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Virgil

All Systems Are A Go

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by
Virgil
, 02-28-2008 at 10:25 PM (2253 Views)
Well, here's an update on Mom. It's been a while. So let me bring you up since I'm so terrible at keeping people abreast. Last time I was worried that she had lost weight, not eating well, was getting headaches, and not sleeping. Well, she turned that around somehow, or whatever it was ran its course. She's been eating, gained most of her weight back and is sleeping and the headaches have disappeared. She still has hip pain and it spreads to her back. She is walking better, doesn't need a cane. She still waddles a bit, but seems to have more endurance. Actually I got really upset with her last week or so. Her garden has been retaining water (it's been a wet winter here, although warmer than usual) and her garden doesn't seem to drain well any more. The ground must be saturated and the earth has become very clayish. I caught her digging trenches two feet deep and the length of the garden which might be twenty feet. Can you imagine this 74 year old woman with a broken hip doing that? And then she complained her back hurts. I wasn't laughing, I blew my top. But she loves that garden; it seems her apricot tree has died from the water and maybe her fig tree too.

Anyway, as you can see she's better. But the orthopedist still recommends replacing the hip and she's definetely gung-ho. She hates the limited ability, the slow walking and the fact she can't reach her feet to put on her socks and shoes on. Frankly I would say what the heck, it seems like you have enough mobility, but she wants it all. So she had to get medical clearence, and her general doctor sent her to a cardiologist to evaluate her heart. They did an cardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram. She passed with flying colors. She had had a stress test a couple of years ago and the doctor was amazed at how strong her heart was at the time. So they are pretty confident that her heart will hold up. Yesterday the hospital where the operation will take place gave us instructions and conducted their own tests. Nothing elaborate. A blood test and another cardiogram. Apparently everything is a go. So all systems are a go. She goes for the operation on Monday. Please have her in your prayers. I am still nervous and worried.
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Comments

  1. motherhubbard's Avatar
    Your mom is amazing. I'm so glad to hear that she is doing so well. I've been thinking of my garden all day and I can understand your mom's desire to be in hers.
  2. ampoule's Avatar
    I'll be thinking of the both of you and praying for the doctors and nurses as well. Hoping all goes well.
  3. mtpspur's Avatar
    My prayers are being whipsered to God as I type this and I hope not to disappoint on Monday. Will be looking Tuesday for an entry. Your mother reminds me of the good side of mine.
  4. Sweets America's Avatar
    I'm glad to hear that, Virgil. I imagine how stressed I would be if it were my mom. Oh I know what you mean about her being in the garden despite her age: my grandmother is old too and she is always doing physical efforts in the garden or she walks miles to go to the church and takes care of everything there, she is very active and that worries my mother.
  5. Niamh's Avatar
    I can actually visualise you mam out digging the garden. It always amazes me that even though they are in pain they still continue on because things still have to be done.
  6. 's Avatar
    Hope all goes well with your mom's operation, Virgil. Maybe you can take her to have some lemoncello once she is out of the hospital!
  7. Granny5's Avatar
    Virgil, try not to worry about the hip replacement. It's pretty easy now. She'll be up and walking the same day and in a few weeks, she'll be in a lot better shape. I've seen 95 year olds having the operation without any problem and going strong faster than you know it. It's hard not to worry, but she'll do great. I'll be praying for her and YOU.
  8. Petrarch's Love's Avatar
    Glad to hear an update on your mom and to know she's doing so well. I'll keep her and your family in my prayers this Monday.
  9. kiz_paws's Avatar
    Yes, thank you for the update, Virgil. I chuckled at the amount of gumption your mother has, despite her pain. This gumption will for sure help her through the operation process. You will all be in my thoughts, take care. K♥z
  10. andave_ya's Avatar
    Yipe!! I'm so sorry I missed this Virgil!! Hope everything worked out ok for her...I was hoping she would be ok. What a brave woman, but then mothers generally are...
  11. Virgil's Avatar
    Thank you all for your support. Andave, I agree, mothers are incredibly strong. My biggest fear is not a heart problem but infection.
  12. Janine's Avatar
    Virgil, your mother is something else - out there digging trenches. I would have blown my top, as well. I agree with Kiz, if she has the much gumption, then I know she will do just fine with the surgery and rehab. People who are determined like that always do. I am sure Monday will go just fine and recovery will be smooth for her. I will keep her and you in my prayers - stay calm and have faith in the doctors and your mom. Mom's are stronger than you think. Before we know it she will be running marathons!
  13. 's Avatar
    Dont u feel real helpless when mothers just wont listen?! I've been brought up in a home where the mother rules, and is the strong figure in the family (my dad whimpers even if a slight fever's on its way!) and now that she's a bit too old to be fussing over the kitchen the moment she gets back from her work, she's having to suffer, to which both she and the family is foreign. We're never used to seeing mom like this, and she wont listen either. At times i feel like shaking her and make her come to senses. But well, mothers! I hope ur mom gets well enough to do as she likes, Virgil, these people are just not used to being weak, they often hate being attended to. I dont know if thats the case with ur mother, though. I just wish her well.
  14. applepie's Avatar
    Your Mom sounds like an amazing woman Virgil. I was glad to see that she'll be getting the hip surgery, and I can only imagine what she will be doing after that. She sounds to be a very determined lady. Take Care, Meg