Monday, March 26, 2012

Settling in

Well, Mom and Dad are starting to settle in to life in Portland. I'm sure it's taking effort, since they really don't want to be there. They miss Bend and their friends and activities there. Of course, the apartment is smaller than their house was, too. It's a big adjustment. They are still trying to sort through and get things decorated and on the walls, etc. It's a nice apartment, it's just not 'home' yet.

Their health remains good, as does their spirits. We are thankful.

They are enjoying the food at the new place, as well as having someone else doing all the housework and checking in on them. They are starting to participate in some activities and enjoy going to movies most evenings.

Their Bend house sold after only 6 days on the market. Jeff and I have been frantically trying to get it cleared out, sorted through, and moved to Portland (or donated/sold). They accumulated quite a large collection of stuff. Most of it is being moved to Portland, so they can sort through it themselves.

Contact info:
503.255.3938 home
541.815.7312 Bob cell
541.815.7318 Marlene cell

Hannah Circle: your dishes and a notebook for the church were dropped off at the church last week. Please let me know if there was anything missing or still needed.

Monday, February 27, 2012

New Mailing Address:

Robert & Marlene Swanson
23 SE 103rd #263
Portland, OR 97216

They have their same cell numbers. I'll post their new home phone number soon.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Moving Day is Thursday

Mom and Dad will be moving to Portland this Thursday, 2/23. Sorry for the late notice - things are moving quickly these days.

Dad and I will be in Bend tonight through Thursday. We will pick up Mom on Thursday morning and drive to Portland by early afternoon.

Bend friends:
If you have a chance to visit Mom at Harmony House tomorrow, please do. If you would like to visit, but can't drive yourself, call me and maybe I can pick you up. 503.880.2341 cell.

I'll post their new mailing address very soon.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Assisted Living

Mom continues to recover at Harmony House Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Bend. She is going very well and is very upbeat. She is still a little weak and battling yet another infection. They keep extending her stay there, which has worked out well.

Dad is staying with us in Portland for the time being.

Given the amount of care and attention Mom and Dad both need, we've all decided that it's time to move them into assisted living in Portland. I've been doing a lot of research and touring of facilities. We'd like to have them close to my family (they want that too) and feel lucky that there are some nice places close by.

The move will have to happen pretty quickly upon Mom's release from Harmony House.

Dad is in Bend this weekend with some friends. My brother, Jeff, and Uncle Doug will be in Bend this weekend, too. They are working on packing up some obvious items for the move. We will get their house on the market soon.

It'll be a big change and there's a lot of stress right now, but even Dad is getting excited for the move and the comfort of extra attention and help.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

After a great start at home in Bend, Mom is currently in St. Charles hospital recovering from infected kidney stones and other complications.

Mom went into the ER on Thursday morning with what turned out to be kidney stones. They admitted her and by Thursday afternoon they were infected. They installed a stent and moved her to ICU to keep close tabs on her. By Friday morning, she was battling sepsis and put back on a vent to help her "bridge through the recovery." On Sunday we learned she also has MRSA (a severe staph infection). She is "sick as snot," to quote the doctor. By Monday morning, she was strong enough to get off the vent and continues to make good progress.

In a couple days, Mom will be moved to a rehab facility for a week or so before she can go back home. She is still very tired and sick.

Dad spends most of the day with her in the hospital.

My family and I were down there last weekend and I'll be heading back down this weekend.

Please send your thoughts and prayers for her continued recovery.
Thank you.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Homeward Bound

The big day is tomorrow. Marlene and Bob should be in their house tomorrow afternoon.
People have asked if they can bring food, and what Marlene can eat. Marlene has no dietary restrictions, but she does currently have a sensitivity to "dry" foods- bread, crackers, etc.., and she doesn't eat large amounts. Her sensitivity is getting better, but for the time being, think "nothing dry" if you would like to contribute food. Casseroles, things with sauces, meats, those are a good start, but hey, go nuts! And by the way, Bob eats anything.

Marlene continues to get stronger, and we're so excited to see them in their home. It's the beginning of a new chapter.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Release Date

We're expecting Mom to leave PacSpec on 1/20/12. My family and I will go down to Bend with Mom and Dad to help them get settled in over that weekend. She will have a nurse visit the house 2-3 times a week for a while just to make sure all is well. We're working on a PT/rehab schedule for Bend too.

If you are in Bend and have the time/energy/means to drop off a meal for their freezer or help with a task or just say hello, they would love it and all of us would be so grateful.

Mom had her g-tube removed yesterday. She was pushing to get that out early and is happy to have it out. She is eating well and food finally tastes good to her.

PT continues to work with her, although they say they've taken her as far as they can. She continues to progress though. Earlier this week, she practiced walking without any assistance: no walker, no helper, no cane. She managed a few laps around the small rehab room. She's also working on stairs: practicing holding Dad's arm to go up and down a few stairs.

Mom has had a couple outings over the past month and has enjoyed it a lot. My son's 4th birthday is this weekend and Mom might be coming over to help him celebrate on Sunday. If she's not up for that (afterall, it's a bunch of silly 2-6 year olds in one small living room, which is exhausting just thinking about it), we may take her for a drive to Multnomah Falls and the Old Columbia River Highway or something like that.