Wednesday, May 29, 2013

18th Birthday Today

Adam in 2005


Adam's photo from Walther this school year:

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:36 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Family History

While my father is having trouble with short-term memory, details from long ago are still crystal clear for him. He and I have been spending lots of time discussing family history, especially his days as a youngster in Kansas City.

He described spending time with the pastor's kids at about age 10. After hearing about playing kickball together, I asked him where the game took place, expecting him to cite the playground or a parking lot near the church.

"We played kickball inside the parsonage! Got in trouble for it, too."

Later in the evening, when I discussed this conversation with my mother, she informed me that she had been present for that very kickball game. She added the detail that the kickball had hit a clock in the living room of the parsonage.

It's fun to hear about one's parents very much acting as kids!

posted by Stahlkes @ 8:52 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Joy

Two days ago, I flew to Virginia to spend time with my family here. We drove straight from the airport to the nursing home to see my father. He was so glad for the visit, and I'm very happy to spend time with him and the rest of my family.

When we all said goodnight, Dad described my mother as his angel with a beautiful smile. What a joyous thing to hear him say that, and to see her just beam!

posted by Stahlkes @ 10:39 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 17, 2013

Good Reports about Dad

From Phil about yesterday:
A good morning. Herb was in the gym from 10.30 to 12 and did multiple
physical exercises, including walking. Bukky also encouraged him to move on his own into position on the edge of the bed, ready to transfer into his
wheelchair.

From my sister Anne today:
I’m going to go for it this weekend and try to take Dad to Ben’s soccer game tomorrow afternoon. I have to get a doctor’s order today and then order a cab....I’m hoping it goes well so we can get him out of the nursing home occasionally.

Dad's come a long way since his hospitalization.

posted by Stahlkes @ 12:18 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 16, 2013

End of the School Year

This Sunday is Pentecost, so tonight are my last rehearsals at church until after Labor Day.

Since last Saturday, we've attended three different track meets, which close out the sports year at the kids' schools.

Yesterday, I played piano for the graduation ceremony at our church's preschool. Watching the joy of four-year-olds with paper mortar boards on their heads was rewarding. They are on their way now to kindergarten.

Tonight, three of our six kids are playing in end-of-year concerts. I'm working, and the concerts overlap. So I attended a dress rehearsal, and Jonathan is straddling two different events tonight.

But the biggest change is yet to come. We still have one more week in which the children stay in school for the entire day. After Memorial Day, high school finals and end-of-year activities during the school day will take over.

Summer is almost here.

posted by Stahlkes @ 5:19 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Change of Events

During Dad's last hospitalization, the staff told us that he would be in isolation the rest of his life because one of his infections had "colonized." That means that even if he is asymptomatic, he still carries the infection in his body. This news was very depressing thing to hear, for it means that he cannot leave his room except to go on a wheelchair ride outside, which are infrequent. In addition, staff and visitors have to wear gowns and masks when spending time with him. We were all very sad about this turn of events.

Last week, I received word that Dad is no longer in isolation. That's great news, but I was bewildered as to what had changed. My mother told me that each institution writes its own rules, and that the hospital is stricter than the nursing home. Dad's residence (Sleepy Hollow) doesn't require isolation unless the client is symptomatic.

I am very happy about this, but wish that the hospital had been more clear that the isolation rules are their own and not universal. That would have saved us some heartache.

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Trinity on Sunday

In some of the Sunday School classes at Trinity last Sunday, the teachers asked the kids to make cards for their mothers. I found a few of them on the organ, and more on the piano at the front of the church. The grade schools also have Mother's Day projects for the kids, and wonderful cards, photos, and certificates came home from school the week before Sunday.

Our neighbor allowed each of the children to choose a tulip from her yard, and they make a lovely and colorful display on our table. I adore tulips, and they add so much joy to our dining room!

posted by Stahlkes @ 9:37 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 13, 2013

Mother's Day

I wish a Happy Mother's Day to all women who play a nurturing role in the lives of others. Jonathan and I are surrounded by so many women who assist us in the rearing of our children. It is very true that it takes a village! Thank you to all who have taken care of Paul, Adam, Rachel, Sarah, David, and Peter.

posted by Stahlkes @ 8:38 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 10, 2013

An Email Message from My Sister

Good morning all –
Two men from church, Dale _____ and Dick _____, have been visiting Dad in recent weeks. Thought you would enjoy seeing Dick’s email this morning about his visit yesterday.
Anne


From: Richard _____
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 8:06 AM
To: Anne@_____.net
Subject: Visit with Herb

Hi Anne: I enjoyed visiting with Herb yesterday. It was good to see him alert and able to focus on the conversation. We even talked about his research on surfactants for low temperature laundry detergents. I should be able to visit again next Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. Which day would be best for your family? Shalom, Dick

posted by Stahlkes @ 10:47 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Update from My Sister Anne

Yesterday was a full day (good and bad) for Dad. Here's the summary:

- He fell out of bed and was found on the mat beside his bed. We don't know the time, but Sleepy Hollow called Mom at 5:00am Tuesday morning so we assume in the early morning hours. He was checked out and there are no broken bones or injuries. Dad had a detailed and confused story about why he needed to get out of bed (it involved getting a plane at O'Hare to go to Austin).
- He is no longer in isolation (alleluia!)
- Although the nurse gave me a positive report last weekend about the chest xray and told me there was no pneumonia, another nurse shared with Mom yesterday that the chest xray showed a small amount of fluid in the lungs (the nurse referred to this as congestive heart failure). Dad will be treated with lasiks to deal with the fluid. Mom said it is a small amount and that it can be treated.

posted by Stahlkes @ 11:31 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Phil's Report Last Friday

I was with Herb from 2.20 p.m. to 4.50 p.m.

Herb was in his wheelchair in the doorway of his room when I arrived, and he had been up and walking within the room with the walker with Buki a little
earlier.

We talked and watched some TV, and after that he was tired, so Ngan and
Larissa put him into bed, and he slept, waking and chatting with me a couple of times before Andrew arrived.

Not terribly confused today, even on waking, which I think was a good sign.

He only coughed hard once while I was there (not choking), and he told me
the [lung] x-rays had come back clear.

Phil

PS I talked to Dad that night, and he was so happy that the x-rays were clear. That means the pneumonia is under control.

posted by Stahlkes @ 12:13 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Hazard

While Dad was eating lunch yesterday, he choked on a swallow of water. Thinking that more water would help, he took another big gulp which also went down his windpipe. The result was a horrible bout of choking. My mother was with him, but there isn't a lot that one can do to help. It was a frightening experience for both of them.

Besides not being able to breathe during the episode, which is terrifying, Dad is now at heightened risk for another round of pneumonia. The most common complication of his current medical condition is pneumonia brought on by aspiration. My sister read on the internet that the first 24-36 hours after aspiration are the highest risk time. Please keep my father in your prayers that he can stay clear of pneumonia. He's only been back at Sleepy Hollow since last Saturday.

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:54 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Stable

Dad's health is stable enough that I feel free to write about something else. That is in itself a gift!

May 1 may be just May Day in the United States, but to the rest of the world it is Labor Day. Our experiences in eastern Germany and Ukraine mean that I think of communist armies goose-stepping in parades on May 1. When our landlady in Germany, a profound pacifist, was due to give birth on May 1, she couldn't stand the idea and held off her son's arrival until the 2nd. Now that's willpower!

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:10 PM 0 comments