She's happy!

Mom has had a good week. We've adjusted her medication and she is happy, funny, and last but not least...Awake!

Have a good day!
Marsha

Otosclerosis

Below is more information, just in case anyone else has hearing problems. Have a nice evening.... Marsha

Medical Encyclopedia: Otosclerosis

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001036.htm

Definition

Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear that causes hearing loss.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Otosclerosis is an inherited disorder, which means it is passed down through families. In this condition, an abnormal sponge-like bone grows in the middle ear. This growth prevents the ear from vibrating in response to sound waves -- which must happen in order for you to hear. This lack of vibration leads to hearing loss that continues to get worse with time.

Otosclerosis is the most frequent cause of middle ear hearing loss in young adults. It affects about 10% of the population of the United States, and is most common seen in women ages 15 to 30. Otosclerosis usually affects both ears.

Risks include pregnancy (which may trigger onset) and a family history of hearing loss. Caucasians are more susceptible than others to otosclerosis.

Mom's doing well

Mom just went home and we are unwinding before bed. It's been a week of ups and downs...mostly ups! Thursday at dinner, Mom was very frustrated. She was tired of being old, wanted to double check details of her funeral and her will. Friday, she over slept and missed exercise class, but other than that she was in a great mood and ate a huge dinner. Saturday, another great day. She went to lunch with Jill and Jennifer and has been happy and alert since Friday morning. They are going to reduce her new medication again this week, hoping to keep her happy and wake in time for exercise class. We'll see how it goes. So much of Mom's condition is connected to depression. Last Thursday the activity director was out, so she had a day to think. The busier she is...the happier she is. She had a busy weekend, and it looks like next weekend will be just as busy. Speaking of busy...something I need to share with you all, especially any of my female cousins. I am going to have surgery on my right ear. The doctor says the condition is usually genetic and happens in more females than men. He said it is gradual and my hearing problem probably started in my twenties or thirties. If any of you have trouble with your ears and believe it to be chronic sinus or allergy problems, you might want to see an ENT for a hearing test. They can replace a bone in the ear with good results, but don't put it off, because if health and age are against you, they can only suggest a hearing aid. The doctors walk a fine line trying to keep her spirits up, without harming her memory or making her lethargic. Please keep her in your prayers. Sleep well. Marsha

Mom loves to shop!

Mom and Sheri look pretty good considering they'd been running around for about 10 hours. Plus, Sheri spent four hours driving to take Mom out for the day. Not easy when Max is due in just three weeks.

Sheri said she was crying when she got home and she and Max are ready for separate bedrooms, but Mom ended the day laughing with more new clothes than I could hang in her closet! 

MaMaw I'm Sleepy

Without invitation, Wyatt will snuggle beside Mom...he makes her happy! This photo was taken July 4th after a long day of play.

He has a rough life!

Mom's new medicine zonked her out today. I don't have a photo of Mom sleeping but,
this is Jess. As you can tell he has a very stressful life.

Wyatt Fishing

The new photo of Mom would not upload, but I thought these might make you smile.

Autumn

Dear Friends,

This week has been .... let's just say I'm ready for next week.

Dave has had a cold all week and he's been quieter than usual. But the odd thing is, he's talking more than I am. I don't know if I'm (a) sick, (b) depressed, (c) exhausted, or (d) all of the above. My spirit wants to work, but my body refuses to get out of the chair. I go to work, come home, nap, go to bed. Yes, I know...I owe everyone a phone call..or two.

Thank goodness for Sheri! Mom was upset because she hates being old. I was frustrated because I spend lunch hours running errands for her, I get her hair done, her nails, take her to dinner, and spend Saturday and Sunday with her and I can't make her happy.

Sheri called to check on Mom and drove up the next day to spend it with Mom. Sheri, who is 8 months pregnant, said Mom was walking faster than she was...I'll attach a photo. She got her nails done, had lunch and shopped for fall clothes--Mom is convinced all her clothes came over on the Mayflower. (We did the same thing this summer. Mom bought a new wardrobe for Hawaii, and then this summer was upset because her clothes were so old.)

Mom is at the age she can do little. Traveling and shopping were two things that made her forget she's old. She isn't in the mood to travel, so it's down to shopping. Sheri said Mom told her she felt like that movie where the man give her money and she shops and shops and shops. (Pretty Woman). After shopping I met them for supper, and Mom was wearing one of her new outfits. She was a happy lady!!!

I called her doctor and told them how frustrated and unhappy she is. She even cried one day because it takes her so long to get dressed. He changed her happy pill and she started on the new one last night...wish us luck!

Good news: I love this time of year! Dave and I met the last weekend of September, and he proposed six dates later. The smell of autumn makes me smile. We are blessed...but it wasn't an accident. Most of you probably know this story, but I'm in the mood for something happy, so I'll tell it again.

When I was growing up, I noticed after all the husbands went to work, our neighbors would meet for coffee and I remember them laughing and chatting away. But in the evening when the husbands came home, everyone's house got quiet. Mom and dad didn't argue, but I didn't see the happiness I saw on 1960 movies. So I prayed, and prayed, and prayed for years that God would find me the right husband and he would be my best friend.

A friend and I had an apartment and her boyfriend was coming down from Ft. Meade Maryland to see her. Pat didn't have a ride back to base, so his friend, Dave, was going to drive down and get him. I arrived home from work to find this curly haired Polish guy in my living room. We knew on the second date we were getting married, but on the sixth date, he proposed AND HAD MY RINGS IN HIS POCKET! Yes, I certainly do love autumn...and Dave. God not only found him for me, he delivered him to my living room!

David says we must die on the same day, because he's not getting stuck with one of us, without the other.

Gonna go get Mom for hair and lunch...have a nice Saturday. I'll add some photos for you later this weekend...if I have time between napping and looking out the window. .

Love,
Marsha

Today was special!

This evening I feel like I've received a gift from God. Yesterday was a normal day; I took Mom to get her nails done and we had lunch with a friend. Today I had Mom and Wyatt all day. Wyatt obviously loves Mom, but today he paid extra attention to her. It was magical to watch them together. He's two years old and he covers her up, talks to her, stops playing to wave to her, and doesn't take a bite until he makes sure Mom also has her snack. It's as if he's watching out for her.

I was cooking supper and Wyatt wanted to watch a video. Since I couldn't see him from the kitchen, Mom offered to watch the video with him. I walked in to find Mom folding laundry, while she a Wyatt chatted away. Mom hasn't folded laundry in over a year! She also mentioned how much she enjoyed lunch yesterday. I was stunned! Mom doesn't usually remember what she ate by the time she gets back to her room.

We had a wonderful day. Mom's memory was very good, and the house was filled with love and laughter!

I hope each of you had a great weekend.

Marsha

PS Sheri said she read in the blog she was having Thanksgiving at her house. She said that reminded her to tell me, I was cooking and they were coming here. Ursula is bringing her rum cake, Sheri will be bringing Charles and new baby Max, so if anyone wants to join us, it looks like Thanksgiving is going to be here this year. :)