

Hang in there Graydon. You are one amazing guy! I bet there aren't many of us that could keep a positive attitude like you. Keep up the posts.

Hey!! maybe you can post some organ playing for the YT Band ??

Glad to hear you are getting along fine. Maybe you could make signs for one way streets for meal times.
Or make some money on the side selling collision insurance.

My wife worked at a boarding home awhile back.. she told me many stories about the Shall I call them the "master ladies" some really funny when they got their diapers in a wad.

Graydon,

I too have enjoyed your stories from "The Home", it's fun to know that your enjoying yourself and willing to share your positive insights on what many feel would be a dreary and drab life.

The end of your story is what really caught my attention. You said "The fact that if I ever fell I could not get up by myself was part of my decision."

Wednesday my dad (he's 88) fell. He called the neighbors who got in touch with me. He wouldn't let anyone call 911, wanted to wait for me. I'm only 4 miles away. I arrived, he was sitting upright on the floor in obvious pain. He wanted me to get him up and with much difficulty I did and got him his chair where he was comfortable. He couldn't put any weight on his right leg and told me he thought he had broken his hip. I calmly discussed with him what HE wanted to do. He said well pretty soon I'm going to need to pee and I won't be able to get to the bathroom so I guess you better call an ambulance. Today is his 3rd day in the hospital, his pelvis is fractured in 2 places. He's actually very lucky he didn't break his hip, but he is in a tremendous amount of pain. No surgery, he just has to let it heal (sort of like broken ribs of which he's had 9 of over the years) and then do therapy. Doc said he will be in hospital until Monday, then we move him to a home for therapy. I told him he has 2 choices now, he can consider this the beginning of the end and just lay in bed OR consider it the beginning of learning to walk again if he does the therapy. He is really down in the dumps right now, I'm trying to keep him positive.
He had both his knees replaced about 1 1/2 years ago and was walking everywhere after being wheelchair bound for quite some time. He wanted his independance and wanted to live alone which was the reason for the knees. Amazing how that can change in a second.

Graydon, it sounds like you made a wise decision for not only yourself, but for your wife and son.

Keep posting, You are an inspiration. I've read couple of your posts to my wife, now she asks every day what you had to say.

old gal a little on the loopy side was always up to something. one day she runs around the home, ducks in to all the guys rooms, pulls up her gown, flashing the gentlemen and hollers "super sexx...super sexx" giggles and then runs out of the rooms. she sees this good ol boy sitting in a wheel chair in the hallway, goes running over, up goes her gown and hollers "super sexx super sexx!!!!" old boy looks at her and says......." I'LL HAVE THE SOUP!!!!"

Roy I will post some of her music but afraid the YT band may be disapointed.She was a Church Organist for 18 years. She played the music the way it was written no ad-lib It will be a tribute to her with her music as a backgound Gotta locate it, After one month I realize how strong a lady she is. Be looking for my post of music.

Sounds like you are enjoying the food and eating well.

Best of all you are with Marg.

Good to hear from you again.