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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Sending wishes to the universe that your car and your g'ma are ok, SIX! And *hugs* to you.

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Thanks! Car was great. Considering the circumstances, so was grams.

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It's so stressful when someone you care about is in hospital. But even when they're only semi-conscious and seem unaware, they can hear you. Having been yanked from familiar surroundings into an alien world can be very disorienting and agitating, but even tho they may not know where they are or even who they are, a familiar voice, face, and touch can be very reassuring and allow them to relax and heal. If your g'ma thrashes around, tries to yank out tubes or pull out leads or climb out of bed, tell her that you're there. Place a reassuring hand on her arm, if she's used to you touching her, and tell her that you'll take care of her. Ask her what she needs. If she needs changing, call the aide. If she needs water, and water is allowed, give her sips of water (with a straw!) if she's in serious distress - trouble breathing, etc - don't use the call button. Boogie on over to the nurses' station and get help Hospital staff is busy, having you there to attend to her helps her AND them. Be assured, you just being there will help. Iven been on both sides of that equation, and I know. And she too will know someone is in her corner.

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My grandma is one tough son of a bitch.

That first evening there she was laying in bed and obviously weak, but she knew where she was and why she was there. No changing necessary the whole time. She was still breathing a little heavy that first night, but when I talked to the lung doctor the next morning it was obvious why.... She's REALLY been through some shit. They drained 1,700ml of fluid from around the lung with spots. And there's still 200 more in there. It sounds like they're going to have to drain her two more times. Test results aren't in yet, but the lung doctor pulled me aside after I was asking questions and basically told me "it's cancer until it's not cancer". I'm not buying it until it happens.

I spent most of yesterday with her so my aunt could go back to work, and most of the morning today until after my dad made it and visited. He's the one who asks all the right questions, especially insurance related, so it was good to finally have him there to tag me out.

Last night when I came she actually reached out of the chair to give me a hug, which was the first time she did that, and this morning they had her off of the oxygen for an hour with no problems. They put her through some exercises both with and without oxygen and her results were good enough to not need to send her home with oxygen.

She might be coming home tonight.

I had to come back to refill on some stuff and to get a break. I think I'm going to sleep at my house tonight, maybe start some work I was going to do at my friend's place tomorrow morning even if I can't finish it, and maybe go back and stay over tomorrow night and help ease both her and my aunt back into whatever situation is going to be "normal", at least until she gets some exercise and hopefully gets back to where she was a few months ago before she had almost half a gallon of fluid around her lungs.

I've got some obligations during the week, but hopefully I can get back over there by Thursday to help out and hopefully get her started on her new exercise routine that I got her to promise she was going to start not just for her sake, but for everyone else's too.

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But from YOUR POV, when the hospital staff talks to you ... they might not do this at night but if they take her for tests ... ask them what tests. Ask them what meds she is on, and TAKE NOTES. Ask them to spell it out if need be. Many of my family worked in hospitals- RN, EKG tech/stat lab tech, ER doctor ... I know the lingo. I'm oriented to hospital procedure. But unless I take notes I forget critical info under stress. It will help you g'mas ongoing care at home if someone knows what's wrong, what the treatments/meds are, what they do, symptoms to look out for etc.

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She's gotten an echogram, the fluid removed from her lungs and two CAT scans, along with the oxygen test they did this morning. They're testing the fluid for cancer and might have that by today, if not it should be on Monday. They haven't given her any oral drugs, but she has been on an IV with antibiotics for the pneumonia.

Not a singe word about heart problems, which is awesome.

I went back to her house and brought back a few changes of clothes for her when I heard she might be getting out tonight, and when I left them, they were both playing a game of Upwords just like they always do on weekdays at her house.



Fingers crossed!

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I'm not a prayerful person, SIX, but I sincerely hope the best for you and your g'ma.

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Thanks again. I think everyone is going to need them right now. But in a huge role reversal I've been the voice of positive thinking this last week.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.

I hope so too.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.

I hope so too.

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Nice!

I'll be doing some rough stuff this week. I'll let you know if I destroy my back again.



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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by Brenda:
Well, I got back from my walk on a bright sunny day.

I did the dishes and cleaned out the kitchen sink then I sat down in front of my computer and finished retyping out the last chapter of my book.

Over the weekend I should be able to email to this lady that I know and she will read it and then help me draft a proposal.

I will be paying for all that typing over the next bit. My fingers on my right hand are sore. I just gave them a couple of good bends. Ow.

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.

I hope so too.

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Nice!

I'll be doing some rough stuff this week. I'll let you know if I destroy my back again.



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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Be careful SIX. My trashed shoulder is still on the mend and I have to watch or I will pull it out again.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
My aunt is going to sleep on the floor in her bedroom the next two nights until she feels comfortable being upstairs with her downstairs all night. But she did say that she's had her go to the bathroom twice so far and watched her without giving her any assistance and she was able to manage the whole thing on her own.



She told my grandma that today was her day of rest and tomorrow they start doing exercise. I told her that she should incorporate the egg timer I brought over to try to burn it into her brain so she'd remember to use it during the day when my aunt is at work.



And I was able to go out shopping for the sales again and just got about $120 worth of stuff for $14.



It's been a good day.




Hope your fingers feel better Brenda and that all the hard work pays off.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
Well, I got back from my walk on a bright sunny day.

I did the dishes and cleaned out the kitchen sink then I sat down in front of my computer and finished retyping out the last chapter of my book.

Over the weekend I should be able to email to this lady that I know and she will read it and then help me draft a proposal.

I will be paying for all that typing over the next bit. My fingers on my right hand are sore. I just gave them a couple of good bends. Ow.

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How many chapters in your book, BRENDA? Or,another way ... how many pages? It seems like alot to typing.

I have no idea how to submit a book. Altho sis used to be a technical editor that's an entirely different thing. Are there requirements like ... double spacing (for editors marks)? Or that the old-fashioned way?

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
My aunt is going to sleep on the floor in her bedroom the next two nights until she feels comfortable being upstairs with her downstairs all night. But she did say that she's had her go to the bathroom twice so far and watched her without giving her any assistance and she was able to manage the whole thing on her own.



She told my grandma that today was her day of rest and tomorrow they start doing exercise. I told her that she should incorporate the egg timer I brought over to try to burn it into her brain so she'd remember to use it during the day when my aunt is at work.



And I was able to go out shopping for the sales again and just got about $120 worth of stuff for $14.



It's been a good day.




Hope your fingers feel better Brenda and that all the hard work pays off.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Great news about your g'ma SIX! Do you suppose her memory problems and fatigue were just due to poor oxygenation?

Keeping positive thoughts!

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
I've got to call my aunt soon and see if she got her to do any exercise today. I haven't gotten a call from her in about 6 hours which has to be a good thing.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
After taking too many days of, I finally got the motivation to do some yardwork and limb up an oak tree and trim the shiny-leaf mahonias (or whatever the heck they are. They were sold to me as mahonia repens and then grew about 6' taller than they should!)

Shiny leaf mahonia


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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.

I hope so too.

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Nice!

I'll be doing some rough stuff this week. I'll let you know if I destroy my back again.



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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Be careful SIX. My trashed shoulder is still on the mend and I have to watch or I will pull it out again.

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Semms like you did a lot more than pull your sholuder, BRENDA. It sounds like a dislocation. That's a serious injury!

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.
I hope so too.

SIX: Nice!
I'll be doing some rough stuff this week. I'll let you know if I destroy my back again.


BRENDA: Be careful SIX. My trashed shoulder is still on the mend and I have to watch or I will pull it out again.

SIGNY Semms like you did a lot more than pull your sholuder, BRENDA. It sounds like a dislocation. That's a serious injury!

BRENDA: My new doc ordered an x-ray and nothing unusual showed up on it.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
You be careful with your shoulder, Brenda.

I'll make sure I stretch real good.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
A little heat from a hot water bottle and they seem better SIX. I did that while I watched M*A*S*H.
I hope so too.

SIX: Nice!
I'll be doing some rough stuff this week. I'll let you know if I destroy my back again.


BRENDA: Be careful SIX. My trashed shoulder is still on the mend and I have to watch or I will pull it out again.

SIGNY Semms like you did a lot more than pull your sholuder, BRENDA. It sounds like a dislocation. That's a serious injury!

BRENDA: My new doc ordered an x-ray and nothing unusual showed up on it.

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I'm going on your description of "pulling it out again"

Once a partially dislocated joint moves back into place, nothing will show up on x-ray bc all of the damage is soft tissue. It's just that all the tendons and ligaments that hold the ball of the shoulder joint in its corresponding socket get stretched or partially torn, and it takes a long time to heal.

BTW fully dislocating a joint is a little like breaking a bone in that pain causes all muscles in the area to spasm, and unless the muscles are pulled hard enough to get the ball back in the socket ... or to set the bone fragments end-to-end... muscle spasms will keep everything locked in misalignment.

And it's not like TV shows where you see someone writhing in pain and an experienced doctor comes by and yanks it back into place and the patient sits up grinning and says "Thanks doc'" and walks away. It takes weeks in a sling and months of PT.

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by Brenda:
Up to do a couple of things then over lunch I will take a look at some book publishers from Canada and see if I can find someone useful. I will be making notes on what I find about submissions and such.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
Up to do a couple of things then over lunch I will take a look at some book publishers from Canada and see if I can find someone useful. I will be making notes on what I find about submissions and such.

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Well, if it gets published, count me in as one of your first customers!

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Well, I got us all scheduled for eye and dental exams. I'll also be scheduled for additional tests to check some sore spots to rule out (or rule in?) cancer.

It occurred to me that next year I'll be 70. Wow. I still think of myself as in my early 60s. Time to update the mental calendar!

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Well, I got us all scheduled for eye and dental exams. I'll also be scheduled for additional tests to check some sore spots to rule out (or rule in?) cancer.

It occurred to me that next year I'll be 70. Wow. I still think of myself as in my early 60s. Time to update the mental calendar!

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Also I am finding these last two weeks of February draaging. I just want to get my next dental appointment over with. My mouth has to be measured for the denture and I have a terrible feeling it means a plaster mold. Yuck! Went through that in high school for braces.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Grams has terminal cancer... :(

Hospice is getting everything set up for her at home tomorrow morning and she'll be back home for good in the afternoon. She's going to need 24/7 coverage now and they're saying six months, but both my dad and aunt told me with how she looks right now after having a spigot put in her to drain the fluid they don't think it will be more than a few weeks. I'm hoping she was just dosed with something for the operation and once she gets cleaned up she'll at least look like she did before and hopefully the breathing is better now that she was drained again.

I'll be spending a lot of time over there helping out. I'll check in when I can.

Hope you're both doing well.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Well, I got us all scheduled for eye and dental exams. I'll also be scheduled for additional tests to check some sore spots to rule out (or rule in?) cancer.

It occurred to me that next year I'll be 70. Wow. I still think of myself as in my early 60s. Time to update the mental calendar!

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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Also I am finding these last two weeks of February draaging. I just want to get my next dental appointment over with. My mouth has to be measured for the denture and I have a terrible feeling it means a plaster mold. Yuck! Went through that in high school for braces.

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Oh, you had braces too? I didn't feel like I needed them but my parents thought I did!

February drags for me in general. After all the holidays and birthdays from early October all the way thru Jan 1, February feels flat. It's still winter, not yet spring and there's nothing to look forward to.

Once upon a time, before life derailed me, I used the schedule our "yearly" appointments for February to break up the monotony. That would place any six-month appointments in August which, IMHO, also sucks.



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Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Grams has terminal cancer... :(

Hospice is getting everything set up for her at home tomorrow morning and she'll be back home for good in the afternoon. She's going to need 24/7 coverage now and they're saying six months, but both my dad and aunt told me with how she looks right now after having a spigot put in her to drain the fluid they don't think it will be more than a few weeks. I'm hoping she was just dosed with something for the operation and once she gets cleaned up she'll at least look like she did before and hopefully the breathing is better now that she was drained again.

I'll be spending a lot of time over there helping out. I'll check in when I can.

Hope you're both doing well.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by Brenda:
I am so sorry to hear that SIX. That is hard work for all the family and hospice is the best for 24/7 care.

*Hugs* to you and your family.

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I'm sure you've thought of this, but on the practical side, at some point your g'ma is going to need to be downstairs and near a bathroom.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
I am so sorry to hear that SIX. That is hard work for all the family and hospice is the best for 24/7 care.

*Hugs* to you and your family.

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Thanks Brenda.

We'll circle the wagons and figure it out.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I'm sure you've thought of this, but on the practical side, at some point your g'ma is going to need to be downstairs and near a bathroom.

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She's on the first floor and the bathroom is right next to her bedroom.

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
I am so sorry to hear that SIX. That is hard work for all the family and hospice is the best for 24/7 care.

*Hugs* to you and your family.

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Thanks Brenda.

We'll circle the wagons and figure it out.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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I'm sure you and your family will.

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by SIGNYM:
I'm sure you've thought of this, but on the practical side, at some point your g'ma is going to need to be downstairs and near a bathroom.

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She's on the first floor and the bathroom is right next to her bedroom.

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Oh... And I talked to my Aunt and I'm going to be moving all of her stuff downstairs in a room right off the kitchen that we cleared out last year. She brought her mattress down and she's been sleeping in the living room on it since Friday night.

I'll probably be staying over one or two nights per week so my Dad doesn't have to stay all day 5 days a week while my aunt is working. It doesn't sound like my uncle has any plans of taking any days off of work, and my other aunt (his wife) is probably going to be wearing a mask for the rest of her life and probably won't be any help since she was barely at the hospital at all in the last two weeks.

Since I'm sure I'd be really bored staying there that often at one time in a house that has tech limited to things that were made in the 1980s and without internet, I can also spend some of that time cleaning things up and clearing some stuff out that my aunt and I haven't already gotten to.

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Originally posted by Brenda:

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Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:

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Originally posted by Brenda:
I am so sorry to hear that SIX. That is hard work for all the family and hospice is the best for 24/7 care.

*Hugs* to you and your family.

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Thanks Brenda.

We'll circle the wagons and figure it out.

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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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I'm sure you and your family will.

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It just occurred to me that possibly could have been offensive to you, Brenda. You know that normally I wouldn't care about political correctness, but I do like you very much and I'd hate to think that the use of an idiom I grew up with pissed you off.



I was just telling my grandma a while back that my hips sometimes hurt when I'm working on the computer too long and I'm sitting Indian Style on my futon, and then I said I probably shouldn't call it that anymore.

Old habits die hard.



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Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

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