Hi everyone,

I wanted to give an update on where we are with Grandma and the plan to get her back home.

We were originally hoping Grandma would be home by July 17th, but we are having to coordinate everything with Kim’s schedule. Kim is currently working out her notice with her current job because she wants to leave on good terms. She also wants to visit with her grandkids one more time before she moves.

As of right now, it looks like Grandma may be moving back home around August 1st. That date is still tentative, but that is the goal we are working toward.

Grandma, of course, was ready to go home last week.

In all of her 94 years, patience has not exactly been one of her spiritual gifts. These past few weeks, she has been giving us very strong Veruca Salt energy: “I want it now!” And honestly, I get it. She is ready to be home. She is ready to be with Desiree. She is ready to get back to the place and routine she knows best.

We are still working through some medical things before that can happen. Grandma has been putting on weight — about half a pound every day. She is now up to 159 pounds, and her normal baseline is usually around 148–151 pounds. Her nephrologist has increased her diuretics, and she is currently on fluid restrictions, but the weight has not gone down.

The nephrologist asked us to follow up with both the urologist and cardiologist. Both have cleared her from their standpoint, so everything seems to come back to her kidneys.

Grandma has said she does not want to be on dialysis. However, her cardiologist encouraged her to have that conversation with the nephrologist again. She explained that if Grandma chooses not to do dialysis, she will likely become more uncomfortable as the fluid continues to build. She also told me we may start seeing Grandma take more naps and become more lethargic.

We are already seeing some of that.

One thing the cardiologist said that really stuck with me was, “The more she doesn’t do, the less she will be able to do.”

That is something I have asked Grandma to really take to heart when she gets home. She needs to stay as active as she safely can. She does not need to just sit around all day. Keeping her moving, involved, and engaged is part of what will help her keep the strength and independence she still has.

And let me be clear — Grandma still has her full wits about her. LOL. She has not lost her memory or shown any signs of dementia. Grandma is still sharp as a tack. She knows exactly what she wants, when she wants it, and how she wants it done.

And because Grandma is Grandma, she has also been keeping things interesting.

Home Health came out recently for a nurse visit. I was in a meeting when the nurse arrived, and by the time I got into the room, Grandma had canceled her Home Health care and discharged herself.

I cannot with this lady.

The nurse had only been here about 15 minutes, and it took us over an hour to get everything reversed, recertified, and back on track. She is a mess for sure, but she is our mess, and we love her.

In the meantime, we are still working hard to get things ready for her move back home. We are continuing to look for resources in Pulaski County and the Hawkinsville area, especially for:

• Home repairs
• Medical supplies or equipment
• Food assistance or food banks
• Transportation
• Senior activities
• Caregiver support
• Local programs for seniors and disabled adults

There is also a hospital bed at Grandma’s house that needs to be removed from the middle bedroom, where Kim will be staying. I do not know if the bed is still functional or not. It was used for Grandpa when he was bed bound before he passed in 2002. If it does still work, we would be happy to donate it to someone in need.

I want to give a huge thank you to Janie Callaway. She has been such a big help and has done so much work helping declutter Grandma’s house. She has done an amazing job, and I am so grateful for her.

It truly takes a village, and I am so thankful that Grandma has such a large and loving one.

That is really where we are right now. We are still moving forward, still working through the medical concerns, still preparing the house, and still doing everything we can to make sure Grandma can return home safely and with the support she needs.

If you know of any resources that could help with this transition, please reach out to me by phone call or text. I do not always see Facebook comments, and I do not want to miss anything helpful.



Thank you all for loving Grandma, checking on her, praying for her, helping us, and being part of her village.