We have the best Christmas present this year...it is a better, healthier Lisa. She is such a strong person...so childlike and so angelic. Lisa is waiting for Christmas just like the kids...loves her presents. She doesn't have a need for anything, but loves opening presents.
When we were little, mom said that she used to go around and count her presents and then she would come to mine and count and on down the line to Amy and Karen. Mom said she always had to be sure everyone had the same number. LOL!
Lisa and I shared a bedroom until I graduated High School...Mom's parents, would spend the night on Christmas Eve and would come in to our bedroom and kiss us, when they thought we were alseep. Lisa and I would wait til we thought they were gone and giggle. Of course we weren't sleeping...Santa was on his way and we were so excited for him to come.
Lisa is much the same as she was when we were little. It is sometimes a challenge, but at the same time, it is pretty neat.
This year, Lisa will be with Karen at her house on Christmas Eve, after we go to church as a family with all the sisters and Dad...until the day after Christmas. It is a tradition that we have done for quite sometime now. Last year she was at my house and Amy has had her for Christmas a year too.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Lisa Lisa
I go to get Lisa out of bed this morning...she is sitting up and waiting for me. She has such a great attitude these days. This is her last week for home health care. She is doing so well and improving so much that after her assessment, the nurses and PT/OT's decided that she is well enough to start therapy at the office. Lisa will be able to get out of the house and has free reign of where and when she goes somewhere. With in home health care, she was not supposed to go anywhere.
Lisa will start going to therapy twice a week. They wanted to make it back to back appointments, but Karen was hesitant and told them it would be best if Lisa had appts on different days because she gets so tired. She gets wiped out so easily, but that is improving as well.
Lisa is much more independent these days. She depended on us for everything, just a few weeks ago. Today, not so much. She gets her fork and gets her lunch from the frig...she transfers to chairs, her bed, the toilet and her shower chair much better. I am not going to say it is easy for her, because it's not. She struggles with it, she grabs the handle, sighs...psyches herself up for the challenge and does it without complaining. It is who she is. She has always been determined, but until you see her and have seen where she was a few short months ago, you can't appreciate it. She is not able to see very well, and lets you know it...but she deals with it.
Last week, Karen told her that she and I were not going to be coming at night as much to help her to bed because she was going to get help from the staff at UCP. Lisa told Karen that she wanted to wait until her eye popped open...Karen told her that it probably won't and that she will need to live with it like that...she was more compassionate than that...Lisa started to cry. Karen sat with her and reminded her about mom, asking her if she remembered how mom was and how she couldn't see very well. Lisa remembers. Karen told her that mom had to learn to live the way she was...and so does she. It is sad, but it is true. We hate that she has to be the way she is...it doesn't seem fair. It is what is what it is and now we must move forward. There are so many people who are worse off than her, than us. We must remember that.
Please pray for Lisa to accept her situation and to improve everyday.
Christmas is almost here...I am thankful for her. I am thankful for this experience this year...I didn't realize just how much she needed her family. There are things that never would have been revealed had we not gone through this. She is one strong woman. We are much stronger now too. Christmas has always been special, and sad too, without mom. Lisa is the first to tell you that. She misses her. We all do. But I think that mom knows what we are going through and I think she smiles down on her girls.
I don't even have a tree up, it is not as important as it has been in the past...plus, we have a cat that does not stay out of the Charlie Brown tree we have...No cards either. I hope that people understand that the most important present in this world is the presence of loved ones and the presence of Christ. It is the reason for the season. He alone is the one who gets each and everyone of us through this life.
Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.
Lisa will start going to therapy twice a week. They wanted to make it back to back appointments, but Karen was hesitant and told them it would be best if Lisa had appts on different days because she gets so tired. She gets wiped out so easily, but that is improving as well.
Lisa is much more independent these days. She depended on us for everything, just a few weeks ago. Today, not so much. She gets her fork and gets her lunch from the frig...she transfers to chairs, her bed, the toilet and her shower chair much better. I am not going to say it is easy for her, because it's not. She struggles with it, she grabs the handle, sighs...psyches herself up for the challenge and does it without complaining. It is who she is. She has always been determined, but until you see her and have seen where she was a few short months ago, you can't appreciate it. She is not able to see very well, and lets you know it...but she deals with it.
Last week, Karen told her that she and I were not going to be coming at night as much to help her to bed because she was going to get help from the staff at UCP. Lisa told Karen that she wanted to wait until her eye popped open...Karen told her that it probably won't and that she will need to live with it like that...she was more compassionate than that...Lisa started to cry. Karen sat with her and reminded her about mom, asking her if she remembered how mom was and how she couldn't see very well. Lisa remembers. Karen told her that mom had to learn to live the way she was...and so does she. It is sad, but it is true. We hate that she has to be the way she is...it doesn't seem fair. It is what is what it is and now we must move forward. There are so many people who are worse off than her, than us. We must remember that.
Please pray for Lisa to accept her situation and to improve everyday.
Christmas is almost here...I am thankful for her. I am thankful for this experience this year...I didn't realize just how much she needed her family. There are things that never would have been revealed had we not gone through this. She is one strong woman. We are much stronger now too. Christmas has always been special, and sad too, without mom. Lisa is the first to tell you that. She misses her. We all do. But I think that mom knows what we are going through and I think she smiles down on her girls.
I don't even have a tree up, it is not as important as it has been in the past...plus, we have a cat that does not stay out of the Charlie Brown tree we have...No cards either. I hope that people understand that the most important present in this world is the presence of loved ones and the presence of Christ. It is the reason for the season. He alone is the one who gets each and everyone of us through this life.
Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Excitement around here!!!!
Like Karen just said, Lisa is making leaps and bounds...she is getting better and none of us can take it for granted or be just OK with it...we are ecstatic! She did it again today. She called Karen and told her she was in the bathroom and got herself up, out of bed and met Karen in the living room as Karen was going over to make sure she didn't fall. Yay!
Karen called me all happy and I called Lisa and told her how proud I was of her. She just said, "I did good" Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to give you the exact same message that Karen did two days ago but...I am:)
Lisa's birthday is the 19th of December. She wants pizza and it would so great for her to get LOTSA cards! As you remember...she loves cards and visitors! If you have the time and can get her a card, she would LOVE it.
I can think of no one else who deserves a card more than Lisa. It is the simple things that she appreciates. She keeps teaching us that and she is doing so much better.
Until next time...
Karen called me all happy and I called Lisa and told her how proud I was of her. She just said, "I did good" Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to give you the exact same message that Karen did two days ago but...I am:)
Lisa's birthday is the 19th of December. She wants pizza and it would so great for her to get LOTSA cards! As you remember...she loves cards and visitors! If you have the time and can get her a card, she would LOVE it.
I can think of no one else who deserves a card more than Lisa. It is the simple things that she appreciates. She keeps teaching us that and she is doing so much better.
Until next time...
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Snow Storm
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is snowing and blowing and cold outside it's 4:00pm and I'm sitting here with Lisa, were watching it snow.
Lisa called me at 3:00pm and said she was sitting on the toilet, when I left her she was taking a afternoon nap in bed. Lisa got up all by herself sat in her wheel chair and went to the bathroom, went back to her chair and in the living room when I came in. She did this all by herself and let me tell you we are just so excited. Were ready to PARTY.
Speaking of PARTY it is Lisa's 47th Birthday in one week, December 19, so if anyone would like to send her a card she would love it.
Her new address is
Lisa told me to tell everyone HI and that she is doing good.
Lisa called me at 3:00pm and said she was sitting on the toilet, when I left her she was taking a afternoon nap in bed. Lisa got up all by herself sat in her wheel chair and went to the bathroom, went back to her chair and in the living room when I came in. She did this all by herself and let me tell you we are just so excited. Were ready to PARTY.
Speaking of PARTY it is Lisa's 47th Birthday in one week, December 19, so if anyone would like to send her a card she would love it.
Her new address is
Lisa told me to tell everyone HI and that she is doing good.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Quick Note
As of yesterday...Karen and I are taking turns in getting Lisa up in the morn and getting her to bed at night. I have been coming to Bloomington, after going home to spend time with the kids, to give her a shower and hang out and watch wheel with her and tuck her in.
Well, last night, Karen told me that UCP the organization that has been approved to help Lisa, will start TODAY! I have to admit this is thrilling, at the same time, sad.
Lisa deserves to get all the help she needs. Karen and I have not "allowed" her to do as much for herself as we should, only because it takes time...more time than we really have. But today, she met some of the ladies who will be working with her, who get paid to be patient and who will (hopefully) not do things for her. Lisa is getting stronger every day. She can now transfer herself from the chair to the toilet. HUGE!
I guess, Karen and I needed to see that before she got help. There is lots more to say, but as usual, I don't have time. But I will make sure to tell you all about this past week...next week. I am headed with Michele to the City (Chicago) on Sat morn for a Girl Scout trip and we are staying the night instead of coming back home only to go back Sunday morn...for a Monday morn Dr appt at Rush for Joe. Have a great weekend
Well, last night, Karen told me that UCP the organization that has been approved to help Lisa, will start TODAY! I have to admit this is thrilling, at the same time, sad.
Lisa deserves to get all the help she needs. Karen and I have not "allowed" her to do as much for herself as we should, only because it takes time...more time than we really have. But today, she met some of the ladies who will be working with her, who get paid to be patient and who will (hopefully) not do things for her. Lisa is getting stronger every day. She can now transfer herself from the chair to the toilet. HUGE!
I guess, Karen and I needed to see that before she got help. There is lots more to say, but as usual, I don't have time. But I will make sure to tell you all about this past week...next week. I am headed with Michele to the City (Chicago) on Sat morn for a Girl Scout trip and we are staying the night instead of coming back home only to go back Sunday morn...for a Monday morn Dr appt at Rush for Joe. Have a great weekend
Friday, December 03, 2010
You know she's good when...
Lisa is getting back to her spunky self alright...this morning she was awake when I came in and told me she was waiting for me to get here so she could get up! Well, good mornin' to you too! LOL!
On Monday, Karen left Lisa for about a half hour while she was eating and knowing she would be right back, she thought nothing about it...she gets back and Lisa got herself to the toilet...well, that is what she told Karen who was sooooo proud of her. Karen called me to tell me and I was all excited too...then about a few hours later, Karen tells me that Lisa's plate was in the sink too. Lisa does not put her plate in the sink...so did she really get to the toilet???? mmmmm....don't know who did, but if she thinks she did, then let her and it's all good.
The next day things are getting better....we were so proud the night before that Lisa is getting more confident in herself and is trying to do more for herself. She is getting stronger, but it wipes her out and she needs to nap for a few hours in between her simple (for you and me) tasks, such as dressing herself.
Wednesday, Lisa calls Karen and tells her she has got to go to the bathroom, Karen, instinctively already on her way because it is about time, is already on the street to turn in the parking lot, tells her to go ahead and she will be right there. Lisa does and Karen makes it just in time to help her with her pants...Woo Hoo
Thursday...Karen again leaves the building for awhile and comes back, and Lisa is on the toilet! HUGE!!!!! We can't begin to tell you how awesome this is....funny isn't it? Lisa is struggling to get her pants off her feet, she had an accident and is trying to do something about it. Karen calls me and tells me how sad it was to see her struggle, but how happy she is that she is trying. It is bittersweet. We don't know how long she was trying to get those pants off, could have been a minute or maybe 20. All we know is that Lisa is showing her determination, she has not given up and she continues to teach us that perseverance is gonna get us through this.
As I was helping her to get ready for bed tonight, I told her how slick the roads are and how I was slippin' and sliding all over the place...no comment from her. I told her that the snow is coming down hard and that I am glad she is not out in it. No comment. She proceeds to get undressed and dressed into her night gown and tells me..."I'll get there, it'll just take time" I kissed her on the cheek and told her that if I know anyone who can do it, it is her. She kissed me back.
As we were saying the Lord's Prayer and I said good night, she looks at me and says...You call me when you get home, so I know you got home safe...all along, she was listening to me and all along she was waiting to tell me to be safe driving home. And all the way home, I thought about how crazy I was to be out in the snow...but how worth it, it was to watch her persevere. She is so awesome and she teaches us everyday to keep on going.
On Monday, Karen left Lisa for about a half hour while she was eating and knowing she would be right back, she thought nothing about it...she gets back and Lisa got herself to the toilet...well, that is what she told Karen who was sooooo proud of her. Karen called me to tell me and I was all excited too...then about a few hours later, Karen tells me that Lisa's plate was in the sink too. Lisa does not put her plate in the sink...so did she really get to the toilet???? mmmmm....don't know who did, but if she thinks she did, then let her and it's all good.
The next day things are getting better....we were so proud the night before that Lisa is getting more confident in herself and is trying to do more for herself. She is getting stronger, but it wipes her out and she needs to nap for a few hours in between her simple (for you and me) tasks, such as dressing herself.
Wednesday, Lisa calls Karen and tells her she has got to go to the bathroom, Karen, instinctively already on her way because it is about time, is already on the street to turn in the parking lot, tells her to go ahead and she will be right there. Lisa does and Karen makes it just in time to help her with her pants...Woo Hoo
Thursday...Karen again leaves the building for awhile and comes back, and Lisa is on the toilet! HUGE!!!!! We can't begin to tell you how awesome this is....funny isn't it? Lisa is struggling to get her pants off her feet, she had an accident and is trying to do something about it. Karen calls me and tells me how sad it was to see her struggle, but how happy she is that she is trying. It is bittersweet. We don't know how long she was trying to get those pants off, could have been a minute or maybe 20. All we know is that Lisa is showing her determination, she has not given up and she continues to teach us that perseverance is gonna get us through this.
As I was helping her to get ready for bed tonight, I told her how slick the roads are and how I was slippin' and sliding all over the place...no comment from her. I told her that the snow is coming down hard and that I am glad she is not out in it. No comment. She proceeds to get undressed and dressed into her night gown and tells me..."I'll get there, it'll just take time" I kissed her on the cheek and told her that if I know anyone who can do it, it is her. She kissed me back.
As we were saying the Lord's Prayer and I said good night, she looks at me and says...You call me when you get home, so I know you got home safe...all along, she was listening to me and all along she was waiting to tell me to be safe driving home. And all the way home, I thought about how crazy I was to be out in the snow...but how worth it, it was to watch her persevere. She is so awesome and she teaches us everyday to keep on going.
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