Same ole' same ole'...

We are getting closer to the day Bob starts back to being "Commodities Broker", with me by his side. I'm getting nervous. Bob has thirty years as a broker under his belt and knows so much; I know nothing. He's trying to teach me. He tells me I'll learn it the more I'm around it.

There is a conference in Chicago that we are going to venture to. Now, that makes me nervous! I know we'll be fine. Bob's memory is better; he just forgets immediately new information unless it is important. I need to enforce writing things down with him.

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Career choices...

I'm so happy for my t that he's able to get back to doing what he loves and knows the most about, being a commodities broker. Why? We went to the college where I teach. As we walked across the campus, I said, "Now, this is me. This is where I'm supposed to be. I was made to teach at the collegiate level."

A few years ago, I started teaching classes online, because it was too difficult for me to stand in front of a classroom full of students to teach. It's also too hard to sit in a wheelchair to teach. I like to be towering over the students. I guess it shows authority; I'm in charge. Anyway, I miss teaching face-to-face classes. Yes, I'm still teaching; it's not the same. That's why I'm glad Bob is able to get back to what he loves doing.

My career is taking another turn. I get to be a commodities broker too. I will continue with my online teaching. I get to expand my horizons from logical/concrete information to abstract/guessing information. If you see me looking totally baffled, buy me a rtiff alcoholic beverage.

Bob helped with the yard work today. I've written several articles about safety issues while doing yard work. The first thing on the safety list is to get a physical from a physician who will give the A-OK to do physical labor. A person doesn't realize how strenuous yard work is. You wouldn't go out to run a marathon without training, so do some training during the winter months to get in shape for endurance and strength.

Bob has not done anything remotely strenuous for 16 months. I made him stop weed-eating, because I thought he was going to pass out. He was turning green. He said he was dizzy. It's a start, though. Little by little...

All of Zachary's results came back negative. His illness is frustrating. He is obviously sick. He can't fake the black circles under his eyes, the mucus caked in his eyes, the red eyes, or the lack of appetite because of being nauseous. Maybe I should try herbs. Do the nature thing.

Bob's memory is so frustrating too. One day he's right on, then the next day, he's lousy. He's great in the morning, but by evening, he doesn't even know where our bedroom is. goofy

What exercise?...

At one point in all of my careers, I advised people to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Examples would be like parking farther from work or the store in order to get extra walking in their day. I gave suggestions for different types of exercises that could be done while sitting at a desk or computer. I've written articles about exercising. I even taught classes in college about designing your own fitness program.

Do you think by doing all of that that I'd practice what I preached? Hell, No! The day goes by so fast that I'm too pooped to keep my head up looking forward. If I'd exercise, I'd gain strength to get through the day. sigh....

Bob is the same way. He also eats enough for the both of us and then a few more people. I'm losing my coaching enthusiasm. I need to take an energy drink and get motivated. After all, we're getting married in May. I need to be able to walk down the isle. :-)

More crying...

What an emotional day again. We decided to visit the nursing staff at the VA in Roseburg. The last time we went, many of the staff members who took care of Bob were not working. They were there today. Bob walked in pushing me in my wheelchair. We heard, "Look, the king pushing the queen!" Staff started gathering around us. Oh my goodness...Bob was crying. I was crying because Bob was crying. The nurses were crying. We were blubbering fools.

We saw Shannon. She was the nurse in the video to the right>>> who took Bob on as her own project. She was the one who got Bob strong enough to walk for the first time after seven months.

One new nurse was Bob's nurse when he was at Rosehaven. The last she saw him, he wasn't eating too much on his own yet. His brain was still trapped, and he wasn't aware of too much of his surroundings. She was sobbing to see Bob's recovery. She couldn't talk.

The head nurse practitioner said, "I love seeing success stories." (Remember, she was one of the staff that had no faith and felt that Bob wasn't going to recover too much more mentally than the level he was in October '09?) I responded by saying, "I had no doubt!" She said, "No, you never did give up."

Priorities...

Sorry I didn't post a blog last night. Dancing with the Stars started another season. Being an ex-ballroom dancer, I couldn't miss a minute!

Zachary had his CAT Scan done yesterday. We haven't heard about the results yet. I believe they were checking for ulcers again and looking at the swollen lymph nodes in his back to see if there is an infection somewhere in his body.

We got the school situation under control. Zachary is able to do his Math, Science, English, Language Arts, German, and Designing Games online, then take Concert band and Percussion in public school. Thank goodness that has been resolved. I'm glad of that, because he would have missed school all last week because of being sick.

Bob's memory was "on" for the past two days, except where we live. I suppose we need to move so he'll get our location correct...NOT!

Success...

100% success! All of our jars of tomato puree sealed. We are good! We only did 22 jars; that was four boxes of tomatoes. That is enough for now. That won't be enough for the year; it'll have to due.

Today was church day. I tried to convince Bob to skip one day, since we had an exhausting day yesterday of canning. He wouldn't budge. So, we gathered ourselves up out of bed to traipse off to church.

Zachary is excited that Bob and I are able to go to the store by ourselves. He no longer has to tag along to help with wheelchairs. Bob and I have the wheelchair thing down to a science. We both lift it into the car together. Sometimes, Bob even does it by himself!

A little domestication...

We canned tomatoes all day long today. We started with two boxes of tomatoes, then decided to go get two more boxes. We could have been done by 1pm. Now, it's going to be 9pm when we're finally done. Bob, Zachary, and I were quite the team. More like a tag team. When Bob got tired, I took over his position of coring and cutting. When I tuckered out, Bob took back his role. Zachary ran the food mill and filled the jars. He put the hot lid on the jar, while I screwed the ring on. Bob transferred the hot jar to the table and covered the jars with a thick layer of towels and blankets. I have always hot packed when canning tomatoes. One hundred percent always seal. I learned from a long-time expert, my ex-mother-in-law.

Thank goodness for takeout. There was no way I was going to make lunch or dinner today. I was too "pooped". It was a treat to Zachary too for helping all day.

Bob's memory faded in and out during the day. Lack of food or fatigue had an effect on his memory. But, he hung in there too, like Zachary. I didn't have to chase either one back to the kitchen to finish the deed. It was nice...my boys...gotta love 'em.

This and that and another thing...

Tomorrow we are going to tackle canning tomatoes. Last year was the first year in 30 years that I missed canning tomatoes, and boy did I miss home-canned tomatoes for spaghetti sauce. Canning is going to be a challenge, because neither of us has the endurance to stand very long. I believe we will puree everything instead of canning whole tomatoes. I usually can 40 or more quart jars. I doubt that that will happen tomorrow. Zachary's going to help.

Bob is beginning to give me a hard time about exercising. He even refuses to do simple flexibility exercises. I'm not sure why. He needs to exercise, because his eating is starting to get out of control.

A surprise visit to Rosehaven...

We made a surprise visit to Rosehaven nursing facility today. Bob was in Rosehaven for eight weeks last year in July and August. When he arrived there, he had his trach still in, he could not swallow yet, and he could not sit up on his own.

We first went directly to the exercise room. Bob was pushing me in my wheelchair. The staff were each working with individual residents. When they recognized Bob, everyone stopped and immediately came over to Bob with huge smiles. It made Bob giddy. The therapists took Bob on a tour to show him all of the equipment that he worked on. Of course he doesn't remember a thing.

Many of Bob's nurses and his speech therapist came to greet him as well. The nurses were emotional. One began to cry.

As always, Bob was very appreciative and thanked everyone of them. He hates it that he can't remember any of the past year. The speech therapist told him, "That is what pictures and Jan's blogpage are for-to tell you about your journey. We all don't remember things that we've done when we were little, but people tells us, and we just accept it as real. That's what is happening with you. No big deal."

When we got back home, I showed Bob all of the pictures I took while he was at Rosehaven hoping he could make a little connection.

Did you get your Personal Medical Information Book yet?

Update on Zachary...

I haven't updated you on the well-being of my son, Zachary. We are still trying to come up with a diagnosis for his on-going fatigue, gook in his eyes, and clogged sinuses. The doctor ordered more tests. He's being tested for celiac disease-allergy to wheat. It's seems like he gets deathly ill with stomach pains and migraines after eating anything with wheat in it. The doctor also ordered a CAT Scan of his swollen lymph nodes in his back, another test for a stomach ulcer, and a test for some kind of bacteria that I can't remember or pronounce.

Bob is well. He knows now that he doesn't have good memory. He tries so hard though to recall, but can't. Also, his walking is getting smoother and quicker.

Did you order your Personal Medical Information Book yet?

ROTFLOL...

Bob told me today that he was going to play basketball. Picture that! I asked him when was the last time he played basketball? "About 30 years years." We laughed so hard; I was crying and got a "side stitch". Bob would run five steps, then go to the coach and say, "Coach, I need a replacement quick." (Bob said that.)

Bob went into Home Depot with the person who is laying our wood floors. I asked if he remembered where the base board was located. He told me exact directions. Woo-hoo. Memory is slowly returning, except where we live. He answers that question correctly about 50% of the time. We laugh about it though. He'll say, "uhh...Where the hell are we?" as he rolls his eyes.

Have you visited www.travel-mobility.com to order your Personal Medical Information Book yet? What are you waiting for? Get one for each family member.

Good day...

What a great Sunday. Bob sang and played his guitar at the church picnic with the choir director, a choir member, and a church member. Three played guitar and the other played a banjo. Bob and I chose songs that are very familiar. Our intentions were for the people who attended the picnic to sing along. Which they did. It was so exciting to see Bob play and sing. I loved hearing his voice as he talked through the microphone. He has his radio voice back.

One thing I did notice, though, that only needs practice is his ability to play the guitar, read music, and sing at the same time fluently. (It's better than I could do) Hell, that might be asking a bit much. After all, he was on his "death bed" 16 months ago.

Bob is doing so well walking. He's a miracle!

Bob announced in church that we are getting married in May. If you're going to attend, plan on two celebrations-our marriage and two year anniversary of life for Bob.

Who's losing their memory? Not Bob...

Bob and I decided to go to Sheri's to get dessert. We got in the car, drove down our road, then came to the first stop sign where I needed to make a decision to go right or left. My mind was a complete blank. I forgot where we were going. I said, "Where are we going?" Bob told me, "Sheri's"! Yes, Bob told me where we were going! He said, "Only one of us can be forgetful between us, so get it together." The nerve.... :-) I've been hanging around Bob too long. I'm picking up his habits.



Don't forget to visit http://www.travel-mobility/ to get you Personal Medical Information Book.

Too many smartasses...

Exercise was not a problem today for my t. When we entered Home Depot, I offered to wheel my wheelchair myself and he could ride in one of the automatic carts. Bob refused, and said that he needs to walk to get exercise for the day. By the end of our trek across Home Depot two or three times, Bob was getting very slow, but he made it. Hahaha, one fellow stopped us and said, "Are you aware there is a speed limit?" I said, "I'm buckled in. We're good." (Smartass)

Bob's telling everyone that we got married last weekend, and that we're having a second ceremony in Plover in May. Once again....smartass.

Thank goodness for driver's licenses. Bob's has saved me in many many arguments about where we live and when he moved here. He was so "deadset" on living east of Pocahontas, IA and only living here since 2009. I had him look at the issue date on his license. He backed down from his argument. I asked him to not argue with me. He told me to get used to it, because that's what he does. Jokingly, I pulled out my calendar to put a question mark beside May 14, 2011 (our wedding day). :-D The brain and memory are so baffling and frustrating at the same time.

Bob is so smart...

Bob was so amazing today as we talked about commodities. We discussed the difference between the styles of brokers, chart readers or news reactors. Bob is a combination of both, but weighs more toward reading charts. The "zone" he was in while discussing the topic reinforced how intelligent he is, especially about commodities. In my opinion, the clearing house that Bob worked with before his stroke and doesn't want to work with him anymore is making a mistake. A lot of the reason is fear. Bob had brain surgery, so But, I've said this many times over my blogging novel, God has a plan for all of us, and I'm sure there is a real good reason things are happening the way they are.

Bob will be back to trading actively within a few weeks. He'll be with a new clearing house. The new clearing house and the people Bob will be working with are long-time friends. Reconnecting with these people has put a little more "spunk" in Bob's walk.

Bob is trying so hard to work on remembering things. As always, if I give him clues, what he is trying to recall comes to the forefront of his memory immediately. One thing he doesn't remember yet is how we met. He recalls little details, but not how we met. :-(

More caregiver reunions...

I hope everyone had a safe and restful Memorial Day. One thing I miss living in this part of Oregon that the east coast always had are parades for every holiday. I believe we have two parades, one for the start of the rodeos (I think) and the Veterans Day parade.

Bob and I saw two nurses today that took care of him while he was in Rosehaven Medical Center. I loved seeing their faces of surprise when they recognized him. When Bob was in Rosehaven, he was just learning to eat, and he still had his trach in. To see him walking brought complete joy to their faces. And, of course, Bob got all teary-eyed at their reactions.

One thing that upsets Bob when we see people that were his caregivers is that he doesn't remember any of them, so all he can do is thank them. It is a sincere thanks, but not as sincere as it would be if he knew who and what they did for him.

Have you order your "My Personal Medical Information Book"?

Easier days...

Everyday is getting easier and easier for Bob and me to just get in the car to run errands. Bob is able to walk with no assistance, so he's able to get a shopping cart and then, return it to the shopping cart "hopper".

Bob is relearning how to use the debit card machine. Next, we'll tackle the self checkout line.

Bob still doesn't remember what he's done from morning to afternoon. Gentle reminders are the key. He's ok with me having to remind him all the time. He knows and recognizes that he has very short-term memory.

Remember to order your Personal Medical Information book. Take the worries out of having to remember medical information during emergency situations.

backseat driver...

Oh my heavens! Bob is such a backseat driver; it's unbelievable. He watches the traffic lights to tell me when my signal is about to turn green. EVERY TIME! He tells me where to turn. He tells me the speed limit. And, the worst annoyance...he tells me to pull up about a foot or two to "trip" the device that changes the traffic signal.

All I can say is "Thank goodness for VW bugs!" Why? Do you remember the thing you used to do when you saw a VW bug? You'd yell, "SLUG BUG", then hit the person beside you? Well, my teens have resurrected that shenanigan, and I get to slug Bob now every time I see a VW bug. And, let me tell you, there are a lot of them around.

Remember to order your Personal Medical Information Book. Click here to visit the site. I've been getting stories about how thankful people are to have gotten the book. Emergency trips to the ER do not allow ones mental state to recall easily.

Memory farts...

Bob and I haven't been in an argument over where we live for quite sometime. However, today was the day for all kinds of memory "farts" for Bob. I asked him, "What am I going to do with you?" (just being a smartass) He told me that I need to help him remember. That's a good thing he knows he doesn't remember too much. Ha, he told me today when he remembered something, "Now, if you ask me five minutes from now, I probably won't remember."

He has been writing things that he's done during the day on a calendar. By doing this, Bob can refer to it to remind himself what he's done during the day. Today, we decided to print out an hourly planner, so he can remind himself of what he has to do in the future. It did occur to me to look both ways in the day, past and future. I was so focused on Bob remembering what he did earlier in the day; I didn't think about remembering things that needed done later in the day, like appointments.

Did you order your Personal Medical Information Book?

New page...

Update to the Personal Medical History Book: A fingerprint page has been added to the book. In severe emergency cases, fingerprints will help identify you. Also, a child's fingerprints are needed for identification purposes. Be prepared. When you least expect it, you'll need medical information for yourself or someone in the family. Go here to get a copy of a book that I wrote out of necessity. I needed Bob's medical information time and time again. I designed the book by using a variety of medical forms that repeated the same information over and over. The book is only $14.95. That is 14.95 well spent dollars. It can also be used in emergency situations. If available to EMTs, all of your medical and identifying information is right at their disposal.Included in this book are stroke and heart attack warning signs, caregiver lifting tips, and travel first aid tips. Important information right at your finger tips. Get a book for everyone in your family.

Tonight was the first night for church choir practice. Bob has not missed a beat when it comes to singing. His voice is so wonderful; as most already know.

Bob walked around the yard for the first time today in sixteen months. He walked around checking out the landscape projects that need done, and he checked out the outside of the new addition.

Needless to say, Bob's walking is getting more steady each day. He just used a walking stick today.