Jeanie, Jamie and I went to see dad today. He didn't have on his glasses or have his teeth in when we got there and therefore didn't even look like himself! The nurse had told us as soon as we walked in that dad had refused to put his teeth in at breakfast but he had eaten good. He had gotten a shower today too and was clean but had already gotten his shirt dirty. The 2 aides were going to change it before lunch but we said to wait till after lunch. We also said that since dad was so cold we had brought tee shirts and wanted him to have them. We were impressed that they remembered and put one on him along with a clean shirt before taking his nap. He ate good at lunch after they finally found his teeth! They were all in a panic cause they had been in his room but weren't there later when we asked for them. They all apologized for that and I have no clue where they found them but evidently housekeeping had taken them from his room!! Why??? No clue! Dad is just SO bad is about all I can say. There were maybe 2 things he said that I could tell. I was talking to him about having 6 girls and named them to him. When I asked him afterward who I was, he said Judith Ann. The other thing was that. Handed him a fork to eat with and he commented that there want any food on it. Oh and he yelled Margaret once. Jamie said I love yu to him when she left and he said I love you too and he said the same to me before I left after I told him I loved him too. He did eat good but only because I fed him. He had NO clue what to do with his silverware! I handed him a spoon and after finally getting it in his hand, he put the handle in his mouth. When did that happen??? He has taken such a nosedive in these 6 weeks since Mom has died. It scares me and makes me sad both. Jamie and I went by the cemetery to see Mom's headstone since the date of death is on there now and then Jeanie and I went by today again to see it. It's really peaceful out there to me for soe reason, Jeanie and I said since its on a bit of a rise, it looks stately. Guess that's all I remember for now. It's all sad! Love to all, Judy. Oh and Pat it was so awesome seeing Molli and Margaret! They are both adorable and baby Margaret could come home with me any day! I'd just sit and hold her till she could walk!!!lol She's a beautiful baby!!!! Seriously gorgeous!

Went by to check on dad & to leave my check but he was sound asleep. He didn't have his teeth in, so he did not look good at all. When he's sleeping that hard I don't want to wake him. There was no worker at all on the hall for me to talk to so I don't know anything new. I had a good visit with Molli & Margaret. They are two precious girls! You just forget how tiny newborns are. So glad I got to see them. I'm sorry I'll miss seeing all of you. Maybe next time. Love, Pam

Totally agree about Molli's blog and I left her a comment on how impressed I am with them and what a blessing they have for knowing that God has his hand in all of this and it will be fine! he has this covered! Love, Judy

Just finished reading molli's entry on their blog! I am more pressed and proud of her than words could ever say or convey! What awesome parents they are and will continue to be! God bless them all! Love you all, jeanie

My check went out with the mail this morning and I put his name and that number you gave us Jeanie on the check plus a note I put in the envelope!!! Don't want them missing who to credit!! I'll see some of you Friday!! Love, Judy

I sent my check yesterday.  I put a note in there and I wrote Dad's name on the check at the bottom.  See ya'll this weekend. love u, pat

I've already made plans to come in on Thursday because we are celebrating Jim's birthday on Friday, but if Thursday is not a good time then I'll slip away Friday and come back in. I broke a tooth Sunday night & now getting another crown. I've got two crowns in the works plus a partial! Crazy!! I'm planning on going to see dad on Thursday & dropping my check off for his room charge. I sure hope he's better this time than last week. Hope to see you all soon. Love, Pam

I'd like to come see Molli and Margaret! I have blood work, mammogram and a basketball game in Thursday night...no I can't miss the ballgame!:) I thought I would drive over Friday morning and see Dad and then come on into Jonesboro..if you're up to a little company Jeanie!!haha I'd like to go see Mom too...been missing her so much lately! I'll have to head back Saturday morning pretty early..Murray State has their last regular season home game that night..no I can't miss the ballgame!!:) What is the plan for getting together?? I'm so excited about seeing Margaret!! Love you, jamie

I called Jamie to ask her if she was coming and she has something on Thursday but said she might come on Friday to see dad and Margaret and spend t he night, going home on Saturday.if that's her plan I might do the same thing. I'll be there one day so just leave it t that and think how pleasantly surprised lull be when I show up!!lol. I need to call the doctor about changing my Prilosec to something else since heartburn is killing me again! Yuck NOT fun!! Love to all, Judy

Dad does have a UTI---Tim called me Sat night about 8:30 to say that he did and they were starting him on Augmintin (sp?) for 10 days. I went Mon to see him and he is just SOOOOOOO tired! He went back to bed right after lunch-Debbie was feeding him when I got there. He'd eaten pretty well. I don't think he knew me---if he did he didn't much act like it mattered to him! LOL! I cracked up because either Flo or Della (I think it was Flo) stuck out her cheek towards Dad and he puckered up and kissed her cheek when she leaned in! How sweet was that. He only had his bottom dentures in---I didn't ask. I know that he's had some problems with the lower teeth, so maybe they're just trying that out! I did get his papers filled out and sent in where he was up for re-evaluation! Good grief! Any news about Margaret and when anyone is planning on coming to see her?! Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to see Daddy today, but he was asleep.  They said he had gone back to bed sometime after breakfast. I talked to the nurse and he said that his sugar had been fine, but he didn't know about any test results. Anyway, not a very productive visit.
Molli, Marty and Margaret are going to be here all Thurs. , Fri. and Sat.  She would love for ya'll to see Margaret.  Let me know if you can and when would be the best time.   She weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. at the dr. visit on Thurs.  She's so precious.  Hope everyone is doing great!  Love you all, pat

Pam and I met at LNC today to see dad. We got there about 11:30 and dad was sound asleep. The girl there wasn't Margaret but she is built like her with black short hair. I've seen her but no clue what her name is. Anyway she said dad was up all night and this morning at breakfast he ate good but was kinda combative. He was worn out so they put him in bed. He was sleeping soooooo good that Pam and I told them to let him sleep through lunch. He looked awful without his teeth and his mouth standing open! He was warm but yet his face felt waxy if that makes sense. I know he had on a clean shirt because the girl picked upmhismdorty one off moms bed and said he had gotten gravy on it and she had changed it. After Pam left the speech lady came in and we talked about what foods dad was going to get now and she said that yesterday he had the soft items we mentioned to Darrah and she said he did really good and had eaten everything for her. She said that with him getting the protein shakes that should be fine instead of meat. She was super nice. Debbie came in and said that she thought maybe dad had figured out mom wasn't there and he was just tired now. She said she knew it was hard on us seeing dad like he is right now after just losing mom so recent. They dont have the urine test results back yet. Pat if you read this before you go on Sunday could you take your clippers and give him a haircut? I
His hair is getting so long and they still haven't cut it since he lady is rarely there! I hate not seeing dad
Ikehes always been where you feel someone is in there buthe wasn't in there today which makes 2 visits in a row for me! One girl said he was really good yesterday so maybe I'm just hitting it wrong! I wish! love to all, Judy Oh Pat, I got the sweetest thank you card from Molli today and she is hoping to bring Margaret to Jboro around 2/7 or so?? I'm going to come see baby Margaret when she comes so be sure to let us know!! love, Judy

I hate that Dad was dirty! Just because they only get showers 2 times a week instead of 3 is no excuse! I think we need to get it on record that now 3 of you have witnessed him dirty! When did they start the iron? Is he getting the appetite stimulant regularly now? I was going to come today,but my tires need replacing so that's todays project! My plan is to come tomorrow now! Pat so glad the news from your visit is so positive! Margaret is so precious and so are Molli and Marty!Who would have thought that screaming crying would be music to a young mothers ears?!!! I can't wait to see her one of these days in person!! Ok off to spend way too much money on tires! The old Volvo is held together with duct tape but unfortunely duct tape does nothing for tires!! Love you all, Jamie

Oh an since Jeanie's computer has bitten the dust I'll say that she went to see dad today and he was soooooo sleepy he couldn't hold his eyes open. Jeanie talked to Margaret and she said he has days where he is so sleepy he doesn't want to get up. That makes me so sad because I do think you get so tired that you just want to go to sleep when the end of your life is close. I do think we won't have dad very many more months but I certainly could be wrong and hope I am! The speech lady wasn't in but she suppose to call Jeanie later today. Love, Judy

Pam yes the mammos hurt! I know Jeanie says that to me every time she has one which I think is way over due!! Isnt it Jeanie? I went several years without once one time and was scared to death then to go bit when I finally did it was fine and I promised myself I'd never go past a year and I haven't!! I had to go back for a closer exam with an ultrasound once too and that was scary! Leisa had the exact same thing though and even the same side as me!! Luckily they were both fine! Love to all, Judy

Thanks Pat for the update! So glad for good news! Wanda called me yesterday asking about Margaret. Said several people had asked her so I'll update them. They are praying for all of you. There are so many people praying!! I didn't make it to see Dad again this weekend & I hate it. I had my mammogram on Sat. & Cary came in also. Jeanie, I asked about the thyroid cover & she said they do have them & if you insist, they will give you one but they don't recommend them. They said they cover up tissue that needs to be seen in your exam so I chose not to have it. I'm telling you, the mammogram just about killed me this time. They hurt sooo much!! Do they you? I'm going for my annual physical Friday afternoon so Judy, I hope I'll get to see you this time. The pictures you posted on Facebook from Leisa's wedding are soooo cute! Love you girls, Pam

Pat your note about Margaret crying absolutely made my day!! What a blessing!! That is just the BEST news!!!! I'm so happy for them, you, Margaret and all of us that love you all! Keep us posted about the doctor visits! I'm planning on coming to Jeanie's to spend the night Thursday and go see Daddy on Friday. Come by to visit if you can! So glad for your good news and that you made it there and home safely! Love to all, Judy

Okay, we are home!  We had an awesome visit with Molli and Baby Margaret. Margaret is precious!  She has grown and changed in the 2 weeks since we've seen her.  The continuous feed has been much better than Molli anticipated but she will be glad to see it gone, too.  She goes to her neurologist tomorrow and we're anxious to hear what he says.  One big major change is that she now CRIES!!!  What a wonderful sound that's been.  It was funny - Molli bought one of those kangaroo pouches that you can carry them in and when she put Margaret in it, she screamed!  That was the loudest cry so far and it was LOUD!  I want to tell you how AWESOME the gift you gave them was!  That was so nice of you! Molli will be sending you some cards and pictures soon!  She and Marty were so appreciative of that!  It will definitely be put to good use for Baby Margaret.  They got their first hospital bill Sat. and it was $168,000.00!  Is that not ridiculous?  Lord, no wonder insurance is so high.
I know what you mean about Daddy being dirty.  I was very ugly to those lazy girls sitting there doing nothing.  I told them that that was not acceptable and that we expected him to be clean.  I was not about to do it myself!  I wanted to see how long it would take them to get up and it was at least 10 or 15 minutes.  I was livid by then!  It makes me so sad to think about him just sitting there by himself dirty! A complaint is definitely in order if it continues.
Okay, I'm off to wash a load of clothes and dry my hair!  I love you all and I am so thankful that Molli and I and Margaret have all of you!   pat

It's hard enough to think about dad there by himself and when you add dirty clothes it turns into major heartache for me! He has so little dignity left that dirty clothes pushes him over the top! That is SO not acceptable!!! Makes me physically sick!! We definitely need to keep tabs and a letter with formal complaint may definitely be in order! Love you all, Judy

Ok, i went today to see dad and he was asleep in the big room. He was dirty today---his shirt had food all over it and the pad to restrain him was dirty + he did not have his teeth in! Anyway I said how dirty he was and that I didn't want him dirty just sitting there. There were two girls there sitting at a table eating. I went into his room and got a cleana shirt. I made some comment that I might need some help since he was asleep! Anyway, I took off his shirt and he had a big fresh skin tear!i'm like OMG! Well Debbie came running and was like I didn't know about this! Who got him up this morning, etc. well then they all jumped up! The one girl said that the speech therapist had cleaned Dad's mouth and that's why he had food all over him. I said I don't care that she cleaned out his mouth---that was fine----but I didn't want hIm sitting there in a dirty shirt + his Matt thing was dirty too. They took it and washed it. Bottom line---pat complained to the weekend staff, I just noticed that Pam saw him dirty at night (I'm thinking pm said something too), and now I've said something to the day crew! Next time I'm going to go to file a complaint. There's no reason for him to be dirty unless he's eating or just finished eating. I'm not talking about a little bit of food on him---it was all over his shirt! He never did really wake up. He was so groggy! They're suppose to be getting a stool sample from him and are giving him iron. I asked Debbie why--- was he anemic? His red blood count was somewhat low. They're also going to do CBC on him this next week. Ok-that's it! Love you all, jeanie

I'm sorry I'm on here for the first time in a long while...since I got my phone, I just don't hardly ever get on the computer..not an excuse because the thing is sitting right here in my house.  I'll try to be better!! I think under shirt would be awesome or even some long underwear shirts if they're still available...I know he freezes!!  When I went last Wednesday, Darah told me Dad had gained 3 pounds and that they wanted to start him on Megase that's water soluable..they started him on the Megase that's fat soluable, but with that a person has to take in like 1200 calories consistently before the body begins to recognize it and it really kicks in and starts to work. With the water one, it works right away, regardless of food caloric intake.  It's all still covered by Medicare so I said let's switch.  Dad should have a little milkshake in a plastic cup with his meals...well that's how Debbie gave it to him. But it is a small liquid dose...like maybe a couple of Tablespoons.  I hope to get back over this next week to see Dad...maybe Tuesday..I'll let you know.  I'm glad we didn't move Dad...that room is his "home" and what he recognizes and I dearly love Margaret and Missy and the other girls on that hall. I truly think they love Dad and it makes me feel good to know he's not truly alone.  I am so thankful I have all of you...can't imagine going this alone! How scary would that be!!  I love you all,   Jamie

My visit yesterday with Dad was kinda sad because he was not "with it" at all. I tried to feed him but he was drinking from an imaginary glass, picking up food that wasn't there and just never really came around to what I think is normal for Dad. When we first got there he was sitting in the commons area with Margaret and another girl that takes care of him and eating fritos. He was cramming them in his mouth almost and said he was starving. Maybe that is the reason he didn't seem too interested in lunch! Jamie gave him some nuts from a canister she had brought too and he ate several of those as well. He just looked and acted so sleepy he couldn't concentrate. It made me so sad because now he seems more like Mom was at one time and not like the alert dad that I thought he was. I know he has bad times and maybe this was just one of them but I didn't think it was a good visit at all because I'm not sure he even knew who we were the whole time! As everyone knows we did not move dad because at least 4 staff members told us that the man's wife was a constant complainer. I was afraid too that if he was with a man and another woman in there visiting that he would wonder where mom was even more than he does at times. He did call Margaret several times yesterday when he pedaled off in the wheelchair. It is all just sad!!! Thank God I have all of you in this sinking ship! Love to all, Judy

I hope that once dad gets into the new room he will feel like he has someone close at least. I can't stand him just sitting in LNC alone even though Mom wasn't really mentally there, she was a warm body with him and I could pretend they were normal together. It is all just sad!! I think undershirts is a good idea especially when he only showers 2 or 3 times a week and they could leave it on him for warmth. I'll mention it to Jeanie when she gets her today since they are coming for the weekend. S glad you had a good visit!! I'll be there Wednesday since we are moving Dad on that day. love to all, Judy

Went to see Dad at about 4:45 tonight. When I walked up to the door, I could see him there to the right. I walked up to him to say hello, and it takes him a minute to realize that he knows me. He said he was cold, which I understood, because tonight was so bitter cold! His shirt was all wet down the front. I asked what happened, and he mumbles but acted like he had drooled on it. His pad that he has on his chair was pretty dirty, too. I wheeled him to his room and changed his shirt and got him a sweatshirt jacket. I could tell he felt much better. I think he needs some undershirts. What do you think? I wear undershirts myself all winter long. The zipper on his jacket didn't work, but I put it around him like it was closed. They checked his sugar. It was 168. He ate maybe a fourth of his supper. It was pasta with meat & gravy on top, brussel sprouts, a roll, jello with fruit, ice cream, milk, coffee, and water. He ate maybe 3 sprouts, several bites of pasta, all his ice cream, all the jello, but not all the fruit, drank a cup of coffee, and several sips of milk and water. One of the girls said she thought that was about what he usually eats. He just refuses to eat anything else once he makes up his mind that he's finished. I got him some tobacco before I left. He looked at one of the workers and said mother, but never said mom's name or anything. He was pleasant to be with. I hate that I can't understand most of the things he says. I won't be able to go back Sat. Jim has something going on at church, so I wanted to go today. Pat, I want to assure you that we are praying for Margaret, and for all of you. We have several churches and individuals that are praying too. I know how hard this is for you, and I'm so sorry. We love you and are here for you.  Love, Pam

I'm so sorry Pat that this turned out like it did but because Molli and Marty ARE special, they will be special parents to Baby Margaret! She is so fortunate that God gave them to her as her parents instead of a teenage unmarked girl! She is such a beautiful baby too and will make everyone surprised at all the awesome things she will do in life! Just watch!! Prepare to be amazed!!lol All of the sisters will do something monetary for them for sure but hopefully it won't have to be hotel money cause that means they will be home! How awesome will that be??? You have all of our prayers and will continue to have them!! Look how far those prayers pulled Randall through! Love to all, Judy

Well, I am on the computer in the lobby of our hotel here in Fort Worth, TX.  Sure wish I had never had to see this place, but it is what it is.  Everything's about the same.  Baby Margaret is so precious and Molli and Marty are so crazy about her. They know that they will love her to pieces no matter.  They are so hopeful that she will be as normal as possible, but only time will tell that.  It's so unfair and I have times when I have a real problem with that.  I don't understand how God could do this to such a special couple.  It was not supposed to be this way.  They should be home and comfortable and enjoying this precious gift-  not here in a Children's hospital not knowing what the future holds. I just want to make everything right for them and I can't. Jerry and I are heading home tomorrow and that will be very hard for me. I will have a hard time leaving Molli and Baby Margaret.  We plan on coming back as soon as they get to go home which, hopefully, will be soon.  They are going to keep the room in the Holiday Inn for as long as possible, so if anyone would like to help them, hotel donations would be great.  Pray for all of us! love you, pat

I know we haven't been putting notes here since we are connected via text because of precious little baby Margaret but I really hate that we might lose this way of communicating too so I'm posting this note about my visit to see dad today. he is obviously losing weight still and Jeanie and I walked into a conversation between Jamie and Darrah. It was about Dad's weight and a diet supplement I hunk and hopefully Jamie you will catch us up on it. They are starting the supplement. Dad ate about half of his food. He has such slurred speech that it's hard to understand much of what he says. He held my hand like he thought I was mom! His color is good and he was clean. He needs a haircut and Jeanie said he has money in his acct for one so hopefully they will do it soon. Jeanie found Dad's sweat pants and the rest of his clothes today. Mom's stuff was in her closet and so sad to see her red throw across her bed since she had it wrapped around her most of the time. I lost it for a few but gained my composure again! I would rather mom's things be thrown away I think since I can't stand the thought of someone else wearing her things and I had to see it. Don't think that would sit well with me! It was an ok visit. Love to all, Judy