LIFE: We have had one snow storm after another this month. Between taking care of Kathy and moving snow, I haven’t had much time to blog. I need to have parking for the aides and nurses (even if I don’t go anywhere). I think we have had three storms this month. But, I’m not keeping track. I still haven’t cleaned my car off… Read more →
Tag: basset hound
Part 2: The Social Worker and the Minister
The Social Worker: On Monday Steve the social worker came back. Even though he came for the information session, Medicare requires him to visit as a social worker. Kathy slept through the whole meeting. He complimented me on how well I was taking care of Kathy. I guess we are the talk of the office. I think the key thing is… Read more →
H is for hospice (and hump day)
CAREGIVING: The roller-coaster of care-giving continues on its merry way. I put off posting because Kathy was going to start getting hospice services a week or two ago. At least I thought so. I want Kathy to be comfortable. Apparently, they need to have a prognosis of six months before you start hospice. My guess is that it has something to do with money: insurance or MediCare. If you… Read more →
“Work?!”
“Work?!” ~ Maynard G. Krebs LIFE: Many of the musicians or artists I know have one or more “day jobs.” Those are the jobs that pay most of the bills, put the food on the table, buy health insurance and let them make some art or play some songs. My day job, besides taking care of Kathy, is graphic design. Lehndorff… Read more →
Updates on the follow-ups
CAREGIVING: After Kathy’s appointment with Dr. Jackson a lot of ‘stuff’ has started happening. Or not, depending on how you look at it. A referral call was made to Baystate Hospice. The nurse left a message and was going to come over to do the intake. I called her back and told her that we were requesting palliative care, first. Also I told her,… Read more →
Thanksgiving and other news
LIFE: Happy Black Friday. Saturday and Sunday! We survived the overhyped snowstorm on Wednesday and Thanksgiving was a fairly normal day. Betsy, our daytime aide, had the holiday off, but Pat came and got Kathy ready for bed. I shovelled as much as I could without killing myself. I need to keep the little parking area as clear as I can… Read more →
Emergency Planning
CAREGIVING: We are expecting a snow storm for Thanksgiving. I’ve given emergency planning a lot of thought lately. I thought it might be useful to think out loud about it: What to do with a bed-bound Huntington’s patient during an emergency. Getting Advice The biggest worry I have during the winter is a power outage. Without power there will be no heat, no water… Read more →