Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2009. Mattie was recovering from his lung surgery and we learned to do creative things to get Mattie to use his lungs. A friend gave him these straw goggles and as you can see he tried them on and started drinking. Now if we gave Mattie a spirometer, I can assure you he would not have been eager to do his exercises. But with a little bit of creativity, Mattie signed on. That is one of the many things Mattie taught me... to think outside the box. There is always more than one way to accomplish something, as long as you have tenacity and patience.
Quote of the day: Love gave someone the power to break you. I'd been broken beyond repair. ~ Stephanie Meyer
I have come to the conclusion in my house that ordering gadgets recommended to help my parents, just don't work. For example, my mom's rehab doctor recommended she try a TENS machine (A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) sends electrical pulses through the skin to start your body's own pain killers. The electrical pulses can release endorphins and other substances to stop pain signals in the brain) to help with nerve/muscle pain in her neck and back. Forget it! Today my dad's physical therapist worked with my mom to try to get this machine positioned correctly to bring her relief. After an hour working on this, I had just about enough. My mom was fixated on how the electrodes felt, kept saying she did not feel anything and that it wasn't working for her. Truthfully the set up and listening to her complain was enough for both me and the therapist. So I packaged the machine up and it is going right back. Same with the WaterPik, which the hygienist recommended for my dad. She has to be kidding! The jet spray is way too strong for my dad's teeth and gums and in the process, I felt like I received a second shower. I am done with suggestions! My gut feeling said it wasn't going to work, given the personalities I am dealing with. I need to remember to follow my instincts, because I know my parents better than the doctors.
I don't know how I did it, but today I woke up with terrible back and hip pain. The hip pain started right after the breast MRI. Somehow I twisted myself in a funny way getting off the scanner, after being faced down for 40 minutes. The pain is so intense, it is almost impossible to move. Of course there is no rest or down time, so I have to move through this pain. I wouldn't be able to function without Advil. I do think that the incredible stress over my marriage has taken a debilitating toll on me. I do not write about what is going on regarding my marriage, but trust me it isn't your ordinary story. Which is why I am emotionally devastated.
The three things I am grateful for:
- Advil! I couldn't function without it.
- Air conditioning. It is so incredibly hot that I do not know how one can function without being in a cool place with these temperatures.
- The cardinals in my backyard. They were all around me tonight as I was watering plants. Another sign that Mattie is with me and watching everything that is happening in my life. I wish he were alive, we would be allies until the end.
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