the little rascal

...she got away from us. Apparently she walked over to our friend Leona's on her own. Dad has just gotten home and I thought she'd be with him, but no...she is out socializing. So he has gone to fetch her. Soon it will be dark and she doesn't have any "slow moving" safety stickers or anything... :)
I am having another sleepover here. Dad has breakfast in town with his Navy buddies in the morning and then a cousin's funeral in Farmington.
More news at it comes.

stems

stems
Originally uploaded by JennyPeters

Mom and Dad out for a Sunday afternoon walk

The Sunday Night report

I called before eight o'clock to get the update....before Mystery! Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel (PBS) started...Dad is a fan.
It was quiet around the house today. He reported that Mom's appetite was not big and that her modified walk/gait has changed their outings around the park. Once around is now about a 20 minute walk. So they just go slowly and visit. She walks like a bridesmaid coming down the aisle.
Mom got on the phone and we had a nice chat. She said the phone had been quiet today. She had her 3 walks. They saw an acquaintance in the park with her pet Macaw parrot. Eccentric Waconia!
Since it is Sunday, Dad brought Communion to Mom after Mass. She said receiving Communion from Dad in his camo shorts felt a little unusual. And apparently his glasses broke today and he is wearing his old "Buddy Holly"-looking glasses.
Mom said she has just taken extra strength Tylenol twice today for pain and was doing ok. Her nights are a bit fitful, between sleeping and waking often. She's still using the ice machine at night. Sometimes she has trouble trying to get to sleep flat on her back and tries her side....and ends up flat on her back again.
So this will take some time. All this healing and stuff.

Of course I cannot sign off without a menu update: Dinner was Jim's leftover steak, twice baked potatoes, salad and Mom's Special-K bars....or did those get finished off yesterday when David and some of the kids came over for another visit and boat ride?
So, not too shabby!

The boys are back in town

Mom and Dad had a houseful last night! Jim, Dave and the boys returned from the BWCA full of good stories and laughs. We had a really nice steak BBQ and Mom was up for the whole event! Jenny and Jack came over, as well as David's daughter Rachel. We had a fabulous dinner and then a group went out wake boarding on the lake.
I think Mom had fun visiting with everyone. The Swiss crew flew back to Atlanta this morning.
Haven't gotten a report yet today, but I reckon she was pooped and hope she slept well after we all cleared out.

an actual mother duck

Originally uploaded by JennyPeters

...and nine ducklings! Captured at Lake Calhoun on Sat. morning.

Pork chops and X-rays

Mom and Dad went to Abbott for Mom's appointment with one of her surgeons, Dr. Mike. She said they were seen right away and they took her for an x-ray. She said it was difficult to lay on the flat, hard table during the x-ray. The technician commented that she was doing really well for 6 weeks out.... Mom told her it is just 4 weeks since the surgery.
Mom said the x-rays look scary and she was amazed by the amount of hardware in her spine.

The doctor spent quite a bit of time going over things. They talked about her brace and whether it was fitting properly, because Mom and Dad said there is perhaps some "sliding".

Dr. Mike told her she appeared to take too large of a step and she really needs to step w/ her left foot and sort of slide w/ her right. So she's gonna need to be more a bit more poky...and change her gate.

They were given an official medical transcript of the surgery which Mom said is very technical and sort of amazing....she said she read part of it and wondered, "They did WHAT to my what?"

She asked him about a pain she's been having...she once felt something "pull" in her lower back 9 days ago....Doc thinks its something muscular and not the hardware.

They will return to Abbott for her next appointment in 2 months with her surgeon Dr. Transfeldt. We'll keep everyone posted.

Menu update: Mom reports that dinner was lovely boneless pork chops with fresh corn and tomatoes. Becky came by and they ate together and Mom said, "It was fun just to visit."

Mom and Dad made a couple of stops on the way back to Waconia from the hospital. I hope she is not doing too much / keeping a balance of activity and rest/recovery. "Running errands" is called running for a reason. Alright, enough from me, Miss Sassypants. Good night, all.

Tuesday's update

Just spoke to Mom/Marilynn on the phone. She sounds good. Very chipper. Said the day is going fine and she was able to watch a whole movie (which she could not do that at this point after the surgery last year).

As I called, she was just on her way out the door with my Dad for her last walk of the day. It is a muy, muy humid evening.

Tomorrow she has an 11 am appointment with Dr. Transfedt's assistant, Dr. Mike, at Abbott. It is her first official check up since the surgery. So they will be heading "into town" again! Hopefully it all goes well and they don't dilly dally too long. She was pretty worn after after her last run to Minneapolis.
That's all for now folks. More updates after the check up! (You broke 1000 prayers/visitors today Mom! woot woot!)

Sunday night

9:45 pm... Everyone is worn out from a big day. Lots of catching up and lots of eating! Mom, Dad and I are the only ones still up. The Swiss boys had an outing on the lake with Grandpa (Rod) while I stayed home with Mom and watched old film noir movies in bed.
Here is a picture of Jim, Marilynn, Rod, Dominick & Benjamin this morning. (You can see part of the brace at her belly.... and then it runs down her right leg....right bird leg, that is.)

Laura came by for a visit and lunch on her way to our cousin Stephanie's wedding shower. Jenny and Jack came over this evening so Jack could see his cousins, play with legos, be ninjas and Power Rangers, you know, the usual.

Tomorrow the house will be quiet again as the boys are leaving for the Boundary Waters.

We are getting Mom settled in for bed and Dad is filling her polar ice machine that she uses at night on her back.
Good night all...sweet dreams!

Son 1

The Swiss Family Peters have arrived for a short visit on their way to a canoe trip up in the BWCA this week with Dave and a couple of his boys. Mom has been up to say hi, and then went back to bed for some rest. She is looking good and it is great to see her. Rodney is firing up the belgian waffle production line, kicking off with a traditional Sunday morning ritual.

Saturday

Marilynn is having a nice, relaxing morning. She has said goodbye to sons Ed (Marilynn & Rod's baby number 7) and Matt (number 9) who are heading to the Florida Keys today for some fishing. Just in time to welcome new company...son Jim (number 2) and his 2 sons arrive here tonight. He will be heading "up north" with David (number 3) and his sons for a few days.

Last night Laura (number 1) and her son Chris came by and Laura made dinner and they had a nice visit.

Mom has lost 11 pounds since her surgery. When they adjusted her brace last week, they did mention that she must have lost weight since they made the cast for it and they cut off 3/4 of an inch on each side.

This morning, Mom has asked Dad to take her to the grocery store, which she thinks will also count as her morning walk. She is currently sorting coupons in her bedroom to prepare for this big adventure! Dad is going to make his famous Belgian waffles tomorrow morning and grill later so we need a few bits and pieces.

This is number 6, signing off for now. More news as it comes...

4:30....Mom had some visitors this afternoon....two of Rod's sisters, Phyllis and Joanne, came by! Mom was resting when they arrived but got up and had a nice visit. Got to catch up on all the latest family news...kids/grandkids/weddings/vacations/the usual. They brought Mom some goodies including chocolate waffle mix...YES!

They just left and Mom is back in bed watching golf...we are not golfers but she sure loves Tiger. Rar!

7:30....They have just returned from Mackenthun's (that's "mack-en-toons"...it is the only grocery store here in Waconia). I was getting ready to call out the cavalry because they were gone so long ...but it is a big store (for a small town) and Marilynn can only take small steps and go slowly. She said it went fine, but Dad was asking her, "Can we go now!?"

It was worth the trip....our supplies have been replenished!

An outing to dinner!

Marilynn and Rodney arrived at their daughter Jenny's around 6 for a birthday dinner. It is just a few blocks from their house. Marilynn did really well!
They went walking and she had a nice dinner (maybe a bit too much food) and virgin Margaritas! Here are some highlights:

Blue eyes/ Blue frosting

Jen/Ed/the spread

Mom/Grandma/Nana/Marilynn/party girl

Jen & Jack

....I must get going now! More updates later....Bye! -Teresa

A sweet update

Marilynn had an another outing.... to the Carver County Library here in Waconia! All of her library friends were happy to see her...with big hugs all around.

Mom reports that today she has only taken Tylenol....none of the heavy duty pain killers. She says she'll see how it goes.

At the moment she is set up outside on the picnic table planting flowers! Dad is out puttering in the nearby yard. She says she's fine and that the table is the perfect height for her. So I guess she's feeling really good and just needing to get her hands in some dirt. I love her flowers, don't get me wrong, but I think it's kinda nuts (but what do I know?).
I know Dad and I get to water them.

We are hoping Mom feels good this evening as it is Jenny's (Marilynn's youngest daughter & 8th baby) birthday and we are going to make a Tex-Mex dinner and have a summery celebration over at Jenny's snazzy new house. Even if she's really not up for a big dinner, I believe Marilynn will have strength for dessert. Jenny made homemade cupcakes from a New York bakery recipe and I made coffee-ice cream pie.
Wipe that drool off the corner of your mouth.

Image: Photograph by Jenny Peters, Billy's in NYC

News flash

Today Mom and Dad drove to Minneapolis to Abbott for a brace adjustment and meds refill.
They took the truck (which she can get into easier than a car....with those long legs (stems to Dad) and I understand it went well!
They stopped at Laura's on their way home and Mom had a little rest while Laura whipped up some dinner for them. Excellent! Laura said, "She enjoyed getting into town, I think, even if it was limiting." ...and she ate a whole hamburger at Laura's after her rest! Nice!

go, mom, go.

Image: Not Mom and Dad on Their Trip into Town

A mother is the truest friend we have,
when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us;
when adversity takes the place of prosperity;
when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine,
desert us;
when troubles thicken around us,
still will she cling to us,
and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels
to dissipate the clouds of darkness,
and cause peace to return to our hearts.

~ Washington Irving

The Sunday Evening News

I am reporting to you remotely (from my apartment) after speaking to Mom on the phone. She says, "I just sleep and walk and sleep and walk." Still walks 3x a day....and she reports there have been Waconia hoodlums "being rude" in the park in the evenings...gack!

Dad was out working on Matt's boat today while Mom rested.
She says she has cut back on pain meds and takes Tylenol sometimes, as her doctor recommended. She did a load of laundry (naughty!) but insisted it was a very small load and she air dried it as opposed to using the dryer, which would require bending. Still...I'm not keen on that, missy! As long as it is not a "khaki load", ("Is khaki considered light or dark?" That is the question.) Rodney can handle it. The local siblings might be able to pitch in too.

There have been requests for Marilynn's email address...it is marilynnp@juno.com
She checks it and does appreciate your letters.
Ok peeps, tp out.

-Image: Laundry, Oil on panel, Daniel Jackson

Hello fans

Mom says she had a rather "up and down day" yesterday. I asked her to describe it and she says, " I was just down a quart." So let's hope today is better. It is a good sign she is up and made her own breakfast. She also slept from 11pm-8 am...only woke up once to look at the clock at 3 but did not need to get up.

We still think her brace may need adjusting, so Mom and Dad are looking into that. It would mean she has to go into Minneapolis...eeek. That will take some planning and maneuvering.

We had a couple of visitors yesterday including Peggy Lavalle, our pal Leona's daughter...whom brought us Chicken Divan and rice. A million years ago, I used to babysit for Lavalle's and just found out Peggy's daughter (Leona's granddaughter) is pregnant with triplets...and she has a 2 year old at home now. Gah!

Mom is currently up and sitting in a chair in the living room. We're still timing her at about 15 minutes a sitting. She is going to head back to get dressed and her friend Kathy Holtmeier is coming by with good cheer...(and food, muahaha). :) That is all for now.

Tuesday, 7 pm

Mom is perking along...getting in her walks and naps. She is doing fine.
This morning Dad went to the funeral of their friend Bruce.

Mom wore her brace the whole time he was gone and even had a lay down on the couch wearing it, which was a first. (She is usually in bed without the brace or walking, standing or sitting (still not much more than 15 minutes in a sitting position, with the brace). She realized after laying down tho, that the couch was a bit too low, which would make getting up tricky. So she stayed horizontal, almost until Dad got home. We watched corny morning TV together.

It is the windiest day I can recall here by the lake. Dad is heading up to St. Joe's to work on a computer, so he's taking Mom with him in the truck so they can walk around the park. He said he "would just be a minute" on the computer, and since Mom is with him, they shouldn't be gone long.
Thank you, Becky, for coming by with dinner.

Sleeping Beauty ...meets the mummy

Monday, 10:45 am
Mom slept from 11 pm -5 am...the longest stretch so far! She perked up last night around 7 and she and Dad drove to the city park and she felt well enough to walk around 1 & 1/2 times.
Today is a beautiful day and the temperature is perfect. After being up at 5 this morning, she took her meds and slept again, until after 10. I peeked in on her and she was sleeping on her side, wrapped tightly in a white cotton blanket... Mommy was a mummy!
She just had some oatmeal w/ raisins and will then shower and go walking.
There has been some discussion at the breakfast table about paint colors for the upstairs. The bedroom is in need of a fresh coat of paint and we can't seem to agree so far, so I will go to the store and bring home some color samples. During my free time I've been prepping the ceiling and walls (the worst!). I'm calling it my battle with "the web of the cob". I have spackled but still need to sand. Argh. It's a big project, but there's no reason to keep putting it off. It keeps me out of trouble while I'm out here! haha

Update 4:30 pm: Dad just drove Mom to Lakeview clinic for her allergy shot and a short walk.
She is perky, but skipped lunch and says she's not hungry. The mummy will soon be a skeleton.

I'm no Michelangelo, but while Mom snoozed this afternoon (and Dad had a power nap), I finished painting the ceiling upstairs. woot woot!

After the storm...

A big thunderstorm passed through this afternoon...we got a nice solid rain (with a bit of hail) and the temperature has dropped. It is nice to have the windows open again. Mom and Dad drove the truck to the city park and they went around the park twice. Now Mom says it may have been too much. (Yesterday they also drove to the park, but walked around once). She has been extra tired and sleeping more today. She's a little on the quiet side. Pooh.
We just had some grilled burgers, slaw and black beans but her appetite is still small and she asked Dad to take her plate after a few bites.
Laura and Elmer came by for a visit but other than that it has been quiet (besides the storm).
She is waiting for pill time...in 15 minutes or so. Then she will probably snooze. Hopefully tonight will be better than last night.

Sunday News, morning edition

I got up this morning just in time for Dad to go to eight o'clock Mass. We still have not left Mom alone here; she's not ready. Last night was crummy for her. She woke up nauseous and thought she was going throw up but it didn't happen. I suspect it was caused by her meds. She has not been out of bed since then, but reports she feels better and did eat some breakfast. She is sleeping now.
It's going to be a very hot day again so we have the air on already and its quite comfy in the house. Still keeping up with the laundry and watering, but I will need to head back into "the cities" one of these days. I have some errands to run, curriculum planning to do and some puttering to do around my apartment. If Dad needs to go somewhere, someone will need to be here.
More news on Marilynn's progress later.

Good Morning

9:30 am. Mom and Dad just left for a walk...the hill is still hard for her. But that hill is hard for anyone! The big news this morning is that she made it through the night without taking her pain meds. She did not sleep through a whole night yet, but this is the first night she didn't require the pain pills part way through.

Last night I forgot to mention a story about our friends the Millers. They just returned to Waconia from a big trip to Italy with their twins boys and other relatives. They told us that they prayed for Marilynn at every church they went to. So that's a lot of churches and a lot of prayers!

Mom's spirits are good but she did get very sad news about a friend's husband passing away unexpectedly. It was one of "the swim Dads" (from when Ed, Jenny and Matt were on the Chaska swim team when they were little). Mom has stayed good buddies with all of the Moms and they even have a Ladies Birthday Club. So she has been on the phone with the other ladies and they are all shocked and sad...he was only 55, a fit Doctor, and he had a heart attack while playing volleyball with friends in their pool. Mom's friend, his wife, is a nurse and gave him CPR. Too terrible. Sorry to end on such a sad note, but give your loved ones a hug and kiss today.

P.S.....They have returned from their walk...Mom went to Dueber's!! (it's our small town Ben Franklin/five and dime). She needed a no-slip mat for the shower and naturally Dueber's had them. So she was out walking and upright on the town for 1/2 hour!

Friday night....do you know where your Mother is?

Last night went well, except for lots of itching that is caused by her pain meds. Today she was taking one pain pill at a time instead of two. She reported that one end of her back incision "was screaming" this morning.
She has had 3 walks today and has gone a little further each time. Lunch was provided by our friend Leona...pasta salad w/ peas, grapes, chicken and cashew nuts. She also sent over cake and blueberry muffins. Our friends Lana and Bill Miller came by after our dinner of fish tacos (fresh crappies from a friend) and they made us ice cream sundaes.
So folks, at this rate, we will not starve! hehe.
Dad and I are keeping up with things around the house. We just finished watering all of the flora around here as it was quite a hot day and we are expecting it to be hotter tomorrow. Mom put in lots of flowers this Spring (as usual) not knowing she would be having this surgery again. So now we must look after them.
It is about 9:15 and she is sitting in a chair behind me...we time each sitting with a timer at 15 minutes each. Ah, the "dinger just dang!" Getting up is not fun...she must use the strength in her arms and legs to get up, and "unlock" the brace as she gets up... it is very hard to do!

We might stop doing daily updates if there is not much news. Stay tuned. Just know she is getting better each day and we are grateful for all of your good vibes!

Thursday evening...

...and we've had another beautiful day on Lake Waconia. Mom is up right now and has been on the phone with a few friends and relatives but will be heading back to lie down soon....that is after we make root beer floats and watch the sunset!
She had another good night's sleep...up twice last night. She SNUCK PAST Dad while he was catching some zzz's, which he does not like (he wants her to wake him), but she was fine.
Dad HAS to help her put on her brace. She cannot do it on her own (and I get a bit flustered when I just try taking it off of her...I am afraid I will hurt her.)
She showered, washed her hair, and Dad shaved her legs, a first for him. He's never shaved his own legs, or any one elses for that matter. So it was a first...and he told me, "I got her whiskers off."
She had her 3 walks (15 minutes each), had dinner with Dad and I (compliments of Becky, thank you very much.) The green beans and little red potatoes were fresh from the nearby Excelsior Farmers' Market and grilled...fabulous. Mom's appetite is still not very big, but all systems are go in the digestive department.
On her last walk, she and Dad circled around the house and toured our vegetable garden (very slowly, of course) and she was spotting weeds and directing Dad to pull them. We are trying to grow raspberries (these will be a while...last year they were Dad's "brambles"...sticks, basically) tomatoes, peppers and some herbs...(Ed is planning to make and can homemade salsa). woot woot!
That's all for tonight, you hot tamales! - 9:15 PM

Happy 4th of July

9:30 am. Marilynn had a good evening last night and her best night's sleep so far....she was not up as often as her first night home. I did get Dad horizontal (finally) by setting him up with sheets and a pillow on the back room couch...although he alternated between the chair and couch so he could be up when she is up. They enjoyed a nice breakfast (her appetite is improving a bit) and went walking early this morning. Just getting up the hill out here is a biggie, and then she and Dad walk about 3 houses down the street before turning back. The brace restricts the size of her steps so she is walking slowly. Yesterday they went out walking 3 times! Each walk takes about 15 minutes.

She went 4 hours and 20 minutes between pain pills last night, which is an improvement.
When I last checked on her she was very chipper and wanted to discuss our 4th of July dinner plans! Chicken, burgers or brats? That's a tough one. It is a GORGEOUS Minnesota summer day/holiday by the lake.

Please know your thoughts, prayers, emails, (yes, she does get online already) flowers and cards are really helping her healing and her spirits. Everyone who has stopped by reports how remarkable her condition is! Thank YOU ALL! Happy 4th!

Art work: Jasper Johns, Flag on Orange Field, 1957

Checkin' Out (+ Home Day 2)

Everything is great. Mom checked out this afternoon at about 2:30. She was feeling pretty good and looking pretty good too. The ride home was smooth in the Suburban and it felt good for her to get in her own bed! It wasn't long before she was sound asleep... Teresa, Matt, Ed, Laura and Elmer are at home with Rod and Marilyn; eating pizza and hanging out. Marilynn had some soup, but still doesn't have much of an appetite.
Thanks for the prayers. Stay in touch! Nurse Rod is on-duty!
(update by Elmer...(E, I don't know what happened to the image, sorry!)
Home Day 2 report:
After supper she went to bed and did watch a little TV (which she was not interested in all at this point last year/last surgery). Jenny and Jack stopped by for a little while. Jack wanted to wear Grandma's brace "and be a robot", he said.
I checked on Mom and Dad last night before I went to the bed around 11 PM and Dad was sleeping sitting up in a chair next to the bed. He stays close by. She had her meds about an hour early at one point in the night because she was really hurting and itching. Pooh.
Now it is Tuesday and she has not been awake since I (Teresa) have been up. It is 10:30 am. She must really be needing the sleep...what with those bones busy knitting in there and all of that hardware adjusting. I know she had a shower (wow) this morning and an early visitor...her friend Becky Knodt. She gave Mom a gift card for Mom's hair stylist, I believe with the idea that perhaps the stylist would make a house call...how cool!
I am puttering around here with the laundry and flower pots. Laura is going to alter some of Mom's clothing (she's working on some soft, elastic waist shorts and pants) by adding Velcro on the sides. This will make it easier for her in the bathroom. Ok, that is all for now. THANKS again, everyone!

en route

Dad called a bit ago to let me know Mom was on her way home from the hospital in the Baldwin's Suburban.

Sunday evening

Lots of visitors today at the hospital! She and Dad had a bit of a nap after her 4:30 dinner. I arrived at 5:30 to find them snoozing. Ed and Matt arrived around 6:15 and Mom was up and walking (slowly). She even asked to try some stairs again. So we're waiting to hear what Dr. Transfeldt says tomorrow about going home.
Also need to work a few kinks out of the use/fit of the brace.
She's a trooper!

the paparazzi were at it again this morning

DSC_00493
Originally uploaded by JennyPeters

Mom out for a walk during our visit.

Dave covered all the bases. She looks less puffy and has her nightie on now. She was up and at 'em to use the ladies' room, and then out for a jaunt down to the lobby. The kids were restless but we were able to help her move rooms so she is not the lone patient down on her end of the hall.

I will miss being able to visit her tomorrow while I'm at work.

Sunday Morning, She is Wonder Woman

Mom is doing awesome this morning. There have been a ton of things happening.

A. The movement has occurred, and it is all systems go.
B. Jen, Jack, Keven, Annabelle where all her this morning
C. Mom is out of the hospital gown and in her own p.j.s
D. Mom took a shower!
E. She walked a long way with her brace and walker and has NO pain.
F. She moved rooms, she is now in 7078.
G. The catheter has been removed - free, free at last.

Mom is looking great and moving and full of energy today. She is moving really well and can start eating real food.

All the positive vibes and prayers are working! She it very up and full of positivity.

Jen helped curl Moms hair. She has received communion this morning. Dad and I just got back from the mass in the chapel.

There is a good chance Mom will be going home tomorrow, Monday July 2. Mom and Dad are figuring out how going home will work.

Enough for now. It is a beautiful Sunday here and Mom is rocking!