Saturday and Sunday seem normal (looking back from Tuesday at least.) Normal is a relative term around here. Saturday morning I got Kathy up, we danced to the commode and I cleaned her up. Really it was just changing a depends. I made her some french toast and she ate a slice or two. Pat came around noon and gave her a thorough bed bath. I… Read more →
Tag: health care
The Legend of Sleepy Swallow
I guess I don’t need to put CAREGIVING: at the start of my posts now. It is all caregiving for the moment. Music is still there. I practice guitar some before I go to bed and have been working on a few songs. That process keeps a melody in my head during the day as I try to find words that rhyme… Read more →
Being your best advocate = squeaky wheel
CAREGIVING: I admit it. I appreciate all the kind comments about what I am doing and how I am doing. I’m grateful for all that support: from my family, Kathy’s family, my Facebook friends, my music friends and the different health aides and nurses the have walked through the door. I appreciate criticism too. Tuesday Kathy was visited by Susanne,… Read more →
Wednesday: The Cavalry Returns
CAREGIVING: Whattaday. Wednesday is usually the day that Hope comes in the morning and stays for over four hours. This gives her more time to give Kathy a shower and then gives me time to get away. I was hoping to go shopping at Aldi’s to stock up on stuff. Things got off to a rocky start. But they ended… Read more →
Five Wishes
CAREGIVING: On Wednesday afternoon after the palliative care nurses left, I went over some more parts of Five Wishes, an advanced directive plan or living will. I’m sure there are a million living-will forms on-line but this is the one I found years ago. At the time that we started this, Kathy had not been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease although I suspected she… Read more →
Hospice? Not so fast after all
CAREGIVING: Tuesday had been an emotional ride, what with Erica saying it was probably hospice-time; and realizing that Kathy was making her own decisions quite well. On Wednesday Hope came to give Kathy her shower and stay with her. Monday had been too tough for Kathy so she gave her a sponge bath.She really was due for a full shower.… Read more →
“You are there.” The Truth Is Tough to Swallow
CAREGIVING: Erica the speech therapist came for another visit to check Kathy’s swallowing on Tuesday (4/29). It was one of Kathy’s bad days. There was more congestion from fluid, and we made the mistake of testing her swallowing while she was lounging on the futon. Her body was not in the best position. We had already eaten breakfast so Kathy was already… Read more →