Midnight Musings

Sleeping on the love seat may not work out like I thought.

Being a 'nursing' assistant in the middle of the night is not so awful. But it doesn't add to the beauty sleep.

We got home as planned and lo and behold, Daniel from Hospice was right behind us. Olive's husband was also there. The guys got on each side of hubby and helped him into a transfer chair 

There was a lot of paperwork to go through and Rich was too exhausted to actually deal with it. Verbal permission was granted for me as his caregiver to handle it.

What did we possibly need? We went over the need for a commode. Hospice would replace his concentrator and deal with his oxygen needs. 

The RN went through Rich's current medications and made some adjustments.
He mentioned that his assigned nurse, Jason, would be out early next week to do what those nurses do. I asked if the Jason's last name was Jason M. and he said it was! We've known Jason and his family for a while. I knew he'd transferred to become a Hospice Nurse. What luck that we would have someone Rich was familiar with. 
I used to work out with Jason's wife at the gym when I was doing 6 AM classes. Small world.

He then went through some of the services they offer. Apparently I can also get Respite care so I could visit my son, his wife, and Rory! 

My head was swimming as we entered this new uncharted territory. I was left with stuff to read and look over. 

One of my old friends from grade school called to chat a couple of hours later. I heard a knock on the door and there was a delivery van from MN with a concentrator, tubing, oxygen tanks for back up, and a commode. 

All of the supplies I thought I would need! 

[They also take over the oxygen equipment from the company that supplied it before we went to Hospice]

How in the world could Hospice pull that off?

I'm used to a rather slow motion experience with the VA and the regular medical field.

I got a huge surprise when Rich said he was hungry. I made him one scrambled egg and some bacon. He topped it off with a piece of buttered cinnamon swirl toast and a cup of coffee.-------- This is the largest meal he has had in a week.

We are getting pretty good at the wheel chair thing and um... the urinal thing. 

I want to shout out to the Social Workers of the world. Where would I be without you?

Social Workers get things done. The VA social worker for me as a Caregiver has been so helpful along with the local hospital social worker. They set things in motion and got stuff done.

Hospice is sending out their social worker this week to meet us.

I am worn out but feeling more calm.

Rich woke up at midnight and called out. As I was helping him with the urinal he chuckled lightly and said...

"Wow, they are actually going to let me die then right?"

"Yes, isn't that what you want?"

He gave me a wide grin and said. "Yes, I, DO."

He hugged me when I finished helping him.

"Thank you so much. You are the best."

This morning I am tired. With every little noise, I was listening for Rich to call out for something. Our tiny full sized bed doesn't give me much sleeping room especially with a person whose arms and legs twitch often. So I'm going to try and figure out something better. Maybe a cot would work next to the bedroom. They are not big but I can stretch out and be close enough to help.

Some good things about being stuck at home more is that I can practice my Still Life and Indoor Toy Photography. At least until I can start to plant gazillions of flowers.

And Charlie is beside himself...

so happy to have Rich home!