Bill & Karen Fisher

Hi,

Sorry for the mass e-mail but wanted to inform you all of what's going on.

Bill entered the Nursing Home in Bowman on March 24 for rehab so he can get stronger and come home again. I hate that he needs to be in but he is weak and falls. The last time he fell was last Thursday about 12:30 AM, he didn't want to disturb me so tried to get up to go to the bathroom by himself. I heard him hit the floor beside the bed. Then I WAS disturbed as I'm always afraid he will break a bone and I have to pick him up off the floor and he is not able to help much. Thank heaven he hasn't broken any bones. The home put a beeper on him so they know if he tries to get up alone.

A month or so ago they had an opening at St. Ben's home in Dickinson but Bill swore and just refused to go. I think we would have needed 3 men and a straight jacket to get him to go there and I was against it also as I couldn't drive that far daily to see him, especially with the $3.00+ gas. The Bowman home called last week just after his fall. I could hardly hold him up to walk that morning and he really leaned to the right. Bill accepted now that he needed to go in before he breaks something and has to stay there permanently. It was very hard for me to put him in the Nursing Home Monday but I have accepted that I can't do it all. I had no idea how tired I was until Bill went in, with the strain of always listening for him to try to get up by himself, I wasn't getting restful sleep. The last 3 nights I've slept all night. The tightness is out of my shoulders and I'm smiling more. He was complaining at home that I was always telling him what to do and bossing him around. We both said he better go in while we are still friends. Now we can just visit and enjoy being together and smile more. I'm not the bad guy anymore telling him how to walk or drink more water etc. He will get occupational and physical therapy for at least a month.

I don't go to Bowman until afternoon as I vowed to myself I wasn't spending 15 hour days there as we would be paying them and I would be doing the work. I want to catch up on things I need to do around here before he is ready to come home. I haven't had much energy left to do things around here especially the day or so after he has fallen. One week he fell 3 days in a row during the day and I called Bart the last 2 days. I just didn't have the energy to pick him up.

If you'd like to send him an e-mail you can send it to rstrand@swhealthcare.net or to me of course and I will take it in. Bill is adjusting well. He is eating good and likes the food except the spaghetti. Don't know why they don't serve rotinni or a bigger pasta. Maybe the cost.

Bill knows alot of the residents, visitors and staff so he can visit. He didn't know his roommate before tho. Bill talks so quiet that it's hard for some to hear him. He's not much for playing bingo tho.

The ground was white with snow Thursday AM but has melted now. We may get more, now that it's spring and calving time it snows.

Better close and get to Bowman. Love, Karen

Bill & Karen Fisher

I received this from Bill's sister JoAnn and it says it all, be thankful for what we have. I'm so thankful Bill is as well as he is and I can have him home with me. His memory seems better but his strength and ability to walk and get up aren't good.

We had a beautiful day here (64 degrees) so we went into Bowman and walked on the walking path a little till he was tired. May try the Rec. center next week. Love, Karen
This says it all!!!!!