Sunday, December 19, 2021

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken on December 24, 2008. Mattie was going to be released that day from the hospital to go home, so he could celebrate Christmas at home. I get why hospitals push people out during the holidays, but in all reality this wasn't the best decision for us. Going home was challenging, isolating, and impossible to manage without the support of our medical team. Right before being released, Mattie's best preschool friend, Zachary, came to visit. While they were playing, two marines walked into the room to bring holiday cheer and presents. They graciously allowed us to take photos together which Mattie enjoyed because even at a young age he had great respect for people in the military.

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 50,832,991
• Number of people who died from the virus: 806,438

This morning wasn't my finest moment. I need to constantly remind myself that my dad isn't who he once was and even though I have inordinate patience, I need to tap into an even deeper reserve. As I got him up this morning to get into the shower, he said he wanted to use the bathroom first. I got him to the toilet, but what I did not realize is that walking along with us was a trail of urine (of course my mistake was I took him depends off first because I thought we were walking directly to the shower). While on the toilet, he mentioned that he saw water on the floor, but I said that couldn't be, until I looked closer. Sure enough it wasn't water but urine. Which I was stepping in and walking through. Needless to say when juggling a lot, I at times crack. I started yelling. Not at my dad, but he took it like I was yelling at him. He doesn't like any loud voices or noise now and therefore the internal message I have to remind myself is that he can't control what he does and accidents like this will happen. Just deal with it and move on. I can't prevent them and I certainly don't want him to feel bad about what happens. Though the one beautiful thing about dementia is that in a few minutes my dad forgets what just transpired. So it is like working with a clean slate, which is the only blessing, and I really mean the ONLY one, as I think dementia is another horrible disease. 

We focused on placing furniture on the first floor today. I was determined to get rid of the warehouse look! I have to take photos during the daylight hours, but this is my mom's furniture in the living room. Fortunately my mom and I have a very similar color palate and similar taste. So our furniture talks to each other. But I had to be strategic when purchasing a house, as it had to have space for my things as well as hers. 

Our piano room. Or I should say the room that features Mattie's piano, which was given to Mattie for free by a former neighbor. I will never forget Susan, she felt Mattie needed to learn an instrument. Next to the piano is a Victrola. On top of this Victrola is a marquetry box which houses Mattie's ashes. The piano room and the room pictured below are new additions to our house. The former owners built them because the wife literally wanted her own private space in the house away from her husband and children during certain parts of the day. This new addition enables us to house all our furniture. 

We did not name this room, instead when the house was sold to us it was called the Oakton Room. So the name has stuck with us. I have now removed enough furniture in it so that I am not going to have an anxiety attack. Ironically Indie and Sunny absolutely love this space. Of course you have NO IDEA what our basement looks like. It is packed to the gills with boxes and furniture we removed from the first floor. I will slowly begin working on the basement post-Christmas.