The long weekend
Entry posted by avantgardener
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Actually, the long weekend FLEW by. One thing I've noticed since Larry's stroke is that there are even fewer hours in the day than there were before - and I thought I was busy before this happened. I'm trying to make a conscious effort to discriminate between what has to get done and what is just obsessive/compulsive housecleaning stuff (which I have a lot of since the stroke).
My one big goal for this weekend was to get Larry's hair cut, and I never did. His sister, Judy, bought a hair trimming device when she was here a week ago, and I still have not figured out how to use it. I kept putting it off until I had given him a shower and washed his hair, and that didn't happen until this afternoon - by then he didn't want me to cut his hair and I didn't push it. The simplest things seem to take so much effort! Just getting Larry up and dressed, his teeth brushed, breakfast, and all that takes about 2 hours. This has certainly taught me a lot about patience, which I've always has in short supply. At this point, Larry looks like he went to Berkeley in the 1960's (which he did); all he needs is a tie-dyed T-shirt and he could pass himself off as one of the Rainbow Family members.
At least we got his shower done. I bought a shower chair that is unfortunately a real piece of junk...I tried to return it and they would not take it back, so I'm stuck with it. I am going to have to just buy something else; I've tried twice now to use it and it's too flimsy and too small. Also, I can not figure out how to take the hoist sling out from under Larry once I've finally got him in the chair. Even if I could get it out, I'm not sure I could get it back in again. I may put up a post about that - there is probably a technique that I don't know about. In any case, we managed somehow to get the shower done (in the backyard with the shower attachment to the hose; fortunately I can run warm water from the garage). At least his hair is washed and he's clean, and that's something accomplished.
After the shower trauma had faded we took a walk to Trader Joe's and did some grocery shopping. I am so grateful to have so many things within walking distance! It's good for both of us to get out and be in the world, instead of just in the house and back yard. It's about a 2 mile walk round trip, so very good for me as well - I need the exercise. Larry sang to me again on the trip home. He can hum the tunes of things and sometimes can sing a few of the words. People look at us, but I so totally do not care. I'm so happy that he's home and that we can get out and enjoy an evening.
Things are OK. This is not easy for either of us, and I wish this had never happened, but we're managing. I'm so glad that his personality is still there, and that even though things have changed there is still a lot that's the same.
xxx's and ooo's
-Janine
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