Some days are more challenging than others. Today has been a difficult one.
Harvey has been extremely restless and persistent in his efforts to scratch his pacemaker wound, pull out his feeding tube, pull off his diaper, etc. we explain everything to him. He nods and even says “ok” and then goes right back to it.
Today he has been trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, this when his therapy showed him to be weaker today. He had tried straightening his back and lifting his head in a sitting position and could only stand for a few seconds.
We explained that he would be able to do this eventually but not today. He said “ok” and then tried to get out of bed again.
The only way we can settle him at all is to hold both hands. We are taking shifts with this, explaining over and over what it is important that he DO and NOT do.
On the good side, he was able to eat some thick soup today. He will have more soup, plus very soft eggs. That is real progress, though he still gets the majority of his nutrition via the feeding tube. Brian and I are exhausted, trying to bolster each other. Sometimes it is hard.
Challenging Day
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 
Good improving her body work. He self going to bathroom . He eat some thick soup & soft eggs. He doing good. Iam so happy. God blessing 🙏.v
LikeLike
He CANNOT go to the bathroom by himself yet. He keeps trying to get out of bed to do that, but he is unable to stand up, much less walk to the bathroom and back. We warned the night nurse of all he’s doing before we left, telling her she’ll have to be really vigilant. Fingers crossed.
LikeLike
Sending much love and hugs and hope for his continued recovery x
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Christine. We need all of these, and appreciate your sending them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s almost like you have a baby to care for again! Ugh! It must be frustrating for you ALL! I remember the first few months at home with Richard (by myself), I got frustrated and tired. I started calling him my toddler! It became an inside joke for us. I had to keep him out of the kitchen, as he would attempt to do things he couldn’t manage or throw things away that were things of mine that I was in the process of cooking. He would throw necessary mail away. And he would get sad at little things, which never had affected him before. He would laugh though, a toddler laugh, and that would help us both get through it. But because I got so worn down, that’s when I got annoyed that I had no one to help. And I got mad when friends seemed to no longer wanted to visit or even invite us anywhere! Ugh!
So, this is all a process. And Harvey’s eating is improving, thus you have signs that this too shall pass, and my bet is that you will both forget these difficulties in a few weeks. Hold on. Love. Breathe. Laugh. ❤️
LikeLike
Thanks for your welcome, understanding words. I’m so sorry you and Richard had to go through all that. We warned the night nurse that he was trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, but that he is unable to stand by himself, much less walk, and would fall. We also told her about trying to scratch his pacemaker wound and pull out his IVs in his arm and the nasal tube, plus throw off the towels covering him and then go for the diaper. She’ll have her hands full tonight. We are exhausted to say the least. At dinner tonight Brian and I were reminding each other of where we were one week ago. That helps us measure his progress more accurately. He is totally living in the moment, not understanding much of what is happening to, or around him. He isn’t cognizant of what he’s doing, either. We had to remind us he’s not fighting US – he’s voicing his frustration at the situation. This old tired lady is off to bed. Thanks for writing, Sheila.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are showing so much strength and care through an incredibly difficult time. Even the smallest steps forward, like eating soup or standing for a few seconds, are signs of real progress. Harvey is lucky to have you both by his side. Wishing you moments of rest and encouragement along the way.
LikeLike