A WEEK OF UPS AND DOWNS

My, how time flies. It seems I just updated this blog a couple of days ago, but it has been over a week. It feels like yesterday, and it feels like about a year ago. What is happening to time?

David flew over from Kennewick on Friday evening arriving a little after days light ended. He immediately began taking care of us and filling our lives with joy and great company. Whenever any combination of our kids is around, we delight in the conversations, the reports on various family events and grandkid activities, and love to share meals and evening entertainments. These are good hours that enrich our lives and bring us much contentment. This was the character of the entire weekend. David and Patty had some time together; everyone was here for main meals (great Walleye provided by our buddy Buddy, and pizza again!) We didn’t tackle any major projects this time but important little tasks still are accomplished and appreciated.

On the health front, we had our ups and downs this week. We are still learning how to juggle medications to control pain and nausea. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it’s a challenge. So many factors seem to be involved: the level of fatigue, the time since the last food eaten, the peripheral activities going on, the amount of successful sleep achieved, the level of hydration, and more factors we haven’t identified yet. One thing we know for sure: no one enjoys the “dry heaves”. Once all that is available has been offered up, the remaining efforts are most unpleasant for victim and assistant alike.

Our primary Hospice nurse is on vacation spending time with her husband who is briefly home from Afghanistan. In her absence we have had others visit and call, but it has been another form of juggling to keep all the parallel stories and advice straight in our minds. They are all wonderful, well-meaning people and we are thankful for their availability.

The major challenge this week has been the discovery of “floor failure” in our bedroom’s little bathroom. The vinyl In front of the stool began to buckle up and when it was pulled up, the particle board floor was all damp and crumbled. Then things became complicated. Call the insurance agent: talk to people in Washington, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington again. The local company assigned has sent out four men individually on different days for different reasons. And the bottom line is that after seven days NOTHING has been done to affect the repair required for the damage found. The local contractor can not proceed without approval from the insurance company which has not given the go ahead so far and we do not know why.

Meanwhile we are trying to get by on spitz baths and “handi-wipe” cleanups. Of course I can go upstairs to the tub/shower, but Betty is limited to the lower floor. We finally have covered the damaged area as best we can and have used the shower stall anyway, but it is enormously inconvenient.

My advocate with the local agency is due back from her extended vacation Tuesday and I am hoping she can bring order and resolution to this ongoing disaster. Politicians and Wall Street financial types are not the only problems with this nation; insurance companies, in several ways, must bear their share of the current national turmoil. We are not happy consumers of this necessary evil.

Our blessings continue to be family, friends, and God’s never ending providence. We have been covered with cards and contacts and covered dishes of food and others offers of time and love. Betty’s only outings this week were with Patty at a chick-flick and more importantly to attend the Sunday morning worship at church. Sitting between husband and son in those services and greeting precious Christian friends afterward were the highlights of her week. Some of you were important parts of that event. We are still relying on prayer for comfort and courage in these days. Although this past week went by without major personal crisis, we know there are greater challenges ahead, so we are treasuring up these “better times” to be a cushion against the trials to come. Thank you for helping us walk daily by the Savior’s side.