Halloween 2010!

This year, for Halloween, we didn't do a whole lot.  We had planned to have mom pass out candy and greet the children as they came through the center. Well, mom had other plans. I guess she didn't want to, so she screamed. They put her in bed and we watched MASH, our family's favorite show. So overall, it was a very low-key Halloween, but we enjoyed it together.

Happy Birthday "Stampede!" Style

Today Sheila had special visitors who dropped in to wish her a Happy Birthday.  Some friends of ours, Steve and Terri Taylor (better known as "Stampede!") came to sing for a few minutes.  She was so happy to see them.  After sharing some of our favorite songs of theirs they sang "Happy Birthday" to Sheila with a little "Stampede" flair

Thanks Terry and Steve for making Sheila's day so special!

PS.  Be sure to check out Stampede!

Things Are a Changin'!

Last night I got a call from the Social Worker at Mt. Ogden Health and Rehab about a change they are going to implement at the center. This is what I was told at the time:

“Because they have a problem with a dementia patient escaping from the facility they will be installing locks on the doors leading into Sheila’s hallway and those doors will now remain closed at all times. When we come to see Sheila we will have to enter a code to get through the doors. Is it okay that Sheila remains down that hall?”

At first we couldn’t see a problem with it. When we went to see Sheila last night we were informed that the center wanted to do this so that they could have a “lock-down” unit in order to be able to take in more patients with those needs. The residents down this hall, or in the “lock-down unit”, will have their own dining room/activity room.

Now we are concerned these patients, like Sheila, will be locked in with no one in the unit to watch and supervise what is going on. Will someone notice if Sheila is being confronted by an Alzheimer patient? Will Sheila be taken to the main dining room for her meals and activities or will she become a prisoner in her own hallway for the sake of convenience?

Please give us your feedback. We urgently want and need your opinions and thoughts on this. In advance thanks for your comments.

Someone's Birthday is Coming!

Tomorrow is Sheila's 46th birthday.  It seems like we just had her 45th birthday party.  This year we will have quiet little BBQ tomorrow with just the four of us.  Saturday, September 25, we will be having a small potluck get-together for all family and friends.  We know she has lots of friends that she hasn't seen in quite a while so this is an opportunity to just stop in and say "hello".  If you cannot attend you can send cards and letters to our home address, or you can send emails to: sheilasagers@gmail.com.  (We'll be sure to print them out and hang them in her room so she can see them!)

Quick Update

Oh my! I can't believe in less than two weeks we start school! Summer has definitely flown by this year. We haven't had a whole lot happen, we've just been trying to stay cool and keep mom cool so her MS doesn't flare up. We definitely don't want that to happen!

In other news, we have noticed an improvement in mom's behavior and spirits lately, she seems to be happier. We're not exactly sure what caused the change, but we are definitely welcoming it.

Sorry I don't have any pictures for this post, maybe next time!!

P.S. I'm looking outside and I can't believe the tree in our front yard is changing colors already!
Fall is on it's way!

Ky's visits with Mom

Well, to keep my promise to post more often, I've decided to post today. It's not much, but it's something that's cute and that I want to remember, so here goes.

These past couple of days, we have been taking Ky (a.k.a Kyko, mom's new kitty) to see mom. It's really cute when she sees him and a huge smile breaks out across her face. Then, he'll jump on her and go up to get "kisses". So cute! I wish I had gotten a picture of it to post, but I didn't get a chance. Maybe next time!

I did get this picture of him sleeping on mom's legs. He has his little basketball toy next to him, and he's sleeping on mom's Jazz blanket. He's definitely appropriately named after a basketball player!

I thought it was cute. We just love him soooo much! He's so sweet when we take him to mom's. But when we get home, he's not as sweet. He doesn't play very nice with the other boys, he LOVES to chase them around. I'm glad we got him for mom, they really have a strong bond.

That's all for now, I'll post later about all of our favorite nurses at Mount Ogden, they've got some really great ones!

THEDAYSRUNTOGETHER

Sorry we haven't posted anything really of substance lately, it just seems like....

THEDAYSRUNTOGETHER!

It's hard to separate one day from the rest when it seems like nothing really happens. Things have stayed the same, we haven't really had too much going on lately. But, I'm going to attempt to sort some days from the rest and let you know what we've been up to.

I'm going to run over this whole year so far and try to pick a few things from each month that stand out.

January:
1. Sixth month mark of being at Mt. Ogden Health & Rehab.
2. Our National MS Society group, Team Army of Hope was formed!

February:
1. Ashley turned 20!
2. Sheila got her nickname, Mrs. Magoo! (see the picture!)

March:
1. Sharon came for a visit!
2. We tried to raise money for MS, but didn't make much unfortunately.
3. We made a trip up to Logan and had a check-up with Sheila's neurologist, Dr. Michael Williams.

April:
1. The MS Walk in Ogden.
2. MS fundraiser at Smiths!
3. BJ (Sheila's beloved cat) passed away :'(
4. Kyko (Sheila's new kitty) joined our family!




May:
1. Summer started!
2. Sheila got a new wheelchair!
3. Holly got her learner's permit to drive.

June:
1. Jeff and Sheila celebrated their 23rd Anniversary!
2. The singing duo, Stampede! came and played a show at Mt. Ogden! Learn more about them at http://www.saddlepalmusic.com/

July:
1. Holly celebrated her 16th birthday.
2. Jeff found his high school friend, Steve Layton, on Facebook. We love facebook!
3. Ashley and Holly both went on the job search, and neither have found any results yet!

August:
1. Sheila had an UltraSound at Ogden Regional to check out a cyst she had on her right breast. Everything came up normal!
2. The nursing home's fridge froze her Copaxone, (her very expensive MS medication) and she went without it for more than five days. *Note* They got it replaced, and she is back on it.
3. The ten year anniversary of Sheila's mother's death was the fifth. We miss her like crazy!

That's what we've been up to lately, sorry some things are kind of vague, it's hard to remember things so far back! We'll have to keep it updated more often, but like I said,

THEDAYSRUNTOGETHER!

That's all for now, folks! Thanks for reading!!!

Just for fun...

These are my answers, how I think mom would answer the questions. It's just for fun.


I am: Sheila
I am: a wife and mother
I think: the world of my husband
I know: how much I love my family
I want: to live at home with my family
I have: way too many stuffed animals (but still want more)
I dislike: brussel sprouts
I miss: living at home
I fear: losing my family
I feel: tired
I hear: the tv
I smell: nothing really
I crave: chocolate... always!
I cry: when I'm in pain and when I miss my familly
I usually: watch the same TV shows every day
I search: for new stuffed animals
I wonder: Why I have MS
I love: My family and kitties
I care: about my friends in the facility
I always: Watch Dr. Phil and Oprah every day
I worry: about everything
I believe: In the gospel
I sing: Along to songs on the TV
I don't always: know why I cry
I win: Bowling and Bingo
I wish: I could be at home
I listen: to my roommate talk to herself
I can usually be found: In my room or in the dining room
I am scared: of losing what I love most
I forget: what I eat for lunch by the time I leave the dining room
I am happy: where I am

BJ & Kyko

As you might already know, our beloved cat BJ passed away from a brief illness early in the morning on April 10. It was very hard to break the news to mom, she cried for days after, although, we did too. He was a very loved member of our family for nine years, and we still love him so much! We all miss him, but keep his memory alive in our hearts.

Now, for the happier part of this post. I'm happy to announce the adoption of Kyko James Sagers into our family! We adopted him on April 22 from of a friend of mine. He's really a cutie, and VERY energetic too. Mom loves him so much, and the only time he is ever calm is when he is with her. It's nice to have a kitten around to remind us how much fun they can be.

This picture is very decieving, he's hardly ever asleep!

New Wheelchair!!!!!!

This is a picture of mom's new wheelchair! It is made especially for her! It can tilt back and be adjusted so it is comfortable for her. It's exciting because this means we can take little field trips to places nearby. We're excited, and she's excited, so it's good all around. The frame is a dark navy blue color, which is one of the Jazz colors, so it's very much like her. We're working on personalizing it, like adding a license plate that says her name. We hope that our field trips will work out, giving her a little more freedom, and us a little more family time with her.

Walk MS 2010

Guess what today was?
You guessed it right! Today was Walk MS 2010!
We joined the movement to end MS, and so far we have raised a grand total of: $388.00!!!!!!
Considering we are a first year team, and that we were formed not even a month ago, I would say we did pretty well!
On a side note, we are selling MS bracelets and temporary tattoos to fundraise money to help find Sheila a cure! (Pictured below)

Here is our team logo, with the motto designed by Holly.

The next few pictures are ones that were taken today at the walk......

This is a picture of one of the Facts About MS signs they had along the trail of the walk. This one had the most impact on me personally.

Other walkers joining the movement!

Our team sign, held by Rosie. :)

While we were walking, I noticed this guy in front of us, walking with a cane. To me, this just shows the impact we are making and the determination we have to win this fight with MS.

Jeff, our team captain, walking along the trail. One step at a time to end MS.

Jeff and Ashley joining the movement.

Starting the walk....

The sea of orange...

From left to right; Shanna, Violet, Holly, and Rosie.

We walk for Sheila!

Rosie and Holly walking together to join the movement to end MS!