02.01.12

The past few days have been very busy as hospice is now in place.  Don's equipment (hospital bed, bedside commode, oxygen concentrator, liquid oxygen, etc.) all had to be switched from the company w had to the one that is contracted with the hospice organization through Olathe Medical Center.
The hospice nurse, Diana, visited along with the social worker and will be here again tomorrow with the aide, Denise, coming on Friday for the first time to meet Don.  Denise will be coming twice a week to help Don with personal hygiene, skin care, shaving.



Along with this we had some household maintenance that needed taking care of so I hired Joe to install a new railing on the front stoop/porch and to install a new toilet in the utility room.  I really hope that sort of thing doesn't pop up again for a while as I don't want to deal with it right now.  Adjusting to something seems to be our current modus operandi.  I'm hoping that in a week or so the adjustment to hospice will be over and a calm routine will follow.  They're not intrusive at all, however, having people come into the home on various days at various hours can't help but cause a certain amount of unease and uncertainty. 

Don's pain is sometimes at the 1 to 2 level and rarely hits 3 now and that's just wonderful since I have cut way back on his pain medication.  He's tolerating the respiratory treatments pretty well.  I have built a listing of Don's meds on the computer, showing the times and doses along with identifying the ones bought by hospice/medicare and those that I have to buy through BC/BS.  Getting and staying organized is going to be necessary for my own mental health! 

Last night Don rang the bell by his bed at 3:00 am to let me know that he felt like he was catching a cold.  Egad!  Since that's not something he does often, I just let him know that I'll keep an eye on this vital signs and temperature.   I'm finding it really hard to fall asleep at nap time; hospice advised me to take a nap when Don takes one but at least I'm putting my feet up and relaxing.  Today I picked up a DVD at the library that I'll use to start a walking program; we'll see how that goes. 

Now I have to start emptying cabinets and getting things in order that Mark and Marcey are going to take to their new home.  I'm so happy that they want it and can use it.  I'm gradually taking out things that are true junk and putting it in the trash.  And...I'm going to try to have a garage sale in April, with the help of my sister Barbara, and try to sell a lot of the odds-and-ends that we have accumulated over the past 46 years.

Lord, I talked to you this afternoon and thanked you for continuing to instill the patience and strength that I need to continue.  My pledge to love and honor in sickness and in health till death do us part is planted deep in my soul and I know that you, Father, will help me carry out that promise with a smile and a warm heart.  Lord, bless my family and keep them safe.  Amen.

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