Morning feeding, dentist, patient updates

I went out early this morning to let the chickens out of the coop building so they could access their waterers as soon as I was available. As a part of that morning routine, Mama and I lower the perch boards on the front of the nesting boxes to give the hens access to the nesting boxes. We close the perch boards overnight because we want to discourage the hens from spending the night in the nesting boxes. This eliminates the need to clean out the mess they leave behind when they do stay overnight in the nesting boxes. As I went into the coop to take care of opening the nesting boxes, I found a young rat snake in one of the nesting boxes. I had anticipated getting a few eggs this morning since I had done the feeding and egg collecting early last night because of church. Our reptile visitor had eaten whatever may have been laid after I collected the eggs. Sadly, I had to kill the snake because I did not have time to try to relocate it. I always regret having to do that because the snakes also eat mice and rats – which Mama dislikes even more than the snakes. Hopefully there are more snakes around taking care of the varmints. This young one will not be eating any more rodents or eggs.

Because my class was cancelled this morning, I took an open appointment at the dentist. It is for a routine teeth cleaning so it should not take too long. I have not been to the dentist for several years because we could not find a dentist we liked; however, a chance visit to an oral surgeon put us in touch with the dentist I will be seeing this morning. Mama and I are both very impressed with him and his staff. We will be using him from now on. That is a bit of a relief since we have been to three other dentists in the area prior to this one. Mama and I need some work done to our teeth, but we were not interested in engaging the services of the dentists we had tried in the past. It is good to be getting those dental procedures scheduled.

Our patients in Florida are progressing well. Grandpa is doing the best out of the group. Mama tells me he is consciously drinking plenty and trying to eat a meal at least twice per day. What that meal consists of is questionable nutrition wise, but that is Grandpa’s normal practice. Norman is never a good patient but even he is starting to eat and drink without the nausea they had all been experiencing early on. Mama continues to challenge Norman to get outside and get his blood stirring. They have a nice outside area at the camper. Grandma remains the challenge for Mama because she requires so much physical help just to get into and out of her bed which is in the lofted area of the RV.

Three steps lead to the cramped bedroom and once Grandma safely gets up those steps, Mama has to try to help her ease into the bed with very limited space to do so. Mama has to provide this help while in a standing position from the side of the bed. Mama’s knee issues do not allow her to kneel on the bed thought that would make things easier. It is a huge challenge to Mama’s back but with Grandpa’s help, the three of them have managed to get Grandma situated comfortably.

Pray for Grandma to get significantly better because when Mama comes home, all this help with climbing the stairs and positioning Grandma in bed will fall on Grandpa who often does not have a lot of strength to offer Grandma. How much help and how often that will be available from in-home health care remains to be seen.

Mama called me pretty upset this morning – as predicted – because of her frustration with Grandma to do even the little things to support her health and recovery. The most troubling issue is her steadfast refusal to drink water. Often drinking less than one small bottle of water per day as her total fluid intake. Far less than needed, but when Mama suggests Grandma drink more fluids, Grandma gets very upset and uncooperative. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to change the situation. We can only help where we are allowed and as Grandma and Norman get better, that help will be less and less appreciated. My prayer is that Mama gets home before her being there is resented. That has always been the final outcome of such insertions into Grandma and Grandpa’s lives. My other prayer is that as home health workers come to help Grandma that she will listen to the advice they give which will certainly be the same as what Mama is currently offering. Oh, well.

We will continue to help where we can and Mama has nursed them all through the worst part of this illness. Go Mama!