Addy Cemetery Event on July 21

On Sunday, July 21, seventeen Staeheli’s and Staly’s met at the Alpine Chalet restaurant in Chewelah for lunch before going to the Addy Cemetery.  This was the first time some of us had met.

Our purpose, after getting acquainted during lunch, was to place a grave marker for Casper Albert Staeheli who died at the Staeheli Homestead on June 8, 1912.  His grave has been unmarked for 101 years.

The weather was perfect as we prepared the ground and laid a bed of gravel to support the marker.  This was a team effort which resulted in completing the placement of a permanent gravestone.  Anyone visiting the site will know exactly where the patriarch who brought the Staeheli family to the United States is buried.

After the ceremony we drove to the former Staeheli homestead on Swiss Valley road where the foundation of the old family home is visible as well as the remains of a small barn built in the traditional Swiss way. 

The group posed for photos before going our separate ways.

Den Dempsey Update for July 28

Den has had a speaking valve on his trach for two days and is using his voice.  Today he sat up on the side of the bed unaided. Balance is a big thing at this point. 

In the gym he holds onto a bar and stands up and sits and stands and sits several times to strengthen leg and stomach muscles.  On some days he's kind of depressed and works less than others.  But who wouldn't be depressed?! 

All in all, he's doing well.  He'll be at Everett Care and Rehab for a few months, and welcomes visitors.  I won't send reports for a while as I know you're tired of them, and the news will be pretty much the same every day.

Thanks to all of you for your support and concern. I am more grateful than I can say. 

With love, Irene

Den Dempsey Update for July 24

Den goes every day to the rehab gym where he stands at the bar and then uses various machines. He seems to like it but gets very tired.

The speech therapist works with him for an hour, the OP for an hour and the PT for an hour, so he has a very full and tiring morning.  I spend every day all day with him and we watch TV or stroll around the place, me with his wheel chair. We are good company for each other.

He enjoys the cards and the good wishes from friends and family. I read them all to him and tell him about phone calls.  With so much love and friendship behind him, I know he'll make a good recovery. 

Thanks to all. With love, Irene

Den Dempsey Update of July 13 by Irene Dempsey

Den has been moved to Everett.  He is at 1919 112th SW.  He has a good therapy team and he's making tiny steps forward. It will be months, but I will bring him home as soon as he is able.

When he's home we'll have a party and invite all of you to welcome him back from this very long and difficult journey.  The first big step is to get the trach out so he can talk. The speech therapist believes it may happen within a couple weeks. I'll miss some of his facials though.

Right now when I'm trying to guess what he's indicating and I guess wrong, he rolls his eyes as if to say,  "How dumb can she be?!", and it's such a funny expression. 

It's nice that I have absolutely nothing to do now but be with him.  I spend every day at the rehab center and I'm learning a lot. The staff there is so great - patient and good humored. Wonderful people.

Den Dempsey Update for July 6 by Irene Dempsey

Den is now doing too well to be in a hospital and will be moved in a few days to a Rehab Facility in Everett.  I'll let you know when and where.

He is working hard with therapists and it's a slow road, but he is up to it.  He voiced some words yesterday with the cap on the trach. We go our every day in the wheel chair and I take him for a walk - the weather has been so beautiful ! 

And Zada can walk with us and sit with us in the courtyard. She is allowed inside, but she doesn't like the smell of the hospital. It will months of relearning and building muscles, but I am hopeful of a good recovery. 

I spend every day all day with him and am learning all the things I need to know to care for him when we get home again. I send to all of you my sincerest thanks for your concern and good wishes, and much love from Den and me. 
Irene

Den Dempsey Update for June 24 by Irene Dempsey

Den is very weak and has lost weight and muscle, having been in bed so long, but he is working very cooperatively with the therapists and making "baby step" progress - but progress nonetheless. 

I am with him every day for at least five hours, and I have been given tips on how to help with exercises when the therapists aren't there.  He sleeps a lot, which is necessary, I'm sure, for his recovery. 

I read the cards to him and I know he appreciates everyone's concern and good wishes. Love to all.

Irene

Tom Staly Sr. Moves to Kennewick

After living in his Spokane Valley home from August, 1960 until now, Tom Staly Sr. (92 years old) made the decision to move to Kennewick to the Hawthorne Court Apartments.  The actual move was done on June 21, 2013.

This was not an easy decision.  Dad’s health has been problematic and we learned just recently that he suffers from Congestive Heart Failure with attendant symptoms that make mobility challenging.

Hawthorne Court specializes in providing services to elderly residents.  Dad will have three meals each day, assistance with bathing and dressing, transportation to medical care providers, daily activities and is being watched every hour during a 24 hour day.  He is receiving the highest level of personal services until the staff get to know him well.  Their goal is to enable dad to be independent and to improve his physical strength and stimulate his social interactions with staff and other residents.

His apartment has one bedroom, a living room and a small kitchen.  We are arranging his furniture and putting photos, pictures and other memorabilia on the walls. 

Dad is generally lucid and communicates clearly with visitors.  He experiences some confusion when tired or after waking.  He will ask about the day or time then respond that he understands. 

Dad has a powered scooter which is very maneuverable and his first decision when we were moving in was to take a tour of the 9 acre campus on his own.  A 6 foot glass window in his living room has a hinged 3 foot door opening to a small patio facing a grassy courtyard with a paved sidewalk winding through.  Dad can ride his scooter on the sidewalk to travel around the facility.  Every part of the facility is accessible indoors as well.

A heated outdoor pool is one feature Dad requested and we will schedule activity time for him in the pool to help build his strength and relieve the pain in his legs and back.

Next week a phone will be connected so he can make or receive calls.

His address is:    Hawthorne Court

                           Room J-17
                              524 North Ely
                           Kennewick, WA 99336