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Margaret
I am a married mother of four gorgeous children.
Recent Activity
I know I haven't been present
And I'm sorry. But I'm here. We had the last day of class for Quarter 3 yesterday, and then I rushed off to get my second covid shot at 3 p.m. It went great. I had arm soreness for only 24 hours and some fatigue (but what else is new). NOTHING else! A tip I heard from someone in the medical field who is "in the know" is to be sure to hydrate for the 24 hours prior to the jab, which apparently reduces adverse effects. It certainly can't hurt and it (I assume) worked for me. So the kids... Continue reading
Posted Mar 27, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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I’m okay
Just working like crazy. We had a tornado watch today and got to work from home. I still had three meetings and a lot to do, but just having a day without the commute or teaching live was a needed respite. Continue reading
Posted Mar 18, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Got Mom’s stuff from the SNF
She really doesn’t live there anymore. Continue reading
Posted Mar 8, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Claire and Dave return for the second time
They went to school for 2 days in February (first time in nearly a year). They have 4 scheduled days this week which covers all of March. Any ideas why they aren’t passing considering the monotony of Remote Learning, their anxiety and ADD? I am going a lot easier on my 8th graders (accepting all late work with no penalty, modified assignments, extra credit), and I still have a ton who are not attending at all and failing. The county still plans to do end of grade testing that reflects directly on my teaching. I can save a lot of... Continue reading
Posted Mar 7, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Three in a row to date
I picked up Mom’s ashes and death certificate today after work in Raleigh which was hard. Listed cause of death: Alzheimer’s disease. First (that I know of) it was Grandma Dot, then her only sibling Great Aunt Ruth. Now Mom. Three whip-smart women reduced to helplessness. I pray the research bears fruit before my children age! Continue reading
Posted Mar 5, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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March 7, 2019 - 11:30 a.m.
Posted Mar 1, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Nothing unexpected, but still sad
Mom was cremated yesterday. They said I can wait to get her until the death certificate is done. https://www.cremnc.com/obituary/patricia-whalen?fh_id=16145&fbclid=IwAR01A_-atf9diJalOtEXk5fUgVlrLdWa37bkbJ3H7EVEnLn4WR2Xygebq4M Continue reading
Posted Feb 27, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Was yesterday real?
Grateful Mom is finally at peace. Heartsick for the things she missed and will continue to miss - more determined than ever to stop missing out on all the things I want to do with however much time is left for me. Masters - check Classroom of my own - check Me time - what a novel idea. Continue reading
Posted Feb 25, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Just before 3 a.m.
Posted Feb 24, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Priest came to the SNF tonight
I thought maybe Mom was holding out for him, who knows? After the anointing, prayers and blessings, I was very gently given the boot by the nurses which is completely understandable. The facility is finally covid-free again, no visitors are permitted, yet they let me sit with Mom for 9.5 hours (with two masks and wearing a plastic trash bag over my clothes they call PPE) and they let the priest in too! I am so grateful for the time they gave us together. They promised to call me when the time comes. Continue reading
Posted Feb 23, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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I’m with Mom
Posted Feb 23, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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SNF just called
They said Mom will pass away today. They don’t know if it will be minutes or hours, but all the signs are there. Hospice was notified. They just readmitted her and they’re going to head to her bedside as soon as they can. I’m so glad they let us in yesterday! Continue reading
Posted Feb 23, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Hospice will be recontacted tomorrow
Posted Feb 22, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Fever and dehydration
Mom was discharged from hospice 9 days ago and now she’s sick. She didn’t want to eat today. She’s dehydrated and she has a fever (100 axillary which equals 101 for a traditional check per the nurse manager). Doctor notified, just said continue to monitor and notify the family so that’s what I’m doing. Activate the prayer chain. They gave her Tylenol and extra water, but she’s comfortable. She’s breathing well with a good blood pressure. She has a standing order for morphine, but has never required a dose which is a huge blessing. Rapid covid test negative which makes... Continue reading
Posted Feb 19, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Matt brought the puppy home
Posted Feb 14, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Still trying to clear the building
Mom’s SNF got all the way to 0 infected employees and 3 Covid-positive residents. An employee tested positive so the count is at 4. They’ve been administering vaccines for several weeks so I’m hoping that will give them the break they need. Continue reading
Posted Feb 8, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Poor Pat
My blog began as a lighthearted "Hey, read what my kiddo said!" The past many years it has morphed into a vigil for my mother over the extended course of her Alzheimer's journey. Apparently that is expected to continue indefinitely. The hospice nurse phoned and said Mom's last day on hospice is Wednesday because she's stable again. It would have been 3 years on hospice if she made it to June so I didn't contest that in the slightest - of course hospice care should go to those in a downward spiral. I just feel bad that Mom is stuck... Continue reading
Posted Feb 4, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Birthday Week
It’s Mark’s 56th birthday today. We’re getting barbecue from his favorite restaurant, and it actually snowed this morning. Yesterday would have been my dad’s 76th birthday, and tomorrow would have been Mark’s mom’s birthday as well. (Anecdotally, two of my nieces share my Jan. birthday week, the youngest one born on Jan. 11 like me.) January babies rule! Oh, and Mom is getting her second Covid-19 vaccine right now. The nurse was exasperated having to call everyone for permission again after we just submitted it in writing just a few weeks ago, but CVS is doing the prerequisite CYA. Continue reading
Posted Jan 28, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Guess who?
Somebody ate 100% of her breakfast. Not sure what they served or who was wielding the spoon, but well done! Continue reading
Posted Jan 25, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Latest on outbreak
Up to 63 confirmed cases, only 4 are active. Mom's second covid vaccine will be administered on 2/2/21. I know this blog is outdated and neglected. I will give it a facelift when I have time. Currently every moment is being consumed with grading and finishing out Quarter 2! Continue reading
Posted Jan 15, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Mom
Rex Covid outbreak is up to 61 cases, only 8 are still active. They are administering the Moderna vaccine Monday. I gave consent for Mom to get it. The second dose is scheduled for February 2. Continue reading
Posted Jan 9, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Covid update
56 covid positive during this outbreak (19 of these are currently active). The vaccine cannot come fast enough. Continue reading
Posted Jan 1, 2021 at The Hannah Family
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Two calls from hospice this morning
Scott called to say he noticed it was Mom’s birthday yesterday, and he misses sitting with her. He also said “Your mom is tough. I have worked for hospice for two years, and your mom is the only patient who has been there the whole time.” I already knew Mom must have broken records for longest continuous hospice patient. Megan (hospice nurse) called to say she saw Mom. Mom was sitting up in her wheelchair, vitals are stable, everything is the same. It’s sounds unbelievable, but it’s true! Continue reading
Posted Dec 31, 2020 at The Hannah Family
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Mom is 76 today
I will not be permitted to visit as planned. The current covid outbreak includes 51 infected, but suddenly the facility says only 14 are active so that sounds a lot better! They will begin vaccinations on my birthday (1/11). Mom remains pain-free, eats about 30% of her spoon-fed meals, and is sleeping even more. I try to be grateful and mostly succeed. Then more and more tears. It’s a soul-sucking chasm in which we’ve been caught, and the release is obviously going to be worse. Continue reading
Posted Dec 29, 2020 at The Hannah Family
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4 years ago today
Posted Dec 28, 2020 at The Hannah Family
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