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FÉE NEWS
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29th July 2010
Fée has been in the Resthaven Nursing Home at Murray Bridge for just 7 weeks now (moved in on June 4th) and her health has deteriorated dramatically in that time as the contrasting images below record. At nearly 96 it appears that she was just too old and frail for such a drastic change in her life. A combination of changed medication, accidental handling bruising (by otherwise well meaning and caring nursing home staff) and the finality of the move itself appear to have accelerated her heart issues which had been relatively stable until the move. She is now bedridden and unable to use her frame or walk. The nursing home staff are certainly very kind and it appears to be a well run institution on the whole.
Fée still has all her mental faculties, but is bedridden and hand fed, can't spend much time talking and is now too weak to answer her phone. Those old friends and relatives who want to spend some time with her, I suggest make the trip sooner rather than later and whilst she doesn't talk too much I am sure she will appreciate the visit. HOWEVER, PLEASE CONTACT JOSEPHINE - on mobile 0412 761 846 - PRIOR TO A PLANNED VISIT TO PICK A GOOD DAY (ie to avoid too many people visiting her on the same day - which has happened in the past few days).
Hague
FĖE'S HEALTH HAS DETERIORATED BADLY IN JUST 7 WEEKS .........
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| FROM THIS AT RENMARK HOME on JUNE 4TH ..... | TO THIS .... at MURRAY BRIDGE NURSING HOME on JULY 26TH |
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| Fée's is nearing her end now 26th July 2010 |
Just two weeks prior on July 10th - an outing
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| Fée off to her last lunch out - Murray Bridge Hotel 10th July 2010 | ....and in her room afterward |
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| At Murray Bridge Hotel 10th July 2010 |
4th June 2010
| Fée is Moved to Murray Bridge - Resthaven! | |
| For the last four months, Hague, Josephine and Lydia have shared the care of Fée in her own home at 60 Tenth Street Renmark and it has been a most enjoyable time for me personally (Hague), although it has involved a lot of travelling. Recently it was decided to put Fée on the waiting list for a nursing home place in case she had further setbacks where she could no longer be looked after by family at home. The Resthaven at Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge was selected to be a nearer location for Jose and Hague. She was assessed by Resthaven as being of high need and on the 28th May suddenly a place became available. It was decided that it was best for her to take the opportunity rather than go to the bottom of the list should we reject the offer. This was a huge and unexpected shock for all and we had less than a week to make the shift.
Dear Carer, Daphne brushes Fée's hair for the last time at her home in Renmark on day of departure |
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Lydia & Hague load Fée's gear bound for Murray Bridge |
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Lydia & Jose hang pictures in Fée's new room at Resthaven |
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Resthaven staff check Fée in - this is a very sad day for me (Hague). I hope she can adjust ?
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31st January 2010
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Fée is Back Home! |
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Nothing like a haircut to lift a girls spirits .... with a visit from hairdresser Sandy! Late 2009, Fée had some further health setbacks and hospital time with a period recovering at Jose and Clyde's Murray Bridge home and then with Lydia and Andrew at Murtho for Xmas and the weeks following. On the 25th January, she returned to her home in 10th Street Renmark and is now enjoying her familiar surroundings. Although very, very frail, with failing eyesight and experiencing bouts of severe fatigue she is still 'Fée' and as sharp as ever. She now requires 24 hour care and her children Jose, Hague and Lydia will provide that in her home on a live-in rostered basis with assistance from Community Aged Care. Hague has set up an office in the spare room and will travel from Adelaide on a weekly basis and operate the internet sales side of his business from there (4 days a week) with the girls sharing the balance of live-in care time. For those planning to visit Fée, please phone beforehand as quite often with the sudden bouts of severe weakness, she is not able to receive guests. Fée's relates that her long time friend and doctor Kevin Wilson described, as her Mother Else's health failed, what her final journey might be like. He said that "her health would deteriorate in steps, like stepping down the rungs of a ladder"..... Fée says she feels that she is now descending that ladder too ... "Laugh and world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone" .... was one of Else's favourite sayings she says ..... and holds Fée in good stead now. |
6th September 2009
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Fée's 95th Birthday today ! |
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Fée is well and was in very good spirits today ..... a quiet birthday today in Renmark celebrated with nephew Ricky Brocksopp (who is visiting from the UK), brother Ivan, granddaughter Kirstine, grandson Josh Showell and Hague and his family Carolyn, Alex and Jessie Showell..... Sam could not make it. Saturday afternoon some time was spent on the Riverbank at the Paringa Caravan Park (where Hague and family are staying) and today Ivan, Kirstine & Josh joined for a birthday lunch at Fée's.
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Josephine and Clyde could not attend as they are still in WA babysitting Clyde's grandchildren to son Nigel.
Lydia is in Sydney excitedly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild to daughter Alex (baby was due today).
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Kirstine kindly brought some "Queen's Tears" - Bilbergia from the garden at 'Tong' which are pictured. These were from the bush given to Fée by her mother some 70 years ago. |
Ricky awaiting the bus to Melbourne this afternoon after the birthday celebration, with Alex Showell farewelling. |
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Hague Showell 6-9-2009 |
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16th November 2008
Fée is well and walking with assistance. She had her 94th birthday in September and continues to receive great care from Govt support agencies at her home. Some new images below.
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i Fée off for a drive in Hague's new toy - Nov 2008. |
In her front garden seeing off her guest. |
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Proud that she can stand again, following her March stroke. |
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9th June 2008
In the short time that Fée has been back at her home in Renmark, she has improved her mobility remarkably and is enjoying life again with wonderful assistance from carers who visit morning and evening, Meals on Wheels and of course Lydia.
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Fée and Hague 9th June 2008 |
Fée with dear carer and friend Joanna |
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18th May 2008
Having spent over 9 weeks at the Daw Park Rehab Unit in Adelaide, Fée was quite excited to be returning to her home at 10th Street Renmark on Tuesday last, 13th May. Although she is still very determined to live at home and can move around a little on her walking frame, she is still quite weak and will need support and help from her carers for some time.... perhaps indefinitely ...
She is very appreciative of the beautiful flowers, cards, letters and supportive visits she received whilst at Daw Park from her many friends and family. She was not able to reply or send thankyou notes, as she normally would have done, due to her failing eyesight and physical limitations and I do extend thanks to you all on her behalf.
I am sure she would appreciate calls and visits, now that she is back home and mornings are the best time to contact her as she does get very tired by early afternoon.
On behalf of the family, I thank you all once again for the generous support and interest shown Fée over the last couple of months.
Hague 18/5/08
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Easter 2008
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Image above - Fée at Daw Park Rehabilitation Hospital - Good Friday, March 21st, 2008
As most of you would have heard by now, Fée suffered a stroke early in March, losing use of her left arm and leg. She spent a week in Renmark Hospital, before coming down to Daw Park Rehabilitation Unit in Adelaide where she is currently working on her recovery.
Fée is in good spirits, has lost none of her mental acumen and is very determined to recover. She now has some use of both leg and arm and working hard on rails and frame. In talking to another younger rehab patient, she said that "Fée is VERY determined and it made me sit up and think and try harder".
Fée had her first stroke a year ago also causing partial loss of use of her left side - but from which she fully recovered to walking normally again without a frame. This event was more severe and time will tell ....
Happy Easter all !
Hague
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... more pictures of Fée with Clyde at Daw Park 19th March 2008 |
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Site Launched: 25th December 2007; Last Updated: 26th July 2010 |
