Thursday, September 3, 2020

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2008. Mattie was in his second month of receiving chemotherapy. Even early on, Mattie had moments where he did not want to see, hear, or be around people. Which wasn't always possible in a clinic or hospital. Which was why, in this particular case, Mattie constructed a home out of a cardboard box. Notice that Mattie was sitting in the box so you couldn't see his face. Yet his IV line was streaming outside the box. 

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

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 6,141,580
• Number of people who died from the virus: 186,467

 

I started my day by going to the dentist. My 6th month dental cleaning was scheduled in March. Due to COVID it was cancelled. I frankly forgot all about this because while COVID was happening I had to have three root canals and therefore three crowns put over those teeth. I feel like I have seen the endodontist and the dentist way too often. Therefore, when the hygienist said I hadn't gotten my teeth cleaned in a year, I just looked at her. As if that was my decision. They were the ones who canceled my appointment in March. So I don't deem that as ME FORGETTING an appointment. Which is how she initially made me feel. 

I have lived in Washington, DC for over twenty years. However, this is the first time I do not feel comfortable walking around in my own neighborhood. Businesses and stores are boarded up because of violence and looting. Therefore, I had Peter drive me to and from the dentist office today. 

After that visit, we took Sunny for a walk on Roosevelt Island. We were greeted by a female deer. Do you see her?

She was very brave and had no problem with us getting within feet of her. What she did not like was Sunny. Sunny was tugging and wanted to chase the deer, which of course did not happen. Sunny however  was sighing with frustration over our decision. 

This is the third lunch Peter and I had out this week. It was lovely being by the Potomac River. However, I remain very tired and very strung out. It is hard to stabilize because the caregiving issues I left in Los Angeles are not over. The situation isn't going to resolve or improve. My only hope is that all the help Peter and I provided this summer will keep my dad's health situation stable.