Dad, a set on Flickr.
During this week of grieving, we are working on collecting and organizing photos. This is a work in progress.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
An update from my Mom
Last Tuesday, the 4th, Bob was taken to Valley Hospital with heart failure---his lungs were filling with fluid, they removed about one half liter fluid from the lungs and they have responded well. He is in kidney failure, which he has been for some time and his heart is less than 25 % functioning. He is holding his own, can communicate and is determined to get well. He came home today to home hospice by cabulance----instead of ambulance---so he sat in a wheel chair.. He is really happy to be home. I will try to find the energy to update you soon, thank you for all your prayers, warm thoughts and good wishes.
-Priscilla
-Priscilla
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
I just moved into my first condo. It's been a long time coming - I bought it pre-construction, so I've known about it for about two years. During all of my Dad's health issues, the impending move was on the back burner. Something on my mind, but also a great lesson in patience and goal setting. Putting away a good chunk of my paycheck each month in savings. Living in a group house setting.
Every time my brother and I have moved - yes, even when Carter and Lisanna moved to Belltown last year - my parents have been a part of that process. I knew, obviously, that they wouldn't be up to helping me move this time around. I'm impressed by their health - but that's a pretty stressful thing to do. Moving isn't fun for an able-bodied 28 year old!
I moved into my place the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Yes, a little ambitious, but I wanted to host Thanksgiving. It was a fantastic motivator to at least try to get the place in working order quickly.
My parents were able to come!
Here's Dad and I on Thanksgiving:
Here's my very first turkey - I brined it and it turned out well:
Carter carved the turkey:
Here's my mom and me:
(Isn't she beautiful??)
Here are my parents, showing off their Bob sweatshirts, courtesy of AML:
And a great family photo:
Every time my brother and I have moved - yes, even when Carter and Lisanna moved to Belltown last year - my parents have been a part of that process. I knew, obviously, that they wouldn't be up to helping me move this time around. I'm impressed by their health - but that's a pretty stressful thing to do. Moving isn't fun for an able-bodied 28 year old!
I moved into my place the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Yes, a little ambitious, but I wanted to host Thanksgiving. It was a fantastic motivator to at least try to get the place in working order quickly.
My parents were able to come!
Here's Dad and I on Thanksgiving:
Here's my very first turkey - I brined it and it turned out well:
Carter carved the turkey:
Here's my mom and me:
(Isn't she beautiful??)
Here are my parents, showing off their Bob sweatshirts, courtesy of AML:
And a great family photo:
Friends and Family,
My Mom asked me to send all the emails from the past year to my first grade teacher. First, I admit this is a fairly remarkable thing. The very fact that my parents are still in contact with my brother's and my first grade teacher is an incredible insight to their character. I'm so humbled and honored by their presence in my life on a regular basis. They are truly remarkable people.
In thinking about that task, I decided that instead of forwarding each and every email, it might make more sense to just create an online archive of them. We had considered this originally, but it just clicked today how much sense this makes. By creating a blog, people can easily see what the family is up to and my Dad's continued progress. It's more interactive and creates a nice sense of our family's community.
So I've posted all of the emails as an archive of sorts. This is, in essence, a tribute to my father, Robert Smithhart. Or, as his sweatshirt says, "Bob: The Man, The Myth, The Legend."
Lots of Love,
Noelle
My Mom asked me to send all the emails from the past year to my first grade teacher. First, I admit this is a fairly remarkable thing. The very fact that my parents are still in contact with my brother's and my first grade teacher is an incredible insight to their character. I'm so humbled and honored by their presence in my life on a regular basis. They are truly remarkable people.
In thinking about that task, I decided that instead of forwarding each and every email, it might make more sense to just create an online archive of them. We had considered this originally, but it just clicked today how much sense this makes. By creating a blog, people can easily see what the family is up to and my Dad's continued progress. It's more interactive and creates a nice sense of our family's community.
So I've posted all of the emails as an archive of sorts. This is, in essence, a tribute to my father, Robert Smithhart. Or, as his sweatshirt says, "Bob: The Man, The Myth, The Legend."
Lots of Love,
Noelle
From Joseph Atak, from Sudan
HEY NOELLE,
I was caught by surprise when I was told that your dad was admitted many days in VMC intensive ward.I run there with George I called his name he open his eye to give me a signal that he recognise my voice but inside me it tore me apart.I wish I have time to talk to him,to told him how much I proud of him, for everything he did to me and for all of us,he was figure father,we prayer for him and we love him too.
with much LOVE,
Joseph
Joseph,
Thank you for your email. These last couple weeks have been very hard for me and my family. And I consider you and George part of my family too. My Dad's health has been very unstable and knowing how much energy he used to have, it is very difficult to see him in this state. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know your presence in my Dad's life has meant a lot to him - and that my parents love you very much.
I've been gathering pictures of my Dad and wanted to share them with you. If you click on this link, you should be able to look at them. It is a work in progress - there are many that are not included yet. But I think you might find these interesting - especially the older ones!
http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX
With much love,
Noelle
HEY NOELLE,
Thank you so much,Noelle I really understand the pain they whole family go throught we are really with you at this time of pain and I take a look at each picture I understand the reallity of what a momory means to you at these movement and thank you for sharing your dad photos with us.
with much
LOVE
I was caught by surprise when I was told that your dad was admitted many days in VMC intensive ward.I run there with George I called his name he open his eye to give me a signal that he recognise my voice but inside me it tore me apart.I wish I have time to talk to him,to told him how much I proud of him, for everything he did to me and for all of us,he was figure father,we prayer for him and we love him too.
with much LOVE,
Joseph
Joseph,
Thank you for your email. These last couple weeks have been very hard for me and my family. And I consider you and George part of my family too. My Dad's health has been very unstable and knowing how much energy he used to have, it is very difficult to see him in this state. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know your presence in my Dad's life has meant a lot to him - and that my parents love you very much.
I've been gathering pictures of my Dad and wanted to share them with you. If you click on this link, you should be able to look at them. It is a work in progress - there are many that are not included yet. But I think you might find these interesting - especially the older ones!
http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX
With much love,
Noelle
HEY NOELLE,
Thank you so much,Noelle I really understand the pain they whole family go throught we are really with you at this time of pain and I take a look at each picture I understand the reallity of what a momory means to you at these movement and thank you for sharing your dad photos with us.
with much
LOVE
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Greetings Everyone,
A year ago today Bob was brought home from the hospital and we were told he had two days, three at the most to live------Wow, what a year this has been---to see the progress he has made is really phenomenal. It has been a couple months since I have written an update; my excuse is that I have been too busy and/or too tired.
About six weeks ago he started climbing stairs, (beginning with two or three and working up to now the entire 14!) first one at a time with both feet and then about three weeks ago one stair after the other. He would back down---always with an assistant about two steps behind him. About three weeks ago he began coming down the stairs face forward, one at a time, (wearing the belt) also with assist. Both Connie and Kay have worked with him on falling techniques. If he is going up and becomes unsteady, fall on his knees, if coming down face forward, fall on his bottom. His balance is improving so much that I am not too worried anymore. About two months ago he was sitting on the side of the bed trying to reach his shoes and slid off the bed and hit his right rib on the corner of the night stand. Kay and her husband helped me get him into the wheelchair where he went into shock. That called for an ambulance ride to the ER, where we spent the afternoon---X-rays showed no lung puncture, interior bleeding, cracked or broken bones. He had a bruised rib which healed in a couple weeks. It did slow down the progress he was making, but he is once again determined to move forward.
He has had a couple other falls, one, we forgot to put the brakes on the wheelchair and as he was sitting down, it moved away from him. Another, as he was moving from the wheelchair to the bed by himself, he slipped----these were lessons for all of us, but he did not get hurt. The rug is pretty well padded. He is doing so well, it is easy to become complacent.
He walks with the four wheel (big wheel) walker down the driveway and almost to the end of the street (that runs by our kitchen window) and back---that is well over a block---he does this twice a day most days--with Connie, Kay, me or anyone else who will walk with him!! Yesterday he walked without the walker, Kay was holding on the belt. He did not walk quite as far as his posture was different without the walker and he was totally exhausted. Even he said that he over did it!
He also walks with the regular walker, but he complains that the tennis balls wear out too fast and make him skid! He also walks from the fireplace to the carport door with the "quad" cane---four footed cane. Always with an assistant or me. He has also walked a few steps all by himself! It was great seeing the smile on his face! Connie Birse and Kay Simon are so very good with him---he does different exercises with them that he will not do with me!
These ladies are so patient and very innovative. I know that they are responsible for much of his progress----and we are so appreciative. They alternate days and times.
Bob is able to eat everything now, once in a while will choke a little---I told him that he has to chew every mouthful 28 times, he has slowed down and tries to do that!! Apple skins, walnuts and peanuts were the last hurdle and he does well with them now.
Bob is also reading more (even the daily paper which he lost interest in a couple years ago!) and taking interest in scientific TV shows---all progress--. "JAG"is still the favorite! (on DVD's) "NCIS" a close second!
I am getting a bit more sleep, he usually wakes me once, sometimes twice a night. If I sleep three hours or less at one time, I basically take care of Bob the next day---if it is three to four or four and a half, I will get dishes and some laundry done. When it reaches a five to six hour point, I actually get the floor vacuumed!! And over six hours---life is almost normal----those days are few and far between tho, so I still ask that we receive no phone calls until after 1:30 so that I can take a morning nap when Bob does. And I almost always take an afternoon nap when he does----
Better close for now, thanks to everyone for the prayers and encouragement, and we are still getting goodies!!! Thank you!
Priscilla
A year ago today Bob was brought home from the hospital and we were told he had two days, three at the most to live------Wow, what a year this has been---to see the progress he has made is really phenomenal. It has been a couple months since I have written an update; my excuse is that I have been too busy and/or too tired.
About six weeks ago he started climbing stairs, (beginning with two or three and working up to now the entire 14!) first one at a time with both feet and then about three weeks ago one stair after the other. He would back down---always with an assistant about two steps behind him. About three weeks ago he began coming down the stairs face forward, one at a time, (wearing the belt) also with assist. Both Connie and Kay have worked with him on falling techniques. If he is going up and becomes unsteady, fall on his knees, if coming down face forward, fall on his bottom. His balance is improving so much that I am not too worried anymore. About two months ago he was sitting on the side of the bed trying to reach his shoes and slid off the bed and hit his right rib on the corner of the night stand. Kay and her husband helped me get him into the wheelchair where he went into shock. That called for an ambulance ride to the ER, where we spent the afternoon---X-rays showed no lung puncture, interior bleeding, cracked or broken bones. He had a bruised rib which healed in a couple weeks. It did slow down the progress he was making, but he is once again determined to move forward.
He has had a couple other falls, one, we forgot to put the brakes on the wheelchair and as he was sitting down, it moved away from him. Another, as he was moving from the wheelchair to the bed by himself, he slipped----these were lessons for all of us, but he did not get hurt. The rug is pretty well padded. He is doing so well, it is easy to become complacent.
He walks with the four wheel (big wheel) walker down the driveway and almost to the end of the street (that runs by our kitchen window) and back---that is well over a block---he does this twice a day most days--with Connie, Kay, me or anyone else who will walk with him!! Yesterday he walked without the walker, Kay was holding on the belt. He did not walk quite as far as his posture was different without the walker and he was totally exhausted. Even he said that he over did it!
He also walks with the regular walker, but he complains that the tennis balls wear out too fast and make him skid! He also walks from the fireplace to the carport door with the "quad" cane---four footed cane. Always with an assistant or me. He has also walked a few steps all by himself! It was great seeing the smile on his face! Connie Birse and Kay Simon are so very good with him---he does different exercises with them that he will not do with me!
These ladies are so patient and very innovative. I know that they are responsible for much of his progress----and we are so appreciative. They alternate days and times.
Bob is able to eat everything now, once in a while will choke a little---I told him that he has to chew every mouthful 28 times, he has slowed down and tries to do that!! Apple skins, walnuts and peanuts were the last hurdle and he does well with them now.
Bob is also reading more (even the daily paper which he lost interest in a couple years ago!) and taking interest in scientific TV shows---all progress--. "JAG"is still the favorite! (on DVD's) "NCIS" a close second!
I am getting a bit more sleep, he usually wakes me once, sometimes twice a night. If I sleep three hours or less at one time, I basically take care of Bob the next day---if it is three to four or four and a half, I will get dishes and some laundry done. When it reaches a five to six hour point, I actually get the floor vacuumed!! And over six hours---life is almost normal----those days are few and far between tho, so I still ask that we receive no phone calls until after 1:30 so that I can take a morning nap when Bob does. And I almost always take an afternoon nap when he does----
Better close for now, thanks to everyone for the prayers and encouragement, and we are still getting goodies!!! Thank you!
Priscilla
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