Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. We were right in the middle of the hospital hallway. Not an unusual occurrence. As we did many of Mattie's physical therapy appointments right in the midst of chaos. It did not bother Mattie at all, it got us out of his room, and engaged with the world around us. Pictured with Mattie is Anna, physical therapist extraordinaire. I will never forget Anna and her amazing skills, compassion, and support. I always knew she would be honest about Mattie's situation, and I believe Mattie forced her to think outside the box as a therapist. Anna rose to the occasion every time. 

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

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 78,730,893
• Number of people who died from the virus: 941,866

I got up early today because my dad's speech therapist was supposed to visit at 10am. Which means that I have to get myself ready, breakfast ready, and then get my dad up. I literally have to get breakfast done before I wake him up, because after he comes downstairs he wants breakfast instantaneously. He is solely focused on that and I have found making breakfast while he waits for it is NOT a good plan. 

Any case, his therapist was 40 minutes late! Mind you I asked her to come at 11am and she said she couldn't! That she had to come at 10. So instead she showed up at 10:40. We like this therapist, but since we learned she is pregnant, today was her last visit with us, which I am not happy about. Especially since she is the ONLY speech therapist this agency has! My dad has requalified for more speech therapy services, but I have no idea who will be providing them. 

After the therapist left (and mind you during this, my dad had to run to the bathroom twice), I folded laundry and then went to walk Sunny! It was a beautiful day and I find walking is my only outlet. Ironically I purchased a pedometer for my dad the other day. It won't work for him because he is TOO inactive, so now I am using it. 

When Mattie died, our friend gave me and Peter pedometers. He wanted us to get out in nature, walk, and find a way to re-engage with the world. Honestly walking was the only thing we could do and for years I wore this pedometer until it broke. For me it is somewhat symbolic that I am wearing a pedometer once again. Sure I could use my iPhone, but I really don't like tracking my steps that way. The whole notion of a pedometer reminds me of Mattie, my time dealing with intense grief and relearning my way back into the world. Though my current caregiving role is different, it still requires a whole new mindset change and it is debilitating. 

This afternoon, my parents and I drove to Union Station and picked up my lifetime friend, Karen. I wasn't sure how this visit would go because of the dysfunction I balance. But Karen is like family to us and I don't have to worry about how she will interpret things. In any case, Peter snapped a photo of us tonight!