Monday noon

They finally made the decision to keep Barb where she is. She was awake briefly when I stopped and smiled a few times, doesn't talk much but did say she was in pain so Marge pushed the button for more meds. Someone came to visit her but she said no, only family. Barbi may come back tomorrow as she has no flights to pick up the next few days.

Saturday morning

Barbi said she's a little more coherent this morning; they reconnected the suction tube (why they stopped it we don't know) and her pain is better, probably due to all the gunk that's being removed. Barbi's bringing Willie to the wedding this afternoon. She may have to be moved to Hillview Monday.

Friday evening

Ken stopped in late this afternoon and they were keeping her quite sedated as she was getting increasingly agitated today. Barbi and Gene are flying home Sunday morning. Monday the doctors will discuss moving her to another facility. (hopefully not)

Wednesday morning

Barb slept well last night, woke up at 6:30 this morning. She was having a hard time focusing and getting her mind clear but I think she'll get better as the day goes on. Her legs and feet were quite swollen when she woke up. Margie came as I left at 8:30 and Barbi and Gene will be here at noon. Barbi will be staying there tonight. Barb's friend Syl (used to live in Bangor) drove down from the Cities yesterday for a visit and Barb was so happy to see her.

Tuesday afternoon

Barb was moved to room 4320 this morning (hospice). Barbi and Gene are flying up a day early and will be here tomorrow. I'll be staying overnight with her tonight. She can have clear fluids as she desires; her tube is suctioning continuously so the fluids are basically a comfort thing. She has pain meds as needed. The hospice doctor's best guess is that she has approximately 3-5 days. Joleen

Barb update

Barb was too weak this morning to be transported home for hospice care; everything is set up at the house just in case. Willie and Marge went home for the evening. The nurse thought Barb looked a little better tonight than she did earlier.

Back to Madison

We moved Kurt into the house today: 308 N. Broom St., Madison, WI 53706 More photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/JoleenStratman/BackToMadison#

Em's West Side story

In response to Joleen's request for video of Em's west side story, here's the web site. See glimpses of Em (all wearing a white dress with black spots in the beginning, 3:30, 8:48 and 9:20.

http://www.dubuque.k12.ia.us/Hempstead/WestSideStory/