Tuesday Update..........

Diane is having serious nausea problems that are no longer covered by the meds. However the addition of an in-home health nurse today meant she got a nice in-bed bath, and some good sanitary care. It also gave me a chance to run to Walgreens to replenish wipes, paper towels, etc.

She is now resting comfy for the night....I hope.

One of Diane's favorite people from our church, Parvin Veach, stopped by late afternoon. They had a great chat. Diane is quite a bit weaker now. Home health aide will come Tuesday along with the regular hospice nurse. Is resting comfy at the moment listening to country-western music (her favorite).

Saturday Update

we are upgrading the in-home hospice care this coming week by having a hospice nurses' aide come in tue. and thur. to bathe and assist Diane. This is in addition to having the regular hospice nurse come every morning. We are now to weak to get into the shower, etc., so this is a necessity. If need be, the nurses' aide will be availble to come every week day. We are resting comfortably so far this morning, thanks in part to the wonderful fresh air pouring in the windows.

Wednesday Update:

mom had a good visit this afternoon with one of her favorite church ladies, Marlys Foster, who runs the eyeglasses place at Merle Hay. She straightened the bow on the one side of mom's red glasses. Also brought her a pretty cross for the wall. Has been sleeping soundly since, along with old Snapshot the dog, who is nestled by her side. The good afternoon makes up for a slightly rocky morning.

Monday's update

Diane is very tired today. Slept away most of the afternoon. Spent some time around suppertime out in our living room. Has been fast asleep back in bed since then. Nausea under control for most of the day.

Saturday Update

After kind of a rough night things have settled down a bit. Tried just a few sips of milk this a.m. So far so good. Sponge bath in order after she sleeps for a while longer.

Thursday Evening

We are resting this evening.

Slept almost all afternoon.

The combination of meds is helping the nausea.

She is simply very tired.

Almost no liquid intake today at all

Update for Thursday

Quite exhausted. Yesterday was busy with a few visitors. Nausea still not completely controlled. much restlessness in the night.

a different form of anti-nausea medication is helping the situation. Diane still cannot eat and has limited fluid intake. She is able to rest a bit better.

Sunday Update

Sorry I haven't posted updates for a couple of days. Time just gets away from you sometimes. Here is Bob's update for Sunday:

t was such a beautiful morning that I was able to get Diane into her transport chair and we sat out in the 4-seasons room marveling at the light coming through the trees and the coolness coming through the room.

I was also able to get her hair washed and a bath. She is now resting well. She hasn't been able to eat or drink anything this morning, but does not care.

Thursday Update

Darci and her two girls stopped by today and Diane and I both got haircuts. Diane's blond hair is still nice and blond. It was a great visit. Made her tired, but was great. Also, an old Register friend, Carol McGarvey, stopped by. It was great to see her again after so many years. It has been a good afternoon, even with a few brief bouts of nausea.

Wednesday Update

Diane woke-up early with nausea, but then that subsided. The hospice nurse came at 9:00.

we are adjusting a couple of medications. Diane is now sleeping soundly after having a nice hot shower. Some church folks are going to visit later this p.m., and Dr. Angel might stop by after his hospital rounds. Otherwise, we are hoping for a quiet day.

No update for Monday

...other than to say the hospice nurse had a hard time getting there this morning, as every single street into West Des Moines was flooded. That was one heck of a lightning show last night and 5+ inches of rain!! Holy moly!

On the Road Again

Bob wanted to take Diane for a Jeep ride today. They drove over to their church just as services had let out, so they got to say hello to some friends.

And a few more....

One of these days, I will figure out how this whole blogger thing works, and post captions under each photo. I'm still learning, bear with me.

More photos

Some old timey photos

Bob gave me several envelopes of old (I mean OLD) photos (!!) These are a few that I thought were just too adorable not to share. My Mom and I looked at them on Thursday after visiting Diane....She thought that young Diane looks amazingly like Samantha. I think there are a couple pictures where she looks exactly like Andrew.

Saturday Update from Bob

after lots of visitors yesterday, Kara and her children and their new dog "Oreo', and my sister Jeanette and her husband stopping by, both of us were tired. It made for a good, long night sleep. Even the dogs were tired. We all slept until almost 8:00 a.m. this morning. One of our best nights yet. Diane has had a nice shower, some banana pudding, and is watching her favorite Fox news business shows. - bob

Sorry I haven't posted an update...

Today my Mom (Mary Stephens) and I stopped by. I've got to say, Diane seemed so much better. We were there for at least an hour, she was awake the whole time. She was totally 'with it' and up to date with current events.

I think because she's been getting more rest and keeping food down, she has a bit more energy. She did say she was up 3 times during the night, but that's really a good thing, because that means her kidneys are working properly!!

Keep praying!! It's working!

I have some more pictures to post - Old Timey pictures! I'll post them tomorrow.

Stronger

we have had a pretty good morning. she was a bit stronger this a.m. so I got her into the shower, got her cleaned up. she's been able to hold down milk, water, and pills. Decided to take advantage of a good morning and get done all we can. she is now resting comfy again.

I thought I'd post my own update today since I had gone over to hang out with Diane while Bob mowed the back yard.

She seemed pretty good to me. She was awake and smiling. I asked her if she'd like to me to sit with her or just leave her alone, she shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "yeah, if you want to..."

BUT, by the time I got back in there, she was asleep so I stayed out in the living room.

Update from Bob

Hi: just thought you'd like to know we had a peacefull night. she watched tv until about 1:00 a.m. and then slept straight through until I got up with the dogs at 7:10. Is much more comfy with the wedge thing for the bed.

From Jeannie McCall

Hi, Heather! Having known Diane since 1967 when she joined the family on March 25 (I was the guest book attendant! I felt so important!!), I have MANY, MANY fond memories of my wonderful sister-in-law! Bob & Diane's wedding was the only one that my Dad lived long enough to see. Since my Dad was already deceased (April 22, 1969, when I was only 14), Bob & Diane would invite me to spend time with them in Milwaukee during the summers so I could have some freedom from my over-bearing Mom and Grandmother (who lived with us after having a stroke). Summers in Wisconsin were WONDERFUL TIMES!! In fact, I was in Milwaukee at their apartment when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon!! We stayed up and watched the television coverage, and ate pizza, and made a party of it! What a great accomplishment for America!! KJ was just about 18 months old or so, and each morning she would wake me up by throwing toys out of her crib at me (I slept in her room on a cot)! And summers in Milwaukee were not complete without a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo - we'd put KJ (as we called her then!) in a stroller, and head out and walk as much as we could, and ride the train around to various locations. It was a hoot!! The little Ford Maverick got a workout each summer!

The summer Diane was expecting David (1971), I went to Milwaukee and stayed the whole summer, as Diane needed lots of rest and couldn't do house cleaning, vacuuming, laundry (which was down in the basement), etc. So, I did whatever Diane asked me to do as far as housework and laundry and dishes, and helped with some cooking, and we had a great summer only without as much walking around and "playing," but we still had fun! KJ and I BOTH got brown as Indians as we played in the wading pool almost every day! It was a wonderful summer, and I was so glad to help out so she could carry David to term. (I believe the house was on 63rd Street, or something like that! It's just been too long ago!!) One time they even took me out to a stable in one of the suburbs, and I got to go on a trail ride for about an hour while they just waited!! Diane was just so wonderful to me, and made sure we all got to have a good time. We all went to the Disney movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at adrive-in theatre in one of the suburbs, too - I believe it was Menominee Falls. Those outdoor theatres don't even exist anymore!

God gave me a fantastic sister-in-law (who was more like a sister!) who showed me what it was like to be a good wife & mother, and I have always looked up to her for putting up with me, and treating me so well when I was a bratty little teenager. Once we moved from Norwalk over to Eastern Iowa, it was harder to stay in touch, but we did. Just wish this whole thing wasn't happening, and we could have had more time with Diane. Glad Bob retired early from the DM Register so they could travel and enjoy time with each other.

So, there are a few memories - I could fill pages and pages!!

Love,

Jeannie McCall

Sunday

By the time Dave's family arrived Sunday afternoon, Diane was exhausted. She came out to the couch for less than 5 minutes, told us to go home so she could go to bed. Dave was so disappointed he couldn't have spent more time with his Mom.

Just received an update from Bob:

" I think it is fortunate you were able to be here today and be
able to speak with her. It seems that we have crossed some kind of
line this afternoon.. She is simply no longer with us. I think we have
entered the next phase of this battle."

I was able to grab a few old photos to post. The new header photo is of Diane when they were on their honeymoon. Leave it to Bob to take his new wife to a brewery! (circa 1967)

Regarding the family photos, one is from circa 1980, the other one doesn't have a date on it, and Dave has no idea.

Please sign the guest book.

Photo Therapy Session