Gramma Update

She's fine but wasn't sure if the appointment for the vascular surgeon was for her heart or her foot.

Whatevs, right?

Also, these clips made me think of her.

Gramma: Back @ My Momz House

Gramma was discharged from the hospital, yesterday. I called the house and we talked for quite some time. Highlights:

1. She said, "I'm not going to die because I had the MRSA. I haven't come this far to give up."
2. Now that she's been discharged, Gramma is busy and scheduled for a whole host of appointments. Vascular surgeon, regular doctor, physical therapy, etc. There's an appointment for the beauty shop at some point, too.
   
3. My Mom thinks Gramma's life has been busier over the past few months than it's been over the past five years. (I agree.)
   
4. Gramma told me that I need to learn to cook for myself and warned me against overcooking the broccolis. (Yes, plural.)

Her spirits are good & she was happy to hear that people were thinking of her, this week.

I'll be up @ my Momz house on June 6-8, so it will be great to see her.

Love,
Laurie

Gramma: Wanting

I just called Gramma to get an update and she was in the middle of physical therapy. I said, "Should I call you back later?"

Gramma said, "If you want."

Oh dear baby Jesus. If I want???

I said, "Of course I want to call you. I will phone you later this afternoon. Enjoy your physical therapy and I love you."

She loves me, too.

I'm sure this hospital experience is for. the. friggin. birds.

More to follow.

Love,
Laurie

Auntie Helen

Today was Auntie Helen's funeral and I'm sorry that I didn't have a chance to live-blog the endeavor because it was like a German version of The Sopranos. All the main families were represented: Bernath, Buschauer, Frekot, McBride, Rubrich & Weiss.

It sounds like a law firm!

In the midst of all the sadness, I was reacquainted with relatives whom I haven't seen since the original family picnic in 1986. I'm sure the trip for out-of-town relatives was exhausting (especially those who flew through O'Hare!); however, the experience of seeing you was worth it. There were so many wonderful stories exchanged about our family and its history. I especially loved hearing stories about the Buschauer sisters drinking in Pennsylvania (thank you, Sue, for sharing those memories).

It was very touching to hear stories of Auntie Helen as a young woman, as a mother, and as a grandmother. She was a great woman who understood a bargain and loved OCB. (As a side note: who knew that the use of the wooden spoon was such a universal disciplinary method in the Buschauer family??)

- Laurie

PS - Thanks to everyone who asked about my grandmother. I'll report the news on the condition of her MRSA infection (& her cultures) as soon as I hear about it.

Love

As you all know, Auntie Helen passed away today. This is a picture from her 80th birthday party in 2003.



I'll link to the obituary once it's posted.

The MRSA Strikes Back

Gramma is back in the hospital. We're hoping the stay will be short & sweet, but she needs IV antibiotics to beat the MRSA.

I don't have much more information, but I promise to keep you posted.

Oy, what a Mother's Day gift.

Love,
Laur

Gramma Update: From My Moms

My Moms ("Chrissy") is taking care of Gramma. This is her update:

Just an update on Gram. She has a MRSA infection on her left foot. We went to the doctor last Friday because some spots on the top of her foot were looking worse. The spots were cultured, and the doctor's office called Sunday morning to tell us the news and start her on antibiotics. We see her regular MD tomorrow (and I won't be surprised if they admit her). We were already doing special wound care 3 times a day that the doctor showed us on Friday. Those spots on her foot were there when she arrived here, so she picked up the MRSA at Weiss Hospital. Now there is another red area on the side of the same foot, settling into a wrinkle.

She saw her new cardiologist yesterday and he is a great guy. He needs to know whether Gram's heart stoppage was upper or lower. He is also going to do a pacemaker study next Monday, to question her pacer about the events that took place. The visit was very thorough. I wanted them to see her when her heart was "well," as opposed to waiting for something to go wrong. This way if anything happens later on, they will already be familiar with her normal heart condition. This new MD, Dr. Fletcher, is also going to talk with Dr. Cohen from Weiss.

Therapy has been coming, both occupational and physical, several times a week. Today we have two visits. The visiting nurse also comes by every week. It was because of the visiting nurse's care and concern, when I expressed my worry to her about Gram's foot, that got us going to the doctor's office last Friday.

I've briefed Eddie on MRSA, and warned him that even though I'm being very careful, that he needs to take extra precautions with hand washing. I got a big box of disposable gloves at Menards, and I've been very careful about handwashing ever since Gramma came, even before I knew about the MRSA. (Commode duty and such...).

Gramma has been getting out quite a bit. Rosary Society meeting, beauty shop, Mass, Applebees, Target, Walgreens, and yesterday to the doctor, Macy's, and the big grocery store in Green Bay. Tonight my girlfriends are coming over with chicken dinners for all of us. I baked a cake this morning. Now I have to do a little cleaning. Gram's been busy with her prayers, exercises, reading, TV, and her personal care time.

I miss all of you. I will send you an update when we get back from the doctor tomorrow. You guys take care.

Love,
Mom

I love two things:

1. My mother calls Gramma's infection 'the MRSA'. (That's how we roll in Chicago. We also shop at The Jewels, we eat at The McDonald's, and we pick up Gramma's prescriptions from The Walgreens.)
2. I also really love how Auntie Helen gets the MRSA and then Gramma gets the MRSA. Sibling rivalry never ends!

I'll keep updating this blog as long as there is Gramma-related news. Stay tuned.

Love,
Laurie