Bill had a very good appetite today. He doesn't seem interested in feeding himself for some reason right now. Maybe I have spoiled him...but I will work on that after he is feeling stronger. When I got to the hospital the nurse said his appetite is a problem. So I fed him lunch and dinner....I called her to show her, he ate everything on both his lunch and dinner tray.

He still is pink and handsome as ever. Since he has been back in the bed now for two weeks he is weak. However tonight about 7:30PM he asked if he could just stand next to the bed. That is the first time he has mentioned getting out of the bed in a while. So tomorrow I am going to get someone to get him into a wheel chair and bring him down to the cafeteria and maybe up to visit the staff on the Rehab unit for awhile.

Bill enjoyed looking at the pictures of the new house again today. Much Thanks to Bonnie, Lori & Vic and Tina & Greg for all the help and support in the next phase of our journey.....the big move to Houston.

Bill in going back to Chateau de Notre Dame soon....he is just in EJ until the Doctors get his Coumadin levels where they want to keep them to prevent further blood clots.

Sorry loyal bloggers.....I have been a little busy. I flew to Houston this weekend with my sister, Bonnie, to make a offer on a house for Bill & I to live near our children. We found a subdivision in December that we wanted to buy in so it was a fairly easy task. I couldn't get the exact house on the exact lot we had picked but I got one as close as possible to what we had planned for our future. I hope this will be a big incentive for Bill....to make a speedy recovery.

Friday....Bill was quiet and not much appetite. He knew I was going to get us a new house near the kids and he was happy about it.

Saturday.....Bill had a Murray card party in his room. Shirley & Johnny, Steve & Sandra, Babes & Beth and the kids, Bill's mother, Rick & Bonnie & Eric. I heard Bill ate a Wendy's chicken sandwich and chocolate chip cookies and had a blast. I told him I should go out of town more often his response.....please do !

Sunday.....I'm home.....visited Bill around 5:00PM to 7:00PM...he ate lasagna, peas and cheese cake...good appetite tonight. He looks good & rested.

We may be moving tomorrow back to Chateau De Notre Dame....so call before you come.

Thanks to all the Murray's for covering for me !

PS. I need good boxes for packing....small enough for me to be able to lift. Thanks Ruby

Today we went back to the dentist....2 weeks Bill picks up his new teeth.

Bill has been very tired...no appetite .....naseua....diahrra...slight fever even tonight.

Dean, Babes, Shirley, Johnny and Bill's Mom came to visit tonight.

Talked to 3 different doctors today....3 different ideas on his progress. So I guess it still to soon to tell....how this whole thing will play out. We will continue our journey....hoping for the best.

As of tonight Bill will be at EJ until Monday...room 267. Get Well Soon Bill !!!!!!!!!!

Today we went to the EJ dentist for the next step in the replacement denture. I certainly hope it is as good of a nose scratcher as the old one.

I must say I found Bill out of sorts today. I guess because he has been in the bed since Thursday and today not only did he get up but went to the dentist. I stayed in the room with him this week....I hope that was not a mistake ! Today I had to do some things. Some packing and other errands. I was home for about 4 hours and Bill called about as many times. Ain't love grand he misses me.

He didn't eat when I was not there and when I returned he seemed like he was having more difficulty with his independence. I hope he can make the transition back to Chateau and Rehab unit easily and regain his confidence and strength.

Tomorrow we have another appointment with the dentist for 9:00AM.

After a battery of testing on lungs, heart, stomach, intestines and legs....the results are in now.

Bill had a small bowel blockage or kink in the small bowel. Which ever we may never know but the good news is....the problem has resolved itself with treatment. Bill doesn't need surgery !
He really needed a break and he got it....thanks to everybody for many prayers. They are being answered.

Lungs Bill had fluid around the lungs and his breathing was labored and crackly. Verdict it was fluid overload from the number of drips he had in the hospital. Solution fluid pills...this too has been corrected. No further treatment needed.

Heart doctor gives him a good to go. They will change some of his meds for blood pressure as soon as they all agree on which road to take.

Legs.....he had ultra sound on both legs yesterday. Bill had a blood clot awhile back and the doctors put in a Greenfield filter at that time. The same filter will protect Bill's vital organs from the new blood clot in his right calf. This will be treated with meds and they are considering blood thinners to prevent further clots. The risks will be weighed against the benefits and a decision made before his release on Wednesday or Thursday.

Tomorrow at 8:30AM Bill will go from EJ to the dentist office for the next stage of fitting for the long ago lost denture. Another side issue being taken care of with multi tasking at EJ.

Today Bill sleep very soundly to the point that it worried me.....But this afternoon he woke up very pink and cheerful so I guess he was just worn out.

Barbara ...Vic's mother dropped off Maggie to spend some time at the hospital with her Kutzie and Paw Paw...that was really special Thanks Maggie for coming from Texas to Mississippi to Louisiana to visit. We love and miss all six of our girls very much.

Thanks to Bill's brother Mike for his visit tonight and for having a last resort plan for a house full of stuff (29 years accumulation) should we get in a bind. I think we can make it ! But it sure feels good to have a back up plan just in case.

Today is Sunday at 2:45PM the time on the blog is always wrong.

Bill is about the same....still has small bowel blockage. Tube in nose threw throat into stomach to rest the colon and intestines. Nothing but a few ice chips every couple of hours. I V drips and meds. Meds to make his bowels move in hopes the blockage is stool and will resolve itself. Meds for fluid to help him pass all the I V fluids. Bed rest. Visitors allowed anytime. He sleeps a lot and fidgets a lot. Difficult to talk at this time due to the tube. We are hanging in there....his spirits are good. I will update the blog whenever I get home every couple of days.

Bulletin:

I am sorry to report that tonight at approx. 7:30PM Bill had to be taken to East Jefferson Hospital by ambulance to the emergency room. He was admitted to Cardiology Room 267 phone# 454-4267.

At lunch at Chateau DE Notre Dame today Bill complained of nausea something he seldom gets. The nurse gave him some liquid Maalox that seemed to give him relief. I left at 2:35PM. Bill's mother, brother Rich and his wife Bonnie came to visit. Bill's speech therapist came in to work with him so they cut the visit short. Later Dean, Bill's friend came by to visit. Dean called to say Bill wanted me to know he had thrown up. I can count on one hand the times he has thrown up in 43 years. So I called the nurses desk and told them how odd this was and asked that they keep an eye on him.

Dean called back around 7:00PM to say Bill had thrown up again. Only a true friend would stay with you when you are throwing up. I left at that time to investigate. When I was about half the way there the cell phone rang. It was Chateau calling to say Bill was sick and the doctor wanted him to go to the emergency room.

I called Lori, Greg, Shirley....Lori called Rick. Shirley was out of town but Rick meet us at the emergency room. Long story short.....many test have been done. Gall Bladder or intestinal blockage is suspected at this time. 5:30AM. Bill is in a telemetry room so I am home to get some sleep.....some clothes for both of us and get more info to you as I get the test results.

Thanks for being there Dean and Rick !!!

Assessment was a bit disturbing to me. Physical therapy reported Bill at 25% Bill and 75% assist. So I was right in my assessment of his progress. That was about the only meat from the short meeting. Everyone was very supportive and says he is cooperating and is getting better.

Good news for the day. Bill did get his wheelchair....many revisions and I think this time it may work. It is Candy Apple Red and Black just as Bill ordered. He said it is very comfortable. So now I am going to make it my business to keep him out of the bed and in that chair for as long as I can every day. I think it builds his strength just being out of the bed. However he was so uncomfortable that he would squirm until his butt was over the edge of the chair and heading for the floor in each of the 3 other chairs we tried. I couldn't push him to stay in an unsafe chair that caused him pain. So now I'm going to see what he can do !

Harry came by to visit today at lunch and brought Bill some drum catalogs which he really enjoyed. Bonnie, Mike and Ryan came by this afternoon to visit....Bill enjoyed the Canoli and I enjoyed my eclair. Thanks !

Today Bill was in the bed when I got there and stayed there all afternoon and evening. I am going early tomorrow to observe his physical therapy. Also, I have a 1:45PM meeting for his first assessment. I am hoping to see progress in the PT department because I do not see his energy level where it was at EJ. He is very content to lay in bed and watch TV or listen to CD's in bed. Also, his appetite is down again. If the energy is all going to PT....I'm OK if not I will need some ideas on the plan to get him up and going again. Of course we are still having wheelchair issues that to may be resolved tomorrow as his real wheelchair is now scheduled to be delivered. It could also be meds. I hope for answers tomorrow.

Sunday .....Shirley, Johnny, Erin and Josh came to visit Bill and wish him a Happy Father's Day. Lori, Greg, Abby and Ryan called to wish him a Happy Father's Day. Kind of a quiet day for Bill.


Monday.....Harry came to visit and then Maurice stopped by to see Bill. An oldie but goodie friend that was in the Nobles years ago (Scott Hastings) mailed Bill a surprise today...The Uptown Saturday Night CD Series he has been talking about for awhile. So after therapy and the visits from his friends he spent the balance of the day....singing and swaying from the bed to the music he loves. Thanks Scott we will get you some copies burned for your long drives from Dallas to Arkansas.

Harry, Bill and I visited another patients room today....the guy looked a hundred years old laying in bed...not a tooth in his head....but strumming on his guitar. Harry named the tune he was playing was Way down yonder in New Orleans. His name is Frank Federico...the nurses say he was the guitar player for Louie Prima for 50 years. It really was something to see this guy playing his guitar in his bed just for his personal pleasure...quite a site to see. Simple Pleasures !

Bill was not as tired today. He got dressed and in the wheelchair for about 11:00AM. We went down to the dining room for lunch for a change. He did not like the people or the food today. He is very aware that he is the baby in the whole place. He doesn't even want to talk to anyone. That is not like him but I think he is in a huge period of adjustment.

After lunch we played dominoes and read magazines in the dining room for awhile. Then we visited the lobby area and Bill made his food selections for the week and read some more. When we went back up to his room.....he used the toilet in the bathroom for the first time in three months. Sorry if that is too much information but I see it as a leap in the right direction.

We stayed in the room all afternoon...Bill shaved....I trimmed his hair....his nails...etc. He even worked from the wheelchair on arm therapy with me for a good while. He ate his dinner very well... roast beef and mashed potatoes, mushroom soup, mandarin slices, all of his favorites.

Today was a very busy day for me.

I got to Bill late around 4:00PM. I found him to be very quiet and deep in thought tonight. I asked him what is on your mind? He simply said I'm old ! He went on to say that when they brought him back from therapy around 1:00PM they left him in the wheelchair. He got tired of waiting for them to come back to help him into bed and decided he could do it alone. Well needless to say he fell. The only mark I found on him is on his left calf a scrape mark about 4 inches long...no blood.

It is hard for me to understand that he thinks he can walk ! But everyone has told me that is very common and temporary.

We did get a offer on our home today....which we accepted. We now have a 10 day inspection period and then a sale late in July if everything goes well.

The roller coaster ups and downs are still going strong. We have a ton of stuff !!!!

When I told Bill about the house....Lori asked him.....well what do you think ? His reply I told your mother I'll clean my office. Ah...I love my man of simple needs !!!

Yesterday I spoke to Bill's Physical therapist.....She is working more with him on his feet. They have all of the same things in their PT that EJ had just a small scale. At EJ Bill was working on the mat to strengthen his arms and legs. At Chateau de Notre Dame the PT feels he can advance further at this time with gaining the confidence needed that he can walk on the left leg.

I have not attended a PT class yet, they have asked me not to attend for fear Bill will be distracted and not work as hard. At EJ I was encourage to attend. Maybe as time goes on...I would like to see the progress as he is making it....but maybe it is better for me to see it later and be surprised.

I do have a assessment meeting scheduled for next Wednesday at 1:45Pm to discuss Bill's progress. It is a new patient thing they do for everybody within the first two weeks after admission. I will keep you posted as progress continues.

Dean the long lost mystery man appeared yesterday. He is in fact well and doing fine contrary to rumors of his alien abduction. He visited Bill yesterday...he lost his cell phone and was out of town as Maurice had told me. Glad to see him back in town.

Not as much to say these days....things are getting so much better since Bill is well and out of danger. I will just give a update of the physical therapy.

I spoke to Anna his therapist this afternoon...I asked if Bill worked on the mat...like he was at East Jefferson as a part of his daily routine. She said no...I was disappointed. She said he will get more out of just walking with her than he can get on a mat.

I don't know how these little ...tiny ladies are able to walk with Bill. I cannot understand how they can bear his weight. But I am glad they are working him !!!

Remember Bill said the food is better....he has gained 2 pounds in just six days.

Rick came by tonight to visit with Bill but I had already headed for home. Rick called to say he thinks Bill looks really good. Babes visited on Tuesday and called to say the same. Both also commented on the facility and how nice it looks.

I guess we are on the right track after all.

When the roller coaster goes over the top it's a good thing !

Today Bill finally got his much requested poached egg.....
He met the physical therapist and likes them......
They walked him in the hall today for his assessment....
He starts Rehab again tomorrow !!!
They loaned us a wedge cushion that helps keep him in the chair.....
He got a real....shower with water and all....first one since March 12
Talked about how good the food is at Chateau de Notre Dame.......
Went for a wheelchair tour of the facility......
Said I was right it is a nice rehab place !!!! Yea !!!!!

Good day already .................BONUS

Tonight at 7:00PM ....they had a jazz band on the calendar !!!

NORD DIXIELAND & RAGTIME BAND................

some oldie but goodie friends from the past....names some of you might recognize.......

12 members.......big horn section.........you know Bill always did like that sound !

Ed Peneguy
John Davenhauer
Johnny Sugar

to name a few......I didn't know most of them but they were a welcome sight.....
they made a special dedication and mention of how special of a guest Bill was and gave credit to him for all of the years he had The Nobles Band !

That was the best therapy of the day. Bill had fun seeing all those guys again.

Bill was kind of agitated today. No Rehab on the weekend takes a tole on him .....he has to stay in the bed. Plus since he is the new guy...he has not met anyone yet. Monday the physical therapist will come in and do her assessment of his abilities and hopefully things will get started then for him to be back in Rehab.

Julie, Bill's baby sister, came by this afternoon to visit. His mood improved after that visit. Thanks for visiting Julie.

The food is better for sure. He has a room mate but the man seems to be out of it. I have only heard in 3 days him say his name and curse out the aids. Otherwise he sleeps. That is not help for Bill in the speech department.

I can only hope the Rehab is very good and we can him the hell out of there.

No Rehab on the weekends at Chateau DE Notre Dame either ! So since Bill transferred on Friday he has been back in the bed since approximately 1:30PM on Friday. On Monday the physical therapist will come asses his physical abilities and then begin Rehab. It is very frustrating to see how much time is lost and the momentum is derailed on a regular basis.

The good news is Bill said today the food is slightly better here. That is good because his appetite has been bad. He is down to 195 lbs. from pre stroke weight of 237 lbs.

Today he had gumbo...one of his favorites !

Shirley and Johnny came by for a visit. I gave them a short tour and they like the place. I am waiting until Wednesday to see how I like the Rehab unit and therapist before I make up my mind. Yesterday and today I have not been impressed.

Bill overall seems content for the moment. That's what is important !

Note: Forget about the old cell phone request. I got one Alltel said they no longer work on the newer equipment. I don't believe it but it is what it is. Back to the drawing board for Bill's phone at Chateau de Notre Dame.

Today started off great. The expert came in and brought SAS shoes for Bill to try on for size and style. We all agreed on a velcro closure shoe in black they will be in on Wednesday.

Therapy went well...good byes were easier than I expected. The staff at East Jefferson now feels like family. We know who and where everything is.....who to go to for each question.

Since Bill is still not in a wheelchair that we can keep him from sliding out of the front....the insurance OK'd him to transport by ambulance. I followed in the car.

Then it gets hairy....When we toured they showed us the second floor of rooms that had been renovated after the storm but remain unoccupied at that time.

When we arrived today Bill is in room 419......the halls are full of old people in wheel chairs. I don't think Bill saw them as he was on the stretcher looking up. His only real comment about the place to me was....I don't want to stay here very long. I hope we don't have to......

I did meet the physical therapist Anna...she said stroke patients are her specialty. He will start Monday in therapy. I guess we will get a better feel at that time. I wish I had better choices but it is just not a pretty situation. I hope Bill is right and we get through it in a hurry.

Tomorrow is the next loop in the giant roller coaster.....the move to Chateau De Notre Dame.

Today was a busy one for Bill. The shoe lady came to check out his needs...they will be back tomorrow to measure and fit. Bill was hard to fit before but since the blood clot in the left leg he still has swelling and it is impossible to fit him off the rack.

His wheel chair is in and will be delivered next week to Chateau de Notre Dame. I hope that will end the wheelchair issues. Scott the tech from Southern came up with the idea to use gravity...to help keep Bill in the chair and prevent the scooting out the seat issue. Also some other modifications that are super ideas. I hope this is the answer !

Tomorrow afternoon Bill will be transferred by ambulance to his new Rehab unit for a couple of months of more rest and Rehab....then hopefully either home here or better yet home in Houston with our children.

I will post the room number tomorrow night.

Does anyone have a old cell phone and charger one that is not a flip phone.... the style that is about six inches long and easy big numbers?

Today's challenge was the wheelchair.

Southern made a special loaner chair for Bill approx 6 weeks ago. We couldn't keep him comfortably in that chair. So I brought the chair we used for my MOM but Bill also gets into danger in that chair. So they came back to EJ today to talk with Bill's physical therapist and myself as to our observations of the problems.

Southern will be back tomorrow with an improved loaner special designed for Bill's needs. I hope they can resolve his chair issues and make him both comfortable and also safe in the new chair.

Uneventful day !

Today was another roller coaster ride. Yesterday we were told Bill would be moving today. Upon arrival at East Jefferson the nurse said the doctor was not ready for Bill to be moved as he is trying him on a muscle relaxer to help him get better muscle tone. So now it's looking like Friday....stay tuned for roller coaster thrills.

But by midday the day was greatly improved. Physical therapy went very well ! Bill is getting much stronger. He is now able to push his wheel chair up and down the hall of the Rehab unit using just his right leg. Go Bill ! He was in a great mood and full of fun again today.

Tonight it got kicked up another notch in room 905.

Bill got a surprise visit from Benny Grunch...! He had a private autograph session for Bill to give out gifts to his nurses and therapist tomorrow. Bill's friend Frank (another patient got his surprise tonight and was very surprised to meet Benny. Thanks Benny for making it a very special surprise for Bill and the crew in East Jefferson Rehab Unit.

I also had a very special visit from my old friend Mary Edwards. Years ago we had three couples that each had an older daughter and a younger son. We had great times together...when we went out to dinner we would sit the three boys at one table. The three girls at another table. Then the six adults got to sit together. It worked for everybody. Thanks for being there tonight Mary it was good to see you.

Slight delay ...

There's been a hold-up on getting Bill moved out of the hospital. As far as we know, the doctors haven't signed the release papers. That's all we know at the moment. But, if you were planning on visiting, Bill is still in the hospital. We'll keep you posted and let you know when he's moved and where you can find him.

Also, please let us know if you're out there and keeping up with things. Drop us some comments or use the comments to leave a note for Bill!

This morning Bill was very tired after speech therapy. But in the afternoon at 1:00PM he really turned on and did very well in his workout with Beth. He also had a minimal assisted transfer from the wheelchair to the bed with a new nurse by herself. He said his goodbyes to Beth today. He really seems at peace with the move to Skilled Nursing Rehab.

Tomorrow Bill is scheduled to transfer to Chateau da Notre Dame on Burdette St. off of Earhart and Carrolton. Past the seminary to Walmsley near Dominican turn on Burdette St. I don't have the room number yet. If you are thinking of visiting please call cell 884-2253 everything these days is subject to change.

Bill was quiet today....Sunday in Rehab usually means bed rest...which I don't like. Then on Monday the patients are worn out from two days in bed. When I am the Queen...Rehab will be a seven day a week job.

Appetite still poor....but better than yesterday. He is on new muscle relaxers that seem to be affecting his mood and appetite. Hopefully tomorrow when he gets up and moving around he will be able to shake it.

Bill's sister Shirley and her husband Johnny came by to visit today. Bill enjoyed that and joked around with them...mostly how bad the hospital food taste.

No date yet for his release...I will update the blog with that as soon as I get it. It seems he was doing very well last week and they were thinking he may be able to stay a little longer but now with the muscle relaxers....who knows.

I too hate roller coasters !