CAREGIVING: It snowed for a few minutes on Easter. No one was surprised. I am usually the first person to make fun of the neighbors who leave their Christmas decorations up until Easter. But, this winter has been a good excuse for everyone. My snow blower is still sitting on the front porch. A few feet away, the daffodils are trying… Read more →
Category: Caregiving
Getting recertified for hospice
CAREGIVING: Recertification is one of those things that I am glad I can worry about it. Kathy is doing well enough that she needs to be recertified to continue with hospice care. Medicare pays for hospice, but the general rule of thumb is that since it is end of life, comfort care it is restricted. In other words they want to make… Read more →
The Nurse, the Donkey and the Bereavement Counsellor
CAREGIVING: Our hospice nurse came for one of her visits on Friday. Kathy checked out fine: blood pressure; oxygen with that finger clamp thingie; and her lungs sounded clear. I told her I was starting to give her tastes of food and drink. She thought that was fine as long as I am careful. I also told her I was thinking of cutting… Read more →
Days of Wine and Yoghurt
Above:Happy Saint Basset’s Day. This is a card I did a year ago that is in our Zazzle store (hint/hint) CAREGIVING: Tuesday was St. Patrick’s Day. When Betsy was here she dressed Kathy in a green shirt and green nightgown. I’ve had a fair amount of work lately and a long-awaited check finally cleared at the bank. So, I have been busy… Read more →
More updates: Winter, hospice and coffee
CAREGIVING: Sorry I haven’t had much time to write lately. Actually it is all pretty good. I have some new design work keeping me busy and Kathy has been doing really well. Also, I wanted to give an anonymous, but huge thank you for the kind help I have received from some of you. Wednesday I was down at our bookkeeper’s office.… Read more →
Pre-planning and Huntington’s Disease
CAREGIVING: I spent some of my birthday looking into funeral and cremation options for Kathy. It’s not something we want to think about or plan for. When I was a kid one of my friends lived in a funeral home. His mom and dad ran a funeral home in Fitchburg MA. I remember when he had a birthday party we went… Read more →
Get a Well Soon and Valentines
CAREGIVING: There has been a lot going on in February. Valentines, birthdays, snow storms, frozen pipes and various health issues. But life goes on. Valentine’s Day is one of many bittersweet days. I try to make the most of it and Kathy seems to be happy. Pat says she is radiant and it is true. She smiles up at me and it… Read more →