Washing Ellie's Hair ... by Gerard

How do you wash a person's hair when she is in a bed without getting water all over the place. This is how it was done here. It was a combined effort with Terry (a PSW), Anneke and Karen. You carefully place top of a large garbage bag (with a hole in the bottom) around Ellie's head. Cover her shirt with a towel. Then wash her hair and rinse with water ensuring all liquid goes into the garbage bag with it's bottom nicely held inside a large pail. Below you can see Anneke holding the garbage bag top, Karen holding the bottom above the pail and Terry doing the wash and rinse. After the final rinse you just need to dry her hair and toss out the bag and pail contents. Voila, clean hair and little mess! 

Anneke and Terry working the top

Anneke looking at Karen holding the bag above the pail

Another view of  the operation

Ellie has been stable for the last week. She's had a few issues that are being dealt with. She is up in the wheelchair for a number of hours each day at meal times and on the deck or sitting quietly in the kitchen or living room. She does sleep most of the rest of the time. We have a PSW coming for overnight care and another for washing in the mornings. The rest of the time Anneke is normally in charge of her care with Henry, Alida and Logan, Karen, Mark, Anna and even me helping when required.

I'm improving day by day in the energy level. However, I am still wearing a catheter and will be for a while. I was unable to urinate without it so it stays in until I see my urologist in July and he does some tests to determine what can be done. I am able to do most things but my running will have to wait.

We do experience a great feeling of peace knowing that God is in control and will take care of us in all circumstances. We feel you supporting us; so keep praying for us. We have have peace; but sometimes a little more patience would be great. Family, friends, neighbours and church family are all helping us in various ways. It feels good to have such a supporting community.

Thank you all and God bless you all!  Trust in the Lord. Have faith; do not despair. Trust in the Load!

Everything is better with ice-cream

(written by Anneke)
Saturday was such a special day, with everyone here, that I have to share a few more pictures.

Mother and daughter - the two Alidas

Anna (holding Logan), Karen, and Anneke on the chair swing

The three older grandchildren: (L-R) Hannah, Charlie, and Oscar

Ellie was very tired on Sunday, but this morning had a little more energy again, and was able to be up in the wheelchair for all three meals.  She tires quickly, and spends about 20 hrs of the day in bed usually sleeping.  Today Henry came again (as he has faithfully been doing almost daily) and helped out with (among other things) some housecleaning, and keeping an eye on his mom while others napped or had some "self" time.  Alida also came for a few hours with little Logan.  Always a pleasure to see them, and be refreshed by their company.  Logan had lots of snuggle time with Opa today!  I am not sure who enjoyed it more :-)

Pastor Joel came for a visit this afternoon.  Sometimes the greatest gift someone can give is to carry you to the throne of God.

Everything is better with ice-cream!

Before the afternoon was over Ellie, Karen, Alida and I went outside on the back deck and enjoyed ice cream cones.  Good company, beautiful weather, and ice-cream.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Even in the midst of difficult circumstances there are still many precious moments.

Father's Day Celebrations ... by Gerard

This Saturday we celebrated Father's Day for the four fathers in our small family. That's me (Gerard), Henry, Mark and for the first time Jeff. We all gathered at our home for a BBQ lunch. In the morning the fathers looked after the children in the play room in the basement having coffee and a snack.

Downstairs Playroom

Charlie and Henry

Oscar and Jeff horsing around with the snake

Later all went outside and enjoyed the BBQ and each other's company. Ellie spent a lot of time in the wheelchair both on the deck and later in the shade under the trees. We had quite a crowd with Anneke, Anna and Karen joining us in the festivities. Ellie had a great day; but Sunday she wiped out and spent most of the day sleeping.

Hannah sitting beside Oma

Ellie , Logan and Anna

On Sunday morning Anneke took the opportunity to attend Luke Steven Geleynse's baptism in Hamilton. There she joined in with the Nick Geleynse family celebrations for the afternoon. You deserve a great break Anneke; thank you for all the loving help you have provided over the last weeks.
I took the opportunity to attend church for the first time in a while. Henry, Anna and Karen stayed home to care for Ellie so I could go. There was lots of welcome greetings waiting for me there.  Stay tuned here for Anneke's report tomorrow.

Thankful for every moment

Today was a quiet and peaceful day.  Ellie was a little more awake than yesterday, and therefore more aware of what was happening around her.  A few special moments captured on camera:

Ellie enjoying a little sun and fresh air!

Listening to music and quietly enjoying each other's company.

A new hairdo

(written by Anneke)

The last 3 days have been uneventful overall.  There is a semblance of routine to the days. Each morning around 8 AM a personal support worker comes and gives Ellie a bed bath.  The nurse comes daily to check on things.  Every night from 11-7 we have another PSW who sits with Ellie, allowing us to get some sleep.  During the day, we do whatever is needed.  Ellie has been sleeping most of each day but gets up in the wheelchair about 3 times usually for an hour at a time.  Over the last 24 hours her energy level has decreased, and the time in the chair is less.  Her mind, however, is relatively clear, and she is able to express her wishes with respect to what she would like to eat or do.  Today she had a new experience of having her hair washed and cut in bed!  She slept through most of it.

Ellie getting a haircut in bed.

"After" picture - Looking good! :-)

On Sunday Father and (brother) Nick came in the afternoon for tea.  Ellie was doing quite well at the time, and we had a wonderful visit together.  As per usual, we had to take some pictures to record the moment.

Ellie and Father.

Gerard is home since Sunday evening. He does not have a lot of stamina, but each day his energy level is improving.  Yesterday and today he spent some time cutting back the peonies, and doing some weeding in the garden.  So thankful he is doing better, and is able to be home.

We are so thankful for each new day given to us.  It is peaceful in the house.  We daily marvel at the love and support we are receiving.  We feel carried on your prayers!

I lift up my eyes to the mountains.

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip -

he who watches over you will not slumber;.....

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

A Long Overdue Update

(written by Anneke)

The last week has been a difficult journey with a lot of changes and emotional ups and downs.

On the evening of June 5th Ellie's sister Anneke arrived safely from South Dakota. Saturday Ellie and Gerard went to Alida and Jeff's place and had a wonderful lunch and time with the new grandson, Logan. Anneke and Ellie were able to catch up, enjoying time on the backyard swing together.

Visiting Logan last weekend

Sunday morning Gerard was not feeling well so Anneke and Ellie went to church together where Ellie was able to sit in the church service and participate in communion. Later on that day Mark, Rosemary and Hannah came to visit. During their visit Ellie experienced a stroke which resulted in profound right sided weakness.  By the next morning she was unable to get up and unable to communicate or even respond to us.  The doctor came to the house and began the adjustment of care to someone confined to bed.  A hospital bed arrived Monday afternoon, and was set up in the dining room so that Ellie could be in the middle of the activities in the house.  She was no longer able to eat or drink.

Tuesday began with her about the same. During the evening, however, her breathing changed significantly enough that all the family was called back home because it was feared that she might not survive the night.  We had a beautiful evening and night together telling stories, reading the Bible, singing songs, praying, and crying together.  To our amazement, as the morning approached, her breathing improved, and she woke up, and was able to talk to people around her (albeit for short periods of time)

Over the last couple of days she has become stronger, and has even gotten up into the wheelchair to sit at the kitchen table for a meal!  A wonderful gift after the scare on Tuesday.  We are enjoying every additional moment we have together.

Gerard has been struggling with some of his own health issues and, after 2 ER visits this week was admitted to the hospital Thursday night.  We just heard that he is coming home tonight.  In the meantime we are praying for healing and peace for him.

Ellie and Anneke chatting

Ellie is having a personal support worker come every morning to help with personal hygiene, and since Saturday evening we have another worker come and sit with Ellie from 11 PM to 7 AM to allow us to get a good night's rest.  A nurse comes daily to check on her.

Her nieces Anna and Karen have been here since early this week, (Karen coming all the way from China!)  So encouraged by all the visits and phone calls from extended family.   Almost daily,  Ellie gets calls from her brothers from across the country, which always brings a smile to her face.  Thank you to all of you for your prayers, and outpouring of love through phone calls, meals, and visits.  God is near!

Friday Visit to Oscar and Charlie

Busy day today (Friday) began with a half-hour of swimming at the local pool. This of course is followed by an iced cap from Tim Hortons. We met Henry as we were coming home. Then in comes Father, Carel and David to visit Ellie at about 11am. Carel and David exit at noon. We have lunch together with Father and Henry. Then nap time. Carel comes back to pick up Father and returns home to Kitchener. Thanks for the visits.

Later Henry takes Ellie to his home where she can spend time with Melanie, Oscar and Charlie. They look at Richard Scarry's book: "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" to look for a little golden bug that is hidden on each page. Henry had this book when he was young and we gave a new copy to Oscar for a birthday. They had fun; Oscar knows Goldbug's location on most pages. Henry brought Ellie back home and now Anneke just arrived from Rapid City this evening. What a day!

Where is Goldbug?

Oma showing Oscar where Goldbug is

Here's Charlie hamming it up for the photo

Thursday visit from Logan and Alida

This week Henry has been around every day to give us support and a helping hand. Mark came over after work on Wednesday to visit us over supper and throughout the early part of the evening. It's great to have our adult children around us so much. 

Thursday morning Alida and Logan came by to visit Oma. Logan is growing leaps and bounds and needs to be cuddled a lot. No problem for Oma and Opa.

Oma cuddling with Logan

 Henry, Alida, Ellie and Logan went for a short walk and then settled in for a snack and a talk on the steps of the front porch.

Ellie and Alida on the front steps

After Opa came home from having the car serviced he managed to get a little cuddle time with Logan too.

My, what a big yawn

On Wednesday Katie dropped in for a visit and left this bouquet of flowers to cheer us.

Flowers from a friend

Ellie wants me to say that I am doing the blogging from now on. Gerard.

Monday after the rain

Today is Monday, the day after all the rain. Everything was doused over the weekend. Now the dirt which was rock hard is soft, wet and pliable. All the vegetation can now grow as the sun and heat reappears over the next few days. After all the visiting over the weekend today was a quiet day. Henry was over today to be with Ellie. Also a rollator (walker) was brought to help Ellie with her walking and you can see her practising below.

Ellie with her new toy

 In the early evening we were pulling some weeds out of the garden and went for a short walk. Here Ellie is resting and looking at the garden.

Watching the garden grow

There is lots of colour in the garden. This is a view underneath the front livingroom window.

Geraniums, Peones, Daisies and Blue Salvia

In the back we also have colour. This is beside the garage.
 

Columbine flowers in front of a Hosta