UPDATE MOM & DAD

August 14th, 2009 Dad is doing very well lately. He's had a couple of low blood sugar episodes but seems to maintain a "cheery" attitude. He was so happy to go to Allenspark for the Old Allenspark School Reunion Philip and Lee went and got him on Saturday night for the Bison Steaks cookout. He also was very excited about Bliz, Dianne, Earl, and Philip coming to see him. Please write and call him often because he gets lonely. Mom seems to be doing OK but her Alzhiemers is getting worse. Her dog "peanut" died in July and that was really hard on her. Phillip is taking very good care of her and was able to get her another dog to live with her in the assisted living center. Thanks so much to Phillip & family for being so caring to her. Please call her often. Thanks for everyone's support. Lee & Mary

November 2nd, 2008 Dad is doing very well. He has had a couple bouts with pnuemonia but seems to get over it each time. Mary and I are very amazed he is doing so well now. We have been doing the Sheppard Family Tree and Dad is really excited about what we've found in the family. Many of the men lived into thier 90s. Dad's going to do this I think. We visited Mom in Utah on the 25th of October and found her doing well. The care home she lives in is very nice and she really seems to like it. She has lost quite a bit of her mobility & uses her electric scooter a lot. She has almost lost all of her short term memory. Phillip & family are seeing her often and are taking very good care of her. Thanks for everyone's support. Lee & Mary

August 2nd, 2008 Dad is the same. We've been to dinner a few times. He is really addicted to cheesecake and it has to be the "good stuff". Mom was moved in to a nursing home on the 29th of July. I talked to Philip and she seems to be OK but she doesn't like the food. I think she'll be OK. If you need more info on Mom, you can call Philip. Thanks for everyone's support. Lee & Mary

July 6th, 2008 Dad really enjoyed the reunion. He was so happy that as many showed up as could. Dad was absolutely thrilled. We took lots of pictures Lee printed some out and hung them on Dad's wall. He has enjoyed a visit with Earl in early July. We have taken him to dinner many times. Mom was moved out of her home after the reunion and went to live with Philip & family in Utah. Lee has been out to see her recently and she seems to be doing well. She should be in her own apartment soon. Thanks for everyone's support in Mom's move. Lee & Mary

April 20th, 2008 Dad seems to be feeling pretty good now. We've been out to dinner many times. We took him to the big Italian smorgasbord in Northglen for Mary's birthday. He really enjoyed that. He has become addicted to New York Cheese cake so he isn't getting any thinner. Mom is now getting excited about moving to Utah at the end of May if Phil can find a good place for her to live. Mom & Dad are both looking forward to the family coming the end of May. Thanks again for all the family financial & emotional support for Mom & Dad Lee & Mary

March 22nd, 2008 Dad is about the same and we have been taking him out to dinner quite a bit lately. He seems to have gotten better and seems to have a little more energy. They evidently got his pnuemonia under control. He is in good spirits most of the time. Mom keeps getting worse. Her memory is shot and she has been running Mary & I through the mill as well as her helpers. We managed to get Social services to get Mom what she needs after contacting the head of Social services in Washington DC. and filing a discrimination case. It's amazing how that affects the local office and prods them into doing what they ought to be doing after fighting them for about 90 days. Mom had her services about 12 hours after contacting the "big boys". I hope I don't ever have to go through that again. Thanks again for all the family financial & emotional support for Mom & Dad Lee & Mary

February 29th, 2008 Not much difference in Dad. He has had a bout with pnuemonia again & Jason's accident sure has affected him. His lungs are really bad. Hope he lasts awhile at least until Bliz can come visit him. Mom can't remember anything any more. She constantly loses her bank card and is getting pretty hard to deal with. We have been fighting with social services because they have cancelled all her sevices. It seems Boulder County Social services has a problem with discrimination and I swear I'll get to the botom of it. Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

January 30th, 2008 Dad wished a Happy New Year to all. He really wanted to send Poinsettias to everyone but he just couldn't afford it. He's had a couple more bouts with pnuemonia but has pulled through it OK. His lungs are just getting worse. We have taken him out to dinner a couple of times lately and he still really enjoys that. We seem to at least get to visit him weekly. Mom's short term memory has had it and she's really driving us crazy. She fell down in her bathroom recently and couldn't get up and Mary had to rescue her. I can't believe she didn't break anything. She will soon need to go into some sort of assissted living! I will let all of you know so you can help with the transition. Hope you all can come visit them both soon. We do have plenty fo room at our place for you to stay. The money being sent from everyone is very much appreciated! Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

December 7th, 2007 Dad is about the same. He still likes all the attention. Dianne came out to visit him in November and he was so happy to see her. Samantha came too. Earl came out too and spent sometime with him.It was really a highlight to Dad this year. We are getting ready for the Holidays & we hope Dad will feel well enough to be here at our house on Christmas fter missing Thanksgiving. Mom is getting more and more fragile but she still wants to stay in here trailer. She will spend some time with us for the Holidays. She, like Dad, really enjoyed the visits from Earl, Dianne & Samantha. The money being sent from everyone is very much appreciated! Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

October 12th, 2007 Dad had us take him to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse here in Longmont and he swore that this was the last time he would be able to venture out. He's really having a had time breathing. I think his lungs are about to give out. Now would be a good time to visit him. Mom is in good spirits. Lee & Teresa went over and winterized her trailer just yesterday. She really wishes to live in her house and she can do that until it's no longer safe. She goes out quite a bit with her freind Juanita and eats. She still eats quite a bit of Chocolate candy bars. Lee takes her shopping on Sundays. Philip came out and picked her up and took her back to his home in Utah and kept her and the dog for a week and brought them back. That was really a bright spot in her life. We really want to thank Philip and his family. The money being sent from everyone is very much appreciated! Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

August 25th, 2007 Dad is doing OK but still has declining eyesight & hearing. He refuses to wear his hearing aids and complains when people don't "speak-up" He still seems to enjoy the home where he lives. He takes his motorized wheel chair and ventures out to different places. He seems to be getting braver and venturing further lately. Mom has started to recognize more here declining health and the Alzheimer's disease that's gradually taking her memory. The Dr. told her she shouldn't drive anymore so she gave up her car. We go by weekly and take her shopping because she can't drive. She wants to stay in her home as long as possible but if she falls she probably will be forced into a nursing home. When that time comes it won't be much fun. Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

July 12th, 2007 Sorry that this hasn't been updated for awhile but Mary & I have been so busy with Eva's babies but we have been visiting Mom & Dad quite often. At least once a week we get over to see Dad & Mary takes care of Mom's yard now so we see her every week also. Dad's breath is slowly being taken away. He can't do much of anything any more. Everything he does physically is a real chore. He has a motorized wheel chair now and he cruises around quite a bit. He goes to his favorite Italian restuarant which is about 5 blocks away. They know him well there and he has a good time. Mom's alzhiemer's has kicked in pretty good now. She can hardly remember anything any more. She can't drive any more because she gets lost. I don't think it will be long before she doesn't remember any of us.We may have to make different living arrangements for her soon. Please keep the letters and phone calls coming as I know they very much appreciate them. Lee & Mary

February 5th ,2007 We have had snow constant since the week before Christmas and it has been below zero for a long time now. We are looking at the seventh weekend of snow therefore Dad & Mom have not been out much & we haven't been by to visit them as much as we'd like. Isaiah has been sick and we were extremely ill through the holidays. Dad's lungs have taken a beating and he cannot go much on his own without getting real tired. He has a wheel chair now. He's had quite a bout with pnuemonia & says he feels pretty good now.He is on oxygen constantly now. He probably won't get better. Don't forget his 82nd Birthday on the 8th! Mom is still in very good spirits and seems to be about the same and very feeble. We doubt she'll get better either. please keep up the phone calls & letters etc. Lee & Mary

December 17th, 2006 Dad is still doing about the same. They moved him into a different room and tried to put him in a bed without a window so he chewed them out & they gave him a window. He told me he thought he would like to move to a different home so I called the other one in town and they had an opening. I set up an appointment for Dad and us to go check it out but dad called us back and said they offered him everything but the moon at Applewood so he's staying. They're treating him like a king now. We'll see how long it lasts. Mom is about the same and stil in real good spirits. Her TV blew up so we bought her one for Christmas. She is looking forward the Phil and family to come right after Christmas. We will have both Mom & Dad over for Christmas along with Eva & Isaiah. Wishing all a Merry Christmas! Lee & Mary

November 23rd, 2006 Mary & I have been soooooo busy with the baby that I haven't had time to write. Dad seems to be doing fine although his hearing is really getting worse and even though he has a new hearing aid, he won't wear it. He still enjoys where he lives and seems to be in good spirits most of the time. Mom is getting more feeble daily but she still gets around for now anyway. Someone threw a huge rock though her bedroom window and it broke her window and storm window, I had to go repair it in the middle of the night. It really scared her because the rock was about 8" in diameter and weighed about 8lbs and landed on her bed. Luckily she was not in bed yet. Mom & Dad were at our Thanksgiving dinner and so here's the picture. Thanks for all the family support. Lee & Mary

October 1st, 2006 Dad's eyes are getting worse but he still is able to watch TV. Earl sends him music often that he really enjoys. He has a new stereo but it won't play mp3 files but it will play anything else. He enjoys the phone calls & the money. He has found out he can order out and has enjoyed that quite often. We still continue to take him shopping and out to dinner a few times each month. Mom is the same other than the fact that I think each month she gets weaker.I wish she'd stop driving but that won't happen until she wipes something out. Hopefully it won't be some innocent life. Lee & Mary

October 1st, 2006 Dad's eyes are getting worse but he still is able to watch TV. Earl sends him music often that he really enjoys. He has a new stereo but it won't play mp3 files but it will play anything else. He enjoys the phone calls & the money. He has found out he can order out and has enjoyed that quite often. We still continue to take him shopping and out to dinner a few times each month. Mom is the same other than the fact that I think each month she gets weaker.I wish she'd stop driving but that won't happen until she wipes something out. Hopefully it won't be some innocent life. Lee & Mary

August 3rd, 2006 Dad has been in the Hospital twice for several days each time. He's had some breathing problems but the Dr. checked him and said his heart is just fine but his lungs are failing. He's on oxygen and carries his bottle wherever he goes. His good friend in the home passed away a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty hard on him. He is now having problems with an enlarged prostate so I really hope that clears up because that makes him miserable. We haven't been able to take him out for quite some time. He still appreciates the phone calls and spending money. He is looking forward to a visit by Dianne & Anna sometime this summer. Mom is the same. She is still happy with her home but her Alzhiemer's is kicking in worse every month so soon she may not know any of us & may not be able to live on her own. She has a new caretaker so she's OK for now. She also appreciates the phone calls. Lee & Mary

JULY 5th, 2006 I missed the June update with so much going on with the new grandkids but I'll keep this up as good as I can from now on. Dad's lungs seem to be a little worse so he is with oxygen most of the time if he is moving. We had to purchase a new walker for him that would accomodate his oxygen bottle . We used the money the family has been sending him to buy it. He really apreciates it. He had a close friend at the home pass away on the 30th so he's been kind of down. We'll take him out to dinner some time this week to his favorite Italian Restaurant. Mom is still going and still enjoys her home. She is more frail as months pass but she'll be fine there as long as she doesn't fall. Her driving is horrible so I hope she gives it up soon before she kills herself or some innocent bystander! HELP! Lee & Mary

May 16th, 2006 Dad's lungs seem to be better as he uses the oxygen much less lately. He got a new room mate and they moved his bed to the window side of the room and he really enjoys watching the squirrels and birds play outside. We've taken him out several times to his favorite Italian resaurant down the road. He's doing fine & he's enjoying his new phone that Ben & Wanda provided for him. Mom is about the same. She really enjoys her home & The dog. We took her out for Mother's Day for breakfast and cleaned up her yard for her. She's very appreciative of Wava cleaning her house for her when she was there last month. Thanks to everyone who calls her. Lee & Mary

April 20th, 2006 Dad is getting along pretty good now. He has had a respiratory infection and has been short of breath. He is on oxygen most of the time at night to help. We are having a phone installed in Dad's room and should have it ready to go by the 25th of April. his new number is (720) 494-7589. You can call him anytime then and won't have to go through all of the rigamarole. Mom seems to be doing a little better this month even though she is quite crooked when she walks. She is afraid to use her motorized chair and the ramp Philip and Earl built. She is very appreciative of any phone calls she gets from the family. She also likes pictures of the family. If you have some good ones, please send them to her. Thanks for the support! Lee & Mary

March 11th, 2006 Dad is going to have to have a small bottle of oxygen to travel with him when we goes out. He's having a lot of trouble breathing. He is in good spirits and can't wait for more company this summer. Other than the lung problem, he is doing fine. We found a small "Mom & Pop's" Italian Restarant that Dad really likes. He really loves his Italian food! He bought a Pizza for the Nurses and they just raved about it. He really gets good care there. I think the bribes must help some. Mom is about the same. She is in good spirits also but requires quite a little help. Mary went to the Dr. with her yesterday at her request because she's having incontinence problems. "What a joy it is getting old" Thanks to all who call! Lee & Mary

February 14th, 2006 Dad celebrated his 81st birthday on Wednesday the 8th. We invited him to dinner that night but he had to cancel because he was not feeling well. Thanks to all the family for calling him on his birthday. He decided he'd rather go out to breakfast so we took him to IHOP on Sunday. He was feeling a lot better. He gets tired very easy and has been having a hard time breathing so he is now on oxygen at night when he sleeps. He still has good days & bad. He still likes all the attention from the nurses & aides. Mom is about the same. She is putting on weight on the top but not in the legs or arms. She is very weak. I don't think it'll be too long before she won't be able to walk. Especially if she gets any heavier. She's getting weaker and still seems to be in a lot of pain most of the time. If she falls she will be in real trouble but she won't pay anyone to check up on her even though she has the money so I'm not going to worry about it. When she falls she will have to, at that time, move into a home I think. I know she has the start up of alzhiemer's because she can't remember much but she is on medication that may stave it off for awhile. Thanks to those of you who call. Lee & Mary

January 18th, 2006 Dad is about the same as last month and still enjoys all the attention he gets at the center. We've been to Johnny Carino's a couple times lately and had Dad over to watch the football games on Sunday. He get's real excited about football. His eyes are still causing him trouble and he complains about them. He got some new hearing aids awhile ago but he won't wear them so we have to keep the TV really loud so he can hear what's going on. Mom, I swear, looks older every time we see her which is about once a week. She keeps saying she'll get stronger but I think her strength is really declining. She has the new ramp & the motorized wheel chair but she won't use them. She will have to one day when she can no longer walk or drive. She still seems very happy to be living in her own home. I don't know how long this will be practical either. But, we take each day at a time and will notify all the relatives if something really important comes about. We wish all of you a prosperous & Happy New Year. Lee & Mary

December 12th, 2005 Dad has made quite the turnaround here in the last month or so. He seems to be really happy now that he has some money to spend and is at ease with the family who calls quite often. Mary & I thank those of you who call regularly and send Dad some spending money. We've taken Dad several times out to Johnny Carino's Italian restarant and Dad really loves Italian food! His eyesight keeps changing so I don't know for how long he will see well. He could read for awhile but that all went away pretty soon because of the diabetes. His spirits seem to be up right now. Hope it lasts for a long time. Mom is still about the same. I think she's, at this point, battling a little bit of Alzheimer's. Sometimes she can't find her way home to her house after coming to see us or to see Dad. She is on medication for it & hopefully it won't get worse too quick. She's scared to death we'll take her car away from her but I'm afraid she might run over someone. Dad swears she drives on the sidewalk but Dad can't see too well so I don't know how bad it really is. I told her she could continue to drive as long as her Dr. says it's OK. (she's on our insurance because she couldn't afford insurance on her own). It'll be a real battle when the time comes. Wish I didn't have to make that decision. Maybe we (the family) could vote on this sometime so I wouldn't look like the "bad guy". Thanks! Lee & Mary Mary & I will be heading out on the 24th of December to ride the train to Glenwood Springs and stay throught the 25th then back on Monday the 26th. Please, if you can, call Mom & Dad on Chritmas day. I think Teresa or Amanda may plan a little something for them on Christmas Day. Here's wishing all the Family a Very Mery Christmas!

November 8th, 2005 Dad seems to be really happy now that he knows his kids are OK. I'd like to thank every family member who sent Dad some money. It really changes his attitude on life. He really enjoys this Italian restaurant called Johnny Carinos and we take him there to spend some of his money. He's still enjoys his Tabasco sauce and eats quite a bit of sugarless candy & spanish peanuts. He has been seeing a specialist for his eyes and they may get better but we're not holding our breath. He has had some problems with his prostate that seems to be a bit enlarged enough so he sometimes needs to be catheterized which is painful and he hates. He had a small operation to downsize his prostate so maybe he won't need to be catheterized again for a while. Mom seems to be doing about the same but she is in quite a lot of pain most of the time but she keeps going. She enjoys the phone calls from her kids & family so please keep it up. I couldn't get the whole family to contribute to Dad's cause but he really thanks those who could help out. The food at the home is good & nourishing but awful bland of course, and Dad really enjoys going out when we can take him which we do at least once a week. Again, Mary & I have spent zero of Dad's money. Thanks! Lee & Mary

September 9th, 2005 We have made some trips to the emergency room a couple times because Mom has a stricture in her throat and couldn't swallow. She had some dialation done at the day surgury center twice so far. Dad really enjoyed the company he had lately consisting of Dianne and her 4 grand children. We brought Dad to the house for the day each weekend and this weekend he was very short of breath and they are struggling with his diabetes & trying to get it under control. He moved to a new room again and this room is bigger and he really likes his room mate mow. We'll just see how long it lasts! Dad could still use your phone calls and any money you could send. He is almost broke. He has a new hearing aid and he is getting new glasses but they cost $75.00. He now has less than $100.00 in his account. Please help! Thanks! Lee & Mary

August 17th, 2005 Dad is still doing well but his eyes got a little worse and he's getting a little more hard of hearing. He is going to go in this month for some new glasses and hearing aids. He is so excited about Dianne & the kids coming that he can hardly stand it. Mom would like to think that she is getting better but she seems to get a little worse each month. She is pretty weak. The motorized wheelchair she has will be a blessing soon. She has good days & bad but seems to be in good spirits most of the time. She could also use some contact more with her kids & grandkids! I need to thank Philip and his family for coming out on their vacation and spending some time with Mom & Dad and building the ramp for Mom's motorized wheel chair. Thanks to Earl also for helping Phil finish the project. They didn't even fight about it! This means so much to the parents to see the kids from time to time. Sam and her fiance' visited dad on thier way to Iowa City to college. Thanks to them also for visiting. Any of the brothers and sisters who sent money for Dad this month it is sure appreciated & please keep it coming. He really does need it. Thanks to Ben & Wanda for the care package for Dad with the Walmart gift certificates and all the nuts, sugarless candies & hot sauces. It really is good to be in such a caring family. Dad & Mom go out a few times a month together and seem to enjoy each others company more & more. Thanks! Lee & Mary

July 19th, 2005 Dad is still doing about the same. His eyes are better and he no longer needs glasses except to read. I want to thank the family members that have sent Dad some money. Please try to make it a monthly contribution. You should see his eyes light up when he gets the money. He has been "bribing the nurses" with donuts. They really like him and he really likes them. I guess he must think they are too thin. We took Dad out to breakfast on Sunday and let him drive Mary's new T-Bird in the industrial complex across from our house. I with one hand on the emergency brake and Dad with a smile on his face you couldn't have chopped off with a hatchet. Here's a picture of Dad and the Bird. He gave copies to the Nurses. Thanks! Brother Lee

June 4th, 2005 I hope that all Sheppard family members that can help will. Dad hs no money. The nursing home charges all he has coming in from Social Security and his very small Veteran's pension. That leaves him with $50.00 a month of money to spend. He exeeds that & Mary & I make up for it. He does not know this. He needs $150.00 a month to continue his lifestyle. Mary & I have been doing his laundry & taking him places weekly. He has gotten back to good relationship with Mom and they have lunch once in a while. They now finally, after all these years are beginning to enjoy each other's company. I really hate to tell him to slow down because it is so little and the only thing he has to look forward to. If you could send $10-15-20 a month to him as a gift to him, it would be appreciated. He doesn't comprehend the finances any more and will probably tell you he doesn't need it but he does. Mary & I will continue to take care of Dad & Mom but could use some help from all of you. Another way to help would be to send sugarless candy and/or peanuts or at least, call once a week. This is a major monthly expense & is what Dad spends most of his money on. Please use the above address. (Since Dad has been here Mary & I have not spent a penny of his money & he has paid us for nothing.) Mom needs a ramp built. Any carpenters in the family that could come and build it for her? I cannot do it. If I did, it would fall down. Thanks! Brother Lee

April 25th, 2005 Dad went in Monday, April 11, to get the cataract on the other eye removed. He is doing well but says he thinks he'll still need glasses. I wish my eyes were that good! Please come visit or call him. He would so much appreciate it.

March 4, 2005 Dad turned 80 on February 8, and we took him to dinner. The nurses in the Home gave him a lot of attention. He really likes them. On Monday the 24th of February he had cataract surgery on his right eye which is the worst eye. It worked out well because he can now read a magazine again. He will get his left eye done in a few weeks. Please call or visit Dad when you can because he gets pretty lonely. If you visit him and he is asleep , wake him up, He said because he can sleep anytime but gets very few visitors.

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