Hanging In There

Hi There
Sorry still no card to share today, just an update. It’s been an amazingly LOOONG, frustrating, stressful and emotionally draining month since I‘ve been here.

Although Jim still has a ways to go he is doing so very much better.
Jim was sent home with no instructions. Taking care of bed baths etc. was no problem but I had no idea how or what to feed him. In under a week he lost 25 pounds and became confused. Needless to say that was terrifying. I got him to drink some Ensure Clear which thankfully cleared up his confusion but I still couldn‘t get him to eat. All he wanted to do was lay in bed and be left alone. Of course that wasn’t an option.

I ran into MANY obstacles but finally got home health care. We now have nurses and a physical therapist each coming in twice a week.

I learned I needed to feed him a little bit (two tablespoons) every two hours. I begged, pleaded, and yes I did some yelling to get him to eat those two tablespoons of food every two hours . Eventually he was more willing to eat, his weight held and he got a bit stronger. Why is it that men fight tooth and nail against anything that's good for them.   

Although I was told how to feed him the list of what he could have was very short and very bland, he soon got sick of eating the same things day in and day out and began fighting me again. Many more obstacles but after three weeks I did get a dietitian’s help.

The dietitian is a lovely, caring woman who answered all of my questions. I now understand the WHYS behind what he can and can’t have which is priceless information. As soon as he was allowed to have a large variety of flavorful foods he became much more enthusiastic about eating and had several requests. You can bet he gets whatever he asks for. He went from eating two tablespoons to eating a cupful in under a week.  Now he is actually eating small meals. It is so wonderful to sit with him and share the same foods again. It is encouraging to see his daily improvements.

Unfortunately there are several brush and forest fires in our state at the moment. We have wonderful firefighters but sadly they are spread so thin. The air is dreadful and everyone like Jim with breathing problems is suffering.

The physical demand of being a caregiver is tiring but for me the stress and emotional demands have been most draining. I’ve spent so much time trying to motivate Jim I now need to find a way to motivate myself to do more then only what I can’t avoid. I’ve had no energy or desire to do anything. I’ve decided I’ll need to force myself into doing the things I once enjoyed to brake this slump. I hope to be back soon with something creative to share.
Blessings Bernie