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: Marty
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 →
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 →
Friday Updates: Kathy
CAREGIVING: There have been a lot of changes around here. I should probably write them down before I disremember them. I got a little sidetracked by those ladybugs trying to find a warm home for the winter (Kathy’s lungs). First things first. Kathy is still doing OK. No major changes. Our new visiting nurse feels like everyone is doing a good job.… Read more →
Some Updates
CAREGIVING: Today was “Columbus Day” here. Even though I am half Italian I don’t think Columbus warrants his own day for getting here after everybody else. I didn’t get the day off. Updates: Kathy seems to be doing pretty well – stable is the term. On Sunday, Pat washed her hair and I gave her a haircut. I clean her teeth twice… 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 →
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 →