Friday, June 10, 2022

Friday, June 10, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2009. Mattie was visiting our friend Tanja, who introduced him to the family's paraquet. Mattie was intrigued and at the same time frightened of Ginny the bird. Ginny made a high pitched noise, flew freely, and pecked...all of which frightened Mattie. 

Quote of the day: Doctors diagnose, nurses heal, and caregivers make sense of it all. ~ Brett H. Lewis

I woke up at 6am today and have felt like I have been on a treadmill every since. It is 11pm, and I finally have a moment to myself. I had to get up early to feed Indie, give Sunny his pre-meds and chemotherapy (by the way, Sunny takes about 11 pills each day!), get showered and dressed, make breakfast and a snack for my mom and I to take to Georgetown, and then wake my dad up, get him washed, dressed, downstairs for breakfast, and get us all in the car by 9:20am. Not to mention start a load of laundry!

I dropped my dad off at his memory care center and then headed into the city to take my mom to the salon for her hair and nails. Because I found leaving my mom at the salon alone wasn't a good idea, I now schedule my own manicure and pedicure while she is there in order to keep track of her. The salon is near where I used to live in Georgetown. Each time I return to the city, I am saddened by its state of affairs. Unfortunately the encampments and graffiti have NOT been addressed, despite all my written correspondence with the city. 

What I realize is that the city is much easier for an abled body person. Today I parked the car and my mom and I walked about four blocks to the salon. Georgetown side walks are bricked and uneven. My mom had a hard time walking and I held her arm the entire way. 

I have known my manicurist since 2009, shortly after Mattie died. I was introduced to her through my hairstylist, as they are sisters. Back then going to get my nails done forced me out of our home and to interact with the world. Needless to say, I have gotten to know my manicurist VERY well over all these years. I came to her today with a major problem. The podiatrist cut away a good portion of my big toe nails this week. He wants to analyze them to see if my issue is a nail disease or trauma. The nail issue is so significant that I can't put color on my nails, as you would see more of my flesh than my nails. In any case, we found the perfect color today that helps camouflage the issue. Sounds all so trivial, but these little things can make me feel better, when in all reality I am drowning in an endless sea of problems. 

After the salon, I drove back to our home, dropped my mom off and let Sunny outside. Then drove to pick my dad up from the memory center. I took him home, and then turned around quickly to take them out for an early dinner. We went to a restaurant in Rockville, MD. It took me 90 minutes to get there because of horrific traffic. Why did I go there? Because Dawn works there. We met Dawn at the Clyde's of Reston (which closed its doors at the end of May). We get along splendidly with Dawn and she is great with my dad! So she is worth the trip, but after a long day, the ride was a killer. 

I snapped a photo of my dad eating a big piece of blueberry lemon bread. This bread was baked by my friend! Yes I travel to a restaurant with a big tote bag. The bag is filled with toiletry items for my dad, garbage bags, tissues, a bottle of ketchup, a bottle of vinegar, and a dessert for my dad. I feel certifiable! 

Of course no dinner is ever in peace. My dad has to always go to the bathroom mid-meal. I take him right into the ladies room, and I go into the large stall with him, because he needs assistance and guidance. In addition, he eats so fast, that he lands up having swallowing issues, hiccups, and don't ask me but when his stomach is full, his nose drips like a water faucet. 

The car trip home from the restaurant was quick, thankfully. I got home and had to give Sunny his evening pills. I then baked Sunny pork chops, because I am trying to entice him to eat. The chemo has greatly impacted his appetite. I folded laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, helped my mom with bills, and as you can see Indie is acting out because she wants my attention. By the end of the day, I am simply frazzled, and yet I have to mentally prepare because tomorrow the freneticism starts all over again.