Mom is in the hospital again. She was standing next to the tub trying to fix her pants. I asked her to wait a few minutes until I dried my hands. Either she didn't hear me or thought she could fix them herself, but the next thing I know she is inside the tub. She hit her head on the tap and the tub wall. I got her out, I checked for broken bones first and didn't feel any. Her feet were on the tub chair so it was her torso and her arms inside the tub. I got her out, helped her downstairs and off we went to the ER. I cancelled Charlie's lesson when we got there. Good thing, because I left at 6:00 pm and his lesson was supposed to be at 4:30 pm. After numerous X-Rays, blood tests, urine tests, and CT scan, the verdict is she may have had a stroke. No broken bones, no concussion, no urinary tract infection. Thank goodness for all that, but a stroke? Oh my, I am at a loss of words of what to say of that. One area of the CT scan doesn't look good, so the neurologist will look at it tomorrow and determine if a MRI needs to be done or not.

I was able to get a hold of Richard right away which was good. I am to keep him up to date. I called Tillie and left a message for her. Maia isn't home (her daughter told me that. I was talking to her on face book) so I will call her in the morning.

I don't know what else to say. I need to go and clean the bathroom from where Mom fell. Her blood is still on the tub and the toilet because I certainly wasn't going to take time right then to clean it.

I am simply floored. A stroke? WHEN did she have this stroke? I have asked before about strokes because I know vascular dementia can be caused by them. I am at a loss for words. I am going to bed after I clean up.

I called the scooter store parts department and they are sending me out a key. How cool is that? They even still had my scooter info so my run to the car in the heat was for nothing. It is really really hot out right now with high humidity so my head is really sore. It isn't as bad as it was that one day, but it is sore.

I had 1 lesson today. Bob will be here on Wednesday as he was headed to the doctor with a problem of dizziness. Hope he gets that taken care of. Dizziness is not a pleasant thing to have happen to you. Frank started a new piece this afternoon. It is 13 pages long and takes about 15 minutes to play. The look on his face was priceless. It is a variation of Canon in D by David Lantz. He is a new age musician who's music I just love. I just have to find the original book that it is in. I am not sure where I have put it. Katie is coming this Sunday to put the music away! I am very excited about that because then all the music will be where it belongs and I will be able to find out what is missing and what I have. I think I will keep out the Christmas music though because it is almost time for the students to start practicing. I know it is a couple months away before we start practicing, but I will at least have the music all in one place.

Not much going on here today. It is just too hot to venture outside except for our usual. It is supposed to be hotter tomorrow! Ugh! Not fun! I hate the heat. It was so beautiful last week. Well, my season is coming! September is almost here! Wednesday, although it is supposed to be hot then too, but fall is just around the corner!

It has been a pretty good day so far, I had a nap after Mom's bath and so did she. I had a student so that was good. I have a student tomorrow and then 1 on Wednesday too. I also have a lesson on Saturday so that is good. We also have book club on Saturday! Yeah! fun!

I hope you are having a good day too.

It's official. I have lost the keys (naturally both of them) to the scooter. One used to sit on my key chain and I have absolutely no memory of taking it off. I had them on May 25 when I last used the scooter, but have no idea what happened to them since. I called the scooter store (where I got the scooter) and they will call me back tomorrow. I am really upset over this because without those keys, it won't run and there are times when I need it. I don't remember where they could possibly be. I have checked purses and coat pockets where they might be and there is just no answer to the question. They are simply gone. I really hope they are easy to replace. I mean, they are generic keys, one key works on all of them, type thing. But still, how could I have lost them? I am always so careful with them and now I have lost them. I could just scream. The lady on the phone said it shouldn't be a problem. I hope not. I don't need it anytime soon, but you never know when I might. I go to stores that have scooters because, quite frankly, mine is very hard for me to put together because it is so heavy. I need a rest when i am done lifting it out of the car. Kathy did most of the lifting today and poor girl, had to lift it in and then right back out when we realized I didn't have the key to it. It was probably for the best we didn't go to the mall because Mom was so tired when we got back from Walmart and we only went into the pharmacy area. We didn't go through the whole store like Kathy and I normally do.

Mom and I picked up Kathy about 12 noon and went for Applebee's. We had a great time. We got an appetizer of spinach dip and chips. Boy, was that awesome. Mom didn't have any, but I didn't expect her to either. She said she wanted a burger for lunch, so I ordered a burger, knowing that the chances of her eating it was slim. I was right, we have the 2 mini burgers in the fridge for her dinner. She did drink 2 glass of milk though so I was happy. She had had an Ensure before we left so I wasn't worried she would be hungry. She is in the living room right now. I put her in there when we got home around 2:30 thinking she may take a nap. She is still awake, two hours later. She can sleep if she wants or she doesn't have too. It is all up to the little Mom. Kathy and I both got burgers and boy, they were huge and yummy. Yes, I know, not necessarily on the Richard Simmons plan. I also got us Starbucks on the way back to her parents house. I forgot to take the games to Kathy's house. I knew there was something I forgot. I will have to give them to her another time. Maybe Mom and I will take a day trip out there or something. We shall see. We had a great time though. I love spending time with her. I got a brief "hi" out of her girls when I picked up Kathy. She is going to the Disney Store in the mall. Originally, I was going to go with her, but it is probably for the best we didn't go since Mom is so tired. Of course, now so am I.

Anyways, my knee is still sore and being stupid. It is really annoying me, but there isn't anything I can really do about it except take pain pills and try to exercise and massage it, which I do frequently.

Not much happening besides teaching this week. I am looking forward to fall. Only 1 week left and the students will all be back into school. Richard's birthday is Saturday. I won't see him, but I will hopefully talk to him. He is turning 46 years old. It doesn't quite seem possible that he is that old, but he is. Of course, I sometimes feel older and younger all at the same time.

Mom looks really cute in her new hoodie. Kathy thought so too.

Don't forget to check out the online magazine at the National Fibromyalgia Association!!!

www.fmaware.org

Today will be a quiet day for us. Not much going on but that is okay. The bit of excitement we had earlier today was when we were at Tim Horton's and Mom nearly passed out. Fortunately, there was a really nice lady there who told me to go and get Mom seated and she would bring us our tray. She even got Mom's milk out and the straw in for us. Wasn't that the sweetest thing? I mean, really, how nice can you be to complete strangers. Definitely an angel in waiting in her. Mom is still a bit dizzy when she stands. I gave her some of her dizzy medicine. If it doesn't improve, I will have to take her in and I really don't want to do that to her. It is so hard on her in the ER, she doesn't know which way is up and what is going on. But, if it is necessary, I most certainly will have her looked at. We don't need her to have any problems right now. She has enough of them.

Overall, I must say, we have been very lucky. There are SO many nice people out there. We often have doors held for us, or our trays brought to the table to us, and just a host of other things done for us. We are very blessed with that. The people in this area are very nice and friendly to others. Only once can I remember a dirty look from someone when I was taking Mom somewhere. I don't remember where we were, but it was like, why is she out? kind of look, you know what I mean? That was several years ago too and Mom was much better then. Kind of makes me wonder what the woman would think of me bringing Mom out now. Mom enjoys getting out of the house. She is in the living room for her rest time. I will probably join her soon as I am a bit tired today. My knee is pretty sore today. Stupid knee, it was supposed to be better by now like it usually is. Usually the knee acts up for a few days and then goes back to normal. It should be fine in a few more days. It is just a fibro flare up.

Kathy is in town this weekend! Today is her brother's wedding reception. It should be lovely. I bet the family is having a good time. Tomorrow, Kathy and I are going out for a short bit of time. Mom loves visiting with Kathy. She is coming too. I am glad Kathy doesn't mind. She totally understands that I can't leave Mom alone in the house at all. Who knows what I would come home too? I don't mean a messy house or something like that. I mean, would she still be in the house when I got home? She may wander off and that would be bad. She hasn't wandered in a few weeks, but that doesn't mean she is done wandering. Kathy and I are going to Applebee's for lunch/dinner. I am excited about that. I have a gift certificate from Christmas to use! How cool!

I think most of today will be a Walker, Texas Ranger season 8 day. Mom enjoys the show and we are almost done watching the entire series. We then will move on to either Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Mysteries, JAG, TJ Hooker, or Scarecrow and Mrs. King. She loves all of those shows. Today, I am also going to list all of our bills and then pay some. I bought new folders and notebooks to keep better track of our bills. I have done pretty well, but I like to be super organized and I don't feel just keeping the bills on the table is organized enough. They need to be filed and put away when they are paid. I bought a new expandable file (it's pink, of course) for them too. The notebooks are Tinkerbell. She is just wonderful and one of my favorite Disney characters. Of course, we all know that Pooh Bear is my favorite!

I hope this finds you doing well!!!

Mom did awesome with the dentist. She was here for about 30 minutes and Mom did just great. She was scared, but they were really good with her and now the bad teeth are out. Thank goodness we did it time before the infection would get into the bloodstream which is exactly what the dentist was worried about. The teeth were whole too, sometimes they aren't and then that is a problem, but Mom was fine and caught in time! She took 2 children's melt away Tylenol to help with the pain. I hope it doesn't pain her very much today. She seems to be doing just fine right now. She is playing with the Joann's flyer.

My stomach isn't doing too well right now. I took some medicine so I hope it improves shortly. It should, but one never knows.

It is beautiful out again today. This week has been such beautiful weather. Nice and pretty looking and cooler weather!!!! I mean, how can you go wrong with this type weather. It is perfect summer weather for me.

I went grocery shopping alone again!!! Carolyn came to stay with Mom while I went. Fortunately, my tummy got better as I was shopping and now I am back to normal. I joined Sam's Club too. This way we can get our Ensure for Mom in bigger quantities. I also got me an Adkins shakes. I don't know what they taste like but some days I just don't feel like eating much food and these would be good for me. I didn't have too much to buy because really, it wasn't so much we need food as we needed toilet paper and paper towels. That was what we were out of. I plan to do a big shopping of that type of stuff next month at Sam's Club. We have the empty cabinet space in the back room to put them in plus there is room in the upstairs closet, now that we can get to it.

All in all a good day. Mom weighs the same. The nurse just weighed her so she hasn't lost the 2 pounds she gained in the hospital so that is really good. I made her say, "I, Mommy Paxton, am doing really really good today." She repeated after me. I want her to say these things so she realizes how good she is doing.

I hope this finds you doing well too.

The weather is so beautiful out right now that I hope it stays. Okay, I know I am being a little crazy because the weatherman did say it would be hot again next week. Yuck. I don't like being hot. I think I have said this every hot day we have had. I must be a broken record. I have 2 students today, one at 2 pm and the other at 5 pm. I am not visiting my friend for knitting today as she is not feeling too hot. She has a summer cold and we all know how yucky those can be. So, get well soon Heather B-T! I hope it doesn't go through the rest of the family and her little boy and husband don't get it. Her daughter already had it, so hopefully she won't get it again. That's always the worst. You are over it and then, bam! it is back.

Mom is doing fine today, a few meltdowns before she was full because she was hungry. She is hallucinating a bit more today than usual, although right now it is okay and she is not hallucinating. She was about an hour ago and it was making her cry. Poor thing, nothing like hallucinating to begin with but ones that make you cry have got to be worse. At least she isn't frightened by them. Usually she sees people that aren't there. I think she is looking for me and my brothers from when we were smaller. I tell her they went home, much easier than telling her they aren't there because to her, they are there and she can see them. This is very common in stage 6 of Alzheimer's. Very common. She is entertaining herself with an empty envelope. She does this often and I often think, I should just hand her empty boxes and envelopes and stuff for her to play with. Naturally, when I do, she doesn't want to play with them. Just like a child, I guess.

I am tired now. I wasn't earlier when we got up, but I am now. I think after my 2 pm lesson I am going to take a wee nap. I hope Mom takes one too because she didn't nap yesterday and I don't like her not taking a nap 2 days in a row. Just for fun, I am going to map out a way to Seattle, Washington. It is 2400 miles away and a 36 hour drive. Hm, should I just jump in my car with Mom and go? I wish! My brother lives there and I miss his family a lot so does Mom. Andrew is much closer, just a 2 hour drive away. Problem there is he is never home so going to visit him is not too much of an option. I knew that driving straight through to Seattle was about 2 1/2 day drive, but of course I would not be driving straight through, you got to answer Mother Nature, get some sleep, and stretch. It would be bad to drive straight through because by the time I got there I would sleep for a week to recover. The 5 hour plane ride is much better for us. I am hoping we get to see him before Christmas.

I am still waiting on my back disability. I called again today, the gentleman doesn't know what the hold up is either. I hope they call me back like he has asked. I would like to go and see Richard, but I don't think Mom could do a plane trip. It could be hard on her. I don't know. I know Richard said he was coming here before the end of the year, I am just impatient. I miss him and his family a lot, and I mean a lot. Mom misses him too because right now she asks about the boys quite frequently. It is hard to tell her they are away because she cries and I don't like her to cry.

We went out with Aggie after her lesson. It was so fun. She is such a nice young woman. I can't believe she is 20, but she is. Wasn't she just starting high school? I know, I know, time sure does fly. Of course, Abby and William were just babies the other day to me. Now they are 11 and 9. I haven't seen them in over 2 years now. I feel like we are missing so much. Anyways, back to the Aggie girl. We went and had a sandwich and pop with her. We do this before she moves back into school. She leaves for MSU tomorrow. She is starting her junior year already. I don't know how often I will see her for lessons this fall because she is starting to work at Macy's. She is keeping an eye on Christmas turtlenecks for Mom size medium since she often works in women's clothes.

Frank will be here shortly for his lesson. His mom just called, they are near by but stuck in traffic. I know how that goes.

Mom is possible seeing the dentist tomorrow here at our house. The dentist she saw a the nursing home has a mobile practice so she may see her here tomorrow to get those 2 teeth pulled. We will be making an appointment in September for her cleaning and for filling the three teeth. I want her to have the teeth all taken care of because it can cause some serious problems for the little person. I don't want serious problems for the little person. She certainly doesn't need it.

Anyways, I hope this finds you doing well and having a good day. It has been a good one for us too. Going with Aggie, lessons, relaxing, and resting. Lots of fun and relaxation for the day. Tomorrow is also possible grocery shopping unless for sure the dentist is coming, then I may have to cancel shopping and be home.

Face book is being totally stupid at this point. Everything is freezing on me, so forget that for right now! I hate it when it does that. I am not that computer savvy so anything that is out of the ordinary is bad for me.

We are having a pretty good day so far. We had our usual. I forgot to give Mom (and mine) her medicine before we left like I usually do so we had a few meltdowns at the restaurant. She was hungry and having the hunger meltdowns. She was pretty much fine once she finished her food. Of course, it is easier to have her finish her food with medicine already in her. I get so mad when I forget like this because she does feel better with her anxiety medicine. The other two, well, yes she needs them, but they aren't detrimental to her feeling fine like the anxiety medicine. Naturally, as soon as we came home we got our medicines.

We are using a new service at Walmart for the pharmacy. They now call you to let you know your medicine is ready. It is really cool and very helpful. Like I just ordered Mom some anxiety medicine as it is almost (but not quite) empty and the message said tomorrow after 2 pm it would be ready. Well, within a half hour I got a message from them saying it is ready for pick up. How cool is that? We will be going to pick it up tonight I think. I also want to take Mom over to Old Navy as they have hoodies on sale and I want to see what colors and styles they have. Mom wants a pink one, so that is what we are going to get. A new pink hoodie for mom. She needs a few for fall and winter this year as she only has 1 for winter and 2 for fall. For summer we have about 5 or 6 of them, but not the heavier ones that she will need this winter. I am hoping for a nice light blue one too. She looks so cute in hoodies. I would post a picture, but I can't find the cord to the camera and the computer right now. I have been looking but no luck so far. I know it is in a box because I saw the box a while ago. I thought, oh, I will remember this is where the cord is, but no, I do not remember where I saw the cord.

It is a quiet day for us. Angela is on her way for Mom's bath and hair wash. I don't know if Mom will take a nap after that or not. She might. It all depends on how tired the little lady is. If we don't go to Old Navy today that is fine. We can always go Friday. I plan to get her hair cut Friday anyhow so whenever we go is fine as long as we go while the hoodies are on sale. I am not really tired right now, but I thought I wasn't yesterday and I slept for 2 hours. It was very refreshing although sometimes in the afternoon when I sleep my dreams seem so real to me for some reason. I don't have that problem at night, just the afternoon, I wonder why? Hm, who knows. It's me and I do strange things.

It is pretty nice out. We aren't suppose to get heat again until next week. Ugh, I hate the extreme heat we have had this summer. It gives me such headaches.

I am still waiting for the company to call me back about the hospital bed. I want it out of our living room, it is hogging up a huge amount of space that I need for other things, like the children's table and chairs that are strewn in the middle of the room. They are in the way, not to mention the wheelchair of Tillie's is in the hallway and that is so in the way, I hit it every time I go by it. I have a prescription to get Mom a wheelchair that I haven't filled yet. I am going to this week. I don't like the wheelchair of Tillie's as it is too hard to push so I am hoping for one that is easier to push, if not I won't fill the prescription. Mom's orders are for a lightweight chair so I am thinking it should be easier to push and put in the car. Right now my scooter is in the trunk and Mom's walker is in there too. Mom doesn't like her walker and won't use it. I think she should, but she hates it and you can't make someone use something they hate. I have tried and it doesn't work very well. All that happens is that I get upset and so does she. Not very helpful.

My knee is still being stupid. It isn't as bad as yesterday but I was expecting by now it would be better. This is getting ridicules. I mean, really, get better all ready.

I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying your day.

Mom and I were watching the news but I had to turn it off because she was getting upset. I don't know if this means she is getting another infection. I certainly hope not. She cannot go through this again. I mean it has only been 2 weeks since the last one. I will keep an eye on her for the next few days. However, the stories on the news were sad and about murder and car jacking and similar so I do understand her getting upset. We already saw the weather and that was the important thing that we needed to see. Mom is slowly eating her dinner, a piece of chicken breast and an ensure. I stopped giving her anything else because she wouldn't eat it. She would be full so what was the point?

We are watching "Holmes on Homes" on the HG TV channel. Mom and I like this channel a lot because it is calming and and non violent or upsetting to her. I like the house hunters show, it is interesting to see people by their next homes. Someday I hope to buy my own house, but it certainly doesn't like that will happen any time in the near future. I don't need a big house, just one that has a room for teaching. Our house is the perfect size for what Mom and I need. I just wish we could use the family room. I hope to try it again all next spring to see if we can use the room. Mom redid the room a few years ago. She ripped everything apart, the floor the walls and had it drywall and did some waterproofing. She did a great job. Mom added insulation in the floor and more on the walls to see if she could make the room warmer. Unfortunately, for her it wasn't warm enough but I hope that we have enough blankets plus the gas logs will warm the room for us to use. I love that room. We do need to put new foam in the cushions in the sofa and chairs so that they can be used. We have to get another TV because we don't have one down there. We brought it up to the kitchen because we watch all our TV at the dining room table.

We are having a pretty good day. Mom did alright with her physical therapy. She didn't do great, but okay. Her right leg was really good, but the left, well, that wasn't so good. It was like she lost focus. I think we should start with the left leg next week so that if she runs out of steam again, it would be okay. I had one lesson, Charlie. I got all the new music that I ordered, unfortunately, it was for alto sax not tenor so all but the 2 books I needed are going back because I can't use it. I am rather disappointed. This is the first time this has every happened to me from this company. Usually they send exactly what we need. Good thing it was on approval and I don't have to pay for it because I don't need it. I will be taking care of that tomorrow. I am keeping the 2 books because those I need for sure. As a matter of fact, they certainly came in use today as Charlie started the first volume today. I was excited that he moved up to advanced volume 1 today from the Intermediate.

My knee is still giving me issues. It is hard to straighten at times and when I was rolling over in bed it hurt to put pressure on it. Rather annoying. I hope it gets better soon because it is really getting in the way with helping Mom walk and get up. It has been going on since Saturday night and I am getting very frustrated by it. My head is okay, just the usual headache, since it is cooler out it isn't so bad like it has been. My right arm has bruises on it. They are huge and look like someone beat me up on my arm. I bruise so easily because of the medicine I take for my blood disorder. I have to take blood thinners everyday so I don't get another blood clot. Boy, I don't want to go through that again.

I hope this finds you doing well and having a good day. We have had a pretty good day especially since I was able to take a brief (2 hour!) nap before Charlie's lesson! I woke up when he arrived.

It has been a good day today. Mom is doing really well and I am not bad. My left knee is giving me problems, but that will go away in a day or so (it usually does). I called the bed company and they will pick it up this week. I told him she just didn't like it. When she is farther down she may need one, but not right now. I did talk to Tillie and told her and she is disappointed about it but what can either of us do? Mom really didn't like. She doesn't do well with change and that was a big change. If we need one in the future, then we will call this company back, but not until then.

We also are not getting a dog. With Mom in the condition she is in, her physical therapist and doctor both say she shouldn't get one. I can always get one later in life after Mom is gone, right now is the time for it.

I had 4 lessons today. I was expecting 5, but young Miss Calli has a sore throat so it is best she stay home and rest. I had the Muglia girls and Bob. The girls are doing really well. Hannah and Natalie are working on Mozart's Alla Turca. I love that piece. It is one of my absolute favorites. All three are working on a Sonatina by Clementi. I just love Clementi's Sonatinas. They will play many of them during their time with lessons as there are so many to chose from. Frank will have his lesson later this week as he has Marching Band practice this evening. I remember marching band. I loved it when I was in high school. It was the highlight of the school year. We even were able to go to Florida and march in the Orange Bowl Parade New Year's Eve. After the parade, back at the hotel, the band teacher and chaperones threw us students a New Year's Eve party. It was great. My friends and I had a good time together. I hope to find some pictures of us so I can submit them to the reunion committee for the slide show. I think it would be fun. Karlyn and Kathy had a great time (as far as I know) too although we didn't room together. So I am hoping Frank has a good time with his marching band whatever they do.

It is so nice out today. It is nice and cool. The sun is out now although it rained a bit earlier. I didn't mind. Our grass can use the rain. Mom is better in weather like this than she is in too cold or too hot weather. Mom is in the living room relaxing right now. She didn't want to come into the dining room with me. Hey, whatever the little lady wants (within reason of course) the little lady gets. She wasn't really sleeping and she hasn't had a nap today but she is very alert today so that is great for us.

Angela, the home health care aide, came to give Mom a bath this afternoon. She looks so cute after a bath. I hope to get her hair cut this week. Lori, the physical therapist, was here too. Mom did so well with her exercises, it was truly awesome to see. She lifted her legs up nice and high and did all her reps. It was great. Evelyn, the nurse, is on her way to see Mom. She is coming 2 times a week for about another 3 weeks then she will drop back to 1 time a week for 5 weeks. After that she will be done. Mom doesn't qualify for regular Medicaid, but the social worker is looking to see what programs are out there to help us. I hope to there is one that will help with the bath and the hair. That does truly help me. I can have Carolyn come and stay with Mom when I need respite care, but the bath and hair wash help me the most. Mom is very cooperative with Angela too, so that is good. She has adjusted to that perfectly. She does get nervous to do a few tasks just like she does with me, but nothing more than the usual. I warned Angela what she gets nervous about so she knew ahead of time. I wouldn't want to surprise her.

Well, I hope you are having a good day. We certainly are. The pain level is medium, except for the knee. That is quite painful and it is almost time for another pain pill. It started on Friday night and has improved some. I sat on the couch with my feet up and that is what caused it. When I sit with my feet up it has to be on the chair because the couch is at a bad level for me. Silly me. The furniture was all moved around which is why i didn't really notice where i was sitting. Have a great evening!

The bed will be going back. We tried it out and Mom hates it. She cried in it and kept saying out, out, out so when I took her out it was so hard for her. The bumpers and the railing are nice, but she is so tiny she can't get over them very easy. When she becomes bedridden, then we will get the bed back but for now, she will sleep upstairs. She just isn't bad enough off for it. Yes, there are days when going up the stairs can be hard for her and take some time, but those are not the majority of the days. She just had too hard a time with the hospital bed, worse than going up and down the stairs.