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 →
Tag: Hampden Massacusetts
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 →
Friday: I can’t complain
LIFE & CAREGIVING: Today, was one of those days. But I can’t complain. The clothes dryer died: I suppose it was due. We bought it in 1994. So, I can’t complain. I ran to the Depot and bought the same basic Whirlpool we had. Looks more streamlined, but it is the same basic box. Made in the USA, of all places. Unfortunately, they can’t deliver… Read more →
Voting in Hampden
This really belongs before the one about going to the doctor because Tuesday is before Wednesday but things were crazy. My bad. LIFE: On Tuesday I was able to go out and vote while Betsy was taking care of Kathy. I felt bad that Kathy couldn’t vote. I had thought about having her vote absentee, but felt I would be stretching… Read more →
The Stairlift has left the building
CAREGIVING: This is a story about how you think you have a plan, but a much simpler one is “stairing” you in the face. I have been paranoid about the combination of caregiving and winter in this house. Now that Kathy is bed-bound with Huntington’s Disease, keeping her warm and safe is another thing to worry about. Just as a refresher, our house… Read more →
Project: Man-cave
LIFE: I have always joked about my working arrangements. I have posted on Facebook that “Due to the snow emergency, Lehndorff Design will be closing early.” As a self-employed graphic designer, my hours can be long but the commute is easy. With caregiving I need to keep even closer. It has been months since I used my “office” upstairs. My latest ongoing project: to… Read more →
Day One: Roster Changes
Wednesday, the primary care team came from NaviCare, Kathy’s new health plan. (See my previous post about it). It was day one of coverage. Miguel is our Navigator (commercial pun intended). He will be the main contact: getting any approvals for this and that, and he will make Kathy’s first appointment with her new doctor. He will get any needed authorizations for ambulance rides to her doctor and dentist appointments. And… Read more →