It's a family affair
We stopped in at Tamara’s new apartment last night on our way home. Not only is it gorgeous (truly), but close to us; 2 minutes by car. Liylah is not welcome, unfortunately, because Karma rules the roost, and Liylah would find her to be a tasty treat.
Physio went well this morning. Thi measured Gilly’s right hand strength, and it has improved significantly. He was pooped afterwards, but this is understandable. I just gave him some lunch and he is nibbling (phew). I have another Gilly favourite cooking on the stove (Spicy Ricy) so I’m hoping he indulges in supper as well. Last night was a wash out.
Brad was here this afternoon for his monthly visit (the CSSS social worker). I brought up my concerns with him regarding going back to work and having adequate coverage for Gilly in terms of reminders for meals, medication and doing the prescribed exercise regime. To date, I have managed to leave him alone for a few hours at a time in order to buy groceries and what not (since late May), so I know he can handle being alone for chinks of time quite easily. It’s the full day absences I’m worried about. I also need help with transport to appointments. The social worker at the MAB is handling this from her end, but I inquired as to what else is available.
Brad said that he will apply for a home care service, which means that someone will visit periodically during the week to monitor Gilly’s needs (nutritional, medication and exercise routine). This will allow me to focus on my work without needing to call home as often to remind Gilly to do whatever it is he needs to do. It takes time for the request to be processed, so we will make do for the first little while.
In the meantime, Brad suggested I write out a reasonable schedule of what Gilly needs to do, and proposed that we begin to use it now. He encouraged me to go out and leave him to manage his own matters for short periods of time to get him used to following the schedule independently. Easier said than done; Gilly was never good at following schedules (at least not that I noticed in our 24 years together). But it is a wise suggestion, so I will try it and see how it goes.
Brad told me that the person to arrange transport to and from the hospital would be Naomi, the social worker at the Jewish. I will put in a call for her in a few moments.
Yaron is on his way into town. Thankfully he was able to get a lift. He had originally asked if I’d come and get him today, but I was pleased to discover that he managed to get himself a lift with a friend instead. Tamara called wondering why I hadn’t dropped Liylah off with her and Max (as I had promised to do). What a bonus for Liylah to spend extra time in the country! Plan B moves into action tomorrow; I’ll head back up with Yaron tomorrow in late morning, drop him off at camp and leave Liylah to guard the shorelines of Birch Point. Then I’ll high tail it back to town to spend time with Cathy and Uncle Butch for the afternoon. We will all (us local remaining Blauers and our Ottawa counterparts) celebrate Auntie Ruthie’s birthday at a Greek restaurant. I hope Gilly will feel up to it. I know it sounds as if we’re always celebrating, but the truth is that we take every opportunity to break bread together and celebrate life. I need this every bit as much as does Gilly; we all do.
Newsflash: Yaron arrived home, and I served the two men their dinners together. Gilly had an entire bowl of soup filled with rich vitamins and other nutrients (brown rice, chicken, onions, carrots and sweet potato). I’m thrilled. Every little bit counts. He found it pleasant and different to eat with his son, I guess, and so his appetite surfaced. It’s great to have Yaron at home, even if for just a short while.
I’m off to take a walk with Randee. Gotta clear the cobwebs somehow, and I can’t think of a better way to do it.
Physio went well this morning. Thi measured Gilly’s right hand strength, and it has improved significantly. He was pooped afterwards, but this is understandable. I just gave him some lunch and he is nibbling (phew). I have another Gilly favourite cooking on the stove (Spicy Ricy) so I’m hoping he indulges in supper as well. Last night was a wash out.
Brad was here this afternoon for his monthly visit (the CSSS social worker). I brought up my concerns with him regarding going back to work and having adequate coverage for Gilly in terms of reminders for meals, medication and doing the prescribed exercise regime. To date, I have managed to leave him alone for a few hours at a time in order to buy groceries and what not (since late May), so I know he can handle being alone for chinks of time quite easily. It’s the full day absences I’m worried about. I also need help with transport to appointments. The social worker at the MAB is handling this from her end, but I inquired as to what else is available.
Brad said that he will apply for a home care service, which means that someone will visit periodically during the week to monitor Gilly’s needs (nutritional, medication and exercise routine). This will allow me to focus on my work without needing to call home as often to remind Gilly to do whatever it is he needs to do. It takes time for the request to be processed, so we will make do for the first little while.
In the meantime, Brad suggested I write out a reasonable schedule of what Gilly needs to do, and proposed that we begin to use it now. He encouraged me to go out and leave him to manage his own matters for short periods of time to get him used to following the schedule independently. Easier said than done; Gilly was never good at following schedules (at least not that I noticed in our 24 years together). But it is a wise suggestion, so I will try it and see how it goes.
Brad told me that the person to arrange transport to and from the hospital would be Naomi, the social worker at the Jewish. I will put in a call for her in a few moments.
Yaron is on his way into town. Thankfully he was able to get a lift. He had originally asked if I’d come and get him today, but I was pleased to discover that he managed to get himself a lift with a friend instead. Tamara called wondering why I hadn’t dropped Liylah off with her and Max (as I had promised to do). What a bonus for Liylah to spend extra time in the country! Plan B moves into action tomorrow; I’ll head back up with Yaron tomorrow in late morning, drop him off at camp and leave Liylah to guard the shorelines of Birch Point. Then I’ll high tail it back to town to spend time with Cathy and Uncle Butch for the afternoon. We will all (us local remaining Blauers and our Ottawa counterparts) celebrate Auntie Ruthie’s birthday at a Greek restaurant. I hope Gilly will feel up to it. I know it sounds as if we’re always celebrating, but the truth is that we take every opportunity to break bread together and celebrate life. I need this every bit as much as does Gilly; we all do.
Newsflash: Yaron arrived home, and I served the two men their dinners together. Gilly had an entire bowl of soup filled with rich vitamins and other nutrients (brown rice, chicken, onions, carrots and sweet potato). I’m thrilled. Every little bit counts. He found it pleasant and different to eat with his son, I guess, and so his appetite surfaced. It’s great to have Yaron at home, even if for just a short while.
I’m off to take a walk with Randee. Gotta clear the cobwebs somehow, and I can’t think of a better way to do it.
posted by Gilly at 6:28 PM
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