Sunday, July 31, 2016

We’re tottering on. Rachel has gone, much missed. It’s just me and Archie and Perdita now.

My husband is a lot better than he was, detached now from all tubes except for oxygen up his nose. Dozy, bad-tempered. He is very weak. He is agitating to come home, which I am sure is a healthy symptom as long as they don’t let him do it. It takes two or three nurses to move him to the chair beside his bed.

I heard some of Obama’s convention speech. If that can’t win the presidency for Hillary, there’s no hope for her. I gather Michelle’s was even better. The next few weeks are going to be very interesting, and the presidential debates, fascinating. My husband and I saw the very first ones, Kennedy-Nixon, in 1960 in Northampton, MA, by going across the street to watch a neighbour’s television. [Presumably abandoning Rachel and Alexander to their fates. I don’t remember.] We saw the famous five-o’clock-shadow which is said to have lost the election for Nixon. In this case, the candidates will scarcely be speaking the same language.

Archie and I have watched “Zelig”. It’s pretty entertaining, although far from Allen’s best. (“Manhattan”, “Annie Hall”, “Sleeper”, “Play It Again, Sam”) It was odd, indeed, seeing my father as my contemporary, when he always used to be so much older.

I think I’m rather avoiding the subject of knitting. I’m completely stuck on that final edge of the Hansel shawl. Why? Why? Hospital visiting is good for socks – I’ve finished the graduated ones (although haven’t yet finished them), and have cast on and made good progress with Vampires in Venice. It doesn’t swoop as I had hoped, on 56 stitches, but at least it makes tidy stripes. Picture soon. I must pull myself together. I’m not all that far away from the first heel.

Knitlass, I travel to the RIE on the No 8 from Broughton Street, so alas! don’t pass you. It’s a long, tedious journey, but about as convenient as a bus could be. On the outward trajectory I ride upstairs where knitting isn’t easy, but I manage a bit. Downstairs, on the way home – because it is dangerous to try to get down the stairs as the bus is hurtling down Broughton Street – knitting is easier. And I knit in the hospital when my husband is dozing.


Driving would be a bit quicker, but much more stressful, and also more expensive. Busses are free as I’m so old.

24 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:49 AM

    Must be up first. It's 6:30 a.m here. So very glad to read your voice with my morning coffee. Sorry Rachel had to leave. But thank goodness for Archie! And Perdita! What encouraging news about your husband. Even though I am sure it has been none too easy. The last real debate was the 1960 one where it was actually about political ideas well put forth on both sides. Not that it mattered. Nixon lost by appearance and less likability. And ideas have taken second fiddle ever since. Whatever side one is on. Good luck with the Hansel shawl. A fresh eye several days from now might make the difference. Thinking of you each morning with that first cup of coffee. (I'm always the first one up:). Chloe.

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  2. I too think of you with my coffee each day and was glad to see a new post and hear that things are going as well as can be. Be sure to take good care of yourself throughout all this.

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  3. Anonymous2:21 PM

    I'm very glad to hear from you this morning. It is good news that your husband is doing better AND that they haven't sent him home.

    Knitting projects have their own rhythms, so don't fret about the Hansel. It will get finished when it is ready. Meanwhile, you've got a nice pair of socks and well on your way to a second pair. That is great progress IMHO.

    As others have said, make sure to care for yourself, too. Maybe you could have a day off from hospital visiting?

    Beverly in NJ

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  4. Seeing you first thing this morning made my coffee taste even batter. At +5°C I thought we might be the coldest spot in BC but not so Yoho beat us by almost 3 full degrees colder, but its perfect knitting weather. And I made a big pot of chicken w/rice soup yesterday.

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  5. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Glad to hear from you, and also glad that you have had experience with home care from your husband. You know how difficult it can be, and his demands to be home won't fool you in to taking him home too soon. Hang in there, friend!

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  6. My cat Katerina and I are first up also and always check your blog once my coffee is in place and Katerina is fed - and now washing herself beside the computer. Good to hear from you. Tough times but hope for better times ahead.

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  7. Hi Jean. Here is a link to Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC. She rocked the house.

    //www.c-span.org/video/?c4611397/first-lady-michelle-obama

    It is a good sign when the patient is cranky and wants to go home, but it is emotionally draining to be around them. I have been sending prayers for your husband, yourself and your family.

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  8. Good to hear that your husband has pulled round. My husband's stepmother has survived a broken hip, double pneumonia and, most recently, and incredibly, heart failure. But each of these crises has taken its toll, and not just on the patient. My thoughts are with you.

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  9. Hi Jean. I'm home so I can comment here. Darn firewalls at work. I'm glad that Mr M is improving but not sent out into the wild before he and you are ready. Don't fret about the Hansel as Bev in NJ says. I agree with her that knitting projects do have their own rhythm.

    Archie is indeed a blessing! He is earning his own set of angel wings with helping you out this summer.

    Kitty snorgles from those of us at Chez Runamuck (Pete, Orphie, and Yukon) to Perdita!

    Duffy

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  10. Anonymous7:13 PM

    Greetings from Toronto,
    As usual I am one more commenter wishing your husband a continued recovery as much as possible and that you can find ways to take care of yourself too. I agree that Archie's presence would be a very big help. I fear I would not have been up to it when I was his age.
    Sometimes I like taking the bus just because it can be a break from things like constant demands. Any knitting there is a bonus.
    LisaRR

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  11. Socks have got you through multiple plane flights, and I think they are now doing their job getting you through this latest medical crisis. It's good news that your husband is making progress, but not such great news that he is dozy and bad-tempered. Is the medication he is taking for pain what's making him dozy? It would be horrible if he fell again because of it.

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  12. so glad to hear from you! its too sorry about the continued travails with your husband's health. keep in the hospital as long as possible to get your strength back!

    Perdita - she must have grown a bit? i imagine she and Archie are having a grand time ... so glad that A is there for you and R came for a bit.

    Knitting should be comfort and pleasure. let the shawl go and do what you want.

    the latest with DT is his bashing of the Muslim father who spoke at the DNC on Hillary's night. you should try to find the clip and watch it. and its become worse this weekend actually in the last 24 hours DT has gone from bad to disastrous. spoke on one of the morning news shows... and was horrid. read the NYTImes coverage several very good articles.

    If he keeps up like this even another month, it can only solidify support for HRC. Unlike others i am for her unabashedly because i am not naive to believe there is such a thing as a non corrupt politician. that is not a possibility. in this case she is clearly the only choice between these two. the Republican leadership has ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME. they spent EIGHT years bashing Obama and NOT paying attention to grooming a candidate ... they deserve Trump. karma wins in the end always.

    ok off my soap box. its amazing tho to see how far off sanity DT is... oh well

    onward

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  13. Forgot to mention - you should read or watch HRC speech - it was the best ever and very effective. she didnt manage to out speak OBama (who could?) but came close much better delivery and poise and interaction with the audience than she ever has had.

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  14. As I read through the comments I see this group of us with our coffee cups and our cats starting our mornings together; lovely! I hope you can see us too, Jean, pulling for you.

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    1. Anonymous11:18 PM

      Well, some of us have dogs, but I think the sentiment is great!

      Beverly in NJ

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    2. =Tamar11:29 PM

      Coffee cup, yes, but instead of a cat I have oatmeal (warm, but not purring, and I have to do the washing).

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    3. Coffee cup, indeed and a tortishell cat, who is not a lapsitter, but purrs loudly.
      I for one was glad to read your latest post, Jean, I got to the point of checking several times a day.
      Like others I hope you are taking care of yourself and that all improves.

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  15. I too kept checking worriedly each morning. Glad to hear he's healing and grouchy, that at least means he has the energy to be grumpy. Not easy on you though. Take care. Thinking of you.

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  16. Anonymous11:38 AM

    A friend who had hip replacement discovered she was entitled to 6 weeks in a care home so she could be helped with bathing etc while she had to be very careful how she moved. It was very helpful. Is something similar available in Scotland?

    as for knitting, stay with comforting socks until you feel ready to resume the more intricate designs.

    Take care.
    Helen (anon)

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    1. It sounds entirely possible that my husband will be dispatched to the Royal Victoria Hospital (near here) or to Livingston (far, far away) for rehabilitation. He'll be horrified if that happens, I'll be more than a bit relieved.

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  17. Jean, good news that your husband will get rehab. It is hard to keep a constant eye on unstable person.Socks are my favorite moral support knitting. Simple and you have some end product so quickly. Happy that Archie is with you, and hope you have time for some fun cooking with him.

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  18. Good to have you back! So glad your husband is on the mend. I would also recommend Cory Booker's speech.

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  19. How comforting your husband is receiving more good care and rehab for most comfort possible. I check here often and am glad to hear your voice. Take care.

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  20. Anonymous9:52 PM

    You lived in Northampton, MA? I am a (middle aged) student at Smith! I can never tell whether my comments get posted, but if you read this, I am a longtime follower of your blog, and all aflutter at this previously unknown connection with its author.

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