Bedridden

Dave is bedridden.  He tries to stand but his legs are too weak.  My aide and I try to transfer him to a wheelchair but it is getting more difficult with Dave sliding to the floor.  I asked the therapist to try and he had the same result.  I guess it is time to accept the inevitable and order a hospital bed.  Meanwhile, we have been using many bed pillows to prop Dave up in bed for meals.  At least Dave is in good spirits.  The last bout of bad behavior was due to a UTi.

I found a wonderful place to walk the dog with the Hudson River in the background.  How could I have lived here so long and never know about this place? I will take Dave when the weather is warmer.

Affect Labeling

 This morning Dave was especially chatty, half awake he shouted out feelings like, "Where is the car? How long will it be? and then my name and more."  All at 5:00 am.  He also said "I am getting up" but he didn't move, or so I thought.  I needed my son to help put him back in bed.  He was half hanging out, next step would be the floor. Next came pill taking time.  Dave was not in the mood and spit out the pill.  This makes me feel exasperated, angry and hopeless to the point of tears.

I found some information at a caretaker's web site.  It said to write down and label your feelings.  This is called "affect labeling", it helps to alleviate the pain.  It really did help.

I offer this web site at a place called Quartz so I can not be accused of plagerism:  https://qz.com/989060/reduce-stress-and-anxiety-with-a-pen-and-this-simple-neuroscience-backed-trick/

Dining Room Table Final

The final saga of the dining room table was completed yesterday.  After many coats of polyurethane, my table looks like new. The old table was destined for the garbage.  I was walking Shaemus when a truck pulled up to the house next door.  The driver was looking at junk furniture.  I quickly asked him if he wanted a dining rom table.  He said sure so I brought him inside, interrupted my son's breakfast so he could help the man dismantle and carry the table outside.  Hooray, the job was done.