A winning smile
The night was long, but in the end, not as dangerous as I had anticipated. Gilly’s right side was working well enough for him to maneuver to and from the bathroom independently (with me close behind, of course, but not offering physical support). We took an early morning snooze together long enough to consider substantial by today's standards (3 hours, in a row!).
I tried to get him up 3 times, from 11:00 on, but it was not easy. I wanted him to fully enjoy Barb’s visit and she was scheduled to arrive sometime after 11:30. I finally convinced him, and he wasn’t disappointed. Elana, Yael and Ronen stopped in as well. He had plenty of distraction, and enough food to last him for many days (of course we all know who’s really going to eat it).
I ended up remaining at home today with our guests. I watched his stability worsen gradually. His right leg started to buckle and his foot would not remain flat on the ground, which made walking with a walker, even with two assistants rather treacherous. I see some improvement this evening; the peaks and valleys continue appear and disappear in an unpredictable fashion. I encourage as little movement as possible at this point, and never leave his side. As of last night he no longer resists when asked to use the walker and doesn’t push me away when I try to help him. I suppose he realizes that he cannot hold himself up without the support of others.
Are both the caregivers able to manage this new development (if in fact it sticks…I never lose hope for some sort of recovery…could it be a set back that’s reversible?)? I hope so. I myself find it terrifying at times. The need for a wheelchair to get around the house may be imminent. This is a whole new chapter that I haven’t read yet. I seem to learn best on a need to know basis, but reading ahead clearly has its merits.
Susie refuses to take no for an answer, so she and my brother are on their way over with a chocolate bar (to satisfy my late night urge for sweets) and some DVD’s to amuse me as I watch Gilly sleep. Yaron’s friends will soon fill the basement for Hockey Night in Canada; I crave the sound of live voices. Gilly refused his son’s invitation to join the boys downstairs, which further indicates to me that he is feeling very weak. Selfishly, I am relieved not to have to fight with him to come upstairs to bed later.
Uncle Butch and Cathy are due for a visit tomorrow afternoon, and Barb plans to stop by again on her way out of town. We have no shortage of loving, caring support and the fridge is bursting with Barb’s healthy, delicious snacks. The only thing no one seems able to provide for us is a new scenario for Gilly, which is what we all need most. He is really very brave; never complains about his lot in life and continues to eek out a smile (albeit faint) in response to mine. He continues to play a love song on my heart strings.
I tried to get him up 3 times, from 11:00 on, but it was not easy. I wanted him to fully enjoy Barb’s visit and she was scheduled to arrive sometime after 11:30. I finally convinced him, and he wasn’t disappointed. Elana, Yael and Ronen stopped in as well. He had plenty of distraction, and enough food to last him for many days (of course we all know who’s really going to eat it).
I ended up remaining at home today with our guests. I watched his stability worsen gradually. His right leg started to buckle and his foot would not remain flat on the ground, which made walking with a walker, even with two assistants rather treacherous. I see some improvement this evening; the peaks and valleys continue appear and disappear in an unpredictable fashion. I encourage as little movement as possible at this point, and never leave his side. As of last night he no longer resists when asked to use the walker and doesn’t push me away when I try to help him. I suppose he realizes that he cannot hold himself up without the support of others.
Are both the caregivers able to manage this new development (if in fact it sticks…I never lose hope for some sort of recovery…could it be a set back that’s reversible?)? I hope so. I myself find it terrifying at times. The need for a wheelchair to get around the house may be imminent. This is a whole new chapter that I haven’t read yet. I seem to learn best on a need to know basis, but reading ahead clearly has its merits.
Susie refuses to take no for an answer, so she and my brother are on their way over with a chocolate bar (to satisfy my late night urge for sweets) and some DVD’s to amuse me as I watch Gilly sleep. Yaron’s friends will soon fill the basement for Hockey Night in Canada; I crave the sound of live voices. Gilly refused his son’s invitation to join the boys downstairs, which further indicates to me that he is feeling very weak. Selfishly, I am relieved not to have to fight with him to come upstairs to bed later.
Uncle Butch and Cathy are due for a visit tomorrow afternoon, and Barb plans to stop by again on her way out of town. We have no shortage of loving, caring support and the fridge is bursting with Barb’s healthy, delicious snacks. The only thing no one seems able to provide for us is a new scenario for Gilly, which is what we all need most. He is really very brave; never complains about his lot in life and continues to eek out a smile (albeit faint) in response to mine. He continues to play a love song on my heart strings.
posted by Gilly at 8:08 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home