Friday, June 14, 2024

Update on Everything


 Dearest Reader,    Well, so much has happened since last we spoke. I was at my wits ends with Dave and mentioned it all to my doctor when I went in for a checkup (I'm fine, so nothing there to speak of). She had mentioned Hospice months earlier and I was just not ready to hear this advice, until now. I called Hospice and they said we needed a doctor's referral. so I called for that but it was Memorial Day weekend, so it was the Tuesday after that Hospice called and set up an appointment for an evaluation. 
We passed of course. It turns out that Hospice is not just for the end of life folks. Dave is healthy in every way except for his long term Parkinson's and now dementia and paranoid psychosis. Phew! But I learned that hospice can take care of all his and my needs, FOR FREE through Medicare. We have a nurse come in twice a week to take his vitals, another nurse comes in twice a week to bathe and shave him, and we also have a social worker and chaplain once a month. A volunteer comes in and sits with Dave for a couple of hours while I am at bible study. And if I need a few days away,  they will bring Dave to a place where he can be cared for and I can have a vacation. Amazing. There are doctors and pharmacies involved if we need them, and a hospital bed, walker, cane, bath chair, etc. if we request.  Who knew? And there is no time limit on this care. 
So naturally I am floating on waves of relief and have already begun to get my life back in bits and pieces. 



 I've moved my rooms around again, so that I once more have a sewing room. O my how wonderful it is to have this haven for creativity. I have saved (for 8 years!) a bunch of beautiful Kaffe Fassett fabrics for tops and ordered some coordinating Waverly cottons for pants and shorts. I made a really cute dress from New Look 6414

but it turned out too small. Darn. So I gave it to my pal Patsy who fits it perfectly. 

Undaunted, I redrafted the pattern, made it again and now it fits me. It's not quite a dress in this length, more of a tunic, which I wear with crisp white pants. 

I spent a large part of a day searching for all my sewing supplies which got stored in closets and boxes, etc. and have ordered a cabinet to keep them all centrally located in the studio. In doing that search, of course I found other things which had 'gone missing' since I put everything away to focus on just caring for Dave. My reasoning was that if I paid attention to him all day, everyday, things would improve. It did work, but of course I was denying the need to have me-time. Resentment set in, under the surface, and it was a nasty thing. But let's just forget all that and concentrate on how wonderful things are now. Yay!

 I am loving this new coneflower, Tres Sombreros, which is going nuts in the front garden.

 And the lettuces I started in March in egg shells have grown huge, and I am harvesting the heads and have enjoyed them in salads regularly. 
Things around the house have improved too. My wonderful brother in law, John, has painted my front door, and it happens to match my blue flower pots. I am so coordinated!
  The electrician returned after a four month hiatus and finished rewiring the whole house, adding two much needed outlets and changing out the ceiling lights in the living room. So happy. There had been plans to build a front deck like I had in my previous house, but I opted for the flower bed instead and since that is going gangbusters, I am so glad I made that choice. Turns out that our carport is the perfect spot for a couple of chaise lounges, a dining table and even a planter table. I love having the breezey shade while I enjoy an iced tea and read a library book. 
I'll be keeping you up to date on things more regularly now, as I have the mental space to do so. Hurray!





14 comments:

  1. Dear Mel, I was so delighted to see your post as I had checked several times. I am very pleased that you have managed to get help whilst you care for Dave and I wish you all the very best.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad you've gotten set up with Hospice. It is such a fantastic program, and so many people who would qualify don't know about the availability. I can hear the joy and relief in your voice as you write--so important to have some windows of time for yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad you are and Dave are getting the support you each need.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well done and thanks for sharing the info on Hospice. I have been through that with quite a few people. It's nothing to be frightened of. Hang in there.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thrilled to hear from you and that all in your life is so much improved!! This hospice word is so tricky isn't it? We went through a similar situation with a relative. We had been trying to do everything ourselves. Finally the doctor insisted on 24/7 help so was qualified. AND it was all covered by Medicare! Enjoy the summer and the beautiful flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so happy to see this post!! :) You seem in better spirits. Hospice will be a really good thing for both you and Dave. With love, Becky in Indiana

    ReplyDelete
  7. That IS good news. Great to have you back. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So pleased to read that we will be hearing more from you again! So sorry to read of poor Dave but gosh thank goodness for the help from your Doctor and Hospice. Enjoy your sewing again and no doubt you'll be out and about more in the garden. Such a relief for you to know that help is now available.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So happy to hear you are getting some relief. It is too big of a job for you alone. Stay healthy and prayers for both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So lovely to hear from you again! Glad to hear that you've gotten some help...good for you and good for Dave.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. hyJune 19, 2024 at 11:07 PM
    You have been on my mind, felt it might have to do with Dave. Parkinson’s is hard enough, add in dementia and psychosis and it usually spells disaster, in my experience as a nurse. So glad you got on Hospice. They can be a God-send. Sending hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Investment is one of the best ways to achieve financial freedom. For a beginner there are so many challenges you face. It's hard to know how to get started. Trading on the Cryptocurrency market has really been a life changer for me. I almost gave up on crypto at some point not until saw a recommendation on Elon musk successfully success story and I got a proficient trader/broker Mr Bernie Doran , he gave me all the information required to succeed in trading. I made more profit than I could ever imagine. I'm not here to converse much but to share my testimony; I have made total profit returns of $20,500 from an investment of just $2000 within 1 week. Thanks to Mr Bernie I'm really grateful,I have been able to make a great returns trading with his signals and strategies .I urge anyone interested in INVESTMENT to take bold step in investing in the Cryptocurrency Market, he can also help you recover your lost funds, you can reach him on WhatsApp : +1(424) 285-0682 or his Gmail : BERNIEDORANSIGNALS@GMAIL.COM tell him I referred you








    The electrician returned after a four month hiatus and finished rewiring the whole house, adding two much needed outlets and changing out the ceiling lights in the living room. So happy. There had been plans to build a front deck like I had in my previous house, but I opted for the flower bed instead and since that is going gangbusters, I am so glad I made that choice. Turns out that our carport is the perfect spot for a couple of chaise lounges, a dining table and even a planter table. I love having the breezey shade while I enjoy an iced tea and read a library book.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I usually lurk - read and don’t post - but I remembered the other night that I hadn’t seen you on Instagram for a while, and there learned that I should look for you here instead.
    I am so relieved that you have now got a team of caregivers involved with Dave’s care. As friends of ours received a Parkinson’s diagnosis recently, I thought of you and what it has meant for you. May you have some moments to take care of yourself, which likely means the chance to be creative.
    I soon will be happily wearing my lovely Shift cowl that I got from you last year or the year before?

    ReplyDelete