Wednesday was a very social day. First thing after breakfast, I shepherded Ramona into the car so that I could attend my weekly hula class. I brought the chair so she sat next to Kumu and made sure we were all doing the moves correctly! After hula she read the paper for a while, marinaded the chicken and had some lunch. The kids had early dismissal so Ramona napped while I picked up the kids and got them started on their homework.
The kids had an extra hula practice today and Elaine and family wanted to see what that was all about, so we all met up at the Train Station for another hula practice and chatted with the Soares Family and made Plumeria Leis. Right after that we all went to the pool with the Soares Family. Ramona helped barbecue the chicken while the kids all splashed around in the pool. We played there for about 2 hours and had dinner. Ramona was making sure that everyone had enough to eat!
So, overall, a busy day but not too much actual exercise.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
4/17
Tuesday was a bit relaxing, but we got a lot done! We went to the market together and Ramona pushed the cart. We bought the ingredients for the chicken soup to go with the Won Ton. After a few errands we went home and had some lunch. She took a nap in the afternoon for over an hour today. Her teeth were bothering her, even though she has been rinsing with hydrogen peroxide. The dentist appointment is on Thursday to have that checked (good thing). I have noticed that when she is concentrating on something, like when we are cooking, I can hear her grinding her teeth. I point it out to her in case she does not realize it, but that may be another reason why it continues to bother her.
She was moving pretty slowly today, and I pointed out that we had only completed one item on our list for the day and it was already almost 4:00 in the afternoon! She grudgingly got off the sofa and started to cut up the chicken for the soup. She said "it is only a small thing that I am doing but it makes me so tired" and said that her body feels so different than it used to. But, God Bless her, she cut up that whole chicken and put the other ingredients in for the soup before she sat down again. I gave her a few minutes and then brought out the won ton wrappings and started to fold it. Well, there is no way she could sit there and watch me wrap won ton without doing some herself, so she came over and she actually wrapped most of them! That was a better job, since it was a sitting down job!
Ramona also read a book with Tessa, started a load of laundry and read the paper this afternoon. Reta joined us for dinner, since she was in West Maui for work and we were having won ton!! Ramona made sure that Reta took some won ton home for Alex and Al, (much to Rays dismay) and put them in containers for Reta to take home. Always thinking of everyone!
She was moving pretty slowly today, and I pointed out that we had only completed one item on our list for the day and it was already almost 4:00 in the afternoon! She grudgingly got off the sofa and started to cut up the chicken for the soup. She said "it is only a small thing that I am doing but it makes me so tired" and said that her body feels so different than it used to. But, God Bless her, she cut up that whole chicken and put the other ingredients in for the soup before she sat down again. I gave her a few minutes and then brought out the won ton wrappings and started to fold it. Well, there is no way she could sit there and watch me wrap won ton without doing some herself, so she came over and she actually wrapped most of them! That was a better job, since it was a sitting down job!
Ramona also read a book with Tessa, started a load of laundry and read the paper this afternoon. Reta joined us for dinner, since she was in West Maui for work and we were having won ton!! Ramona made sure that Reta took some won ton home for Alex and Al, (much to Rays dismay) and put them in containers for Reta to take home. Always thinking of everyone!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
4/16
On Sunday we had a "Big Family Reunion" with the Soares family, Cousin Elaine and her family are visiting Maui from Massachusetts! The Chins, Chiarellas and Soares family all met up for dinner. The kids all had a GREAT time playing. The Chin girls had met them earlier in the day and gone hiking in Iao Valley so they were pretty much chasing each other around and playing all day long! Good thing the restaurant that we went to had a place for all of us to eat outside and the kids ran around on the lawn between bites of their food!
After dinner we brought Goomba back to the Chin-stead on Sunday night. For some reason, nobody in the house slept well, so Goomba was hesitant to wake up on Monday morning! I dragged her out of bed at around 9:45. Her vitals were totally fine, she ate a good breakfast and we went off for a check on the garden plot. She trudged the long walk to the plot and plopped down in the trusty chair that we bring with us. She did not do any gardening today. My edamame plants still look pretty chewed up, and my garden neighbor told me that it might be little white moths, but did not tell me how to get rid of them! We were out in the sun and wind for about 40 minutes before trudging back to the car. Ray found us and wanted Goomba to walk back to the plot so that he could take some pictures, but Goomba was having none of that! She did get out of the car and snap a shot at the garden entrance, but that would have to do!
Goobie's garden, Napili, April 16, 2012
After a short rest and some lunch, I started to make the coveted WON TON!!!! She was watching me, telling me how to add ingredients. I subtly had to leave the room for a few minutes and when I returned, sure enough, she was cutting up scallions!! She cut up several ingredients and then sat back down until I finished chopping. Then I said "you have to add the sesame oil and the other wet stuff so we get that right" so she did, and she mixed it all together with her hands, too!
She was then able to rest in the chair for a while longer until the kids came home. One time, she got up quickly and had to sit back down because she got dizzy, but this was the first time I had seen her do that since she came. We checked her BP, and it was 116/something so it must have just been a quick move that caused her to become dizzy. She recovered after a few minutes and some deep breathing.
Won Ton Therapy, April 16, 2012
She assembled only a few won tons, so we could make sure we got the mixture right. Of course they were DELICIOUS!!! They will be even better on Tuesday after the ingredients get a chance to meld together. We will assemble them all on Tuesday.
She said she was very tired today, but she accomplished a fair amount, I thought! She rests frequently, but she gets up and participates in things, too.
We have 2 of the therapists (OT and ST) scheduled for next Monday to evaluate her, and I am expecting the third one to call today to schedule her PT eval. She is not excited about going back to therapy, but Ray and I think it will be a good motivator for her to move more and build up her endurance.
The Dunes in Kahului, April 15, 2012
After dinner we brought Goomba back to the Chin-stead on Sunday night. For some reason, nobody in the house slept well, so Goomba was hesitant to wake up on Monday morning! I dragged her out of bed at around 9:45. Her vitals were totally fine, she ate a good breakfast and we went off for a check on the garden plot. She trudged the long walk to the plot and plopped down in the trusty chair that we bring with us. She did not do any gardening today. My edamame plants still look pretty chewed up, and my garden neighbor told me that it might be little white moths, but did not tell me how to get rid of them! We were out in the sun and wind for about 40 minutes before trudging back to the car. Ray found us and wanted Goomba to walk back to the plot so that he could take some pictures, but Goomba was having none of that! She did get out of the car and snap a shot at the garden entrance, but that would have to do!
After a short rest and some lunch, I started to make the coveted WON TON!!!! She was watching me, telling me how to add ingredients. I subtly had to leave the room for a few minutes and when I returned, sure enough, she was cutting up scallions!! She cut up several ingredients and then sat back down until I finished chopping. Then I said "you have to add the sesame oil and the other wet stuff so we get that right" so she did, and she mixed it all together with her hands, too!
She was then able to rest in the chair for a while longer until the kids came home. One time, she got up quickly and had to sit back down because she got dizzy, but this was the first time I had seen her do that since she came. We checked her BP, and it was 116/something so it must have just been a quick move that caused her to become dizzy. She recovered after a few minutes and some deep breathing.
She assembled only a few won tons, so we could make sure we got the mixture right. Of course they were DELICIOUS!!! They will be even better on Tuesday after the ingredients get a chance to meld together. We will assemble them all on Tuesday.
She said she was very tired today, but she accomplished a fair amount, I thought! She rests frequently, but she gets up and participates in things, too.
We have 2 of the therapists (OT and ST) scheduled for next Monday to evaluate her, and I am expecting the third one to call today to schedule her PT eval. She is not excited about going back to therapy, but Ray and I think it will be a good motivator for her to move more and build up her endurance.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Having fun on Maui....
Aloha Family,
Life can be difficult. We will be overwhelmed at times. In seasons of our lives, there can be much to overcome. But with God's grace and love, we get to rely on His strength, and not ours, and He will prevail!
The Hawaii ohana are more than surprised with how Mom is doing. She seems so happy to be with us, in this warmer climate, spending time with her grandchildren, and participating in the activities that exist with at both the Chin's and Chiarella's homes.
To summarize for you all, she saw her primary doctor on Maui this week, and we are working on getting her into therapy 3x times a week, starting soon, after she has been assessed by the therapists here. She will continue to undergo Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy. Her appetite continues to be hearty; blood pressure remains stable, and her endurance seems to increase as she does more and more each day! We are so grateful and so happy that we get to have her here with us. God is great!
Sometimes fear can cripple us and hold us back from doing the things that are best for us! We gave Mom fair warning that the goals of yesterday afternoon after I (Reta) was done working would be to: 1. pick up Alex's tuxedo for prom tonight, 2. get in the swimming pool for the first time for one lap swim, width- wise. Mom absolutely tried every way to get out of it, but I was not giving in...I was so appreciative that she verbally expressed that it was the fear of getting dizzy that was holding her back. I hadn't realized it was her fear of being dizzy. For me, I find that when I simply speak out my fears or worries, it diminishes, and it can't hold me back. Well, we took one step at a time, and as you can see below, Mom overcame her fear, and while she was unable - yet - to actually swim the one width side of the pool, she stayed in for about 15 minutes and used her arms and legs to enjoy the heated pool! It was yet another huge step of success! All is well here on Maui.
We are making a point of having her keep her cell phone with her and charged so if anyone would like to connect with her, feel free to call her at 774.275.0759.
Love and appreciation to all of our family and friends around the world!
O Lord, be gracious to us; we have hoped in You.
Be our strength every morning,
Our salvation in times of distress. Isaiah 33:2.
Sunday, April 1, 2012 Big Family Reunion Feast, California
Auntie Yvonne, Auntie Wendy, Mom and Auntie Diana
Mom and our wonderful, Auntie Shirley!
Auntie Wendy and Mom for Japanese lunch
Auntie Wendy had us all walking around her complex
Mom and Reta reconnecting with Reta's Cousin Arlene
Auntie Jean and Mom at Lunch!
Uncle King and Auntie Jean drove from Hungtington Beach to take us all out for a delicious meal with Auntie Wendy, Auntie Diane and the ageless Uncle Ron!
Our goodbye's for now to our loved ones!
Uncle Tony and Auntie Shirley's Pastor's wife came over to pray, sing hymns and love on Mom!
Such incredible family we have!
He Lives!
Our happiest Easter Celebration ever with Mom, the Chin's and Chiarella's at the Chiarella home.
Alex knows his role with Por Por - love on her, play games with her and
drive her anywhere she needs to go!
April 14th - Mom faced her fear of getting in the heated Maui pool and she DID it!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday 4/12
Goomba had a relaxing day on Thursday, my plan was to take her back to the garden, as I have some urgent bug-killing project to save my edamame plants. However, Ray had other ideas. He kept me busy all morning with his work stuff and Goomba took that opportunity to pack, since she was going upcountry Thursday evening. I am sure she appreciated the ability to pack leisurely instead of trying to rush through it. I had forgotten that she needed time to get that done.
Nobody woke her up and I am not exactly sure when she awoke because i was taking the kids to school and running a few errands. When I got home at about 9:30 she was awake and puttering around! Ray was working from home, but he was on the phone. Breakfast did not happen until about 10:15. She did 2 loads of laundry (including our stuff) and cleaned her bathroom and packed her bags to go. (nobody asked her to do any of that stuff, by the way!!!)
She was supposed to join the girls and I for a "Family Math Night" at school, then Ray would pick her up from school and head upcountry. But Ray worked from home in the afternoon instead and took her directly from home. so she missed Math Night :(
Ray and Goomba met Al at an italian restaurant and they shared a meal before heading up the hill.
I think the key to getting activity going is to start moving right after breakfast. If we wait until the afternoon, then we will not have enough time to do anything active before picking up the kids, plus her energy is lower in the early afternoon. If I can toss her in the car right after breakfast, we have a good block of time before we need to eat, rest or any of that stuff.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
a Day with Ray
Hi Everyone! I left the house with the kids and Ray had the task of waking up Ramona and "working her out". She ate breakfast and took meds, her BP was fine and they were off. After a few errands, they went to Ironwoods beach, a gorgeous beach with a nice boardwalk that is pretty easy walking. The only drawback is THERE ARE ABOUT 100 STEPS TO GET DOWN TO IT! But I guess that was not too much of a problem, because there are flowers all along the stairs and the view is pretty. He brought her chair so after the stairs and a brief walk, she sat down to enjoy the view and the magnificent ocean. She even said that climbing the bazillion stairs did not bother her!
She finished the jook at lunch and nibbled on various fruits and veggies. After a rest, she read the paper, she and Tessa read 2 books together and she wrote some thank you notes. I made her a smoothie with bananas, papayas, mangoes, pineapple, kale and coconut water and she actually enjoyed it! I did not think it was my best smoothie, but she insisted that she liked it and drank the whole thing!
She ate a hearty meal for dinner and helped us clean up. She is doing very well, just needs to rest between activities. I think the nice weather is helping her, too!
She finished the jook at lunch and nibbled on various fruits and veggies. After a rest, she read the paper, she and Tessa read 2 books together and she wrote some thank you notes. I made her a smoothie with bananas, papayas, mangoes, pineapple, kale and coconut water and she actually enjoyed it! I did not think it was my best smoothie, but she insisted that she liked it and drank the whole thing!
She ate a hearty meal for dinner and helped us clean up. She is doing very well, just needs to rest between activities. I think the nice weather is helping her, too!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
April 10, 2012 - Oneloa Bay, Kapalua, MAUI
April 8, 2012 - Easter, Pukalani, Maui
April 1, 2012 - Torrance, California
April 2, 2012
April 1, 2012 - Irvine, California
March 30, 2012 - Laguna Beach, California
March 28, 2012 - Torrance, California
March 28, 2012 - Logan Airport, Boston, Massachusetts
March 26, 2012 - Whittier Bradford Rehabilitaion Team
March 26, 2012 - Whittier Bradford Rehabilitaion Team
March 26, 2012 - Whittier Bradford Rehabilitaion Team
March 26, 2012 - Whittier Bradford Rehabilitaion Team
March 25, 2012 - Bertucci, Westborough, Massachusetts
March 25, 2012 - Worcester, Massachusetts
March 26, 2012 - Chelmsford, Massachusetts
March 26, 2012 - Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Ramona Rockin the Chin House 4/9/12
Hi Everyone!! Welcome back to the blog! I am going to use this for communication of how Ramona is doing. That way if anyone who is not on the email distribution is curious, they can check it out!
Goomba had a great day on Monday! After several attempts at waking her up, she arose at 8:50 and got dressed right away. She ate breakfast (1/2 sweet potato and and easter egg) and took her meds and blood pressure (118/78/93). Marshall was thrilled to have her back, as Goomba always shares her breakfast with Marshall! She was ready to head out the door by 10 am, with her trusty water bottle by her side.
We met Ray at the bank to say hello to Charles, the manager who was so helpful in getting Ray access to Ramona's accounts last fall. She chugged an Ensure on the way to the garden plot. We were unloading our garden supplies when we got an urgent call from Ray who's car would not start! (random) So we got back into the car and headed up the hill to meet his car in the parking lot of Maui Prep. She got out of the car and met the Headmaster, George Baker and chatted with him for a few minutes while Ray was getting his battery jumped. After that little interlude, we went back to the garden. She shuffled the 100 yards across rocky ground to get to the garden and sat down in the chair that I brought with me. She watched me for a while and then she decided that she would weed (it really needed her help!) so she sat on the little garden caddy and weeded for about 10-15 minutes! She rested for a little while longer in the chair while I finished my tasks and then she shuffled along again, dragging the garden caddy behind her! She downed a banana when we got back to the car.
Next I had to stop at the produce stand. I asked if she would like to stay in the car or get out. She said "I'd like to see what they have" and got out and browsed the stand. It was a busy time at the produce stand and there were lots of tourists there, but she was happy to check out the papayas in her grubby garden clothes among the tourists!
When we got home, she lay down for a well deserved rest for 45 minutes. I made her some Jook and she had another banana for lunch. I set her up with a word search, which was not very interesting for her, so she blew that off. I gave her some coconut water (good for electrolytes). She did not really like it, but she was a sport about it and drank it! She also shared a mango and a smoothie with Chloe after school.
After several attempts, she finally reached Aunti Berit in Florida and they chatted for a while. I thought she would lay back down, because she seemed tired after the morning activities, but at 4:00, she came into the kitchen and started cutting up the chicken to make dinner! Her BP in the afternoon was 132/74/85. She had some prune juice and talked a while with Reta and settled onto the sofa to relax when BOOM, Ray got home!
Ray was very insistent that it was time to go to the pool. This was an absolutely necessary activity and there was no getting out of it, everyone had to go. yes, everyone. Goomba argued for a while and then realized that arguing was just as exhausting as getting into the car to go, so she did get into the car to go, but she did not change her clothes. She sat by the pool with us while we splashed around.
Once we got home we ate dinner. Ray was excited that Goomba was makin food again! But he was bummed that she removed the skin from the chicken (I told her he would be) The girls were thrilled to have Lap Xiang in the rice like she always makes when she comes! We had chicken with carrots and potatoes, rice, broccoli, and cabbage for dinner. She ate heartily and helped us clean up. We each enjoyed a little sliver of pie (normally unheard of on weekdays, but it was leftover from Easter at the Chiarellas!). Ray played his music for us and the children ran off their sugar high and then started the bedtime routine. Goomba hung out until 9:00 and then took a shower and went to bed.
It was a full day in my estimation! She did rest often, but she got up and participated in lots of activities today. She can stand and do stuff for up to 20 minutes or so, then she needs to rest for a few minutes before doing something else. Tuesday, Ray is going to "take her out to play" in the morning, so hopefully she will not come back looking like Rocky after fighting that Russian Guy!
Goomba had a great day on Monday! After several attempts at waking her up, she arose at 8:50 and got dressed right away. She ate breakfast (1/2 sweet potato and and easter egg) and took her meds and blood pressure (118/78/93). Marshall was thrilled to have her back, as Goomba always shares her breakfast with Marshall! She was ready to head out the door by 10 am, with her trusty water bottle by her side.
We met Ray at the bank to say hello to Charles, the manager who was so helpful in getting Ray access to Ramona's accounts last fall. She chugged an Ensure on the way to the garden plot. We were unloading our garden supplies when we got an urgent call from Ray who's car would not start! (random) So we got back into the car and headed up the hill to meet his car in the parking lot of Maui Prep. She got out of the car and met the Headmaster, George Baker and chatted with him for a few minutes while Ray was getting his battery jumped. After that little interlude, we went back to the garden. She shuffled the 100 yards across rocky ground to get to the garden and sat down in the chair that I brought with me. She watched me for a while and then she decided that she would weed (it really needed her help!) so she sat on the little garden caddy and weeded for about 10-15 minutes! She rested for a little while longer in the chair while I finished my tasks and then she shuffled along again, dragging the garden caddy behind her! She downed a banana when we got back to the car.
Next I had to stop at the produce stand. I asked if she would like to stay in the car or get out. She said "I'd like to see what they have" and got out and browsed the stand. It was a busy time at the produce stand and there were lots of tourists there, but she was happy to check out the papayas in her grubby garden clothes among the tourists!
When we got home, she lay down for a well deserved rest for 45 minutes. I made her some Jook and she had another banana for lunch. I set her up with a word search, which was not very interesting for her, so she blew that off. I gave her some coconut water (good for electrolytes). She did not really like it, but she was a sport about it and drank it! She also shared a mango and a smoothie with Chloe after school.
After several attempts, she finally reached Aunti Berit in Florida and they chatted for a while. I thought she would lay back down, because she seemed tired after the morning activities, but at 4:00, she came into the kitchen and started cutting up the chicken to make dinner! Her BP in the afternoon was 132/74/85. She had some prune juice and talked a while with Reta and settled onto the sofa to relax when BOOM, Ray got home!
Ray was very insistent that it was time to go to the pool. This was an absolutely necessary activity and there was no getting out of it, everyone had to go. yes, everyone. Goomba argued for a while and then realized that arguing was just as exhausting as getting into the car to go, so she did get into the car to go, but she did not change her clothes. She sat by the pool with us while we splashed around.
Once we got home we ate dinner. Ray was excited that Goomba was makin food again! But he was bummed that she removed the skin from the chicken (I told her he would be) The girls were thrilled to have Lap Xiang in the rice like she always makes when she comes! We had chicken with carrots and potatoes, rice, broccoli, and cabbage for dinner. She ate heartily and helped us clean up. We each enjoyed a little sliver of pie (normally unheard of on weekdays, but it was leftover from Easter at the Chiarellas!). Ray played his music for us and the children ran off their sugar high and then started the bedtime routine. Goomba hung out until 9:00 and then took a shower and went to bed.
It was a full day in my estimation! She did rest often, but she got up and participated in lots of activities today. She can stand and do stuff for up to 20 minutes or so, then she needs to rest for a few minutes before doing something else. Tuesday, Ray is going to "take her out to play" in the morning, so hopefully she will not come back looking like Rocky after fighting that Russian Guy!
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