CAREGIVING: I am one of those “Glass is rather large for its contents” people. I’m generally cautiously pessimistic. Things go right and wrong, so I try to be prepared. Today Brooke, the nurse from the VNA, came for her weekly visit. She said that no further services would be authorized by Kathy’s health insurance after January 2nd. I’m not totally… Read more →
Tag: caregiving
Balancing Act
CAREGIVING: Christmas Eve. Well I managed to get Kathy into her Christmas pajamas and into bed, but once again it was touch and go. I guess touch and stumble is more like it. She didn’t fall but it takes all of our collective strength to keep her upright and somewhat mobile. She does better when she gets plenty of resting… Read more →
Tonight I Wish: for our anniversary
MUSIC: Our wedding anniversary is coming up on December 23. Kathy and I were married in 1977 in front of the Christmas tree at my parents house. I’m hoping we have a few more anniversaries together. This year because of Kathy’s Huntington’s Disease we won’t be going out to dinner. But I’ll probably have something delivered. Tonight I Wish was written… Read more →
Snow Phobia
LIFE: Even when we were both healthy, the winters were rough at our house. Since the house is so close to the road, the plows push the snow on to our porch and bury our car. I should rephrase that: The road is so close to the house. Since the house has been there since the Civil War the road… Read more →
Last Day for Su
CAREGIVING: Wednesday was Su’s last day. I’m making up the spelling of Su, by the way. Here real name is Suhsien, she is the extroverted health aide from Taiwan. We really enjoyed her help, and her cooking. More importantly Kathy really liked her. She decided to go to a different agency. I’m not sure they actually pay more per hour… Read more →
Tough Pills to Swallow
CAREGIVING: One part of Kathy’s Huntington’s Disease that is a constant battle is choking and swallowing problems. Actually Aspiration Pneumonia is the most common complication that results in death in late stage HD. Patients get a fatal infection from unintentionally inhaling a piece of food. ¹ Kathy is still middle stage (more or less) but it is still scary. The biggest problem… Read more →
Snow is a four letter word.
CAREGIVING: Friday. I decided that, with the first snowstorm of the winter on its way, we would go shopping on Friday and not our usual Sunday routine. I’m also realizing that taking Kathy out is getting more and more difficult. And with her coughing we need to be careful. Friday it was cold but it was sunny out, so we… Read more →