Ahhhh...February

The month of February has started off in a hectic state.  Or...maybe I should just say that last week was just horrendous!  Along with the hospice nurse, Diane,  coming on Mondays and Thursdays we have the hospice aide coming on Tuesdays and Fridays to help Don bathe.  The massage therapist, Ginger, is coming on Thursdays also.  And last week we had an obligatory visit from the hospice chaplain, Craig, who visited for a while and decided that since we have a home church and that Don has regular visits from the assoc. pastor, Joe, the chaplain visits would not be necessary unless we needed him for something.  Craig is very considerate and experienced in this hospice/grieving process so it was a comfort to talk with him.

I had to call a plumber because the drain in the basement had backed up at some point and then the debris had dried but I don't go down there very often so didn't know about it until Mark went down for something and told me about it.  The plumber ran a snake through the pipe and pronounced it clear of roots or other 'stuff' and said that it was probably just due to something put down the toilet.  Since I have no idea what Don is flushing that is a definite probability.

Last Monday Don saw the cardiologist who changed some meds around and wants to see him again in 6 wks.  It's a 20 minute visit but the transporting and loading/unloading Don takes about 40 mins round trip.  I'm just thankful that the docs office is only 3 miles away.

The house is just a mess.  Mark and Marcey moved last Saturday, but before that we had to get many things ready for them to pick up for the new house.  The living room/den is full of boxes of books and other things from the wall unit plus a cardioglide and table from the exercise room that is now Don's sickroom.  Don's office upstairs is a mess as we moved some cabinet/shelving downstairs in place of the wall  unit and we also removed a work table that Marcey will use in their garage.  My workroom has several things displaced because they took a large cabinet to the new house, but the things I had in the cabinet are on the floor or in the master bedroom.  Anyway, it will all get sorted eventually and, luckily, I'm not OCD or I'd be committed!

This week is going a little more organized with just the regular hospice visits, no drama or situations.  I was able to clean Don's room yesterday, and got some vacuuming done today.  I also got the toilet seat changed to a sturdy heavy seat in place of the flimsy plastic one that came with the new toilet.  Tomorrow I hope to do some more vacuuming and mop the kitchen floor.  The housework really wears me out; I rarely sleep during the day although I do rest in the recliner while Don naps.  Today, however, I slept for about an hour and that's unusual.

Tomorrow our oldest son, Brad, is visiting for a couple of hours and then flying back home to Maryland.  He hasn't seen Don for 3 years so the change in his health and looks will be somewhat a surprise to Brad, I'm sure. 

Also, tomorrow, Don has an appt. with Dr. Greenfield, our Internist and primary care at 4pm.  I'll have to report that for the past 4 days Don has spent an unusual amount of time sleeping or dozing with a small amount of confusion that comes from being so drowsy.  I don't think the Provigil is doing it's job any longer. 

Father, some days I feel overwhelmed with responsibility and tasks.  Some days I feel I won't be able to get everything done that needs doing.  Knowing that you are next to me, holding me up and toiling with me is what keeps me going.  As Don and I climb this mountain together we both realize that with your love we will have the strength we need.  Amen.

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