Thursday, January 6, 2022

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken on January 13, 2009. We took Mattie to New York City to begin experimental treatment. While there, Mattie received a package in the mail. The hotel delivered it to us! It was from Mattie's child life specialist here in Washington, DC. I will NEVER forget that act of kindness, that went beyond her job description. She mailed Mattie many wonderful toys and things to keep him busy while in the hospital in NY. Look at Mattie's big smile of happiness!

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

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 58,272,536
• Number of people who died from the virus: 833,435

Today marks the first month that my parent's have lived with us. I went in with this eyes wide open, as I knew how it was going to be. After all, I am no stranger to their issues and needs. I have been going out to Los Angeles to help them every other month for almost two years now. Even during COVID. Of course the difference is after a month, I returned home, caught up on work, rest, and my life. Now there is NO catching up to be had. 

They say that caring for older adults with dementia is one of the hardiest things to do. I still put caring for a child with cancer at the top of the list for multiple reasons. First of which you are dealing with a full blown medical crisis, practically on a minute by minute basis, and you have to face the consequences that unfold in your child because of the treatment. Consequences which are heartbreaking. That said, caregiving is caregiving and plain and simple..... it's hard. I imagine if I did not have the Foundation, I would be less stressed out. But given the tasks I manage for both of my parents, my days are full. 

Today I decided to cook a pot of chicken soup. The weather seems to call for this and believe it or not, I am still not feeling 100%. Certainly much better since I started the antibiotics, but I continue to struggle with laryngitis. All I can say is I take it one day at a time. Which is a philosophy I used when caring for Mattie. I truly can't plan beyond a day. All I know is I am doing a lot of apologizing to people. As I am either not returning emails, or messages, and certainly am unable to leave the house and visit with friends. My day starts at 7am and I do not finish until 10:30pm. By 10:30pm, I am wiped out. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I truly want to just close my eyes and sleep several more hours, but that luxury is long gone.