Happy New Year to all!
Now that I've recharged in January and froze in February, I am back on routine and figured it was time to get my hands moving and an update out!
We survived December and all it had to offer and rang in 2015, no small feat this year to accomplish.
As I had mentioned in my previous entry, I needed you to say a little prayer for me as Myra(our f/t caregiver) went home to the Philippines, for the month on holidays. At the time, when we discussed it in February(2014), it all seemed plausible, we would find coverage, a great trip for Myra and she was getting married! But in hindsight, and selfishly, wedding or not, what was I thinking!
So after weeks of planning and scheduling, with the help of 3 different organizations, I was somewhat "comfortable" with where we needed to be. I must say I was quite proud of the colour coordinated schedule I created. I was able to tap into my old training skills and all those coast to coast rollouts!
Then on December 5th Myra left and the fun began!
Look, my expectations going in were low. I knew we might be in for a rough ride. You just can't replace someone, especially Myra, and the routines you have created, especially when it's only for a month, near impossible!
I did manage to make it through the month, relatively unscathed, and I can now look back and laugh. But oh my, a few days, I was heading for the door hoping to escape to the nearest home or garage!
I can safely say that in December I haven't had that many hands on me since my mosh pit days in the 80's!
We had a lot of people in and out during the month so that provided for some interesting moments...
Now let me preface a couple of the funny moments I will tell, with the fact that our caregivers, by and large, have been wonderful. They have a thankless job and without them, and the organizations they represent, we would be, well, screwed and left on our own.
With that said, what would life be without a little humour and
laughing!
We have an elevator, as you know, and I drive in and back out. I'm still okay with the driving in part but I can no longer back out. There are controls on the back of my chair so an attendant can drive.
On the day in question Susan was going out but she had "trained" this individual(lets call them "Pat"!) on how to operate the chair before. Now I don't think I will get in trouble for calling out Susan's training skills... she's fast on the "show and tell" piece and slow on what I call "check for understanding" and "follow up"!
I wheeled in the elevator to head upstairs with Pat. I landed at the 2nd floor, and was momentarily locked in the elevator. I was confident I would get out, as Pat had made the same mistake twice before, so I figured we'd get there and eventually we did.
Now the challenge of backing me out...
Pat powered on the chair with confidence and then started backing up. Now I recognize the joystick is sensitive and it does take some getting used to, but...
Pat repeatedly ran into the door frame, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, taking chunks out of the door and giving me whiplash! I tried to remain calm and provide instruction but the "foreign" language I now speak is only understood by a few. Pat started to panic a bit and move me forward in order to correct the turns but now overcompensated and I was turning sideways! I mustered enough voice to yell "STOP" and Pat heard that and did. We both took a couple of deep breathes, and then I took the controls. I managed to get straightened and my back wheels out. I then let Pat do the rest and wheel me out. I'm not sure who was more exhausted, Pat or I, and the door ... some sanding to do but still on its hinges!
Now let me introduce "Chris". Chris was in one morning and assisted me with having breakfast. I usually have breakfast in our family room and said caregiver sits beside me and helps. Now it does take me much longer to eat my meals these days but on this particular day it took an hour to eat a hard boiled egg and half a banana. Not my fault, can you guess what happened?
Well, Chris was apparently quite tired and nodded off... not once, not twice but 3 times! I could only sit there and giggle to myself as I didn't want to startle Chris. Breakfast, one hour.
Thank heavens Chris wasn't a drooler... awkward!
In other news...
As most are, I'm tired of February and the cold. I'm a little like a caged animal not being able to get out. I won't whine to loudly though as our family and friends in the east coast are literally covered in snow!
Hit 50 on February 14th. How did I get so old? Had a "little" party. Will share that and some pictures with you in my next entry!
Till then , which will be soon, stay warm!
