Midgie at Meadowood Saturday 11/26/2005

I talked to Peggy on the phone early Saturday morning and she was at 513 doing some laundry for mom and making some sandwiches for mom and Judy. I ask her to give me a short shopping list for the grocery store and I picked up a few things for 513 and to take to the Rehab Center. The item mom seem to like was individual servings of mandarin oranges. I remembered that mom made salads with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, chipped up pecan, and folded into Kool Whip. Wonderful.

I went by the grocery store, mom's house and was at Meadowood early pm. Mom had just finished her lunch and had eaten the snack Peggy took her. I ask her about one of the servings of mandarin oranges and she ate this and drank the juice in the little plastic carton. If anything, mom's appetite is just one click this side of wonderful.

We went for a walk and walked around the nursing station on her walker. Peggy was following behind her as mom's stability and strength is still a little less that desired. She had a problem getting up out of the chair onto the walker without help, but we did not help, and made her use her upper body strength to lift herself out of the chair. I understand talking to Judy, P/T is working on her upper body strength addressing this problem.

I stayed for about 2 hours and mom seemed somewhat restless as she has times like that. Sometimes she is content and fine and understands where she is and why but like Saturday, she wanted to go home NOW. The nurse came to help her to the bathroom and she was a little panicky doing this? Judy says sometimes mom gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom on her own without any assistance? A mixed bag here of where she is in this process of returning to somewhat near normal.

You cannot tell mom goodbye! She wants you to stay whether you have been there 30 minutes or 4 hours. So...I just get my water glass and kiss her and tell her I am going to get some ice for my glass. She will turn away and do something else and unfortuantely most of the time, she cannot remember you have been there. That is why she needs more skilled nursing or assistance than we can safely supply at 513 Alice Street.

Keep mom in your prayers and all of us as we make some moves next week./Jeff

Paperwork

I have too much experience filling out paperwork. If there is paperwork to be filled out, here Jeff, you are the detail person, and you do it best! Is this a compliment, a hand-off, or am I really that anal retentive person that insist that the detail is done and done right? Where am I going from here?

Everyone fills out paperwork and my situation is no different. I have filled out paperwork in triplicate for the government and the U. S. Coast Guard. Prior to that, I filled out huge amounts of paperwork when I went to the University of Alabama too many years ago. They do it all on computer now, and the registration is done mostly from home and the time on campus may even be nil when it comes to the actual registration. Back in 1955, it was two days of standing in lines to sign up for certain classes and trying to avoid Saturday class if at all possible. Now they don't even have classes on Saturday. My degree should have an asterisk by it as "let it be known that Jeff Nutter achieved this by attending Saturday classes and night classes when everyone else was partying and having a good time". Don't you think that should be on my degree?

I volunteered and joined the U. S. Coast Guard shortly after finishing college as Uncle Sam had given me a deferment for a year or two to finish. Now I was 1A and try to get a job when you are 1A. You signed your name on an application and then the form had a blank space for "draft status". Unlined was "if 1A-1D, stop here!" So I needed to get my military obligation behind me and the USCG Reserve was the way to go, or seemed more to my liking. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. No computers back in 1961, and the Coast Guard is part of the Treasury department and you have to pass the tightest security exam. They sent officers to talk to my neighbors, my minister, my employer, my brother, and just about anyone that might have some dirt on me. Well, I passed! Again more paperwork.

I have now been exposed to the paperwork in getting my mom into a lock dementia facility that she needs now at almost 91. I started yesterday after breakfast about 10:00am and guess what time I put the folder and briefcase away? 4:00 pm, or almost 6 hours with only three or four 15 minute breaks to relieve my writers cramps and deal with mother nature. I am still not through, as now I have a shopping list of things required on a check list that must be present for her to check in sometime next week.

So it is off to Home Depot and Walmart for the things she needed. I will stop here as like yesterday, telling you about this has made me tired. I need a break....Thanks Evan or Amie if you two have read this far!!!LOL/Jeff

Ashton Gables and my Midgie

I really don't know how to start this story about mom and how things are right now? She has made some progress in the last weeks at Meadowood Health and Rehab but not to the point of being self supporting or living at 513 Alice Street. This has presented Jack and me with some life changing decisions for her and for all of us, but prefaced with her safety and best interest in mind.

Meadowood has a good physical therapy program but when it comes to the aminities of her whole life in mind, it is lacking. Jack and I (and Karen and Vicki) have looked at no less than 10 or 12 facilities to find the one that "fits mom's needs". Jack found two and I found one and it boiled down to Galleria Woods in Vestavia, Ashton Gables in Hoover, and "The Oak at Parkwood" on 150 between Hoover and Bessemer. All three are relatively new, and each have seen mom and she will fit in with their program(s) for dementia patients.

Wednesday morning I met Jack at Jim n' Nicks Barbeques' parking lot on 31S, and we drove to met Judith (Judy) Bradley at Ashton Gables. You walk into a large family room with a dining room adjoining with a baby grand piano on the left. There are large chairs, sofas all in a circle with most of them occupied by the patients. It is new, it is all carpeted, and the paint is fresh and clean. First impression is important. We met Judy and went in her office and talk a little but soon she gave us a walk through of the facility.

Judy showed us some of the room, both semi-private and private but all were relatively the same as far as size is concerned. They were spacious and had the personal beds, dressers, and bureaus making each room look like home. I was impressed as was Jack. The important thing was the ratio of staff to patient and how they knew where everyone was all the time. How?

The entire facility has infared cameras and they have motion pads on the beds and chairs on patients like mom who requires some assistance when she is up or on her walker. When she goes to bed, the motion detector is under the bedcover and if she gets off the bed, someone's pager goes off with the patient name and room number on the display. Their computer system tracks all these actions and soon they have a program designed for mom based on her habits and needs. I loved the fact that anytime she may be alone, an alarm goes off if she misbehaves.

Jack and I talked to Judy again in her office and then we left and Jack and I talked in my car. The other facilities are good, really good, but this one has an edge when it comes to mom's total safety at all times. We realize at almost 91, just one fall, would possibly break a hip and she would be in the hospital for a long stay. We decide!

Bottom line, I have a bunch of paper work to complete and get back to Judy by Monday. But we are satified she will be in the nicest and safest place she can possibly be. We have a staff and family meeting at Meadowood next Wednesday November 30th and we plan to move mom and her furniture on about the same day or next day. So you guys now know what I know. Go to Ashton Gables via Google with your browser and you can find exactly where it is located just off 31S in Shelby county.

Love you all and keep mom and all of us in your continued prayers. We hope and pray this will be a great experience for mom. Again, News at 11:00/Jeff

The PUZZLE at Meadowood Nov. 20, 2005

November 21, 2005: 7:30am

Good morning family and friends from the Nutter Central Listening Post.

Mother is still at Meadowood and is doing OK, adapting to the routine OK. She still is a mystery as she does some weird things that upset not only us, but the people around her. For example.....

1. Julia said she was up at 5:30am Sunday morning, wide awake, and keeping Julia awake when she wants to sleep. She refuses the nurses urging to stay in bed and nap until 8:00am when they normally get up.

2. Her stability is improving as is her strength in her legs so....They take her to the bathroom and leave her (wrong) and she gets up on her walker and walks back into her room. Big chance of falling, the safety factor gone out the window.

3. Ms Julia said she still is getting up at night sometimes and tries successfully to get out of bed, again wrong.

4. One night mom refused to go to bed at 8:00 or 9:00pm and was up until almost midnight again keeping Julia awake. They have again adjusted her medication for the pm to try to get her to rest. This restlessness is normal for dementia patients so they are having to deal with it.

5. Messing with the Puzzle! Two or three of the patients were putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle on a table across the room in the recreation area. I was not aware that mom knew anything about this? But now the puzzle is unattended, so she rolls her wheeelchair over to the table and scrambles up 2 or 3 hours of work they have done in putting the puzzle together. I learn from Julia she has done this more than once?

I know the above sounds negative but mom is reasonably safe and getting good food and physical therapy. She can get up on the walker sometimes by herself but is not safe doing this. Or is not yet! I tried or tested her Sunday and she was shakey when I had her stand for me.

I got groceries for her home at 513 Sunday so Peggy or Rebecca can make snacks for mom and for Julia. Both these ladies are doing mom laundry everyother night at 513 and drying it the next am and taking it back to the R/H. I also got some little qt containers of milk to put in the frig at the N/H so mother and/or Julia want some extra milk with their meals. I put one at the N/H Sunday and you can get a stick on label at the nurses station to apply to the bottle and put her name and room number on it.

Karen and I will be in NC for the Thanksgiving holidays, leaving Wednesday am and coming back the following Monday pm. Happy Thanksigiving to all the family and friends...

Jeff and Karen Nutter

Midgie Sunday Nov. 13, 2005

Midgie at Meadowood but with a Twist. A little humor, please!

Sunday was a busy day, a very busy day the Lord called Sunday, our day of rest. I think it is called that because by 5:00 or 6:00 pm, you are exhausted and your are out on the sofa or your recliner! This was that kind of day. Why do I tell you all this up front rather than telling you about Midgie at the get go? Well...that is me and that is the way the story IS! You take care of mom for 4 1/2 years at 513, I realized how blessed I have been in being able to do this. So begins my day

Yawn, yawn, stretch, reach for my glasses if I can remember where I put them. Ah, and the clock says 6:15 A. M., time to make coffee! I have a little time to read the paper and get Karen up before heading for the shower and shaving to dress for SS and Church. But I did, and the new minister Randy Kesler is a moving speaker. He has been here one month and you can see the congregation growing. I was so pleased to see new faces, new couples, and people who had been away for a time. Apparently the news is out.

After Church, I go by the grocery store to pick up 2 or 3 things I missed for mom just a few days ago. Kleenex, snacks, pimento and cheese, and stuff for Peggy or Ms Rebecca to make a snack for mom and Ms Judia. They enjoy the chicken salad I make or the pimento and cheese sandwiches in the afternoon between lunch and supper.

Jack calls me just as I am leaving 513 after putting the few groceries away and paying mom's bills. I have cancelled most services and turning off the phone and cable today. I hope to get the house expenses down to basic utilities and insurance. Jack wanted to know if mom's walker was at the hospital? They initially told me not to bring her walker and to take her cane home as they did not want her walking anywhere without assistance.

Mom, Jack, and Ms Rebecca were in the recreational area when I got there and mom had on her new golden clip on earrings she won at bingo. Ms Julia was there and she too got a box of powder mom won with the luckiest card of the night Saturday. WoW. Mom looked good but still has to use a wheel chair to go anywhere? Jack and I tried her in a chair and she is OK standing but cannot raise nor lower herself safely or with any degree of stability. This they are working on in her P/T each day.

Jack and I had talked on the phone and have looked at some other possibilities about where mom should be after December 1st. We both decided to go together this afternoon to the Oaks at Park and see Chris Blackerby, the director. We did after a short stop at 513 to put on some laundry. Chris met us and we went through the dementia unit called "The Orchard". This is a circular unit, with 34 apartments, studio, mid-size and the larger corner units. They do not have a vacancy right now but we are on the list now for mom if that is what we decide on. Both Galleria Oaks and The Oaks at Parkwood have sent an RN to assess mom and she will fit in their respective dementia units. I was please with both and I think mom would be happier at this location than the one she is currently in. But...she has to get stronger so she can get up on a walker or her cane, this is a must. If not, she will have to stay at Meadowood? We have about 16 days until the next family meeting November 30th.

Keep mom in your prayers and include all the caregivers. Mom is not unhappy yet she is that when we have to leave. But that is only temporary as she cannot remember we have been there. Oh...Glenn Northcutt called my cell phone Saturday while I was there and he got to speak to Midgie. A good and timely call, thanks Glenn! She has gotten cards from friends, family and the Church and also two from my friends Amie Barrett and Evan Jones in California. The cards are so unique, as they MADE the cards with all the graphics supplied by Amie. Thanks you guys for sending your cards to my MIDGIE! Jeff

Midgie at Meadowood Thurs./Fri. Nov. 10,11, 2005

November 11, 2005

Dear family and friends,

I have some time and some news on Midgie this morning. Let me tell you what happen Sunday and again Monday so you understand what happen. We were sitting in the recreation area and mom had ask about going home. I ask her if she could stand and walk and of course she said yes. But she could not nor could she lift her own weight out of the chair onto the walker. I challenged her both Sunday and Monday afternoon.

I worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday I was there only a short time with doctor appointment and work taking up most of my day. It is now Friday morning, and yesterday was different for mom.

I had most of my business behind me by 11:00am so I was in Bessemer about lunch. I had talked to Bobbie and called her as I got into Bessemer and had lunch with her in the UAB West Cafeteria. I even paid for her lunch. Jeff are you the big spender or not? Bobbie had her yearly physical with Dr. Portante, just I had had the day before. But I hit a lucky day and was in and out in a timely manner. But Bobbie’s day was a very busy day and it was after 1:00pm when she got out and that was with a 10:00am appointment. Uggg!

We ate and talked about Midgie and she had planned to see Dr. Autry about a sore shoulder but her time now was running short. I had Peggy with mom and I had called to let them know I would be after 2:00pm getting there. I was suppose to have a meeting with Ashley Barnes, mom’s 7-3 RN and go over mom’s chart with her as to her progress. They had a called staff meeting at Meadowood and this did not happen. Mom had finished her lunch when I got there and we visited and talked for a time until Mary Palmer came to the door and knocked. She is the head nurse of the dementia unit at “The Oaks at Parkwood”. Jack Nutter had stopped and talked to Mr. Chris Blackerby, the executive director and he had Mary come out to Meadowood to assess mom and to see if mom fit into their program and care.

Mary and mom needed some private time so Peggy and Julia went to the recreation area to give us some quiet time. She questioned mom about many current things and events and mother did know some and some she did not. But Mary admitted being in the rehab center for 4 weeks can confuse anyone about some things. The end results was mother would fit into the dementia unit at “The Oaks”. I gave her my card and she said she would turn in the report on mom and Jack would call me about possible plans.

Friday afternoon, November 11, Jack called in the pm and yes, mom would fit into the dementia unit at “The Oaks at Parkwood”. Jack and I talked about other options for mom including other facilities like Meadowood to even skilled nursing care at home at 513. We have until the meeting November 30th, and then we will see how strong mom is and can she walk with a great degree of confidence.

I did see mom walk a little on her walker just as Mary Palmer got there. But mom has a problem getting up and cannot lower herself into her chair or sofa with confidence. She has lost some lower back strength and hopefully with the P/T she is getting, this will improve. News at 11:00.

Midgie’s address is 820 Golf Course Road, Room 403A, Bessemer, Alabama 35022. My cell is 205.401.5731 and I have voice mail on my phone. Send her some cards as she loves mail. Thanks and love to all. /Jeff

Jeff, dad, uncle Jeff and A.K.A. Grandpa Jeff

Midgie at Meadowood Monday November 7, 2005

Midgie at Meadowood Monday November 7, 2005

Dear family and friends,

As usual, I have some Zeigler business to do each morning and it is after that I usually head toward Bessemer and Meadowood. It was about 12:30 p.m. when I got there and mom was right in the middle of her lunch. Ms Rebecca was there and she and I talked while mom at some potato salad, which she loves. I had fixed fresh Chicken Salad for them Sunday afternoon at 513 and both mother and Judy had there sandwiched BEFORE lunch. Hungry, as good sign!

Mother has a nice gash right on the left back of her head and when I did laundry last night, I had to treat blood stains on the nice purple outfit Jack and Vicki bought for her. I soaked the blood on the collar, and treated it with spray and wash and hope this gets it out? Mom finished her lunch and soon Debra came to the door. Debra is the lady who comes generally on Monday and opens the beauty shop on the 4th floor. I went to the nursing station and talked to Paulette, the LPN for this shift, and she said it was OK probably good to get the hair washed, but to do it gently.

I went back and told mom about getting her hair done. It took a little selling as she knew it was not Wednesday and it took some explaining this. Ms Rebecca helped me with mom and soon mom had her hair washed and rolled and was napping under the dryer. Mom is so cold natured, I think the heat from the dryer lulled her to sleep.

Debra did not tease her hair, but styled it, combed it out and picked at few areas around the back and crown to get her hair to look a little fuller. I told her mom looked so nice and that aunt Barbara approved of her hair since mom got her permanent two weeks ago.

We visited out in the recreation area and watched some of Judge Alex and Judge Judy show. These folks are stuck on those TV trial shows and they know when they come on and which station, a must. I was turning up the volume on the remote control and accidentally hit the UP channel button. You should have heard the protest go up from the 4 or 5 residents watching…Wrong thing to do at Meadowood between 2 and 4:00 pm!

Mom is still not able to stand. Ms Rebecca and I moved her from the wheel chair to a padded chair in the recreation area and mom is so unstable on her feet. And now after taking a spill yesterday, she is so afraid of falling again, setting back her progress in a big way. I do not know if the hit on the head itself has affected her generally health, but she seems LESS ABLE to help herself since this fall. I can only say I am unhappy about this and that is saying it mildly.

I told Michael Vickers about mom’s fall. I talked to Paulette and Ashley Barnes, the 7-3 RN who was at the family meeting and voiced my dismay and concern about mom’s welfare. Soon Ashley brought me an alarm that mom will wear at night. It is an audible alarm with a volume control and it has a lanyard (string) that attaches to the collar to her pajamas and if she moves too much at night, the alarm will go off. Monday night is the first night wearing this so I don’t have an effectiveness report to share with you right now.

I got a nice phone call last night just as I had gotten home from Bessemer. It was my son Jason in Boulder and we talked for 30 minutes and he is so upset about his grandmother. We shared news and I got caught up on Rhett, Jason and Diane and we are all on the same page with MIDGIE.

Thanks to all the family and friends that have sent cards as these are mom’s main thing right now. I (she) keeps some in her purse and some in the drawer of her bedside table. I have to work all day today so my news today will be through Peggy who is going about 1:00pm today until about 6:00 PM. So…News at 11:00.

Keep mom in your prayers,

Son Jeff (and all the Nutter family)

(Ring) Midgie at Meadowood Sunday November 6, 2005

Sunday morning November 6, 2005

Ring...Ring....! I was up at about 5:45am Sunday morning and it was now about 7:10 and the phone rings. Karen is sleeping and I am rushing around to find a handset ringing somewhere? It is Jack Nutter and Meadowood has called this morning. Midgie has fallen and hit her head!

Bottom line: At about 7:00am, it appeared she tried to get a drink of water from the large thermos on her bedside and spilled this all over her. She then went over the rails or got out at the foot of the bed and fell. She hit her head and I am going to assume someone heard this or Judy called the nursing station. She has a knot on top of her head and a gash about 1-1/2 inches long. It does not appear to be deep enough to require stitches.

They assured Jack she was OK and she appeared non the worse for the wear. Jack said it did not require a run to Bessemer like it did when her Lifeline would go off where she had pressed her alert around her neck and Jack and I would make the run in the early am hours. Jack said he would go after SS as he goes to early service at St. Marks and can be out there early. I have Ms Rebecca going in to sit with mom at 9:30/10:00 am so everything should be OK?

I plan to go to SS and Church and a luncheon for our new minister after telling Jack and Meadowood my cell phone is on "vibrate" and to call me if any changes. I feel really bad doing this (in a way) but Jack's assurance that she was OK and his going early was my key.

My morning was a fly by the seat of my britches now getting to SS and Church on time and calling all the brothers and sisters to make sure everyone knows about our mom or sister and her fall. I talk to Jimmy, Sherry, and Bobbie but could only leave a message with Kathy in Mobile for Enoch. But I get to SS about 15 minutes late after talking to my Gardner connection, Jim and Goldie in Cullman who had called earlier asking about mom.

Goldie and I had a nice talk on the way to SS and we really ran over our allotted time but that was OK under these conditions. SS and Church was great, and I really needed that. Mom or her situation now, has caused some feelings of loss or failure on my part but I have been assured by all concerned that this is not the case. But now she has been in Meadowood 3 weeks to the day and she takes a bad spill.

I get to the hospital about 1:30 pm and let Jack go home. Yes, she has a bad gash but it is not bleeding. I get a blow by blow description from Ms Julia Speigner, her room mate and also from the RN on the 7-3 shift. Jack (and I) had requested an alarm and/or higher bed rails as mom had gotten out of bed once before or once we know of. This had not happen?

I am going to Bessemer this Monday morning or that is my plan. Ms Rebecca called me last night and mom had scratched her head and the wound bled again and they had to come clean it up and put something on it. While at Meadowood Sunday I went to mom's house where Peggy had done laundry Saturday night and I dried this and took this back to Meadowood. I made fresh chicken salad for Ms Rebecca to make sandwiched for mom and Judy's snack Monday. I needed to carry this laundry back to Meadowood as this and the two quarts of milk I bought for mom was too much for Ms Rebecca to carry. What time did I finish Sunday,,,,5:00pm straight up!

So goes the saga of Midgie at Meadowood. I drive home and fill the car with gas and it is ready for my treks out monday morning. I hope my family finds my rambling at least informing about Midgie and what it takes to keep her happy and content for right now. She was not content Sunday as it was take me Home, now! She cannot walk or stand erect for any time but does not understand this. It takes some selling on all our part to make her understand she has to be where she is for NOW.

I will let you all know as I know more. This saves a few phone calls and playing phone tag with some.

Have a good day....

Son Jeff, dad, nephew Jeff and A.K.A. grandpa Jeff

Midgie at Meadowood Friday November 4, 2005

I woke Friday morning filled with good intentions of running my errands early and getting to Bessemer Friday afternoon. I begin this dialog, or really monolog with Thursday afternoon. We, Jack, Karen, Bobbie and me, got out of the staff meeting, relieved in a way, that mom is progressing and there is the kind of care available to help her. The one person who has been a part of mom's recovery is "Ashley", the 7-3 RN I met mom's first day there. You know what they say about first impressions. She was just wonderful, caring, loving, and told me mom would be well taken care of. I know doctors get the credit for most people getting well or better, but the RN's run the hospital. Sure the doctor see's mom and makes the critical decisions but who executes and is there 24/7, the RN. I hate to use my first wife as an example but I saw it in her and saw it at both Carraway hospitals at all times of the day and night. The RN's are your eyes and ears of how a patient is doing and his or her care. They make things happen!

I got off the subject. Jack had to go back to school and Mrs. Brock was ill, so he had do sick mothers. I left word for Jack on his cell phone to ask about Mrs. Brock but I have not heard from him as of this Saturday morning 11/5/2005. Thursday afternoon after Bobbie, Karen and I visited with mom, Karen too had to get back to work. Bobbie and I left last and I had a few things to get from the grocery store that Peggy (and I) needed to make our snacks and sandwiches for mom and for Judy. It began with Peggy bringing a chicken salad sandwich for mom and included Judy. Enjoyed by both as the snack in between lunch and supper. I bought some pimento and cheese and individual containers of butterscotch pudding mom likes as well as some apple sauce. I put all these in mom's refrigerator and Peggy and I have been doing mom's laundry and making her snacks while the clothes are washing and drying. I bought eggs, bread, devils food cakes, and the little squatty quart bottles of 2% milk we put in the refrigerator on the the 4th floor. Anything you put in there had better have your name and room number on it if you don't want someone else to enjoy it. I learned the hard way.

Thursday's meeting took a lot out of me! I don't know how it affected Jack Nutter, Bobbie or Karen, but being mom's primary caregiver for 4 years and 3 months, this hit me hard emotionally. I am not a softy but she has more or less been my ward for all this time. Now she is someone else's! I told Karen I felt like I had failed in some way? But Karen did not pull any punches and told me the truth. I did not fail! She is 91, or almost 91, and she needs more than you (with Peggy and Ms. Rebecca) can do at 513. But somewhere down inside my Id, is some kind of negative feeling I cannot seem to shake.
I tell you this as all of you know me. I am OK, but I guess I am in some kind of transition but really now OK.

Friday morning I could not tell you I was OK. I worked 3 hours on Zeigler business then some housework like dishes and laundry and about noon sat down to rest. I now was thinking of going to Bessemer and mom. Nope! I have a recliner and I fell asleep and woke up at almost 4:00pm? I had a disconnected feeling, like most have, when they sleep during the day! I missed the boat didn't I! I called Peggy and mom was fine. I called Karen and she was fine with my being a 'slug' Friday afternoon. I had the phone, my cell phone and company radio and no one called for almost 4 hours friday afternoon. Maybe I needed this? I admit, I feel better after this rest. Midgie is fine and I have plans to see her today Saturday.

Thank you family for all your prayers for mom and her caregivers. They are working and mom is progessing yet slowly. I have to keep reminding myself she is almost 91. Keep the cards and letters and phone calls coming in. I did a color name tag for her door. It says "Julia Speigner 403B, Mildred Nutter 403A, and on the borders it says "Welcome and Come In!" I think both will love having it on their door! Gotta go,,,Jeff

Midgie at Meadowood Thursday November 3, 2005

We had a family and staff meeting at Meadowood yesterday and mom needs more therapy and still requires more care than we can provide at home. The family (Jack, Karen, Bobbie and me) was pleasantly impressed with the staff and caregivers at Meadowood and the fact mother is happy. The social part or continued impressions and interactions with the therapists and mother have been a big plus in her recovery processes. We still don't know (and may never know) what really happen 4 weeks ago when I found she could not stand and her balance impaired.

She is better and mending. She is progressing but slowly. Most important of all, your collective prayers are working. HE has put good caregivers in her path that really care for her and NOW really love her. Many said they would hate to lose her when she leaves. We, collectively, decided on another 4 weeks and another planned family meeting November 30.

Thanks to all for all for the calls, cards, prayers, and visits. She is still in 403A but may be moved to a larger semi-private room. Mildred Nutter; News at 11:00.

Jeff and Karen Nutter and all the Nutter and Northcutt family

Midgie at Meadowood 11/1/2005

This will be a short report on mom this morning. I talked to Peggy and Ms Rebecca about mom but I worked until 6:30pm Tuesday. I sometimes can finish earlier or change my routine to go see mom, but I had burned so much time and neglected my job for quite a time. It all came to the top Tuesday. Like keeping house, no body notices until you don't do it! That was me Tuesday!

I did the most important thing I could do for mom yesterday that I could do. I prayed for her and for His guidance in taking care of her. We, the family, have a meeting tomorrow, Thursday November 3rd, to get a report from the doctors and nurses on what they see for mom now after almost 4 weeks at Meadowood.

Kathy sent a wonderful email response about some safety measures that can be put in place to keep mom safe and alert the NA (nursing assistants) that mom is moving off her bed or touches or possibly falls. Thanks Kathy, some great advise. There are patients all over the floor mom is on, that are there because of falls and broken hips and/or legs. They are in special chairs and recliners that give them some mobility away from their bed.

In closing, the NA and RN say the right words when talking about mom. Safety, is she safe? I talked to Jack Nutter yesterday and saw him the day before and told him I was impressed with this one feature that is accentuated there at Meadowood. We are thinking of home or possibly another facility that may 'seem' more at home than Meadowood. I am not voting for more days or weeks at Meadowood, but I hold off making any decisions until I hear and see the professionals Thursday.

Stay tuned...News at 11:00!!

PS: The Card. I got the mail last night and there was or is a tranlucent envelope with a blurred view of the beautiful card within. The envelope has a white circle in the center with MIDGIE c/o 3281. The return address is on the reverse in the center of the card and all is lettered in calligraphy. My friends Amie Barrett and Evan Jones in Paso Robles, CA have sent mom a beautiful card. I ask Karen if it was OK to open it as it was so tempting. I don't have to tell you her answer, do I? Amie and Evan are two friends who help me with the website I have and Amie did the computer graphics. Look at some of her work there at http://authorizeddealer.blogspot.com

Midgie at Meadowood Monday October 31st, 2005

*Good morning to my readers. I apologize for my lack of vartiety in my posts but mom is foremost in my mind right now and her care falls into my reponsibility as her primary caregiver and #1 Son. Well, maybe not #1 but I was born first. OK...read on and I will try to post some lighter reading soon. Jeff
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November 1, 2005

Midgie at Meadowood Monday October 31st, 2005

I will start this update by saying Rebecca, who normally sits with mom on Sunday and Monday, is off with some cataract surgery. Peggy is off on Sunday and Monday, so it falls on us to help mom during the last two days. First off, she is OK; safe is the key word in anyone’s care with dementia at any degree.

I hope you read about Sunday as she had a busy day with Jack Nutter, Bobbie and me there at 403A. She had a good day. Monday I have to work for Zeigler in the morning and sometimes into the early afternoon on Monday. But I was able to get away from the phone, computer, fax, and reports by 10:30/11:00am. I have not showered or shaved and now getting ready to go to Bessemer. I can get ready in about 45 minutes but have done it in less.

I went by her house and checked her mail and paper and checked on everything there. I changed all the lighting, fixed 3 chicken salad sandwiches, cleaning up the bowl I prepared Sunday while Jack Nutter and Bobbie were at Meadowood. I had my lunch at mom’s as it was now about 1:00/1:30pm. If you are visiting mom, I try to keep fresh chicken salad, a pack of Zeigler thick bologna, and a 4oz. package of cooked ham so we can fix a sandwich, take a break, wash clothes if needed and a little TV in the background to entertain you.

I got mom an extra pillow and pillow case from home so she can sit up more easily in bed or in her chair and packed up her sandwich and a 4 pack of butterscotch pudding which she loves. I got to Meadowood and got a black marker and put this bag with the eats for mom in their frig, but you must put 403 on it so they will not throw it away. I bought 2 qt. of milk yesterday and that is marked and there for her.

Mom was sitting in her wheelchair next to her bed and I wanted to go to the recreation area so we could visit and talk and watch TV if you want to. I got to talk to her day shift RN, the speech therapist, and the coordinator that helps the family decide where do we go from here! We have a family meeting planned for Thursday morning at 10:00am. I called Jack and we may change this to early pm if we can. But, they told me this has to be done on the 7-3 shift and these are the primary caregivers, doctors, and RNs that make the decisions on mom’s care. Will let you know how this comes out. I also met with a social worker that wanted to see if mom could get out of a chair by herself and into the wheelchair without any help. We tried 2x while I was there and she still cannot?

The big question now is can mom get up out of a chair, or bed and onto a walker and help herself around the house and to the bathroom SAFELY? Right now, today, the answer is NO! I stayed until 6:00pm and until she started her dinner and got to see the big picture, measuring all I see against all my memories of the last years, or months, or days at 513 Alice Street. I am still praying she will get stronger but she is not there YET?

Action needed: I don’t know right now. We have the meeting Thursday and Karen said she will take off to be there. I hope Jack and Bobbie can be there as this is really important for Midgie, mom, aunt, and grandmother and great grandmother. Keep all of us in your prayers.

Peggy is there today and she will pick up the laundry I did at 513 last night. I ask Peggy to make some fresh chicken salad and she will make sandwiches for mom and for Judy her room mate. Judy is good in communicating for mom and what all has transpired over the last day or two. Mother did sleep all night last night, I believe a first.

News at 11:00!

Jeff and Dad and A.K.A. grandpa Jeff