I spent the morning cooking. I made Pizza Soup. It made me think of my Uncle Roman and Aunt Maryann. When we went south to Texas, we stayed with them in Austin. Aunt Maryann made this soup, which is really called Zucchini Soup, while we were there and it is SO good. We call it Pizza Soup because when Sara and Nora were little, that is what they called it.

It is a huge recipe, but the good thing about it is that it freezes beautifully. So we will have soup for weeks.

I also made a blueberry pie. We were out of desserts and I need to use up blueberries from the freezer. I will be able to share it too. Bobbie will be here on Monday and I can take some to Mom.

There was a lot of wash to do and more tomorrow but I have it pretty much under control. I cut Dick's hair and beard this afternoon. I used to cut his hair until he went to Plymouth Care but never did his beard before. I think I did a good job. Tomorrow, we will take a picture and we will post it on this blog.

Today, the first of my helpers came at 3:15PM so that I could instruct her as to Dick's care, especially the stand lift, and get to the 4PM Mass. I had to miss Mass last week and for me that is hard as it is an hour that I use for centering and regrouping. I really miss Mass when I cannot go.

An aide named Kim came and it went just fine. He had taken his meds and she made the bed and did the dishes and emptied the dishwasher too. He had to go to the bathroom once and that worked well too. Now I feel a bit more confident that this will work.

He went to bed at about 7:30PM this evening and I will be following him very soon.

Tomorrow will be a day at home. I don't expect anybody either so that will be different. I wonder if Roxie will be looking for some company. She is so used to the parade that goes in and out of here.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I found a quote that I hid in a notebook some time ago. I will share it tonight.

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow. Yet we forget that he is someone today." Stacia Taucher

A busy productive day.

Jody came at 8AM an did the cleaning.

Mary from Embrace Care arrived at 10:30AM and we came to an agreement as to what we want to try for the next two weeks. Then we will reeavaluate to see if all is working well. This should give me some relief from the strain on my ribs and back and give me some time away, with someone here, to do the shopping and other errands that have been let go for the past couple of weeks. I am hoping that they can be with Dick while I go to church on Saturday.

Every day I realize how very blessed we are.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I went in to the Sheboygan Clinic to see Dr.Leben. I showed her the log that I kept for a week or more after she did the shot in my back. It did show that the shot WAS working but the benefits were destroyed because of the strains I put on the back and ribs helping Dick. She has suggested that I see Dr. Sidiki for a different kind of shot that will actually deaden the nerve and bring relief from the pain. I talked it over with Dick and he said that he would do it if it were him. That will be scheduled sometime next week.

Dick will be having a procedure done on April 16th. It will hopefully go a long way towards solving his UTIs and improve his general health. He is so weak.

Ashley, the RN form VNA came today to check him and we discussed things that are being worked on. I plan to talk to a home care management group tomorrow and wewill set up some initial help for us.

I was able to finish a project for CWI and get a half bolt of the CWI tartan ordered. I also talked to a couple of people about the Gathering. Kate has made the reservations for our room at the Inn on Woodlake. That will be a good break in just a month and is something for me to look forward to also.

So tomorrow will be rather busy. Home health care, Jody, the cleaner and Mary from the Care Management. I will be going to bed VERY soon so that I can be ready to get up at 6AM.

So Dia Dhuit

Mary

A Haiku from me

How far must I run
To feel freedom on my face
Under floating clouds.

It is now a month until the Celtic Spring Gathering, and I am making arrangements so that I can go for the weekend. By then I will REALLY need a break and what better event to go to.

Today, I did manage grocery shopping. I went very early while Dick was still in bed. I woke him enough to tell him that I would be gone for a bit. I was back in 45 minutes and he was still asleep. So that worked. Made me very nervous though.

The morning went pretty well. He seems to get restless and tired more in the afternoon and evenings.

This afternoon, Kathy from the Department of Aging and Disability came and reviewed some of our options with us. I have a lot of work to do but have people to go through it all with me. I am so very tired. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment in the early morning but will try to get to it before three when things always get out of hand here. Bobbie, you understand the afternoons, having spent one with your Dad. It is almost 8PM and I am going to finish setting out the pills for tomorrow and then will get Dick to bed and then myself.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Our only visitor today was Nancy, the home health aid who gave Dick his bath.

I managed to go to the Pharmacy early this morning while Dick was still feeling pretty well. The late afternoons and the evenings are the worst. He is weak and confused and I am tired.

I am trying to watch the elimination show of Dancing With the Stars but that is kind of turning out to be a losing battle. I don't care much about TV, but I do enjoy that show IF I get to see it.

Tomorrow the agent from the Department of Aging and Disability is coming and perhaps we can see about regular assistance. I am almost ashamed to go back to Dr. Leban and tell her I am as bad as I was before the treatment she did.

Oh Well. It will all work out.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A good night's sleep made me ready to face the day, but tonight I am ready for sleep again. Believe me.

I did zip out after Dick got up and I had him set up with his meds, his juice and Iced tea and his nebuliser. I had to pick up some meds for Mom and stop over at her house to see that the bills were all paid. I wanted to update her as to how things are going here too. These things are not easily explained on the phone especially with her hearing problem. She looks well.

I got home and fixed lunch for Dick and me. At 2PM Tim picked us up to take us to the Clinic here in Plymouth. His coagulation count is just perfect. Dr. Sharon has reviewed everything that has been presented by the other doctors and does not have a definitive answer as to the weakness and confusion but agrees that the procedure that Dr. Herman wants to do is necessary, so we will be scheduling that within a week, I would imagine. This afternoon was exhausting but at least that stand lift is making Dick's transfers safe.

Kitty thinks it is time to go to bed and I believe that I agree with her. As soon as I am done watching Dancing with the Stars, I will be there.

We will see what tomorrow brings.

Dia Dhuit

Mary


A.E. Housman, who said, "Knowledge is good, method is good, but one thing beyond all others is necessary; and that is to have a head, not a pumpkin, on your shoulders and brains, not pudding, in your head."

Today, I got the afternoon off. Bobbie and Bill came over to stay with Dick while I drove to the Marcus in Milwaukee to see Eileen Ivers and her band in concert with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Rosemary Mugan rode with me. We lunched at the Water Street Brewery. I ordered a super delicious yellow fin tuna sandwich. Then we walked down the street to the theater for the concert.

It was SO good. She played a lovely selection of music, from OCarolan to John Williams and as piece or two of her own. Lively and special. She and her band are very interactive too.

I got home at about 6PM. Bobbie had dinner just about finished, so the four of us ate and now it is after 8PM and I am going to bed.

Until tomorrow
Dia Dhuit

Mary