I got to talk with mom on her birthday. I was so happy to be able to wish her another Happy Birthday – especially knowing that mom is doing SO much better for this 77th birthday than last year at this time and trying to celebrate 76.

Mom reported that she was spending a quiet day after all of the “on-the-go” holiday running around. She told me all about the little things her friends have been dropping off and all of the cards people have been sending. Though my gift did not get to her in time for her birthday, mom was thankful when the warm fuzzy goodies arrived.

Of course, we spent time talking about the Packers and how great their season shaped up. We’re both looking forward to cheering them on during the playoff games (and hopefully beyond that).

As I watch the Packer season come to a close, I am yet again reminded of where we all were last year at this time. Never in a million years did I think that mom would still be here (and doing as well as she is), yet alone make it through another entire Packer season. I am relatively certain that last year’s final Packer games are not easy for mom to remember.

I am so glad she is still of sound mind and able to really enjoy this one. I hope they go all the way – for mom!

Go Pack Go!

“Go Pack Go!” song by 2 members of the Madison band Garbage(Butch Vig and Duke Erikson) with another guy Chad Zaemisch. They go by “6 Packers” for this one-off song.

Mom has reached another momentous milestone and has graduated from being restricted to her wheelchair while alone to being able to use her walker without supervision!

Go mom!

It was Monday morning and I was settled in at my desk working from home as I always do during my weekdays. The familiar sound of a Skype message alert diverted my attention from one computer monitor to the other. I expected to see one of my clients leaving me a Skype text message and needing my help with something.

Imagine my surprise to see a message from Linden Grove requesting me to share my contact information! Oh, Happy Day!

I was like a little kid on Christmas. My fingers could not type fast enough to reply as quickly as I had wanted to. None-the-less, I finally completed the reply and hit send. It was quiet for a moment and then, a message. And no, it wasn’t a just a normal text message, mom sent me a VIDEO message. How did she do that?

I have been using Skype for years and I have never actually sent a video message to anyone. How strange… new and exciting for me. I send text messages, and have video calls and provide tutorials but never have I send a video message. OK, now I am completely comfortable trying new things – especially when it comes to technology. Now I have to send a video message back! I can’t be content with just a simple text message!

So, I hit the video button… Uh oh… I ended up calling mom. Well, that did not go as I had hoped… Oh well, at least I might get to see mom!

Sure enough, mom answered the call. I got to meet Alex (he’s the student that is helping mom with all of her technology education) and I gave him the information to assist mom in seeing her new website. We chatted for a bit and mom told me all about how much she loves her new room. I am SO happy for her. I did not want to take up too much time so we exchanged what we needed to and I said goodbye and ended the call.

Now I had to figure out how to send a video message… ah, I hit the wrong button the first time, there is another video button. I excitedly made a quick video telling mom, how SHE inspired ME to learn something about Skype when sending her video message. And I hit send. Sweet success – or so I thought!

A few minutes later one of my online friends sends me a text message in another Skype conversation alerting me to the fact that I posted my video message in the wrong conversation! Oh geez! Laughing out loud at my desk, I am thinking to myself, “really? wow, you’re quite the technical genius!” Well… there is more. Not only had I posted it in the wrong conversation, the conversation that I did post it in was a group conversation and included over 160 people!

I hurriedly removed the post (yes, at least I do know how to delete messages that are posted into the wrong conversation)!

So, long story, short, although it was a most entertaining encounter, I was successful at creating and sending a video message… thank you, mom, for getting me to learn and try something new. I look forward to seeing you again for many more Skype conversations! I just hope I will master the art of sending the video messages to the correct conversation.

Mom has had some major changes, so, we thought we’d make some of our own changes and move her updates to her more private and controlled website.

Over the next few days, I will be migrating all of the content that has been collected on the Caring bridge website to Jan’s website and adjusting things so it looks great across all devices. Thanks for you patience while we get it all up and running smoothly.

We hope you will love the new media venue.

(Photo: Carol Spaeth-Bauer/Now media)

Mom surprised me when she told me that she was going to be learning to use a computer. I was like, “WHAT?!” After all this, and NOW you want to learn to use a computer? Well, better late than never.

One of the first games mom played on “It’s Never 2 Late” was chess with high school volunteer Alex Jensen.

Mom said she really enjoyed playing chess but also warned Alex that she was probably going to need help remembering how to play. They played for an hour and the game ended in a draw.

She told me that she also used this really cool map thing and was able to go look at the house in Big Bend.

Papke decided to check out the new technology that came to Linden Grove this summer because she wanted to be able to Skype with her daughter. Before that, she used a computer a little for email, but she said she wasn’t “into it that much.”

As Jensen showed Papke the different apps available through the program and how to maneuver through each with the touch screen monitor, they visited Papke’s previous home in Big Bend via Google Earth.

The full story, mom did not just decide to use the new service at Lindon Grove, she was featured in a big press release! I guess we have a celebrity in the family now… Read the full Press Release story here.

Mom and I walked to lunch yesterday. Yep, you read that right.

Since leaving WI in Feb mom has been making great forward strides. Her mental capacity is nearly 100% and the % that is not I would comfortably be able to attribute to simple old age.

Mom has re-learned how to do some things like brush her teeth, hold eating utensils and cups. She even has a new hobby – coloring books for adults. She loves getting special requests, enjoys the therapeutic concentration and the sense of accomplishment in finishing and giving her work as a gift.

The week before we were leaving for our road trip mom was removed from the Hospice care, meaning she was no longer on the “less than 6 months to live” list. She was even back in physical therapy and still making forward strides. Her next goal – to be able to get dressed by herself.

The week we left for our trip, they even allowed her to use a walker! Yeah, go mom!

We arrived in WI on the 28th and stopped in to see mom. She looked and sounded great. A HUGE improvement since the last time I had seen her (180 degrees difference). And she was FAST with scooting her chair! She even tied her shoe!

We had planned to take mom out to lunch on the 29th (yes, she was well enough to go on a day trip!). When we arrived, mom did look a bit tired and she shared that she had had a rough night of pain but was still up for our outing. We did notice she was quite a bit slower in her wheelchair “scooting” and got tired very quickly but, that did not stop us from being able to push her wherever we wanted to go!

We had a wonderful day with mom. We went out for lunch and had eggs benedict. Mom even had a glass of wine (so that’s where I get it from 😉 ).

Later, she asked us to take her shopping. We bought her some socks and a softer pillow with two pillow cases… a camouflage pillow case and a leopard skin pillowcase.

Then, we came back to the Lindon Grove facility and mom gave us the grand tour, ending on a beautiful deck overlooking a pond where we got to watch a couple of Red Wing hawks fly around.

Mom was sad to see us go and we were sad to have to leave but we had a LONG drive ahead of us. Thanks, mom… for being there for us – now and always!

PS We have heard that since our visit that mom has continued to have a string of very painful days that have once again wiped her out. One step forward and two steps back, I guess. Your prayers are welcomed.

We met with mom’s doctor today. We are content with the news that mom has reached what appears to be a plateau and not just a spike of good before any final demise. Currently, there is no indication that there would be any reason for it to get worse, of course, this could change without notice. We will continue to make mom as comfortable as possible and provide her with as many activities as she wishes to participate in at the facility. We are all in agreement and believe this is Jan’s new normal.

We are all learning to adapt to the continuing physical challenges but Mom is in good spirits and seems to be back to normal mind wise.

Mom has been in a lot of pain recently, especially at night from the neuropathy.

If you know mom at all, you know she is the last person who wants meds. Even so, she is learning to ask for what is needed and meds are the only way to ease the pain.

It’s really hard to see her in pain (or even hear about it) but I am thankful that there is a remedy to make it bearable.

Tuesday morning we were supposed to have a meeting with mom’s doctor but he got called away, so it is rescheduled for next week.

Mom is still very tired and sleeping a lot, however, she still REALLY loves having visitors and her mind is as all there as it ever was (you like how I did that there? LOL… just trying to keep it light).

She seems to be eating and drinking well enough.

I love you mom and I miss being there with you and my sisters.

Mom told me she “almost” got to go outside. But they were not quick enough in getting her situated in her chair and by the time she got to the patio door, residents were back inside and the door was locked. 🙁

Bummer. Hopefully, it won’t be too long and the doors will be open again. I know how mom LOVES the outdoors.