In the early morning hours on Monday, December 22, 2025, Grandma Darleen Cuppy dialed 911 from her apartment. She was having a hard time catching her breath now, after being discharged from the Springs’ hospital on Friday, December 19, with phlebitis in her lower left leg. On Monday morning, her oxygen level was in the 30s and she was once again admitted to the Springs’ hospital with environmental acquired pneumonia. On Monday, Cheryl, Candi, and Becky were able to be with her throughout the day and evening.
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Candi went to be with her in the morning and after eating breakfast, grandma began coughing and couldn’t catch her breath again. Grandma Darleen took another turn for the worse and was wheeled into the ER, where a transfer to Sioux Falls started. Before being transferred, Pastor Cheri came in and said a prayer with Grandma Dar, Candi, Mike, Brock, and Becky. At 12:33 p.m., grandma took her first helicopter ride. She told us later that she might have enjoyed that ride eighty years ago, but not now. She was met at Avera McKennan ICU by Cathy, Cindy, Cheryl, and Ryan. Darryl, Connie, Candi, and Becky arrived shortly after. Cathy left. Fred and Carol arrived after supper. Grandma was put on oxygen and was able to eat some solid food, one of her favorites, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. She said to the nurse, “What no dessert in here?” Bless the nurse’s heart, she brought her in a cookie, which grandma wrapped up to save for later, while she watched the ten o’clock news. Candi and Cheryl went home.
Jordan was her overnight nurse and told us she had a restless night. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, her blood pressure remained checked every 15 minutes and she was put on the bi-pap machine to push oxygen. She was given an IV antibiotic, and they drew some blood.
Grandma would ask many times to make sure that she had written her Cuppy’s Corner and sent her Christmas cards out. She was scheduled for thoracentesis at some point today. This is a procedure where they stick a long needle in and withdraw fluid from around her lungs. They changed her blood pressure checks to every hour now. Dawn the wound care nurse was in to look at the sores on her leg from the phlebitis. They rotated grandma in bed and at 11:30am she had an echo done. Just before lunch Justin and Crissa Fruechte and family came to visit. Their children are Mason, Lily, Faith, June, and Wells. Mason wrestles for Pipestone, MN and will be in a tournament on Saturday. Grandma Dar was able to FaceTime with granddaughter Nicole Cuppy from Arizona. Technology these days is so amazing. Grandma is very thankful for it. She loves seeing everyone!! After lunch, Grandma’s niece, Kris Kalb brought fruit and meat trays and was able to visit. Just before supper we were talking, and grandma got a small can of Pepsi. That was a great treat. Grandma is on a fluid restriction. They were able to take over four liters of fluid off her, two off the lungs! Because of the pneumonia, Grandma was trying to cough up the phlegm.
Darryl, Connie, Candi and Becky tucked her in after listening to some Christmas music and went back to the hotel to sleep.
December 25, 2025, Merry Christmas. As Grandma said, it was a different Christmas but we were able to be together. On Christmas Day, Don came and Carol and Cheryl came back to join Connie, and Candi and I in the ICU room. After lunch Darryl and Don went back home. Her niece, Sally Ann Wulf came to visit. Mid-afternoon, Becky left as Grandma was transferred from ICU to room 1107. Christmas night brought more visitors, as Cathy, Ella and Nora came and Ryan and Briggs Bell, who helped her watch the MN Vikings. Scott and Kris Kalb came to visit.
Friday, December 26, she received beautiful floral arrangements from Darryl and Nancy Cuppy and family as well as Fred and Cindy. She is still weak and has pain in her legs when standing. She will work with OT and PT. Ryan and boys came to visit. Grandma played Kings Corner with Candi and Cheryl and Connie and Carol left Friday afternoon.
Saturday, December 27, Mason Fruechte won his wrestling tournament. Grandma Dar continues to need oxygen on and off. She remains on the fluid restriction. Cheryl and Candi remain in SF with Grandma Dar.
Sunday, December 28 remains the same. Grandma Dar stays positive and prays that she gets strong enough to return to her apartment in Wessington Springs. She is grateful for all the prayers and concern everyone has sent her way. If you would like to send her some get well wishes, or “good mail” as she refers to it her mailing address is Darleen Cuppy, 210 Slocum Ave N. #5, Wess. Springs, SD, 57382.