I see that I was going to make another video according to my last post... but, that clearly didn't happen. Maybe it'll happen soon... no promises. 

A little update on what's happened over the past 6 months.

• I don't recall the details, but something with her insurance and the out patient shenanigans didn't quite jive. Part of it might have been her shoulder surgery and they wouldn't see her until she had full clearance to do anything with her arm. I don't remember... I just remember insurance companies doing what they do best. Argh.
• Before she came home in February, she used some of the GoFund me money to get a new bed frame that can sit-up for her with some buttons. This seems to have been very helpful for her.
• Once she got home, Shayne came for a stay to help get her settled in. While he was there, they used some more GoFund me money to replace her toilet. Shayne helped install a higher toilet with a bidet. This bidet has become very handy and she has come to rely on it. She is often worried about using the bathroom in public or if she were to go visit friends or family.
• She's driving. Yeah, y'all can be thankful you don't live in GA and if you do... buckle up!! Joking! But, I think she knows her limits and only takes the backroads. If her arms aren't working well enough, she won't try.
• Her shoulder: well, it's not doing great and they are recommending surgery again. She initially told me she didn't want to do it because she didn't want to go through it all over again. She still can't do a lot of things and another shoulder operation would really set her back with what independence she has gained. I think after a few talks with various family members, she finally decided to move forward with surgery, but this time she will do a shoulder replacement. This won't happen for a few months as that's when they could get it scheduled.
• Work: She went back to work about two weeks ago!!! Baby steps, but progress is progress. It's a lot for her, so as of now, she is going Tues/Thurs/Saturday for just a few hours. It's very difficult for her to stand for long periods of time right now, but hopefully the return to work will help get her moving and stronger. Maybe it'll be a little bit of physical therapy she hasn't been getting. 
• Bathroom Remodel: I went to visit my dad at the end of June as he was diagnosed with lung cancer and starting chemo treatment. While I was there with the baby, I couldn't help but dream about fixing their bathroom in the basement to be more functional.. taller countertops and a kitchen sized sink. I carefully plotted and mapped out various scenarios, but I also knew the cost was more than what we had remaining in the GoFund me which was roughly a thousand dollars. After getting the approval from my sister (it's her house and I want to instal a kitchen sink in a bathroom!!!) and asking B.T. if he'd be able to drive up with tools to help make this happen, I returned home and started planning from Hawaii! I tried my very best to keep it a 'bathroom' look, but function as a kitchen, too. Ha. 

The bathroom remodel was completed in the 48 hour time frame we had to complete it. Everyone contributed where they could and I think it turned out great. As any renovation does, we ran into a few unexpected problems and had a few good laughs. A funny and not so funny laugh was when Crystal decided she'd try to brush her teeth after we had shut the water off to the house... she didn't realize that opening a pipe line three stories high would release all the water pressure and flood the bathroom we were working in... three stories below! Another good laugh was when BT asked me to pass him a weight and I, tired and confused at 3am, passed him the 50lb weight sitting on the counter. He thought I was joking, but I had no idea he wanted the weight for the faucet. Doh! I should have known that's what he wanted because I have installed a million pull out faucets... but he asked for a weight and I delivered. We tried to salvage the glass mirror and put Fernando up to the task of cutting a few inches off. It didn't end so well and I didn't expect it to, but I think the new mirror size goes better with the new setup! 

The last thing we did before we finished was lift the fridge on bricks. This was my idea and a cheap experiment. But, she hates it. So, we shall figure out how to lower the fridge off the bricks, haha.

And, one last thank you for all the donations. Between the bed frame, toilet & bidet, and now the bathroom 'vanity,' we have used up all the money. 

And, if you leave her any comments, don't forget to wish her a happy 68th birthday Wednesday!!!