Thursday, October 28, 2021

I Like Thursdays: October 28, 2021

 Welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays" hosted by Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color!  Join us to share positive news and visit other bloggers as well!

The best news of the week is I'm going to be a great-aunt again!  My niece Maggie is pregnant and due with a little girl in May.  Maggie has two stepchildren that we adore but we are gaga about having another baby in the family!  Her best friend (who we have known all her life) is also pregnant with twins!  Time to make baby quilts!  Yeehaw!

I find baby quilts freeing these days.  Not so long ago, I would inquire about the colors and theme of the nursery.  But now baby quilts aren't even used in the crib for the first year of life.  Often parents use the quilts to lay the baby on for tummy time or other activities in the main part of the house.  So I am just going to go with the flow and check out if I can make some quilts with fabric I already have in my stash.

Mom is still in the hospital but moving to a rehab today.

Today I'm grateful for what my kids used to call "the dreaded low voice."  They knew that when I used that voice they were in deep trouble and I meant business.

The most exhausting part Mom's situation is getting doctors to listen.  She's got an ongoing condition where the entrance to her stomach closes.  The orthopedic hospital wanted to release her even though she couldn't keep down food, couldn't void, and her bowels weren't functioning.  To compound the issue she had just received a hip replacement and has severe osteoporosis.  By Monday--when the hospital's entire phone service was out of order--I had enough.  I went to the hospital and requested she be moved to a regular hospital.  I was met with resistance by the attending physician who was sure that all her problems derived from the surgery and would be corrected (magically) with time.  At the end of her litany of rationalizations, I used the low voice:
"I want her transferred and I want her transferred today."

Yesterday a G.I. scope proved us right and her stomach entrance had to be stretched slightly (only a small amount can be done at a time).  She'll have another G.I. procedure in 3 months but can at least eat pureed food.


In the meantime, my brother and I are watching Kerry, Mom's dog.  She's been spending more time at our house and hte dogs are getting along a little better.  Kerry is always rooting through my pockets.  It's annoying but I ordered a toy that allows her to dig in the toy instead of in my pockets:
This little chipmunks and log toy has been keeping her very occupied!

I'm so grateful for all of you who have been keeping Mom and us in your prayers!  Many thanks!

Have a safe and happy weekend!






6 comments:

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Hi Michele, So sorry to read about your mom's ongoing health issues and that you had to use your low voice to get action. Sometimes that is necessary as you know your Mom the best. Fingers crossed that from here on in, things will continue to improve. How nice you are to take care of her dog too.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I'm so sorry to hear that your mom has been having such a hard time. I'll definitely be sending up good thoughts and prayers for her. I'm sure she really appreciates your help right now! I love making baby quilts lately, too. They're such an easy size to work with!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

It sounds like you're doing a great job advocating for your mother. You're so lucky to have so many babies on the way. My kids are not in any rush to having babies. I'll be waiting for awhile!

PaintedThread said...

Baby quilts are so much fun! Have fun making yours. Your low voice makes me smile (but what a bummer you needed to use it). I'm glad they finally listened - but what a hassle. Good luck with that. Scout and Kerry are cute as always!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Michele! Yippee to being another great-aunt!! Isn't it just the best thing?!! Three around the same time - woohoo! We have one to make for May as well. May 14th, I believe. I was thinking about making the tummy time tag quilt for them. They put them down on their tummies so soon - Chase has been loving the tags since he was 6-months. Thank heavens you are around and able to fight for your mom!! Can you even imagine if she didn't have you?!! It breaks my heart to think about it - I won't - I'll just be happy and thankful for you being the advocate. I was always around for my mom, and I considered it a blessing. I still miss her every day but I've grown really close with my sister (who's 24 years older than me). She always was like a second mother! {{Hugs}} a bunch and I will step up the prayers for you both. ~smile~ Roseanne

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I an sorry about your mom and her health problems. I am going to assume she has torsion where the end of her esophagus where it empties into the stomach after years of acid reflux possibly has kind of twisted and closed. From what I understand the fix is a simple prophylactic inserted and they inflate it and it kind of forces it open, kind of a tearing but helps. Keep being your mom's advocate. On the upside Ooooh babies!