The New Week Beckons

Today is Friday and several items will unfold. First is blogging. Second is laundry to clean up issues from last evening, you know, bathroom issues of the elderly. Then this morning we prepare for a round of doctor appointments. Morning one for Rocky. Afternoon is for me. Rocky’s conditions continue to mount. Will this day be notable for a turnaround? Or will he be hospitalized to stabilize his situation? Time will tell. We have only to live through the moments of the day to live the reality.

Afternoon appointment is long overdue for George but welcome to address COPD issues. Recent falls have kept CPAP use at zero. Oxygen remains a staple, though. And sleep and diet. All of those are well.

Of course, mealtimes must be managed throughout the day. Rocky’s food intake has been minimal of late. His schedule has been so erratic somedays we are fortunate if he eats one full meal. I know the doctor will tell us three are required. Believe me, I push snacks these days just to keep his caloric intake above zero. If we squeak by without a hospital stay, diet fulfillment will be high on the to do list.

George’s issue is falling. Those have injured muscle groups in the back and legs. Managing movements while in bed are impossible; too painful. The answer has been over 4 months of sleeping in a powerlift recliner. Very ergonomic and healthy. But very limiting in exercising and improving back and leg function. How to move past this stalemate will be the challenge. Bed use will restore use of the CPAP machine and much improved nighttime respiration.

If all the above is satisfactorily survived, then prep for weekend SCORE clients must begin. Ten appointments and work sessions this week is a heavy schedule but manageable. Added to the household matters, however, SCORE work is a bit much. Lighter next week. Meantime the volunteer work keeps the brain and intellect functioning well. It allows the day to unfold nicely.

As the day begins, we wonder how it will end. Challenges, yes; impossible, no. All will most likely be a normal experience as we encounter the unknown. We have a lifetime of such, and we remain here. I suspect the weekend will unfold well, too. It always has. Some hiccups, maybe; but then we survived those as well.

If this turns out to be different, I’ll let you know.

Well, it turned out differently. Rocky is in hospital for observation. He is anemic and close to needing a transfusion, dehydrated and not eating well enough. His mobility is nil, and the fall risk is constant. EMTs took him to ER Sunday afternoon. He will be assessed for need of placement to a care facility or free to go home. We do not know how this will turn out.

January 16, 2023

 

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