A Simple Celebration of Macrine's 82nd Birthday

Dodie is not on the photo, since he decided to take a short nap after lunch since he was still suffering from jet lag after 6 weeks of cruise and vacation in New Zealand and Australia.

Yesterday at about Noon we celebrated Macrine's 82nd birthday with a simple lunch of Honey baked Ham, potato salad, pancit ( for long life), dinuguan, puto ( rice cakes), green salad, and home-made bread ( brought by our neighbor-Lina Edison). For dessert we had Cheese Cake and Ice Cream. Today March 26 is her real birthday date along with our grand daughter Elaine King and first cousin Yong Elizalde Nieva.

Besides Me and David III our guests were Ian and Sara DiCampli, Lina Edison ( our neighbor), Dodie, Ditas, Carenna and Jean Maeda. I was surprise to see Dodie as well as Jean. Dodie and wife Ruth are still suffering from jet lag, since they just arrived from a 6-week cruise and vacation in Australia and New Zealand. Jean was not sure of attending since she just got out working from the night shift. Thank you Jean and Dodie for attending. Your Manang and Mom was teary eyed after you left.

Ian shared some good news. He and Sara are now residing in a condo by themselves in mid town Sacramento. I was happy to learn they are getting independent as young adults. I know Ian does not want me to mention about great grand kids, but looking at how happy Ian and Sara together makes me wonder, the time of Macrine and I to have great grandchildren appears in the very near future.

Ditas had some good news also. The room extension of her residence in Sacramento is now finished. A grand opening for Yoga and Art Classes had been scheduled for April 22. Here's her announcement in FB:

SAVE the DATE- Sunday, April 22nd (Earth Day) for the GRAND OPENING of my new outdoor yoga and art studio! Art classes and Kundalini Yoga coming to East Sac! #createsacredspace #alongiyardscapes.

A Birthday Today and Two this Coming Monday at the David Katague Household

Macrine and the 4D's and Me on her 80th Birthday, March 26, 2016.

Today March 23 is Ditas birthday, my youngest daughter. We had a grand celebration during her 50th birthday three years ago as posted in the following posting.

http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=ditas+50th+birthday

Here's a short bio of Ditas latest accomplishments: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/bios/katague-ditas.html

This coming Monday, March 26 will be Macrine's 82nd Birthday and Elaine King-my granddaughter( daughter of Dinah). For Details on Elaine's birthday, visit her FB page.

We will have a simple celebration this Sunday with just relatives and a our next door neighbor and friend. I will purchase Pinoy delicacies and goodies from our neighborhood Filipino Grocery store and restaurant.

The following are some of the photos taken 2 years ago during Macrine's 80th Birthday.

http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=macrine%27s+80th

Macrine is Out of Rehab and Enjoying Home Life Again

This morning we checked out from Manor Care Center(MCC) after staying only for 5 days. So Macrine total Rehab days were only 15, but with 60 days of home visit from a visiting nurse, PT, OT, and nurses aid if needed. More important is the memory therapy mentioned by the speech therapist at Manor Care.

I decided to maintain her sanity so we checked out 5 days earlier than the standard rehab days( 20 days) paid by Medicare.

We were very happy with the services of Manor Care. However, since there was a no smoking area in the whole care center, Macrine was not happy, moody and irritable. So I encourage her to do her PT religiously ( walking with a walker) and today she is about 85% recovered.

The memory therapy was the first service I heard this year. It teaches the patient to automatically do an action with out thinking or as if it is a natural action to do. In Macrine's case she has to use her walker every time she walks without me or David III reminding her all the time. I hope this memory therapy works.

We got reacquainted with about 10 old employees ( nurses and aids) that also served us last year when Macrine was doing her rehab at Manor Care. With the exception of the head and one employee all the PT personnel were new ( less than one year), thus they were conscientious of their job. MCC PT department is better than the PT Department in Whitney Oaks.

With Macrine at home, my life is backed to normal. I could enjoy my own bed and do my own thing ( blogging and watching my favorite TV shows).

Again, Thank You To all who send their wishes for Macrine speedy recovery and concerned of Macrine's health.

Ten Days at Whitney Oaks Care Center

Today I am transferring MACRINE to Manor Care, another rehab home near us in a private room. I will be paying extra dollars from my personal account, since private room is not covered by Medicare or my Insurance- Blue Cross Blue Shield. My decision to transfer her are based primarily on convenience and on some services and miscommunication here at Whitney Oaks, Carmichael.

Manor Care is only 5 minutes from our residence whereas Whitney Oaks is 30 minutes and heavy traffic all day.

In general Services at Whitney Oaks are good. There are several excellent nurses, nursing assistants, PT and OT personnel and other services ( social and activity). However one rotten apple can ruin the basket.

An incident of miscommunication: Macrine takes her Levo-Dopa ( Sinemit) for her Parkinson 3 times a day after each meal. If she takes it before her meal, she is too sleepy to eat. Moreover if she takes it with an empty stomach, the side effects are more pronounced. I communicated this to Rehab Doctor as well as all the nurses in all shifts. I thought this was written in her Chart, but evidently not. The order in the chart is to give her Levo-Dopa at 7AM, 12 Noon and 4PM. I was surprise to see 4PM in the order, since at home she gets it after 6PM after our early dinner. Macrine's supervise meals are served at 7Am, 12n and 5PM

Anyway when I am around, the nurses give her Sinemet right after meals. Yesterday, there was a new nurse on Macrine Station. I took a break from 3 to 5PM to let the cleaning lady inside our house. When I came back, Macrine was drugged and would not wake up for her dinner. I was suspicious that the nurse had given her Parkinson's medication. I confronted the nurse and she confirmed she gave it at 4PM as written in the order. Thus it confirmed that my request to give her meds after each meal was never revised in her chart order.

Macrine slept for 3 hours ( from 5 to 8). I requested her meals be refrigerated and served after she wakes up. The CNA ( nurses aid) was very accommodating as well as the night nurse supervisor. When Macrine woke up, her dinner was microwaved and she eat it with gusto. I stayed with Macrine until she was ready to sleep at 10PM.

Another incident and major error could have occurred last night if I were not around. At About 9PM, a vampire( travelling personnel who withdraws blood) came to our room asking us for Macrine's blood. I was suspicious and I ask her what is the purpose and who ordered her. She was not able to answer, so she left our room and went to the other wing. I ask the nurse who order the blood test. She did not know. Fifteen minutes later, the vampire came back to our room and draws blood from Macrine's room mate who just checked in that afternoon. When she finished I thought It was Macrine's turn. However, the vampire left our room and waved good bye, saying that it was not needed.

Lesson Learned: Always ask if you feel suspicious orders not explained to you!

I am writing this before I drive to Macrine to get her ready for the transfer to Manor Care this afternoon. I am thanking all the Whitney Oaks personnel who did their best to serve Macrine and her rehabilitation needs during this last 10 days. Special mention and thanks to nurse( Debbie), Assistants-Martha and Anna and the social and activity heads who are both Filipino-Americans.

Binging on Another Award Winning TV Series-Homeland

I just finished 8 seasons of an award winning TV series-Shameless. I searched for another award winning series in Showtime. I found the Series Homeland and now starting Season 1. Incase you have not heard of this TV series, here's a summary from Wikipedia.

Homeland is an American spy thriller television series developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War (Original title Hebrew: חטופים‎, translit. Hatufim, literally "Abductees"), which was created by Gideon Raff.

The series stars Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, a Central Intelligence Agency officer with bipolar disorder, and Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody, a U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper. Mathison had come to believe that Brody, who was held captive by al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war, was "turned" by the enemy and poses a threat to the United States. The series focuses on a storyline that evolves from this premise, together with Mathison's ongoing covert work.

The series is broadcast in the U.S. on the cable channel Showtime, and is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios (formerly Fox 21). It premiered on October 2, 2011. The first episode was made available online, more than two weeks before the television broadcast, with viewers having to complete game tasks to gain access.

The series has been renewed for a seventh and eighth season; the eighth is planned to be the series' final season by the creators. The seventh season premiered on February 11, 2018.

The series has received generally positive reviews, with its first two seasons gaining universal critical acclaim. It has won several awards, including the 2011 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama and the 2012 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for its first season, the 2012 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama for its second season, as well as the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Damian Lewis and Claire Danes, respectively.

Macrine's Tribulations Post Hip Surgery Last Week

Macrine's fell last Feb 28 when she got out of her walker. She did not scream ( last year she did). We were able to help her stand up and she walk with a slight limp. David and I examined her head, legs and arms and there were no bruises. She said she was ok except for a muscle pain on her thigh. We called Dr Kramer's office ( he was out of town) for a muscle relaxant. WE gave her aspirin and she was able to sleep. The next day her pain on the right thigh continues and Dr Kramer's office suggested we go to Urgent Care for an X'ray. After waiting at Urgent care for 2 hours Macrine got her X'ray. The result was not conclusive. Urgent Care suggested we sent her to the Emergency for Confirmation. We got a medical transport to the San Juan Mercy Hospital( Carmichael) nearby It took only 30 minutes for confirmation, that she had a fracture on her right hip and needed surgery immediately. Numerous tests, blood, and pre-operation procedures were done for her surgery in the morning. From the emergency room, Macrine was transferred to a Regular Hospital Room at the 6th Floor ( the Tower) of the newly built addition Hospital wing. The next morning she went to surgery as scheduled( March 1). Everything went smoothly. Dr Fujii, the orthopedic surgeon performed a closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation on Macrine's right hip. After surgery Macrine was wheeled back to her Room on the Tower.

The room was spacious, clean and an extra couch bed where I slept overnight and for the next four nights after the operation. The nurses, assistants and medical services ( food and other amenities) were excellent except for one incident as Follows:

Since Macrine is diabetic her blood sugar was monitored closely. Her regular medication at home is 500mg of Metformin( Oral). However, the hospital do not used metformin as it can interfere with other tests according to the nurses. Instead they use long acting Insulin Injection. Day 2 Macrine was ready to set down and perky and got out of her bed. Her blood sugar ranges from 100 to 180. The Hospital doctor predicted she should be out in 2 more days if there are no infections ( no fever) and if her blood test ( every morning the Vampire attacks Macrine early at 5AM) are normal. In the night of Day 3, Macrine blood sugar was 100. I told the nurse not to give her the insulin. She did not listened to me so in the morning Macrine blood sugar went down to 65. Macrine was lethargic and slept all day. They give her Glucose in her IV. Her blood sugar went up to 270 and finally stabilized the next day at 140. She developed a fever, so they gave her Vancomycin and another antibiotic via IV. Macrine finally woke up from her lethargy ( 36 Hours). An EEG, MRI and CTS were done. All were normal and Macrine was discharged on March 5. We were immediately transferred to a Rehabilitation facility that same day.

We wanted to use Manor Care as the Rehab since last year we were able to get a private room for only $100 daily as my personal expense ( not covered by Insurance) and its five minutes from home. We were told they are not accepting patients because of FLU epidemic in the facility.

Today, David informed me there is article in the Wall Street Journal that Manor Care has filed for bankruptcy.

The Discharge Planner of Mercy was busy looking for alternatives. Our wish was a Private Room and within 30 minutes drive from our residence. She gave us a list of six facilities. One facility has a private room but will charge $265 additional fee and located in North Sacramento. The rest of the facilities had no private rooms opening. The Nearest Facility that is rated above average and near us was Whitney Oaks in Carmichael- only a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on traffic. I decided we give it a try.

We made a good decision to send Macrine at Whitney Oaks. The past 2 days, services had been excellent. It has a rating of 4.5 out of five. A few of their employees are Filipino-Americans. Their PT, Activity and Nursing Staff are headed by Fil-Americans who welcome us with service in their Hearts. So far so good. Another positive note, Macrine's room mate adore her and very protective of her if I am not around. There is no slept over as it is not a private room. Today, Macrine and I went to Catholic Mass on their Activity Room offered every Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:30AM. They have also Bingo once a week.

I have no idea how long Macrine will be on rehab, but I know Whitney Oaks was an excellent choice.

For more Information On Whitney Oaks Care read: http://whitneyoakscarecenter.com/

Good and Bad News Affecting the David B Katague Household just Recently

Carenna KT- My Talented and Beautiful 14-year old Grand Daughter

First the Good news!

1. Carenna Nicole Katague Thompson ( my youngest 14 year-old grand daughter) received straight "A" for her first semester grades( 4.0 ) as a 9th Grader at the McClutsy HS, Sacramento. She was number 1 out of 608 9th Graders. Your Lola and I are very proud of your scholastic achievements. Keep up with the good work. For details read: https://web.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=483359&part=2

2. Ditas appointment as Director of California Complete Count Census for 2020 was finally made official by Governor Brown
For details visit the site: www.ca.gov/appointments

Now for the Good and Bad News:

1. Macrine right hip surgery 5 days ago was a success. She fractured her right hip when she fell after walking without her walker for a few minutes. Minor infection but now solved.

Her actual 0peration and Procedure performed: Closed Reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of the right hip.

We will be checking out at the San Juan Mercy Hospital today. She will be then transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital ( Manor Care) near us. Hopefully her rehab will be shorter compared to her last year rehabilitation on her left hip last year, also resulting from a Fall.

Dr Jao celebrating his 84th birthday with spouse Tessie Agana Jao.

2. The news of the passing of Dr Rodulfo Jao, MD. from Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr Jao was Macrine's town mate and our best friend and contemporary. We had pleasant memories in the mid 1960's for a couple of years at the University of Illinois in Chicago before his marriage to Tessie Agana.

Here's the announcement of his death from FaceBook.

Just received the sad news that a beloved Marinduqueno and dear friend, Rodolfo L Jao, passed away last night , from a massive brain hemmorhage, in Las Vegas. His son, Fr. Radmar Jao, SJ. posted on his FB page. Our condolences and prayers to his loving wife, Tessie , children (Marita Jao 8 others Plus spouses) and grandkids , siblings Ching Manalo, Vivian Jao Herrera, Aida, and brothers and their families. He will always be remembered for his love of Marinduque, the ❤️ of the Philippines. He led medical missions along with Dr. Hector Sulit from US to Marinduque as early as in 1980s and led to organization of various Marinduque Associations in North America (Marinduque Association of Southern CA - MASC, MACUSA, MANC, MASTEGS, MABC, MANE (formerly MESA), MCSC(x), MCA,Inc. and SMKSA (in Saudi Arabia ) as well as the formation of Marinduque International Inc. in 1993 which has since undertaken 9 Missions of Love every two or three years. Rudy will be surely missed. May he Rest In Peace. Celebration of life will be held in Indiana.

Dr. Rodolfo (Rudy) Jao age 84, of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Second child of 8 siblings; Beloved husband of 53 years and survived by his wife: Maria Teresa Jao. Devoted father of Marita, Radmar, Rodger, Roderick (Melissa), Michelle (Dino), Mylene (Andy), Rodolfo Jr., Rodney (Noriko), Rodell (Toba), and grandchildren: Brianna, Marcella, Liam, Alexi, Ty, Cassandra, Xander, Lara, Gia, Cali, Chapman, Harris, Rodolfo III (Brody), Maxton, Emilia, and grandchild #16. Cherished brother and brother-in-law and proud uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Rodolfo L. Jao, MD was a practicing Internist specializing in Infectious Disease in Northwest Indiana for over 40 years. As a young boy growing up in Boac, Marinduque in the Philippines his intelligence, curiosity for science and incredible personal drive and ambition paved the path to be a doctor. Dr. Jao went to the University of the Philippines Medical School, however, as he seeked more opportunity he moved to the United States to do his Fellowship training in Infectious Disease at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Jao’s passion and dedication to the Philippines and the medical community led him to be co-founder of many organizations and led to charitable medical missions in the Philippines. He served in a leadership role and was deeply committed to all organizations. Dr. Jao was an active member in the University of the Philippines Medical Association of America, Marinduque International, Inc., Philippine Professional Association, Indiana Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Medical Association in Chicago, Asian American Medical Association, and Association of Philippine Practicing Physicians in America just to name a few.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Marinduque International, Inc. EIN 52-2184326 A 501 3C Corporation: Mail Checks to: 124433 North 149th Drive Surprise, AZ 85379 to help support medical missions and the church in Marinduque, Philippines. Visitation will be held Friday, March 9, 2018 at Geisen Funeral-Cremation & Reception Centre at 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN from 2:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 Division Rd., Valparaiso, IN. Entombment will be at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN.

Again our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Jao Family.

Ditas Appointment as Director of the California Complete Count Census 2020 Now Official

Release last Week by www.ca.gov/appointments: Governor Brown Announces Appointments, published: Feb 27, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments:

Ditas Katague, 52, of Sacramento, has been appointed director for the Complete Count Census. Katague has been California census coordinator at the California Department of Finance since 2017 and national chair of the U.S. Census Bureau, National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations since 2012. She was chief of staff to commissioner Cathy Sandoval at the California Public Utilities Commission from 2011 to 2017, chief deputy commissioner at the California Department of Corporations from 2010 to 2011 and director for census 2010 at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research from 2008 to 2010. Katague was first vice president of public affairs at Countrywide/Bank of America from 2005 to 2008, program director at the California Telemedicine and eHealth Center from 2004 to 2005 and assistant secretary for transportation at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 2000 to 2003. She was chief deputy director of census 2000 for the California Complete Count Committee from 1999 to 2000. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $135,408. Katague is a Democrat.

Adelina Zendejas, 58, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director for the Complete Count Census. Zendejas has been deputy director of the Broadband and Digital Literacy Office at the California Department of Technology since 2012. She was a data processing manager III at the State Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2012, a chief information officer at the Victim Compensation Board from 2002 to 2004 and a data processing manager II at the Department of Finance in 2002. Zendejas held several positions at the Department of Technology from 1997 to 2002 including, senior information systems analyst, data processing manager II, deputy director and special assistant to the director. She was a staff information systems analyst at the Health and Human Services Agency Data Center in 1997, where she was an associate information systems analyst from 1992 to 1997, and was a staff information systems analyst for the Department of Social Services from 1987 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $133,248. Zendejas is a Democrat.

Bertheria Grady, 55, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed chief deputy director of the California Office of Tax Appeals. Grady has served as director of the filing compliance bureau at the California Franchise Tax Board since 2011, where she has served in several positions since 2001, including director of the enterprise data management bureau, director of the audit administration and technology support bureau, director of the internal web and administrative systems bureau and director of the audit and filing compliance systems bureau. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $179,076. Grady is a Democrat.

Jason Lopez, 47, of Sacramento, has been appointed director at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Administrative Services. Lopez has been deputy director, fiscal services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2014, where he was associate director of the budget management branch from 2011 to 2014. Lopez was deputy director, fiscal and operations at the Yolo County Health Department in 2011 and held several positions at the California Rural Indian Health Board from 2001 to 2011, including chief financial officer, director of financial administration and assistant director of financial administration. Lopez was an auditor-appraiser at the Yolo County Assessor’s Office from 1996 to 2001 and held several positions at the California Franchise Tax Board from 1995 to 1996, including seasonal clerk and student assistant. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $160,764. Lopez is a Democrat.

For more appointments read the following:

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2018/02/27/governor-brown-announces-appointments-21/

Macrine and I are indeed very proud of our youngest daughter professional achievements!