Tonight's picture was taken on August 9, 2009. Four days after we learned about Mattie's terminal diagnosis. That evening, Linda (Mattie's child life specialist) planned a special surprise for Mattie. She coordinated with our local Lego store to have Mattie come in after hours, when NO ONE else was there and work with master builders. We were very familiar with that store, because we practically bought every Lego kit in the store that year to keep Mattie busy in the hospital. It was a special evening for Mattie. The master builders asked Mattie what he wanted to build. Thinking he would turn to a store kit. Instead, Mattie wanted to create a NYC taxi. Something he was familiar with from his trips up for treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We still have Mattie's taxi in our living room today.
Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.
- number of people diagnosed with the virus: 5,994,855
- number of people who died from the virus: 183,045
It was another whirlwind today. I honestly feel frenetic or manic. I jump from one task to another, to another. As always, I woke up at 6:15am. Got myself showered and dressed and then began the day with making breakfast, cleaning up a bit, and then awaited my dad's caregiver. Once my dad was washed, dressed, and had breakfast, we sat down and did 30-40 minutes of brain exercises. It isn't his favorite time of day, but I feel it is important to push him. I have seen great progress with regard to Numbricks puzzles. We have done 11 days worth of puzzles, and I can see the more he does it, the more he is getting the hang of it! I view that as a sign of hope. What will happen when I leave? I am not sure. It is my hope that my dad's caregivers will continue what I started, and I have told them that the cognitive exercises are as important as the physical ones. Yet I am aware of the fuss my dad puts up regarding these exercises. I listen but I won't let him get away with not participating!
Later in the morning, my mom and I went for our weekly Sunday walk in the neighborhood. While walking, we ran into a census bureau worker canvasing the area. We had a delightful conversation with him and learned about his family's history and he is working on a movie script that pays tribute to Chinese Americans during WWII (as his dad served in the war). However, while talking, we lost track of the time. I would say we were about a mile or more away from home. It was 11:45am, and the caregiver leaves at noon. Literally I left my mom, so she could walk home at her own pace. I then walked back very briskly to the house to get back by noon! I honestly feel like a gerbil on a wheel today!
In any case, my dad was supposed to wear the tape for five days! Today is day three and we had to remove it immediately. It caused redness and blistering. I had to pop blisters today and cover them with antibiotic cream. It just doesn't end. Then my dad got some insect bites from sitting outside. The bites have swollen and the redness is climbing all over his leg. I am nurse, doctor, therapist, cook, housekeeper, book keeper, driver, scheduler, and you name it! I am the Jack/Jill of ALL TRADE!
I drove my parents to a lovely restaurant today, about 45 minutes from their home. I am taking them to such restaurants, because they will never drive that far when I am not here. Expanding their horizons is a good thing. In any case, we have visited this same restaurant a few days ago. We had Jack, the same waiter today. He is a love! He remembered us, and he said we are "memorable." I have no doubt! I am deeply grateful for kind and compassionate wait staff, who work with me and manage the many demands my dad dishes out at one time.
When I drove back home, I stopped at CVS to pick up scripts for my dad, got gas for the car, and then continued doing more chores around the house, to prepare for my departure tomorrow. I am leaving the house at 5:30am on Monday to get to the airport in time. Totally not my hour, especially when already tired.
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