Anyone remember that iconic line from Treasure Of Sierra Madre, "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges." Well, I have one of my own, "Cabin Fever? I don't have no cabin fever. I sure don't need no cabin fever. I wouldn't tell you if I had cabin fever." The picture, part of my Dungeon.
I watched most of the Eagles/Cowboys game last night. I don't remember the last quarter but woke while they were interviewing a smiling Eagles player, I figured they won. I just checked the score 30-27 Eagles. I know our friend Debbie is happy. It must have been an exciting game. I still can't (and I'm sure I never would) get used to ballgames on so late. I suppose for a semi insomniac a dull game would be perfect.
The heavy snow caused a rip in the roof of the Minnesota Vikings stadium. Their game with the New York Giants was rescheduled tonight, here in Detroit. I heard people were in line at 6 this morning for the FREE tickets. Actually, I would love to go and see Ford Field and the Vikings/New York Giants game. How nice, a good football team playing here in Detroit.
I slept through my alarm this morning. I have the cell phone set to ring, and vibrate. I should look for a 'hit you over the head with a hammer" setting. Perhaps my subconscious knew it was 9 or 10 (depending on which TV station you like) degrees this morning. Oh, and just to be especially sadistic the station let us know, "the wind chill is -9." When I was a kid I would walk five miles to school, through the snow, barefoot. I never heard "wind chill." This morning all the local schools are closed.
This morning Fred didn't, or couldn't, open his eyes and greet the day. Maybe his subconscious knew it was 9, or 10 degrees? Eventually, while eating breakfast he told me he had a horrible night. He said he woke, not sure of the time and was very hungry. He then said, "I wasn't sure if I should eat those snack crackers you left up here." (I left them up here in case he woke in the middle of the night and was hungry). They are those round cheese filled Nabisco crackers. I guess they could be mistaken for checkers, or poker chips? So, rather than eat the poker chips he tried to get back to sleep and had "food dreams" most of the night. He was attacked by giant lamb chops throwing globs (remember he loves globs of goop) of apple and mint sauce. I reminded him how important eating is and he can, and should, call me in situations like this.
After he had breakfast and was fully awake we had "the talk." I talked and he listened. I told him I was leaving in three days. We have today, tomorrow and Wensday to find out just what he is capable of. I can't stay any longer and feel I have deserved a couple of days to myself before I head home. I want to spend some time with Harriet and Paul as well as a few other old friends.
I think we have figured a way to let the folks in when I'm not here. The remote clicker for the garage door works from the top floor front bedroom. Fred should be able to mange it and the folks can come in through the garage. We'll have a back up hide a key out somewhere just in case. Today, I will let the workers in and make sure he has three meals as well as snacks (maybe poker chips?). Tomorrow he will use the remote clicker and get downstairs for at least one meal. Wensday, the same with the clicker and downstairs for two meals. If he can manage that, I think he'll be fine on his own.
When his second appointment with Nancy, the occupational therapist, is over I'll head out to the grocery store. As much as I hate things like Lean Cuisine, they are fast and easy to prepare. Using the word prepare and Lean Cuisine together is an insult to cooking but for Fred they'll do for now. I plan on going through our on line and hard copy recipes and sending him some of the easier things. We started with "how to make pancakes" the other day. Last night we tackled the always difficult, grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Today pancakes and grilled cheese. Who knows, maybe tomorrow french toast and hard boiled eggs.
All plans have the potential for failure so I think we have some back-up. The hospital has a service called "Helping Hands." They provide basic home care assistance on an hourly basis. The social worker will also have some home care private duty workers she can recommend. We'll see, hopefully he won't need anyone.
It's now several hours later. I finally got a break for me and grabbed the notebook and flew to Starbucks. It's been an interesting day since we last "talked."
The home health aid came over around 10:30. She helped Fred get up and into the bathroom for a shower. I don't know if I ever mentioned I installed a hand held shower sprayer and bought a sturdy shower seat. He is doing very well with her help, she will be able to come to the house a couple times a week for, we hope, another two or three weeks. Nancy came for her hour with him and they navigated the stairs. Once downstairs she had him open the fridge, take out a few things, pour himself a drink and then sit at the kitchen table. Her next visit will be at 11:30, she'll have him heat something up in the microwave. She wants to make sure he can feed himself before I leave.
I watched most of the Eagles/Cowboys game last night. I don't remember the last quarter but woke while they were interviewing a smiling Eagles player, I figured they won. I just checked the score 30-27 Eagles. I know our friend Debbie is happy. It must have been an exciting game. I still can't (and I'm sure I never would) get used to ballgames on so late. I suppose for a semi insomniac a dull game would be perfect.
The heavy snow caused a rip in the roof of the Minnesota Vikings stadium. Their game with the New York Giants was rescheduled tonight, here in Detroit. I heard people were in line at 6 this morning for the FREE tickets. Actually, I would love to go and see Ford Field and the Vikings/New York Giants game. How nice, a good football team playing here in Detroit.
I slept through my alarm this morning. I have the cell phone set to ring, and vibrate. I should look for a 'hit you over the head with a hammer" setting. Perhaps my subconscious knew it was 9 or 10 (depending on which TV station you like) degrees this morning. Oh, and just to be especially sadistic the station let us know, "the wind chill is -9." When I was a kid I would walk five miles to school, through the snow, barefoot. I never heard "wind chill." This morning all the local schools are closed.
This morning Fred didn't, or couldn't, open his eyes and greet the day. Maybe his subconscious knew it was 9, or 10 degrees? Eventually, while eating breakfast he told me he had a horrible night. He said he woke, not sure of the time and was very hungry. He then said, "I wasn't sure if I should eat those snack crackers you left up here." (I left them up here in case he woke in the middle of the night and was hungry). They are those round cheese filled Nabisco crackers. I guess they could be mistaken for checkers, or poker chips? So, rather than eat the poker chips he tried to get back to sleep and had "food dreams" most of the night. He was attacked by giant lamb chops throwing globs (remember he loves globs of goop) of apple and mint sauce. I reminded him how important eating is and he can, and should, call me in situations like this.
After he had breakfast and was fully awake we had "the talk." I talked and he listened. I told him I was leaving in three days. We have today, tomorrow and Wensday to find out just what he is capable of. I can't stay any longer and feel I have deserved a couple of days to myself before I head home. I want to spend some time with Harriet and Paul as well as a few other old friends.
I think we have figured a way to let the folks in when I'm not here. The remote clicker for the garage door works from the top floor front bedroom. Fred should be able to mange it and the folks can come in through the garage. We'll have a back up hide a key out somewhere just in case. Today, I will let the workers in and make sure he has three meals as well as snacks (maybe poker chips?). Tomorrow he will use the remote clicker and get downstairs for at least one meal. Wensday, the same with the clicker and downstairs for two meals. If he can manage that, I think he'll be fine on his own.
When his second appointment with Nancy, the occupational therapist, is over I'll head out to the grocery store. As much as I hate things like Lean Cuisine, they are fast and easy to prepare. Using the word prepare and Lean Cuisine together is an insult to cooking but for Fred they'll do for now. I plan on going through our on line and hard copy recipes and sending him some of the easier things. We started with "how to make pancakes" the other day. Last night we tackled the always difficult, grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Today pancakes and grilled cheese. Who knows, maybe tomorrow french toast and hard boiled eggs.
All plans have the potential for failure so I think we have some back-up. The hospital has a service called "Helping Hands." They provide basic home care assistance on an hourly basis. The social worker will also have some home care private duty workers she can recommend. We'll see, hopefully he won't need anyone.
It's now several hours later. I finally got a break for me and grabbed the notebook and flew to Starbucks. It's been an interesting day since we last "talked."
The home health aid came over around 10:30. She helped Fred get up and into the bathroom for a shower. I don't know if I ever mentioned I installed a hand held shower sprayer and bought a sturdy shower seat. He is doing very well with her help, she will be able to come to the house a couple times a week for, we hope, another two or three weeks. Nancy came for her hour with him and they navigated the stairs. Once downstairs she had him open the fridge, take out a few things, pour himself a drink and then sit at the kitchen table. Her next visit will be at 11:30, she'll have him heat something up in the microwave. She wants to make sure he can feed himself before I leave.
When Nancy left I made lunch for Fred. Then I went out to run some errands and pick up some needed supplies. I discovered when it's 10 degrees it is not a great idea to leave your gloves in the car. The parking lots are full of snow, no line markings anywhere. Cars are parked at many odd angles and it's FREAKIN' cold out here. The inside of the windows in this place are frozen, the insides! Tonight should be loads of fun as it's getting colder. When I was in the grocery store I had a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in my hand but put them back. I'll be sorry tonight but there is no way I will go out int his weather again until I have to.
No comments:
Post a Comment