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