Friday, December 10, 2021

Friday, December 10, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2007. This was 7 months before Mattie was diagnosed with cancer. Honestly there were no tell tale signs and Mattie seemed healthy and happy. It was a December tradition that we could go to the US Botanical Gardens. They have an atrium area that feels like a hot house. Which is a glorious feeling in the dead of winter. It transports you to warmer climates. Mattie loved this space and the holiday train display the Gardens set up, mesmerized him. 

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

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 49,788,804
• Number of people who died from the virus: 796,349

I set my alarm for 6:30am. However, I just couldn't get up. Maybe I was on Los Angeles time (3:30am) or just plain tired. Either case, I reset my alarm for 7am and by that time forced myself to get up. I know I have to get up because I am responsible for my dad's routine..... getting up, showered, dressed, breakfast, cognitive exercises, PT and OT exercises. 

When I am managing my dad alone, I know that before I get him up I have to prep breakfast. Because as soon as he comes downstairs, he wants to eat. IMMEDIATELY! I went to the refrigerator to prepare his fruit bowl and I saw we had no melon. I thought I told Peter to buy melon, but frankly it is possible I never sent the message. This is where my brain is these days! So I scrambled, jumped into the car and went to the supermarket to get the things I needed. Mind you I wasn't accounting for this extra task. 

I got back home, had to continue prep, and then manage my dad. Certainly the first time you do anything, it's harder. I have never showered my dad in this house before. I know the routine, as I created the routine for his caregivers, but just getting the logistics right here was challenging. 

Of course the house is a new experience for both of my parents. So it requires more guidance and direction on my part. My dad got it in his head today that he had to call his insurance broker. He started dialing and talking, but I could see he wasn't communicating effectively or tracking what was being said. So I stepped in. I am now trying to have an email dialogue with this insurance person, so that we can process the writing and keep the answers. As I know darn well, the verbal responses will be forgotten within five minutes. 

While prepping dinner tonight, the doorbell rang. I went to see who it was and through the window I could see this beautiful and festive basket. To my surprise this was a gift to my parents welcoming them to Virginia. The gift was from several of my immediate friends who continue to care and support me since 2008. I personally think this is totally amazing. It speaks to the quality of the people in my life and I truly believe they are the gifts that Mattie left behind for me. Though this gift was for my parents, it brightened up my day in an indescribable way. It reminds me that I am not alone through this next healthcare and caregiving crisis that I face.