As much gratitude as I had for a typical day on day 14, Day 15 I am grateful is not a typical day and it resides firmly in the temporary. Today was a chemo day. My gratitude continues to overflow that even the emotions around taking Dad to chemo day are totally different this go round. Last time, we were both dreading the return of the super fatigue but we had steeled ourselves in the hope of moving toward completion. But this time, we both didn't feel nearly as much of anything. That lack of big emotion was worth mountains of gratitude. The two weeks was tolerable. Please don't misunderstand that he is running at 100% but from where he has been before the last two weeks, it is SO much better. So we keep forging forward towards getting his 70th decade back on track for more hiking and biking and travel!
Even on his hardest days, he meets these providers cheerfully and with good humor. Often teasing or mock complaining, just to break their routine and get their attention. I think it is such a smart move. He does it effortlessly because being ornery runs in this man's blood. But it disrupts the routine, the typical office visit, and it makes the provider stop and truly see him. Humanizes him a little more than a few minutes prior and makes connections that keeps putting more and more people on the team of those that want to see him do well. Expert play, Dad. Well done.
Speaking of the 70's, this is the photo he shared while chemo was running. Cracked me up. One of the MANY expert hikes we went on with Dad. Speaking of expert plays. . . .look who is getting a ride back to the car!
Well, it was in the 70's, in the midwest, in December - crazy! You would think everyone spent the day outside enjoying the weather but you would be wrong. That 70's was met with wind speeds also in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Fortunately, there were no tornados in our area though they were likely today. The kids had an early dismissal for strong winds. . . .that was a first. Well, for us, that meant a leak in the kitchen. . . .not fun. Even the Christmas tree in the back ground can't make me like this fact anymore. Fortunately, I've gotta guy and he will fix this all good as new. Just a nuisance and an expense - probably way over the 70's. Our cabin had a pipe burst and a big flood too. . . .that when it rains, it pours quote comes to mind.
I got to have a little time with Big B tonight one on one. He keeps me on my toes with all his clever ideas and probing questions. He is a thinker and I think he might ask 10,000 questions a day. Here, he is letting the dog out at the dog's request. But you wouldn't know that here because Teddy will go to the door to let you know he wants out, then when you move to open it, he backs off and looks at you like, "Why would you send me outside?" Much like I mentioned in Day 14, Big B looks out for animals, always. So what did he do?
He figured that maybe those gale force winds were making the puppy nervous, so he led the way. Into the wind he went, just so that his puppy would feel comfortable going potty one more time before bed.
Perhaps the funniest thing that happened was that B had found some pajama pants that Teds have brought down from his room to bring as a gift to a package delivery driver. He held them while he talked to me for awhile and then suddenly he put them on, over his other pants, and started laughing. He said he didn't want to forget to take them upstairs and started mockingly shaking his overly padded bum at me. So I smacked him in the same mocking fashion and he let out an exclamation which hit a very familiar pitch and sound. . . that Big B recognized immediately, and began singing the instrumental part of Smooth Criminal. Reperformed the high pitched "Whhoo" where it fit in the song. I died laughing as he was singing and dancing to a little MJ around the kitchen. You just never know what will happen next with him. Never dull.
Those silver linings came in cures for the 70 and some years old patient, the safety afforded to my loved ones in the 70 degree weather and the 70mph gale forces winds, and the blessing of this blog to remind me how good life is.
The rest will be my wrapping this up so I can get some sleep.
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