Happy New Year!

Amazing news! Ros has bounced back AGAIN! Not entirely sure what that episode was about two days ago. But he had a very good day yesterday, ate and drank fluids and made a few funny joking comments. The medical people think a lot of it was dehydration and that can be a natural progression at his age/stage and that it can just be a gift. We agree and thank God for this new year's present.

We are grateful that he has recovered and appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Happy 2015 to you and your family!

Christmas 2014

Christmas Day for Ros was peaceful at his residence at Masconomet Healthcare in Topsfield. Ted, Kathy, Max, Mia, Lucie and Mia's boyfriend, Elan went over to visit and enjoy a chocolate trifle for dessert at lunchtime.

Ros looks pretty sharp in his new Christmas sweater :)

However, today, Sunday, December 28th, Ros woke up, experiencing delirium and discomfort so he was transported to the ER for evaluation. After 6 hours of testing and IV hydration, there were no clear diagnosis or findings to report and Ros was released/transported back to Masconomet Healthcare. His current state is that he is unaware of his surroundings/people, cannot communicate or move.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted.

A Sweet Move

Ros is a new resident at Masconomet Healthcare Center which is less than 2 miles from our house in Topsfield.  Yesterday, Day #1, shortly after Ros was transferred from Essex Park Rehabilitation Center in Beverly MA, he was introduced to many other residents in the Bingo activity room. (Not so sure that went over great but it was an enthusiastic start on the part of the staff :) Later, Volley and Kathy walked over for a lunch visit and Ros had a yummy spaghetti lunch on the patio which he enjoyed tremendously. It's lovely to watch the birds flying from bird feeder to bird feeder and beyond into the meadow that surrounds the building. There are big tomatoes and little cherry tomatoes growing in the planters on the deck. Ted stopped by for a visit on his way home from work which was wonderful. It is such a relief that this new location is so convenient for the family to visit more often.

There is a long front porch at the front of the building where we sat and watched people coming and going, visiting and resting.

From this view, Ros was "entertained" by this cool vintage Cadillac convertible. 

By today, Day #2, Ros' transition has been pretty smooth. He seems happy and content although a bit confused due to the move. Mia ran over to visit him from our house. They were joined by Max, Lucie, Ted, Volley and Kathy to enjoy a Chinese take out dinner in a lovely private dining room. The staff are very attentive and caring. Even after just these two short days, we can tell Ros is happier than he's been in a long time. He was making us laugh with little jokes and silly faces quite a bit like his old self before his fall in April. 

Here is Ros' new address:

Roswell Farnham Room #220

Masconomet Healthcare Center

123 High Street

Topsfield MA 01983

A Midsummer's visit from Fritz

Fritz came for a long weekend in July which was really great. Friday's weather was nice enough for a visit on the patio at Essex Park. We spent a leisurely lunch on Saturday doing a puzzle and having a meal with Ros, too. The weekend was over too soon but it was a very good visit.

Not a very happy birthday present....

It's been a long time since our last update as Ros' life with us in Topsfield has been very routine and stable. Well, we are reporting a big change with this post.

During April school vacation, while Ted, Lucie and Kathy were away, Ros stayed for a week at the VA Respite Care facility in Bedford,Mass. The care was excellent although he had a fall when he was alone in the bathroom. He pulled the emergency cord and the nurses were immediately at his side. They x-rayed him and the results were negative. Kimberlee picked him up 4 days later and was dismayed to find him needing a wheelchair when just a week before he was cruising with his walker. His primary care doctor x-rayed him a week later and results were again negative.  Within the week, he appeared to be in even more pain and could barely walk. We took him to the emergency room where, after 2 1/2 weeks since his respite care stay, the MRI showed a hip fracture. Oh poor Ros! After consulting an orthopedic surgeon, we opted for minimally invasive surgery the next day to pin the femur to the head. It took less than an hour for the procedure and Ros came through brilliantly!

Since the surgery, he has been in Essex Park Rehab in Beverly Mass (about 4 weeks), receiving PT and OT five times a week. His room is right across from the nurses' station because he is a fall risk and has dementia. We are grateful for the kindness and care of the staff.

This week we discovered that doing a puzzle with Ros (which takes about 2-3 hours) is a satisfying visit for him and for us. With his memory issues and difficulty hearing/speaking, doing a puzzle together is fun and allows us to interact.

Tonight we ordered take out from a local restaurant and covered the puzzle in process with paper to preserve it. Then we enjoyed a lovely dinner of chicken piccata and a delicious chocolate frosted confetti birthday cake a la Lucie on top of the paper covered puzzle table. It was a simple celebration but joyful nonetheless. One of the other patients came to join us for a slice of birthday cake with two of his visitors. It felt homelike and comfortable. Ros' world has become smaller yet he is safe and being cared for by thoughtful and kind people. All is well.