"Up from here" Chapter 12: Alturas (Part Two)

To: Bill & Kathryn Gouveia
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 8:53 PM

Subject: Unpacking is almost complete...

Bill and Kathryn Unpacking is almost complete... How are things with the two of you and your family? I hope you did not think I was avoiding you guys but I have been running myself ragged getting the house in order by way unpacking, at the same time taking care of Mom. I have had very little time for myself since we first moved in. From working on Tuesday to interviewing applicants yesterday for the respite care opening. It seems at times my day never ends. I accomplish more once Mom is finally in bed for the evening. I also once again want to thank both of you for the blessing of this house. I am so thankful and feel blessed by what the Lord is providing for Mom and I. Which reminds me you never did say how much I owe you for the furniture that you left for me. Let me know how much I owe you for the furniture so that I can take care of paying you guys for it. In the mean time I am going to try and getting a little rest and not work as hard tonight and maybe go to bed early than I have the past few days.

BTW: I have hired one of the applicants that I interviewed after checking out her references and the recommendation was on the positive side. I am having her come by tomorrow at 10:00 and I thought the three of us would go to the Senior Center for lunch so that Mom can get used to having a new person around us and to see how they get along and how she deals with my Mom. Well take care and thanks again for all that the two of you have done for Mom and I. We just love our new home.

God Bless,

James

Re: Unpacking is almost complete...?

From: Bill & Kathryn Gouveia Sent:
Fri 10/07/05 7:01 AM

To: James Garland (rocks4me@msn.com)

James,

We are glad that we can help accommodate you and your mother; in fact it is our pleasure. I do not envy you at all; moving has to be one of the most stressful tasks of all. It sounds like things are starting to settle though and that is good. It is absolutely wonderful that you have found a care provider that you are comfortable with.... we were concerned about that.

Please don't apologize; if anyone should feel bad it is us. We have had a very difficult week. Sick children, out of town appointments, meetings, long work hours, and events to coordinate... it has been hectic.

This week has been very stressful for us. I have work I want to do at your house but just have not been able to find the time yet. As for the furniture, you owe us nothing for it. Please consider it to be a house-warming gift. The only thing we may need back is the round end table that was in the master bedroom between the bed and the bathroom. That was borrowed from Kathryn's mother and we will check to see if she wants it back. I must close for now but we will be talking with you soon.

God Bless,

Bill

I did and we rented it right after Kathryn Gouveia's husband Bill Gouveia met my Mom and Feisty for $550.00 a month on that Sunday, September 25, 2005 afternoon appointment. I then started making arrangements for the move to Alturas, California. We rented it for a little over a year and low and behold Dick Steyer bought it from Bill & Kathryn Gouveia and now he was our landlord. Dick Steyer had already met Mom and he and I had no problem with Mom and I living there as he made improvements to put it on the market, but Mom and I could live there until he sold it. Dick Steyer increased the rent a $100.00 to $650.00 per month.

My day on the 21st of February 2007 had started about 4:30 a.m. in the morning just as I was waking up. I went in to check on Mom and she was awake. I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom and she said, "Yes". Mom was unable to get out of bed without assistance from me and this had been going on for a couple days. Where I had to help her sit up and get out of bed, walk to the bathroom.

The day before I thought Mom was getting better because she was able to sit up on her own and to me that was a good sign. But that was the day before, today it seemed like Mom had slipped back into not being able to do it on her own without my assistance. After seeing Mom unable to get up on her own I made the decision that I felt it was time to call 911 and have them come out to get their opinion as to her condition. I asked my Mom is she wanted to go to the hospital (Mom did not like going to the hospital) and she said, "Yes" without any hesitation.

That affirmed for me that Mom needed to go and as fast as I could get her there, without getting stressed or upset as I did during these times of uncertainty. Mom would only go to the hospital if she was really ill, Mom didn't like going to the hospital, (nobody does). I helped Mom up out of her bed to assist her in walking to the bathroom, that way Mom could go to the bathroom before the paramedics arrived. When Mom was done, I then walked her out to the living room, where she could sit down in her lounge chair (it would make it easier) when I called 911 for assistance.

Go to "Up from here" Chapter 12: Alturas (Part Three)

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