Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Tuesday, October 4, 2022 -- Mattie died 679 weeks ago today. 

Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2004. Mattie was two and half years old and this was his first Fall Festival. Mattie was intrigued and yet scared by the large hay slides. If I were him at that age, I would not have even ventured near those slides. But Mattie was much more adventuresome than me. He agreed to try it sitting on Peter's lap. That was how he went down the slide that year. In subsequent years, he did go down on his own and loved it. I of course was the family photographer, since I did not like rides or fast motion, it made sense that I stayed on the ground to capture the memories. I am so glad that I did!

Quote of the day: There is no grief like the grief that does not speak. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thank goodness for steroids. I am not sure how I would have managed my dad's allergic reaction without them. We have been struggling with him for a week, thanks to some bug bite that he got inside the house. His face, eyes, hands and body began to swell and last night, he looked like someone punched him in the face. By this morning, the swelling greatly improved and I am hoping in time, he stops scratching. As he gets fixated on scratching and most times lands up breaking skin and bleeding. Which of course is a whole other problem. 

My dad had physical therapy at the hospital this morning. But before I left the house I wanted to make homemade tomato soup and blackberry vinaigrette for Peter's parents, who are visiting on Thursday through Sunday. I honestly have NO IDEA how this visit will go. Needless to say, I am concerned because no one is as active as they used to be and that is a lot of days to just be sitting around looking at each other. 

Thanks to the steroids, my dad actually has more energy than usual, and had a very rigorous physical therapy session. I really love his therapist and I particularly love how inclusive she is of me in the sessions. Unlike my mom's therapist. My dad's therapist respects the fact that I am managing all of his care and therefore my observations and input are crucial. Any case, my dad is making some strides and she believes she can reassess him on Thursday, to qualify him for more therapy! Which is outstanding news!

After therapy, I took my parents out to eat. When I got home, I worked with Peter to make up beds for Peter's parents and get their space ready for Thursday. When I tell you I am doing non-stop caregiving work and constantly meeting someone's demands throughout the day, I am not kidding.