Can you say Condo?

Sunday morning at 7am I was out in Rick's garden picking beans, snap peas, and cubanelle peppers. Every day he asks about his damn garden. So, I'm trying as best as I can to keep it up. But I just don't enjoy it the same way he does. I do not find it zen. I find it a big fat chore. I'd rather iron for God's sake. 

While in the hospital, Rick used to ask where I was when I'd arrive at 8am. He was a bit clingy at first. He'd be asking nurses, have you seen my wife yet? Now if I get there at 9a he isn't fretting and asking everyone where his wife is. He is now at a stage where it's okay if I don't spend 8-9 hrs with him. Thank goodness.

I have to be honest I am bleeding. It's the fistula that is causing this. It is gross and disgusting and I can't wait for the surgery to be over. All that I am doing and then the bleeding and the fatigue is getting to me. Running none stop has to stop.😉 I am drained. So today after his lunch we went into the bathroom and he shaved as I watched him. He got all cleaned up for tomorrow. He said he would be ready for them to kick his ass again tomorrow. OT is there at 7:30 to get him in the shower. He showers alone but they wait outside the door to be sure he doesn't fall. Then OT begins. 

It was really nice that he got the weekend off. 

First one and boy did he ever enjoy it!

I think they will be sending him home soon. He has progressed a great deal and he is far better than most there. So I just have a feeling. Besides insurance usually only pays for 2-3 weeks. Unless I wish to pick up the remainder after my insurance or go to my other insurance. In all honesty, I think I'd prefer to use them later. I will see how this plays out for now. 

When Rick and I lost our corporate jobs one thing he'd always say is don't be late on the insurance. We have short-term and long-term care. (long term is for more like assisted living etc) So I think we will be using it for some home modifications like tub to shower. They were telling him about grab bars. Rick installed them for people every week when working. So he knows. This lady was talking like he was an imbecile who didn't know a screwdriver from a wrench. Finally, he stopped her and said, "Kelly I did this for a living. I prefer the Moen bars with the rubber grip so when your hands are wet you aren't slipping and sliding."  

So I went to Lowes and got the sizes he wanted and he insists he can do this himself. I want to call a handyman but I will let him try...maybe. 

She was trying to tell him how to install and he put his finger on his lips as if to say be quiet. Then he told her how they were done. She said, "so you do know"   I rolled my eyes because I was behind her. He saw me though. 

Today I couldn't open a bottled water and he did it for me. So his strength is coming back. 

Next Sunday is the arrival of our first friend. She will care for Rick while I'm in the hospital and then drive me to said hospital and pick me up.

I just want it to be over with. It's laparoscopy as I mentioned and I was told they will have me up and walking within an hour or so of my surgery. They want me to move. I want to move and eat something so I can poo and go home. They will not let me go home until I poop. I find that funny but I get it. They clean you out, make you not eat for the full day prior to surgery and they expect me to poop? What will I be pooping? Okay enough of that TMI.

Rick's original speech therapist in the ICU came over to rehab today to visit him. He loves her but she is the one who put the tube up his nose and down his throat to see him swallow. He HATED that tube and when he saw her he said, "Let me see your hands" She was shocked and pleasantly so she said that he was doing so much better. I told her my prediction was 6 months and he should be talking much better. They had a nice visit. She understood every word he said and told him he was doing well. That made him happy to hear. I think he needs to hear this from others more than me. He knows I'm his cheerleader so I get what he is saying. I read him all the well wishes and comments from texts and blogs. It makes him happy.

I bought Rick some cheap wicking T-shirts from Walmart and a pair of Champion sweat pants. He goes through these clothes and I keep washing and bringing him more. So I stopped and got some cheap ones because he gets food all over his shirts. That left side is still an issue. But today at lunch he turned to me and said, "There are potatoes on my face isn't there?"  

I said, "Yes."  He said with such excitement, "I can feel it." 

Then he wiped his face. So another thing that has come back. Before where his left side droops would have some water drool or food he couldn't feel it there. Now he can. He kept touching his face and smiling and saying, "I feel all this now!"  

I think those little triumphs help his attitude as well. I pinched his cheeks like my Italian Grandmother would do and he laughed and said, "I feel it and I love it!"

All in all on an upswing. He was tired after lunch so I got all his dirty clothes together and a few things to bring home.  He told me to go home, blanche those beans. Dear Lord that man and his garden. Apparently after picking all these beans, I must cut and blanche and then put them in an ice bath, then drain and put them in a food storage bag and freeze 'em. Okay Mr. Green Jeans, hurry home because I am not a gardener. I only eat the food mister!  

If ever I wish I had won an argument having a condo is the one I'd choose. 

As you all know I did not want an acre of land. I wanted a condo. No maintenance. I hope he sees that all this land is a pain in the ass and a condo is the way to go.  A gal can dream, can't she?!

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Anyone hear from Patti from @ TheNewSixty?  I think about her often and wonder how her leukemia treatments are going.