Day 279

Day 279

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Physical:

Because of it being clinic day, it was not a “normal” day.  Because the CAN didn’t come as expected, DH got to sleep longer.  I’m sure that helped, some at least.  We got to clinic on time, but they were running late so we had a bit of a wait.  And, it always takes at least an hour by the time everyone has to come in and talk to us. It gets a bit annoying, since they all pretty much say the same thing.  The doctor – the whole “point” of the visit – was in there barely 3 minutes; although that was long enough to verify that I can stop one more pill.

As soon as we got home, DH was more than ready to lay down.  Not long after we got home, the nurse/administrator got there.  It turned out we had met her last summer (I just hadn’t made the connection with the name).  She was only here a short time, just long enough to officially confirm that he is still eligible and remains on hospice care.  The CAN called, but by then DH was resting and I saw no point in disturbing him.

I got him up about 5:00, as I was afraid if he didn’t have some “up” time he’d not sleep all night.  That also gave me a chance to get dialysis set up, and work in the room a few more minutes.

He ate 2 pork chop sandwiches.  Starting today (Wednesday) I will try to give him 2 protein drinks a day,.  The one thing they (clinic) continue to harp on is his low protein level.

He’s been bathed this morning, and is sleeping.  I don’t know how late he’ll want to sleep today.

People:

DSS got here and took us to and from the clinic.  He still refuses to go back with us to see the doctor. 

As mentioned above, the nurse came.

Emotions:

I feel sleepy this morning; but I slept OK.  I think it might just be because it’s cold and gray again.  They say it will be sunny by afternoon.  It’s still depressing when DH is so confused, but I guess I’m getting more used to it.  This morning I told him the CAN was here, and he seemed fine .. and then asked me “how did I get here?
.  I’m still a little afraid that not taking him out of his room might increase the confusion.  But, it really is a safety issue.  It looks like the “big change” will happen this weekend.  I’m surprised at so soon, but really the sooner the better.  And most of the time DH seems to understand what’s going on.  At least, whenever we do a transfer in and out of the wheelchair he does grasp how hard it is.  I’m not always sure how much he does really understand.  He mixes things u a lot. 

I think perhaps I’m handling things better for several reasons:  (1) I am, somewhat, adjusting to what’s going on with DH; (2) I do better it seems with specific goals in mind, such as getting furniture changed around to make things safer with how I have to deal with DH; and (3), I’m looking forward to time with family as well as *warm and fuzzy* that they offered to help with the project. 

Having a specific deadline is helping too .. I pretty much know what I need to get done ahead of time so that there’s no obstructions to the parts I need help with.

Also, DSS is willing to not only take a desk out of the way, but also help box up supplies (there are a lot of potentially sharp things that I can’t see well enough to try to handle safely).  He doesn’t want to take the gun cabinets yet .. but I do understand his reasoning.  And I’ve figured out a way to move things so that they are even less accessible than they are now (plus the fact that all ammunition is in a completely different place that DH cannot get to, and no one else knows where it is).  His guns have always been very important to DH, so I can see that taking them completely away might set him into a depression .. or get him all upset thinking they’ve been stolen. 

DSS said he will come by one evening before Saturday, and bring the trailer.  So, I need to be ready for that too.  But for now DH is sleeping soundly, and I won’t disturb him.  I’ll have to skip my afternoon nap instead! J