Updates: I wanted to thank everyone for the expressions of support after my brother Paul passed away. That post took a lot out of me. (Well, that and taking care of Kathy and working.) But I really appreciate all the kind words in emails and on Facebook. Talking to a grieving person can be tough. When the little girl who lived… Read more →
My brother Paul Lehndorff, RIP
LIFE: My brother Paul Christopher Martin Lehndorff passed away on Sunday, September 6th. There is so much about his story that I wish were different; things that I wish I could have changed or helped him in some way early in his life. But that’s the way it is. Paul was under hospice care at Minerva, a nursing home in… Read more →
House Call: Back from the Hospital
CAREGIVING: Last Thursday my main task was to get Kathy back on hospice again. Because she went to the hospital for a procedure to “extend her life” – the feeding tube – she had to be discharged from Mercy Hospice. Now that she was back home she could be readmitted to hospice. I had called the hospice to let them… Read more →
Wednesday in the ER
CAREGIVING: Last Wednesday started out kind of normal. Louise arrived to help wash Kathy and help me change her. Since she arrives at 10 am on Wednesdays, that gives me a chance to give her her medicine and clean her teeth. And to take a shower, myself. Kathy’s nights have been restful since the last scare. It was probably a… Read more →
An Update
CAREGIVING: A quick update and thank you for all the support I have received. It means a lot. I received some lovely comments on Facebook. I realize this is therapeutic for me, but it makes other people sad. It hits close to home. Kathy has rebounded (a little) from last week. I’m not kidding myself about the future or anything. There seems to… Read more →
Second thoughts; and third ones too
CAREGIVING: This week was another wild ride emotionally. The big debate was whether Kathy should be taken to the hospital. I was having second thoughts and third thoughts and more. I mean, it isn’t like it is life or death… Oh, wait it is. These are tough decisions, and probably some of the toughest ones you and I have to… Read more →
Using the Hoyer lift
CAREGIVING: I wanted to show the process for getting Kathy into her wheelchair and back into bed. It is always easier when one of the aides helps out, but here are a few photos of the procedure. I used to use the Hoyer lift to go straight-ahead into the chair. But a physical therapist showed me how to lift her over… Read more →