MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 5000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'These Things We Must Never Forget' source. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:48:21 +0100 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/hospice.html We had our first visit from the Hospice nurse, Judy, and social worker, Julie, this morning. They said that the nurse who went to evaluate Rick at the Center on Friday, found him sleeping and could not arouse him. That is probably why he was accepted into the program. Jean Small, director fo the Center, said that shortly after the nurse left the center Friday, Rick was up dancing with her. Julie is getting a wheelchair, bedside commode, and shower seat for us. They are being delivered this afternoon. Now that is fast work. They will provide a hospital bed if and when we need it. They discussed making a ramp for our front door steps. They have people who volunteer to do this. We have requested to use the Hospice Home for while we go on vacation. They provide respite for 5 days. Anything over that we have to pay for. It is $180 a day, but is based on income. I feel we will not qualify for a reduction. I spoke to Jean Small today and told her that I had told the girls that I felt that, baring a miracle and we are still believing for that, Rick probably has only 1-2 years yet. Jean just shook her head and said it was probably less than that. Hospice requirement for admission to their program is 6 months. Dr Pearce had to sign the papers indicating that for them to even evaluate Rick. They said that doesn’t mean that he will only live 6 months and that they have had people who have been around for 2 years after admission. Anyway, these are all new thoughts for all of us. I asked Jean what stage of Alzheimer’s she felt Rick was in. A few months ago she said she thought he was in the lower part of stage 3. But today she said he was in stage 4. I looked it up on the list of the stages and this is what it says:Terminal Stage – 1 to 3 yearsSymptoms• Can’t recognize family or image of self in mirror• Loses weight even wth good diet• Little capacity for self care.• Can’t communicate with words.• May put everything in mouth or touch everything• Can’t control bowels, bladder.• May have seizures, experience difficulty with swallowing, skin infections.Examples• Looks in mirror and talks to own image.• Needs help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. • May groan, scream or make grunting sounds.• May try to suck on everything.• Sleeps more.I believe Rick still recognizes all of us. And I think he is still recognizing himself in the mirror. He hasn’t lost weight yet. But he isn’t gaining anything either. He definitely needs assistance with his care. He has not been able to communicate for a long time. He is not putting things in his mouth or touching everything. He dose see little things on the floor and picks them up and holds them between his thumb and finger. He is still continent. But if I miss his cues, then he has been incontinent. This has happened 2 times at the center and once here at home.So now you have it. The most up to date report on Rick’s condition and the assistance that we are getting.Again, I am so thankful to God for His provision. The Hospice services, I believe, are another way God is letting me know that He is taking care of me and Rick. I give Him all the glory. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446214 Thu, 15 May 2008 17:09:00 +0100 1446214 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-god-be-glory.html These last few weeks have been rather difficult. The change in Rick has brought about an urgency to find a care facility for him. The girls are concerned about my health and ability to stand up under the stress of caring for him. And I believe they are not able to care for him if I should need to be away for my job. So we went looking at assisted living and nursing facilities last Thursday. Neither situation was what I wanted but would consent to it if need be. I had spoken to Jean Small, the director of the Adult Day Care Center that Rick goes to daily and she suggested we check into the Palliative care options that Hospice has to offer. So I placed a call to Hospice. They needed a referral from Dr Pearce, who gave it readily. The social worker came out last Thursday and the nurse went to see Rick at the center on Friday. Monday I received a call saying that Rick has been accepted into the hospice palliative care program. Praise the Lord! This is what I am getting through this: The nurse will see Rick regularly. They will do much of the assessments so that I don't even need to take him to the doctor. She is coming Thursday morning early before I take him to the center for her first visit. I was telling her about his jerking and she asked if it was time to do a dilantin level. I told her I thought it was, so she is calling Dr. Pearce to get his ok for her to draw his blood for the level. That is wonderful. And I don't get a bill for it. They will provide his meds for him, too, at no cost to me. They bill Rick's Medicare for their services. There is a special part of Medicare for hospice services. They won't provide any service for us that is not covered by Medicare, unless they tell me first and I decide that I want to pay for it out of my pocket. We may see about putting him into the hospice hospital, Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home,while we go on vacation. They do offer respite for care givers. (Cheryl's family and I are going to Massenutten, VA for the first week in June.) I don't know exactly how that works, but I would like to find out. It will be valuable for when I have to go to TX for my work. Cheryl says she doesn't think she can handle Rick like he is now. And I am pretty sure that is the case. It is hard for daughters to help their father with his personal needs. This will allow me to get a good night's sleep for a week or so and then I will be refreshed and ready to get back to caring for him. Even this is covered by hospice Medicare.I have access to CNA services to assist with personal care. This isn't someone to come and stay with him for several hours a day. Just to come in and give the bath, assist with dressing, or whatever is needed. This may be helpful in the future.There is a social worker to help with emotional support and other challenges that might come up. He/she knows what agencies might be helpful for our needs.There would be a chaplain available to provide spiritual support. I can request a chaplain from my denomination. There is a volunteer who may provide companionship, respite for family members, assistance with transportation and errands, and other support as needed.They have grief counselors for me and anyone else in the family that needs it. And Hospice is the first to call in case of an emergency, instead of 911. The hospice people will already know Rick's condition and will be much better able to decide what needs to be done for him.All these people who work with Rick will meet regularly, I think I was told weekly, to discuss Rick's situation and come up with a plan for his care.The way I see it is that I will have a host of people in the know about Alzheimer's and community resources to help me make the best decisions for Rick's care. I already have a sense of relief, just knowing that I will have these resources.I do hope I don't have to put him in a facility. I really want to keep him at home if at all possible. The girls want me to come up with a plan as to what constitutes the time that I can't care for him anymore and need to put him in a nursing home. I am thinking about this and hope to come up with something soon. They have been a big help and support to me. I am so blessed.Thank you all for your prayers and love and support. Again, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family, immediate and extended, who love and care for me.It is my desire that God will be glorified through this situation. The fact that Rick has been accepted into Hospice services is one more way that God is saying, “I’m taking care of you and Rick. Continue to trust Me.” PRAISE HIS NAME! (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439701 Tue, 13 May 2008 13:42:00 +0100 1439701 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/04/update-on-rick.html It has been a long time since I have posted on Rick’s blog. There hasn’t been much to talk about. He has been holding his own pretty much. But the last couple of weeks have brought some changes that are notable. Saturday, 041908, all 3 grandchildren were here and we spent the day outside. It was my goal to get some things done in the yard. It was a beautiful day and Mara and Emma played very nicely in the back yard together. Jake loved being outside. He walked around exploring everything, trying to keep up with the girls. Rick enjoyed being outside too. He likes to walk around the perimeter of the fence with Kasee, our chocolate lab. This has been a means of exercise for him. This day, though, he got bent over with his torso bent at the waist, parallel to the ground and his steps were short and shuffling and fast. This caused him to be unbalanced and he ended up falling at least once. He didn’t seem to know how to get back up. I had to put my foot in front of his foot and pull him up. After he got started up, he figured out what to do and was able to get his feet under him again. But he went right back to that awkward walking. He kept it up for a while and then I realized that he didn’t know how to stop. So I got a folding chair and helped him sit down on it. He immediately went to sleep, slumping over his knees. After a while I heard the girls shout, “Papa, Papa, Are you alright.” He had fallen out of the chair. This was all very strange to me. Sunday, he was better. He walked upright and was socialable with people at church. He seemed to be back to normal the rest of the week. Friday, I picked him up from the center because we were going to Tamara’s church for their Good Friday service. He was leaning to the left very noticeably. He sat that way as well. I took it to a restaurant to eat before going to church and he didn’t respond well. He leaned to the left in the booth. I ended up having to feed him most of his meal. I worked out in the yard again on Saturday, 042608. We went to Lowe’s first to get things that I needed. It was very hard to look around because he wouldn’t steer easily. I had to pull him to get him to walk with me. And then when I needed to stop to look at things, he would keep walking. That was very tiring. When we got home I let him sit down in his chair and he slept for the first of my time working outside. When he was outside, he had an accident in his pants. I guess I was too busy working to recognize his cues. Through all this time, he has been very difficult to direct. When I try to direct him in waling, he pushes back so that I have to push him to get him to go where he needs to go. To get him to sit down is very difficult. It used to be that a light touch on his stomach would do it. But now he just pushes back and won’t bend his knees to sit down. Sometimes I have to get very forceful to get him to sit down at the table to eat or on the toilet. When taking off his jacket or shirt he grabs the sleeve and won’t let go of it. It is like he is afraid that he is dropping it. But the more I try to get it off the stronger he holds onto it. I am having to learn new techniques for dealing with this kind of behavior. I haven’t learned them too well yet. I still want things to happen when I’m ready to do them. But I need to stop pushing him and try again later. That doesn’t fit into my schedule. So I get frustrated. This is especially so in the night when he gets up and needs to go to the bathroom. I have gotten used to getting up and helping him sit down and then I go back to bed. But now he is resisting sitting down and I get really frustrated. This morning, early, he was up and I went to help him sit down and he resisted. He got part of the way down and wouldn’t go the rest of the way. He is soooo strong. His legs can keep him from sitting down. Also, he puts his hand out to hold onto the back of the toilet to keep himself from sitting down. I have absolutely no patience in the early hours of the morning. I just want to get back to bed to sleep. So this morning, I did manage to get him to sit down with much pushing. I went back to bed. He didn’t come to bed right away so I looked and he was standing up in front of the toilet, bent completely over at the waist with his hands touching the floor. I got up to help him pull up his pants and they were wet. I don’t know what happened, because he was sitting on the toilet when I left him. The only thing I can figure is he was still in his resistant mode and got back up and then voided. So I lay in bed wondering how I am going to handle these new behaviors. How am I going to deal with incontinence? I don’t look forward to that. How am I going to deal with him not being able to go up and down the steps? Our house is a split level. There is no access to our house that doesn’t have stairs. The front entrance has the shortest steps, about 5 or 6. Then in the house there are 3 steps up from the living room/kitchen area to the bedroom area and bathrooms. This will pose a problem that I have not figured out yet. I know Cheryl and Tamara think I should consider assisted living/nursing home for him. I don’t want to have to do that. I know I’m not ready for that at this time. And of course financially it will be tough. On the brighter side, Rick still remembers people he has know in the past. The other week we went to Tamara’s school for their school musical and met a PA that Rick knew when he was in PA school. Rick really seemed to know who he was. Of course, couldn’t say his name. But he was happy to see him. Rick still tries to make jokes with people and laughs. He still eats pretty well. Sometimes I have to help him finish up his meal. I’m wondering if background noise affects his response level. Like television, the radio, the grandchildren’s noise. I’m certainly not ready to stop the grandchildren from coming over. He (and I) will just have to deal with it. Well, thanks for listening. I don’t like to be a complainer. And I’m not really complaining, just relating what is going on. God is my strength. He still has a plan for my life and Rick’s. We are just waiting to see what it is. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407096 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:00:00 +0100 1407096 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/03/february-2-2008.html We went to see Erin this weekend. Her church was celebrating their one year anniversary with a “Signs and Wonders Conference.” Wayne Neal was the guest speaker. Bro Wayne is the evangelist we had at Faith Assembly several years ago for revival that lasted 18 months. It was very good to see him again. But the best thing was the move of the Holy Spirit that was experienced. Each night God’s Spirit moved on people. Rick and I were prayed for each service. Today’s service was really special. During the altar call, many laid hands on Rick and prayed, believing for his healing. Many felt that God is not through with Rick yet and that he is going to be healed. We went home to Erin’s for lunch. Her roommate, Jessica, Jessica’s sister, Hannah, and Erin’s boyfriend Robert were there to share our meal. After dinner, Rick and I were informed that they were going to pray for him. They laid hands on him, anointed him with oil, and prayed for him for nearly an hour. They were very tenacious. They wouldn’t give up. There was a sense of God’s presence there, almost more so than at church. Rick stood quietly receiving it all. He did respond throughout the time with thanks and praise to God and agreeing with us. I came away from this weekend with a renewed sense that God is going to heal Rick. That God has a plan for his life and it is a plan for good, to prosper him and to give him a future. Hannah gave me a prophecy saying that she saw a box shaped like a heart coming up out of the depths of the ocean. This box represented my hopes and dreams that had been dashed and buried with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. But the coming out of the ocean indicated that they are being restored and will come to pass. I believe that God’s word is true and I’m standing on His promises. I know that in His timing, He will bring about Rich’s healing. I believe that God is not finished with Rick! I can’t wait to see what He is going to do with and through Rick. Praise the Lord (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1272581 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:05:00 +0100 1272581 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/watching-jake-play.html (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1187196 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:50:00 +0100 1187196 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/jacob-reese-fisher.html It looks like Jake is going to be a pianist. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162864 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:04:00 +0100 1162864 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/snow-snow-snow-snow-snow.html We finally got some snow today. It snowed all afternoon andthis is all we have to show for it. But it is pretty.This is our back yard. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162865 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:02:00 +0100 1162865 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-day-2007.html We started at our house with Erin, Rick and myself opening our stockings.Rick didn't know what to do with his. We had to get out the presents and actually open them for him.Then we went over to Cheryl and Jeremy's to enjoy Christmas with them.Jake really liked his new rocking horse.Emma is enjoying one of her new toys. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124915 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:30:00 +0100 1124915 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/relaxing-after-all-excitment-of-opening.html Relaxing after all the excitment of opening presents. Erin and Joyce (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124916 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:29:00 +0100 1124916 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-dinner-table.html Christmas dinner table.Goodie tableEnjoying Christmas Dinner (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124917 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:28:00 +0100 1124917 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/posted-by-picasa.html (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124918 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:27:00 +0100 1124918 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-at-kesslers.html Then we had Christmas with Tamara and Cade at their house on Friday, December 28th. So we had an extended Christmas. In their dining room after dinner, ready to dive into presents.Tamara, Emma, Mara, CadeErin thought all she was getting was tissue paper. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124919 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:26:00 +0100 1124919 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/we-all-got-hand-painted-frames-with.html We all got hand painted frames with a picture of Mara. Mara did the painting.Emma and Mara opening one of Emma's gifts Mara's night gownCade opening his gift from Mara. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124920 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:25:00 +0100 1124920 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-eve-2007.html Erin and RickJudy and Al came for dinner. Everyone was working on a game I had called "Name that Christmas Tune" It was a fun time. Timothy and Jeremy Jake has just started walking. He is 13 months. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124921 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:04:00 +0100 1124921 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-christmas-eve-2007.html Emma with a game she got from her Virginia grandparents. She had just gotten back from their house and their Christmas time togehter.Timothy really enjoyed playing with Jake!Al taking a snooze. Rick also sawing logs. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124922 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:03:00 +0100 1124922 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-eve-2007-continued.html Timothy with Jake and Judy with Emma.Jeremy is working on his camera.Judy reading to Emma. She put Emma to sleep. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124923 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:02:00 +0100 1124923 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/12/merry-christmas.html This is Rick on a snowmobile in Vermont February 2007. We made a trip up to see his sister, Bev, hoping to give Rick a good time in the snow. Well, he did have a good time but I ended up with a sprained knee. I tore 2 ligaments in my knee and was on crutches from day one. Bev, her son, Randy, and Cousin Candi, took over where I left off. Well, since they are Vermonter’s it does make more sense that they drive the snowmobile, doesn’t it? Our first trip out on the snowmobile with me driving was not good. I tipped the machine over and tried to catch it with my leg. It didn’t work! So I watched the rest of the week.The picture looks like Rick is driving, but he isn’t. Bev stepped off the snowmobile to take the picture. Isn’t it beautiful?Rick is holding his own, it seems. He had two more seizures this year, one in April and one in November, but he seems to be functioning at the same level. He needs assistance with bathing, dressing and toileting. He can’t speak a complete sentence most of the time. Once in a while he does get out the entire sentence. That is always a celebrated occasion. He still loves to be with people. He seems to be more alert when he is with others. He laughs and plays, trying to make a joke. You just have to laugh with him. He continues to attend the Adult Day Center in Winston Salem, Monday through Friday. This is a real blessing for me and him. I can work without worrying about him and he gets the stimulation he needs.I continue to work for the company that makes Betaseron. I am now a phone nurse and not a field nurse. This was a traumatic transfer for me but as always, hind sight is better than foresight. Now I can see that God knew the future and worked things out for me to have the job that I could handle best and still be able to take care of Rick. Praise the Lord! I sit at the phone taking incoming calls and making follow up calls to the patients who are on Betaseorn. It is a much less stressful job. I am so glad that God has a plan and it’s a plan for good.We are enjoying our home in Kernersville. It is so good to be only 10 min away from church. We have a wonderful support system there. Cheryl is 1.8 miles away from us. Tamara is in Winston Salem, about 20 minutes away. Erin moved to Columbia, SC the first of the year. So she is the farthest away. We have 3 grandchildren now. Cheryl has our only boy. He turned a year in November. He is special. Erin is still single.We are so thankful for our family and our friends. We love each of you.May God bless you richly this Christmas season and through the New Year.Rick & Joyce (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1088775 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:19:00 +0100 1088775 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/08/cry-of-saints-in-old-age.html The Cry of Saints in Old Age Lord, this warfare in the body is a heavy burden and to have fought until now is enough. But if it is Thine order that I toil on still, mounting guard over the camp of Thy people, I do not refuse, nor plead the feebleness of age. I will consecrate myself to the fulfillment of the duties Thou dost lay upon me; I will fight on under Thy banners, so long as it is Thy command. Sweet to an old man is release after labor, but the will can triumph over length of life and knows no yielding to old age.-- St. Martin of Tours (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823055 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:37:00 +0100 823055 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/07/singing-with-lafe.html I started listening to Lafe's CD in the car, and remembered this time when we all sang together in Aunt Bev's kitchen. Dad really had a good time. Here's one video. One of the others was too long to upload to YouTube, so I'll have to find another way.Also, we might sound good to us, but Lafe will sound really good to anybody when he's not encumbered by all the rest of us. Give him listen at his website, where many of his songs are sampled. Am I Gone: www.lafedutton.com (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=733854 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:33:00 +0100 733854 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/07/myrtle-beach-pictures.html Cheryl, Jake, Joyce and Rick Nana with Emma and Jake Our site on the beach. Rick is sitting in the shade. Rick. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720469 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 02:45:00 +0100 720469 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/07/emma-and-jake-buried-in-sand.html Emma and Jake, buried in the sand. Jeremy and Emma buried Erin's legs in the sand. Erin and Emma. Emma jumping the waves. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720470 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 02:30:00 +0100 720470 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/07/summer-2007.html Here I am again after 6 weeks. I think I have some good things to report.I haven't had to give Rick a Xanax now in several weeks. He is on Risperdol twice a day and that seems to be holding him. I praise the Lord for that.I realize over and over again that he likes to be with people and especially his family and his church family. He seems to thrive in that. We spent the day at Fairy Stone Park in Virginia yesterday and he really enjoyed it. He actually swam out to the dock and back. Of course he rested before coming back again. Last year, I was afraid to let him even try to go out. We have a membership to a pool in our neighborhood, this year and I have had him swim laps with me some and so I felt pretty confident in his ability to make it. I think he was pretty proud of himself. Getting off the dock was a little tricky. They have the straight ladders on the side of the dock. And the steps don't go down too far. When he got to the last step he wasn't sure what to do. After a little while of trying to find another step, he finally just pushed off backwards and floated on his back. He then turned around and swam back into the shallow end of the pool. I was really proud of him.We spent a week at Myrtle Beach June 16 - 23. It was a wonderful vacation. Rick handled it just fine. He was a little nervous about going out into the surf, but did go out with me. As long as the waves weren't too strong we did fine. When they got stronger, I wasn't comfortable trying to hold on to Rick. My knee is still very weak and I was afraid that he and I would both be washed away. We walked up the beach nearly every day. That was like pulling 150 lbs. He wouldn't walk with me. I had to hold his hand to keep him up with us and so I was constantly pulling him. My arm got very tired.One time I looked up and Rick wasn't in his chair beside me. I was afraid we had lost him. But with just a little bit of looking around from our chairs, we located him down the beach, maybe 5 or 6 groups down. He was trying to talk to them. It was a real blessing that we were able to find him that easily. That was the only time that he wandered off without us knowing it. He sat under the umbrella or the canopy that Cheryl and Jeremy had. It was very nice to have shade to get into when we were ready to get out of the sun but not away from the water.Rick hasn't really shown any improvements, but he seems a little easier to handle right now. It was a little hard for the 3 days that I had to go to Texas for my work. Cheryl agreed to keep him and Gerald Proctor, the friend from church who has been bringing Rick home from the center, agreed to take him in the mornings, also, those 3 days. Debra Riley, also from our church, who comes to stay with Rick 2 evenings a week, came to Cheryl's to help her with Rick Monday and Tuesday. So I think he did very well at Cheryl's. Rick and I stayed there together Saturday and Sunday nights before I left on Monday so that he could get used to a different place. Cheryl said one night he had gone out of his room and she couldn't find him. She looked all over the house. The doors were locked so she was sure he hadn't gone outside. But she couldn't find him in the house. She finally called Jeremy to help her look and Rick heard her and came to meet her. He had been sitting in a chair in the very far corner of her dining room and she couldn't see him. I think that was the only bad experience she had with him. I am very thankful for her willingness to help out. I know with her work and 2 children, an extra one to look out for was hard for her. I am thankful also for the friends from church who help out. They are all a very big blessing to me.While I was in TX, I went out before breakfast with a couple other nurses to walk. The sidewalks were dry except for one area where the water had run across it bringing with it some mud. Well, when I stepped in it my feet went out from under me and I fell backwards and hit my head hard. It was just a short while when I realized that my head was bleeding. My nurse friends had me lay still and they called the rescue squad and I was transported to the local emergency room. It was a very new hospital and not very busy yet. I was in and out of there in about 3 hours. But I left with 16 staples in my head. Needless to say, I missed most of the classes that day. I tried to stay in class but couldn't keep my eyes open, so after lunch I went back to my room to sleep. But, of course, with a head injury, you are not supposed to sleep much. So my friends called me every 30 - 60 minutes to wake me up. I would wake up and answer the phone, tell them who it was that called me and then go right back to sleep. I guess it was about 4 pm when I woke up and felt like going back down to class. By then I had missed all the important stuff. But I was able to enjoy dinner. I didn't have a headache. They gave me an RX for Lortab and Phenergan but I didn't use either of them.When I got home on Wednesday night, I got in the bed and everything started circling around me. After about 30 seconds, it stopped. But every time I lay down or get up I get dizzy. I went to my family doctor who had a second CT scan done. It showed everything normal. She said that I have fluid behind my eardrum from the injury and that is what is causing my dizziness. She said that should go away.I had the staples removed last Tuesday, 070207. I think I am healing nicely. I still have some scab in my scalp.My girls have told me that they aren't going to let me go away again. First the sprained knee in Vermont and now the head laceration in Texas. I'm not as young as I used to be and I don't recover from these things as fast as I would like.Thank you for all your prayers and support. They are very much appreciated and I know that is the only way that I am able to make it. God is good!By the way.... I finally got the winter Vermont pictures posted. Dated 031407. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720471 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:16:00 +0100 720471 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/05/complete-sentences.html Complete sentencesFriday, April 27, 2007 was our annual missions banquet. The first hour we are to visit the booths that have been set up by our various missionaries and talk to them about their area of ministry.Rick and I walked in about 30 minutes into this session and walked over to where 3 ladies from our congregation were standing. We exchanged greetings and then I wanted to go on to visit the booths. Since we were late getting there we didn’t have as much time. I tried to get Rick to come with me but he seemed to want to stay there with the ladies. So I said, “Ok, you can stay here. I will go on to see the booths.” Later I was told by Missy, one of the ladies, that Rick said to them, “See, I know how to get my women, don’t I?” I had made it part way around the room and there was Rick talking to Della, a missionary from our church. She had her arm in his and was talking to him. I walked up to join the conversation. Della said to Rick, “Joyce has gotten her hair cut. She is pretty.” Rick responded, “She’s always been pretty.”How exciting to hear him make these complete statements.Tuesday, May 1, 2007, we went to Raleigh to pick up Rick’s sister, Bev, from the airport. That was the hottest day of the year so far. The temperature reached 91 degrees. I discovered that the air conditioner in my car didn’t work. It was putting out cool air but not cold air. Therefore, we had the windows down. It was quite breezy at 70 mph on the interstate. After awhile, Bev looked back at Rick, who was sitting in the back seat. She said, “Are you ok?” He said, “I haven’t been blown out.”He still tries to make jokes whenever he can. Sometimes they come out good and other times, you just laugh because you know you are supposed to.May 5, 2007, we went to Julie Maynard’s wedding. Rick had a wonderful time. During the dancing time, Rick and Bev danced together. While they were out there, Rick Maynard cut in. Instead of dancing with Bev, like she thought he was going to do, he started dancing with Rick. They just acted silly and had a great time. Then William Smith cut in and danced with Rick some. Then I danced with him and each of the girls did. It was great fun and we all enjoyed it.After the wedding was over, Rick, Bev and I started walking back to the car. I was on one side of Rick and Bev was on the other side. Then Rick said, “Oh boy, I’m surrounded!” And we all laughed.May 20, 2007, we were at church, and a family was there that hadn’t been coming for awhile. Max and Dawn Creason. Max had talked to Rick out in the lobby before church started. We had finished praise and worship and sat down and Rick looked over to the opposite side of the church and saw Max. He said to me, “There’s Max.” I thought that was special. Max really loves Rick. He just hugs him and he told me awhile back that he loved to listen to Rick talk, even though Rick can’t get anything out much. It makes me cry to see how much Max loves Rick and his outward expression of it. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629416 Mon, 21 May 2007 15:40:00 +0100 629416 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/04/believe.html A few weeks ago, I think it was Sunday, 032507, I asked for prayer for Rick from a visiting minister friend, Ron Wood, of Pastor Byerly. He and his wife prayed for Rick and then he told me that he strongly felt that Rick’s healing would be gradual. But that I should not let anyone speak anything negative into Rick’s life. I really felt that God had spoken to Rick and me that morning.So I have been looking for gradual little changes of improvement in Rick.One morning we were getting onto the interstate. The redbud trees were lining the highway in all their splendor. I said to Rick, “Look at the redbud. Aren’t they pretty?” He said, “Yes.” Then shortly he said, “They are only here for a little while.” I said, “Yes, the blossoms go away very quickly but the trees themselves are always there.” In a few minutes he said, “I wish I had brought my camera.” I said, “I wish you had too.” A few more minutes elapsed and he said, “I don’t even know where it is.” I said, “Well, I expect we can find it.” What a great conversation; the first of its kind in quite awhile. Since then there have been other occasions that have brought about complete sentences. I don’t remember them now. But it is only occasionally.Last night, Saturday, 04/14/07, Rick and I went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday’s. We enjoyed sharing a meal and dessert. We came home and watched the Hallmark movie, “Iron Will”. Usually I put Rick to bed but he was awake and seemed to be enjoying the movie. He watched the entire show and responded to my comments about the show.Then we went to bed. Rick immediately became very anxious. He couldn’t stay still in the bed. He kept getting up and I kept trying to get him to lay still. Finally, I got him in the bed and put my hand on his arm to try to keep him in the bed and started praying. I was praying God’s peace into Rick and claiming his healing. When I let up, Rich said, “Lord, Joyce just doesn’t understand.” I immediately asked God what I didn’t understand. And through praying and praising God, the following scriptures came to me.“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:” Is 43:1-3 KJV“10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 KJVI started to realize that God is doing a great work in Rick. And even though I don’t understand what is happening or why, I know that in God’s time Rick will come forth at gold. And that God is going to use him greatly. What a revelation that God gave to me that night.After a while, Rick was able to talk to me some and said, “This came on me and it kept getting worse and worse. I couldn’t do anything about it.” He was beginning to settle down. But he was still shaking with his teeth chattering. We rebuked Satan and reminded him that Jesus’ name is above all other names; including his and Alzheimer’s disease.Then Rick was still in the bed and he looked at me and said, “I feel a calm. Do you feel it?” I said, “Yes I do.”We praised God a little while longer and then were able to drift off to sleep. We slept the rest of the night. This episode lasted an hour.God is a great God and He is greatly to be praised.Pastor Byerly’s sermon today was on Believe, to trust in and have confidence in God. It was so pertinent to our situation. I will be spending much less time in front of the TV and much more time in the Word. I want to be in the right place for our miracle from God. I believe – know, trust, have confidence in – that it is happening! Thank you, Lord Jesus! (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=545449 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:20:00 +0100 545449 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/03/winter-snow-fun_01.html Bev, Rick’s sister came to visit us a couple of weeks ago. It was very good to have her with us. Rick didn’t go to the center the whole week. She said right away that she felt it was more difficult to engage Rick in conversation or to get through to him. It is so hard for me to see these changes. So it is good when someone else comes who isn’t around him all the time. They have a better perspective on things.While Bev was with us Vermont got 30 inches of snow. They hadn’t had much snow all winter long. So she mentioned that it would be nice to get Rick up to Vermont for winter fun one more time. We had tried to do it last year but when we finally worked out all the details, our trip ended up being in June, not February. So I went on line and found tickets for a good price, talked to my manager to see if I could get off work, and then purchased the tickets. Here we are in Vermont.There is 18 inches of snow still on the ground with piles up to 3 feet and more. Bev has a snow mobile and she wanted me to take Rick out on it. She has been having bursitis in her shoulder and she was cautious about driving it.So Tuesday, after we got here, I went out to practice driving the snowmobile around the house. I took 3 laps by myself and then took Rick around 3 times. That was enough for that day. It was already getting dark by that time.Wednesday was going to be our snowmobiling day. But when Bev went out to start it, it wouldn’t start. So we walked over to the neighbor’s house to ask if he could come and look at the machine. He could come at 12:30. It took just a minor adjustment and we were up and running. I looked at my watch and saw it was 1 pm as we took off down the drive to the neighbor’s field where they had made trails for us to use. I am a real armature on the snow mobile.We had to make a sharp turn to the right to get onto the trail. I tried to make it and had to back up. The second time I though we probably could make it but we still went over the bank some. This caused the machine to tip to the right and I stuck out my leg to keep it from turning over. Well, my leg wasn’t strong enough and the snowmobile turned on its side causing my leg to bend awkwardly. I heard it snap. I was able to get it straightened out but I was sure I had broken it. I sent Rick to get help. I wasn’t sure if he would be able to, but in a few short minutes he brought back the neighbor, Richard, and a friend of his. Pretty soon, Sally, Richard’s wife, and Bev came also. They called 911 and the ambulance was on its way. The first responders were there in 5-10 minutes. They cut my brand new jeans to examine my leg. There was no open cut. They put a splint on it and then I was put on a stretcher and put into the ambulance. My first ambulance ride.We spent the rest of the day in the emergency room. Because I wasn’t critical, I wasn’t the priority. They x-rayed my leg and found that it wasn’t broken. Praise the Lord! But I have a torn ligament or tendon, maybe the meniscus. But it isn’t completely torn through. Dr. Lynch told me that it should heal by itself. He put an ace wrap on my knee to bring down the swelling, and a knee immobilizer. He gave me crutches.We left the Emergency Department about 5:30 pm. What a wasted day! And a wasted vacation. We were supposed to meet Rick’s cousin, Jackie and her husband, Jerry, for supper. I thought I was going to be able to go without any trouble. But by the time I got up the stairs to the living room, I was exhausted. I dropped down in the lounge chair and didn’t want to move. So we canceled our dinner out.I felt very useless, having to let everyone wait on me. I’m usually out in the kitchen helping get supper and washing the dishes. I couldn’t do anything at all. I did get up to the table to eat. That took a lot of energy.It was good to get into the bed. But difficult to move and change positions. So I woke up a lot during the night. I dreamed that I woke up the next morning not needing to use my crutches. Well, that didn’t happen, but I am able to only use one crutch. That is good.It took me a long time to get dressed this morning. I move rather slowly. Trying to figure out how to do things with a bad leg is hard. But I was able to get Rick, and myself, washed and dressed this morning. He was able to help me with picking up things off the floor for me.Hopefully I will have some pictures to post when we get home. We are supposed to be getting a snow storm tomorrow and Saturday. I am looking forward to that. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512940 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:13:00 +0100 512940 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/03/ricks-progress.html I am grateful to Tamara for posting the levels of Alzheimer’s Disease. And I agree with her that Rick is now in level 2. He paces a lot, walks through the house at night, and even during the day. Since he is at the center all day, I don’t really know what his activity is there. He does sleep a lot at home. So the part about “Doesn't stay down long in any one place” doesn’t apply. Except when he is awake, he is moving around a lot.He is having more difficulty with eating. When he is very hungry he eats well. But after he has eaten enough to take away the hunger edge he gets distracted and has to be reminded to continue eating. Sometimes I have to actually put the food on his fork and put it in his hand and direct it to his mouth. He is still eating everything put on his plate most of the time. He hasn’t lost weight. He has actually gained back what he had lost earlier.He still likes music but doesn’t participate much in church as he has in the past. He may clap some but much of the time he just stands there, not singing or claping. But then most of the songs at our church are the new choruses and worship songs that he doesn’t know too well. If we sing a hymn or song that he knew from before then he will join in. He can’t get all the words but usually gets the last one of the phrase.He is having more difficulty responding to my cues with dressing. I have been handing him his pants to put on and he would be able to put them on. But now he can’t remember what to do with them when I hand them to him. I have to actually start putting his socks on now before he can take over and complete the task.When I ask him to get the blanket on the couch, he can’t figure out what he is supposed to get. He picks up the pillow instead. The more I say, “No, not the pillow. The blanket,” he gets confused and it is easier just to say “forget it” and do it myself.Most all of level 3 applies too. He constantly picks up little things on the floor. He doesn’t recognize ownership. He takes Emma’s and Mara’s toys away from them. I think he thinks he is correcting them or keeping them from doing something they shouldn’t be doing.He definitely walks around well and likes going places and doing things. It was definitely harder flying with him this time. He had a hard time comprehending my instructions, like “sit down here, Rick.”His language has been poor for a long time. He can’t get past the first 3-4 words in his sentence. Once in a great while he can complete the whole sentence. It is usually when he is not happy.He still wants to make conversation. He will go up to a stranger and start a question. He did get out, “Where are you from” to the man who was sitting across the aisle from us on the plane. I get a little embarrassed when he does that because they don’t understand that he can’t talk.He does respond to tone of voice or body language. He can tell quickly when I get frustrated with him and he gets more anxious.He gets very nervous during meals. I discussed this with the nurse at the center who said she thinks he is forgetting how to eat and he gets anxious about it. His legs get to shaking up and down and his arms and hands do too. Sometimes he can’t get his fork to his mouth without spilling the food off of it. When I ask him what he is anxious about he says “It just comes.”I don’t feel the patches have helped at all. He is still using them. I am half way through the last month. It was a trial and it didn’t work. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512942 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:08:00 +0100 512942 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2007/01/progression-of-disease-levels-of.html This is from a handout given to us at one of the support meetings. I've been meaning to put this up ever since I got it. As you'll see, the levels progress from better to worse, with level 1 being the most profound loss.Level 5--Early Loss--Running on Routine--Repeating StoriesSome word problems and loss of reasoning skillsEasily frustrated by changes in plans or routinesSeeks reassurance but resents take overStill does well with personal care and activitiesTends to under or over estimate skillsLevel 4--Moderate Loss--Just Get It Done!--Wanting a Purpose and a MissionGets tasks done, but quality is poorLeaves out steps or makes errors and WON'T go back and fix itCan help with lots of things--needs some guidance as he goesLikes models and samples--uses others' actions to figure out what to doAsks "What? Where? When?" LOTSCan do personal care tasks with supervision and promptsStill very social BUT content is limited and confusing at timesLevel 3--Middle Loss--See it-Touch it-Take it-Taste it--Hunting and GatheringHandles almost anything that is visibleDoes not recognize other's ownershipCan still walk around and go placesLanguage is poor and comprehension is very limited--does take turnsResponds to tone of voice, body language, and facial expressionLoses the ability to use tools and utensils during this levelDoes things because they feel good, look good, taste good--refuses if they don'tStops doing when it isn't interesting anymoreCan often imitate you some--but not always aware of you as a personLevel 2--Severe Loss--Gross Automatic Action--Constant GO or Down and OutPaces, walks, rocks, swings, hums, claps, pats, rubs...Frequently ignores people and small objectsDoesn't stay down long in any one placeOften not interested in /aware of food--significant weight loss expected at this levelCan grossly imitate big movements and actionsGenerally enjoys rhythm and motion--music and danceLevel 1--Profound Loss--Stuck in Glue--Immobile and ReflexiveGenerally bed or chair bound--can't move much on ownOften contracted with "high tone" muscles--primitive reflexes reappearPoor swallowing and eatingStill aware of movement and touchOften sensitive to voice and noise--startles easily to sounds, touch, movement...Difficulty with temperature regulationLimited responsiveness at timesMoves face and lips a lot, may babble or reapeatedly moan or yellGive care in slow, rhythmic movements and use the flats of fingers and open palmsKeep voice deep, slow, rhythmic and easy as you talk and give care***************If I had to guess, I'd say Dad was already at a Level 4 when diagnosed. Mom might disagree. Now, I'd put him at a Level 2, although he still shows some characteristics of Level 3, such as picking up any little thing he sees, responding to the tone of a conversation he wants to join, and some difficulty with spoons, forks, and such. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512944 Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:50:00 +0100 512944 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/12/thinking-back-on-2006-and-being.html Well, here it is almost Christmas Eve. We are so very thankful to our Lord and Savior for His gift of salvation. The Babe in the manger 2000 years ago was Emmanuel, God With Us. And He has been with us throughout this year. It is the joy of the Lord that gives us strength to carry on.Much has happened in 2006. Tamara and I started going to an Alzheimer's Support Group every Friday at noon. This has been a good release for Tamara and me. We have been able to talk with others going through the same situations and learn from their experiences. Tamara had to stop attending in August when she started teaching in public high school full time.We celebrated Rick's 60th birthday in February. We had a nice turnout of his friends to wish him happy birthday, and his sister, Bev, was able to come down from Vermont. That was especially nice. It is hard to believe that we are in the sixth decade of our lives. I sure don't feel that old.Also, in February, Rick was approved for VA benefits. That means that the Senior Center services are paid for in full for 5 days a week. Rick is able to go during the day and they have activities to keep him involved all day. This is good, since he would just sleep most of the day if he were at home. Praise the Lord for His supply!I have remained busy with my job as Beta Field Nurse for the company that makes Betaseron, a subcutaneous injection for Multiple Sclerosis. I have had to travel to Texas 3 times and locally very frequently. Next year my job will change and I will be a Beta Phone Nurse. I will be working out of my home answering the calls of patients asking for help. I will not have to do the local travel anymore, and will only have to go to Texas once. This will be a good break for me. I will be home more in the evenings for Rick and the rest of my family. At first the change was hard, but now I can see God in it and it being a good thing for me. I am so glad that He is in control and not me.When I had my physical this year, my EKG was abnormal and my doctor referred me to a cardiologist. He did a stress test and said he thought I probably had coronary artery disease. This was not something I wanted to hear. I have always thought of myself as a healthy person. I was scheduled for a cardiac catheterization and it only showed a slight narrowing of one artery. I was given a heart monitor to wear for 30 days to see if there was anything that showed up that way. When I went in for my follow up visit, the doctor gave me a clean bill of health - no cardiac disease! Praise the Lord!!!In July we put Rick's name on the list for an assisted living facility here in Kernersville. We were feeling that his disease was progressing to the point that maybe this would be a necessity. After a few months a bed became available but after much consideration and prayer, we turned it down. The money wasn't available and Rick's condition seemed to be somewhat improved after stopping some of his medications and starting another. But to help me out in the evenings when I still needed to work some, we have been able to get one of the ladies in our church to come from 6-9 to keep him busy. This has been a real blessing! Another provision from the Lord!Rick has remained stable the last several months. I don't see any progression of the disease. We still have not seen any real improvements from the patches, but no progression is a good thing. He is just now starting the third month of treatment and the program called for 5 months initially. So there is still time to see improvement.We were able to make a short trip to Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend. Erin went with us and it was nice to be able to soak up some rays.Rick and I have been able to make several trips to Vermont this year. Cheryl, Emma, Tamara, Mara, Erin and Rick and I drove to Vermont in June for a week. It was a great time and Rick did very well. He remembered so much of the sights and people up there. I did have to take him into the ladies bathroom with me much of the time while traveling.Then Rick and I flew up in September for a few days. Rick did well with flying as long as I was with him. We were able to work out the bathroom thing pretty well.In November, Rick flew up to Vermont by himself for about 10 days. We found a non-stop flight from Raleigh to Boston. I was able to walk him onto the plane and buckle him in and talk to the flight attendant, and Bev was right at the gate to pick him up. And vise versa coming home. As far as we know he did fine on the flights. This happened because Erin and I went on a cruise during this time. My sister and her husband, Cindy and Darrell, paid my way for a respite for me. Thank you, Cindy and Darrell! It was a very relaxing trip that I needed very much.The first week in December, Rick's step father, Hugh Hawkins, passed away. My sister, Beth, who works for Comair, gave us some buddy passes and Tamara, Rick and I flew up to Vermont for a very quick trip. We went up on Wednesday and came back on Friday. But it was good to get up there. We did get to see a good number of family members. When I told Rick that Hugh had passed away, he took a few minutes to process the information and then said, "He was such a good man." I am sure he knew who we were talking about. Through out the morning of getting him ready to go to the center, he had tears in his eyes. At the funeral he was ready to offer his comfort and support to those he knew there.In November we had a new addition to our family. Cheryl and Jeremy presented us with our first grandson, Jacob Reese Fisher, born November 15, 2006. He was 7 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. He is a beautiful baby and has a special place in our hearts. Our first boy! Cheryl gave birth to him at home with the family around her. It was a great experience.Erin, our youngest, who has been living with us for the last several months, who has been taking Rick to the senior center every morning and picking him up every evening, is moving to Columbia, SC. She has already started her job there and plans to move her belongings down on New Year's Day. She as been offered the position of Praise and Worship Leader at a new church there that Bryan and Paula Davis, her former youth leader and mentor, are starting. She, along with Bryan and Paula, are very excited about this new venture and are looking for the Lord to do great things. I will surely miss her!We want to say thank you to our family and all of our special friends who have given of themselves to help us out. Our church family is so supportive. George Dull, Robert Whiteman, and Pastor Byerly have taken Rick out with them for a period of time during the day. Rick so loves to be with people and he has enjoyed these occasions. Debra Riley, who comes evenings to be with Rick, has been a big blessing. Thank you!Howard and Bonnie Spink, long time friends from NY, have made several trips down here to help me with estate planning and just being our friends.Augie and Shirley Lupino, friends from Waynesboro, VA, made a special trip to see Rick along with their daughter, Toni, and her husband, Kris, and their girls. It was a great time of renewing fellowship.Our daughters, Cheryl, Tamara, and Erin, have been so very supportive. I am so proud of them and thankful that they are near by to be my help and support. I don't know what I would do without them.My sisters and brother, Dean, Beth, and Cindy, and my Dad and step mother, are always there to talk to and pray with as needed. Again, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.Rick's sister, Bev, and her children, Wendy, Randy and Rob, have been such a great support. Bev has given of her time to help me care for Rick. She has also helped me with ideas and suggestions of how to do things better. Thanks to each of you!Then to all of you who have lifted us up in your prayers, and/or emailed us, sent us cards and notes, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We know that this has brought us strength and courage to continue on.We love each of you and thank God for you.We wish for you a Blessed Christmas and New Year! (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512946 Sun, 24 Dec 2006 03:23:00 +0100 512946 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/links.html I was told that the links were broken, so I fixed them. Please let me know if they get broken again. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512951 Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:03:00 +0100 512951 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/cheryl-and-jeremy-with-emma-admiring.html Cheryl and Jeremy with Emma admiring the new baby. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512960 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:46:00 +0100 512960 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/emma-was-worn-out-after-all-excitement.html Emma was worn out after all the excitement. She fell asleep beside her mother and Baby Jake. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512964 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:45:00 +0100 512964 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/jacob-reese-born-111506-at-955-pm.html Jacob Reese, born 11/15/06 at 9:55 pm (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512968 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:44:00 +0100 512968 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/baby-jake-7lbs-1-oz-20-12-inches.html Baby Jake, 7lbs 1 oz, 20 1/2 inches. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512972 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:43:00 +0100 512972 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/emma-admiring-her-new-brother.html Emma admiring her new brother. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512954 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:42:00 +0100 512954 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/she-looks-pretty-happy-doesnt-she.html She looks pretty happy, doesn't she. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512957 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:41:00 +0100 512957 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/cheryl-emma-and-jake.html Cheryl, Emma and Jake. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512976 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:40:00 +0100 512976 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/papa-finally-gets-boy-in-family.html Papa finally gets a boy in the family.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512987 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:37:00 +0100 512987 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/proud-papa-and-baby-jake.html Proud Papa and Baby Jake. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512980 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:36:00 +0100 512980 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-with-our-server-djon.html Erin with our server, Djon.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512992 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:22:00 +0100 512992 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-with-candace-cameron.html Erin with Candace Cameron.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512990 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:22:00 +0100 512990 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-with-kerri-pomarolli-christian.html Erin with Kerri Pomarolli, Christian comedian. (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512984 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:22:00 +0100 512984 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-participating-in-entertainment-in.html Erin participating in the entertainment in the dining room that the servers put on. They carried these hats on their heads with specialty drinks on them. Erin tried to carry it also. She did fairly well.   (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512994 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:20:00 +0100 512994 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-and-i-took-horse-drawn-carriage.html Erin and I took a horse drawn carriage ride through the town there at Nassau.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512995 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:18:00 +0100 512995 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-purchasing-necklaces-from-beach.html Erin purchasing necklaces from beach peddler at Nassau.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512996 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:17:00 +0100 512996 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/erin-and-joyce-in-front-of-beautiful.html Erin and Joyce in front of beautiful fountain at Atlantis resort.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512997 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:16:00 +0100 512997 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/our-cabin-bed-with-fancy-towels.html Our cabin bed with the fancy towels the steward made.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512999 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:15:00 +0100 512999 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/pulling-into-nassau.html Pulling into Nassau.  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512998 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:15:00 +0100 512998 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/joyce.html Joyce & Erin  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513001 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:14:00 +0100 513001 http://ricksmemories.blogspot.com/2006/11/beautiful-tropical-sunset.html Beautiful tropical sunset  (Source: These Things We Must Never Forget) These Things We Must Never Forget blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513000 Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:14:00 +0100 513000