Why does this happen? Six weeks ago, Bruce had his quarterly Botox. Doctor ordered therapy - paid by Medicare and Bruce agreed. He told me he was "on board" for a new trial and recovery. Therapy re-evals. OT said arm-hand was great, therapist sees some hope there. PT not so much.
I told PT I was on board, but I want independent exercises. Bruce wants recovery, Bruce is going to work towards it. I do have to spot him on and off the bed and his affected foot on one exercise, put the gait belt
First thing I want you all to know is that no one grilled a steak like my Dad. My Dad is a tough act to follow. He married late in life, had seven beautiful babies and adored being a father. Dad was a late-in-life arrival for Grandma and she suffered terrible depression after having Dad, so he was sent off to be raised by an Aunt. I am sure this is why Dad was so devoted to his babies.
We girls are tough. Mom was an icon. We all three say "I am afraid of nothing, I am my Mother's daughter."
I had to blog about the shopping trip. We have all spoken lately of the need and love of true laughter.
Mary arrived Friday afternoon. We did Vodkas and Tonic on the deck and then ordered pizza. She is under a lot of stress at home, so her room had the AC going, BR was clean with new towels, clean linens on her bed. Bless our Erma who understood a little pampering was in order and had all ready for her.
Saturday morning we had some errands. Bruce was so excited, told Mary we would do wha
Nancy, honey this one is for you!
Brother John is 60 this year and not having a good time with it. His kids have planned a surprise party for him tomorrow.
You all know my darling sister broke her arm back in April and hasn't been able to come. Both daughters will be headed off to college in August, so it has been a busy time for them. But we talked about this weekend. Girls are both working and can only come in for the day. Mary left work early on Friday and headed down. She will be sta
Erma called Thursday night and she had an infection. So I had Friday off (both Pema and Cathy had to work).
I have been on the treadmill. Bruce is back in therapy and seems like he or Kira had appointments every other day. And you all know me, I never schedule this way. Plus I have family coming in for the weekend - brother's 60th birthday. Mary Beth is a new job starting July 15th, so will not be able to come as often, but still with the teens arriving - we have to have snacks and AC put in th
Isn't it great to see a blog from me about "funny." And it is great for me, now that I think about it. Because I haven't had much "funny" in a long time. And it is not a quick, two second funny then back to business.
One of Bruce's new "projects" is feeding Kira in the morning. I am working on problem solving. If I set her stuff up at night, he has no problem feeding her. And yes, he can bend over in the WC without me worrying about him falling on his face. But the task is to find the dish,
It has been a very positive weekend. In making choices as to my time here and at work, think I really know the answer (thank you Nancy, took a while, but it did finally sink in - LOL).
Saturday was a beautiful day, finally after all the rain. Bruce read almost all day while home - again me being in the house. We loaded up the truck with the donation stuff and went for a ride and lunch out at the reservoir. Today was busy. We had a big shop. No we don't need it, but he loves going and does so
Entering yet another transition. Bruce had his Botox today. Doctor did more on his wrist and his knee. I look at those needles, the length and even as a nurse, grimace every time Doctor puts one in. Bruce has a great tolerance for pain, and he knows how painful this is, but agrees to go every time. I can barely lift his right arm to help him shower, so I know he needs it, but still I am so proud he agrees that he feels better, needs it and agrees to the treatment.
He'll be a sore puppy for a
We had a very interesting week past. First Car Show of the year, meeting up with Nancy, Dan, Colleen and Ray. Just as we were leaving the Casino, weather turned true summer; hazy, hot and humid. AC was in and hasn't been off since. System going through right now, so hopefully some relief on the way. Cicadas have arrived and the mosquitoes have hatched. Good times.
The one thing I do know is Bruce does better with me home. Now, I won't go back to 24/7 any time soon, I still need some time awa
An incredible day. I am sure Nancy and Colleen will blog their takes on it when they get done vacationing - LOL. But right now I wish I was on the patio with them at the hotel - guys either asleep or watching a game and enjoying a drink and some chat.
This gathering took a lot of planning and we have Nancy to thank for that. I am sure she and Colleen did not need a side trip to Connecticut in the middle of their cruise, but I am so thankful that they thought of Bruce and I and were willing t
So, just wanted to check in right before weather report and bed.
Got home in time to have dinner with Bruce. We ordered a pizza - yes, I know, not real good for a diabetic, but we both deserve a treat once in a while.
Bruce and I did get out Tuesday afternoon. It was horrid - hot and humid, and we were not out long, but still I worried. AC in the car works fine, but still not in the house. In our poor years, we used fans and just AC in the bedroom, so that is exactly what I did. Still a
State of Connecticut inspectors arrived, gung ho, at the facility this morning - all seven of them. I don't remember having that many. But the process has changed the past two years. Mechanical and building inspection are not done at the same time and the Pharmacy part has already been done.
After 18 years, Bruce and I are used to this and the Federal inspection. Two weeks a year. There is another one, but that focusses on our therapies for a special certification we hold. Not much Nursing i
I ran Bruce ragged this weekend. Friday noon I got home at lunch, exhausted. After lunch and nap, Bruce refused his shower, he did his Estims, snack and mail, set the table for dinner. He channel surfed most of the afternoon and I was too exhausted to argue.
I planned out Saturday and Sunday, something to do both days even tho the weather was iffy. Our ramp sits right under a Maple tree that is flowering. For several weeks, you can sweep that ramp every hour and still not have it cleared, pl
Bruce sliced his affected foot open tonight while getting into the shower. We had to remove a small piece of molding to allow full access from the WC and I thought we had it well-padded, but apparently not. Blood everywhere - love those anticoagulants - LOL. Plus he had just gotten in. I wound a white cotton sock around it, finished up the shower. He'd clot and then it would break open. Getting him out of the shower was a trip. Got him dressed and into his recliner, finally able to put a pressur
I lost my Dad when he was 55 - I was 25. And yes, Bruce will confirm that there are days when I grieve like it was yesterday. Mom still had four children at home, but once the babies were 19, she relocated to Floriday with her brother and sister. They all lived in different mobile trailer parks, but within 3 miles of each other. Amazing - Mom was one of eight, all those kids were inseparable..
Mom worked, was a Deacon in her church and took college courses. It was amazing to see her grow as
So, it has been a long week and while I have been tired, still try to at least see the 10:20 pm weather report to figure out the week. It has been a beautiful few days, only one night below freezing, so just maybe Spring is here. Next 5 to 7 days also look good, with some needed rain later next week. Our final potential hard frost day is May 30, so still some time to go, but so far Bruce's herbs are doing well and I am still going to hold off doing the rest of the deck flower boxes for another w
We had such a busy, productive weekend. Today we had a luncheon with our dear Carl, so yesterday we had to get our weekend errands done.
We did our normal morning routine, then out the door at 9am. Banking first and then a long ride. We did stop for a late breakfast out. I had to eat and it was one less meal I had to deal with in a very busy day. Groceries - just quick stop for fresh fruits, veggies and milk. Weather was perfect, so it was out on the deck (yes, fans, Bruce went out on the de
Back in the Fall when Bruce and I had to reschedule and consider new caregivers, we knew it would be an adjustment. I am contracted for 24 hours a week at work. Yes, I have a lot of wiggle room, but if one takes advantage of a situation, given out of concern and love, one can probably expect that management might get annoyed.
Mind you, I have my choice of caregivers and no one has better help than Bruce and I. And I have spoken about that often. During the Fall, Bruce decided he was no longe
I am watching the live events from Massachusetts right now. I remember coming home from Nursing school in 1993, setting up my homework and then getting CNN live from Waco. After such a terrific day, to come home to this. I am pleased Law Enforcement had quick ending to Boston Marathon bombing. With all the new electronics and videos, once the suspects were pointed out, it was only a matter of time. But now, one still missing. And I can only pray for Law Enforcement and the public safety and some
Exciting weekend here in Connecticut if you follow College hockey: two local teams battling it out for the National championship. My very first date with Bruce was the night of the Stanley cup final - Islanders vs Rangers. I had a transistor radio with an earphone. Bruce had a 1975 pick up truck that we valet parked. He panicked when the twenty year old valet drove off and left rubble in his dust - LOL. Kid said later he never got to drive anything that old with some power - LOL. And yes I did
I was holding off medicating Bruce for the night. He is exhausted and so needs to sleep in tomorrow. In the meantime, his TV is still blaring and I know he is still awake and I just want to get into bed. My back is truly screaming. Good news is if I wear shoes during the day, it helps. And that is truly how I got through today.
What a terrific day we both had. Friends started checking in about 10am - his boss/friend. From what I know Bob taught Bruce who taught Bill (Graphic Arts) and their
Tomorrow is Bruce's 63rd birthday. He informed me tonight at bedtime that he was born at 7:29pm - LOL. Bruce's best friend and wife are coming at least for the day.
You all know I have been rethinking some things here. Bruce does best with me. Caregivers mainly wait on him and by the time I get home from work, I am tired and cranky. We have come off a difficult few weeks. Plus Bruce's stroke anniversary is so close to his birthday. I posted about the stroke anniversary. But the one thing I d
Happy Easter to all. It will be a quiet day here. My brother wants us to come to his house, but Bruce has not had a good week and I opted to leave it open. As all good Italian children, if we decide last minute, there will be plenty to go around - LOL.
We just came off Bruce's 4th year stroke anniversary and what a week it was! Next weekend is his birthday and Bruce's dearest friend, Don and his wife are coming for hopefully an overnight. They have a dog, Callie. Callie often comes with Don
This is always a tough blog for all of us caregivers and stroke victims alike. We want to acknowledge our successes and recovery, just the fact that we are whole and alive, but also don't want to go back to that day.
This past week filled in fast. I don't know if it was loved ones realizing it was Bruce's stroke anniversary or just a need to get out. Winter is still upon us. The croci and lilacs refuse to be fooled, but us humans want some heat, light and relief from the snow that seems to p
We are coming up quickly on Bruce's four year stroke anniversary. That will be a long thought-out blog certainly. But I think friends and family are also realizing it. Plus everyone is so anxious for Spring, some warm, sunny weather. Spring is due on Thursday, we we are right in the middle of yet another winter storm. Fortunately I was able to get Pema on the road home before any accumulation.
For my birthday, Bruce's two college roommates give me a whole day off.. Saturday was that day. Mar
