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As Sarah said-- vicious cycle


nancyl

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I read our Sarahs reply on her latest blog. Vicious cycle she said. Perfect wording for our lives. I to, although have come so far - feel that vicious cycle . I get up go to work, go for lunch go get Dan from the nursing home. Usually have to fix something - his glasses , pick something up off floor or figure out who he is mad at and why. Its kinda routine thing for Dan to always want or need someone to jump. But I don't dwell on it like I used to. 

Then we leave the home, go through Mc Donalds to get his daily meal ( the only thing he will eat). We then drive to the house so Dan can eat his meal while I run in and check on the cat and the house , pick up mail -- etc. 

Then him and I go to my work - he goes and sits in the bathroom for like 1/2 hour . Comes out stamps the envelopes of the mailing my boss and I completed in the morning . Then he scans old legal files for about 3-4 hours. Then to the bathroom for another 1/2 hour ( the more I hurry him the slower he goes). Then we leave work. Then I'm faced with - nothing - nothing to do - of course there IS something to do , but we've done it all so many times before. Go out and eat, go see grandchild ( who incidentally usually is never home cause he is a busy boy)- lol. I could and do take Dan to the house... Unload wheel chair , walk him in - maneuver the steps -- try not to let the cat out , crap! there goes the cat-- lol

Back to the bathroom - out- watch TV ( right now when weather is nice , we sit on the patio ) then Dan wants to sweep the patio. Go get the broom , sweep up and dump the stuff Dan swept up.... Then we head over to Mc Donalds - Dan gets his meal and I take him back to the home... 

At the home I wash up his torso, underarms , groin etc. lotion him .. Put clean shirt on him, then he sits in the bathroom for- I'm told- sometimes- hours. After the washup is done, I leave -- it's usually like 7pm then. 

So sometimes I'll go have a martini and the only bar in town that can make one - or I'll go home and make my own. Then I graze from the fridge -- lol--- thankfully now with the weather being nice I'll sit out on the patio water the plants and watch the cat.. In the winter I just go to bed and watch TV. 

Im not sure if Im content or complaining at the time I am writing this - lol---- I guess both. I like the fact we have established a livable routine for the most part. But the pure predictability of it all--- grrr and the waiting and always looking for the next thing that dan needs, a kleenex? another bathroom break-- oh pick that up ? it bugs you..... ??

So it is a vicious cycle ------- I guess its the responsibility of it all. Its hard -- I miss being able to just go- no thought of last time he has used the bathroom, what has he eaten, should I expect a mess? Fitting the chair in the car, remembering the cane--I have managed to overcome a lot , So I imagine this to shall pass-- lol . 

 

Actually Dan has a new desire on the horizon ---- Gambling has raised its ugly head..... He wants to go to the casino ( 2 hours away ) a lot--- So Im trying to keep that little addiction from running and ruining our lives.... He has always liked slots a little , but right now - he would live there . Funny - the mans in a wheelchair , can't hardly talk but still gets his way-- But not always- He is playing with the" no eat card" - if I don't take him. HMMMMM we'll see how this plays out.

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Hang in there Nancy. Good luck with combating the "no eat" card and the Casino/slots.  One time when being stubborn as a survivor is not a good trait.

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Nancy, our lives fall into patterns, I am never sure what is worthwhile and what is workable but it all blends in somehow. I had that kind of life with Ray in the nursing home though taking him outside somewhere we could walk with me pushing him in the wheelchair was the go not bringing him home. I missed that when he died. Now my pattern is driven by my various ailments. But on the way we influence other lives and for me that is where the life well lived comes from. (((hugs)))

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I'm sorry to hear that Dan is up to his old tricks again, and you are falling into HIS pattern of his way or ELSE.    I remember the affect it had on you before, when the more you gave in to his 'or else' demands, the worse he got with them.   Please be careful Nancy.   Don't be controlled by him again, he doesn't see your needs.

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We managed to maneuver out of that for now--- The no eat, Ive gotten pretty good. I keep reinforcing to myself- His Happiness is NOT my responsibility ... I trip up and forget sometimes, but that mantra has served me well. 

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