Darryl's back.

To All My Readers:

First of all, let me apologize for not posting at all this week. I had every intention of posting during my time in Dallas, but it just never happened. I did get lots of my work done, however.

I'll try to fill you in on the goings on for the past week, but please know that all the information comes 2nd hand, through phone calls mostly.

I guess the big news is that on Friday, Joy fell. Most of you probably know this. It seems that while she was going up the stairs, the walker got away from her and she fell forward - I'm still trying to figure out how she received a knot on the back of her head. Falls are pretty serious in this household, as both residents are currently on Coumadin, a drug that thins your blood and prevents clotting. Spills could be fatal. When I called Joy assured me that she was fine and was not bleeding (externally or internally.) She knew this because she blew her nose and there was no blood. The Friday casino was not to be missed!

There have been no overnight caregivers since my departure as Chin is feeling better and able to help out more (of course that ceased the moment I stepped back in the house this afternoon.) Cheryl and Addison have been making daily visits, and Syl makes her afternoon pilgrimage daily. Penny took Chin for a followup Dr.'s visit. All is well, but he must remain on medication for acidic blood (finally an explanation for his personality.) Friday, Karen and Ernie spent the day and night and took casino duty and Cheryl took Joy to Church and to the casino, and Yvonne helped Joy leave the casino.

I think that pretty much sums up the week - in brief.

This afternoon, I got back around 3:30 and walked in to Chin and Joy napping in seated positions. After a little time catching up or rehashing, I should say, I took Joy and Syl out to dinner at Chili's. Had a nice meal and then back home for pill sorting. Monday is the night that the pill cases are refilled with the week's medicine.

Here's the pill count: Joy - 13 per day.

Chin - 5 per day on A days and 5 1/2 on B days(it's a little like the Riverside middle school schedule.)

And now, as I write this, it's bed time (for the elderly, not so much for the middle aged.)

I'm off to take stock of the pantry, in order to plan tomorrows menu.

Cheers,

Darryl

Saturday - Darryl goes home.

I'm writing this post from the airport, as I have some extra time because my 5:50PM flight is now schedule to leave at 6:15PM. Chris J. dropped me off about 4:50PM. Thanks Chris.

Although I'm excited to be able to spend a week at home, I always leave filled with trepidation. Not due to the fact that I'm worried about the folk's health, but more so their quality of life - when I not there. I just have to trust that the other "care givers" can fill the bill.

At any rate, we had a pretty uneventful day. My body woke up at 6:00, which is early for me. Surprisingly Chin did not stir until 7:00, although he did get up at about 4:30am. I know this because when I woke up, the coffee was already brewed, and he was all too happy to report this.

When I looked out of the window shortly after 6, Syl had already begun her morning limp (walk).

The remainder of the morning and early afternoon was filled with the typical ritual.

Chin sleeping on the lounge, except when Joy had to wake him up because it was time for her leg to be elevated....I think it went something like this.

Joy: (in gargled speech) Chin

Chin: (heavy breathing)

Joy: (in a louder gargled speech) Aw Chin

Chin: (loudly) WHAT???

Joy: I need the chair.

Chin: What?

Joy: I need to put my leg up.

Chin: My ass! ... (as he gets up) Here, take the chair - how long you gotta be.

Joy: (with sarcasm) all day if I want.

Chin: My ass...let me get myself out of here where I belong...(as he storms out of the front door)

Welcome to my world. After 57 years...

Anyway,I did the laundry (oh yes - three days in a row, which is something of an enigma to me as Chin wears the same outfit for days at a time - Joy on the other hand makes a new fashion statement each day). Cooked - today was baked Italian chicken and pasta - a food network recipe from Giada. I would say that it was nothing to write about, but I already did.

Lastly, Chin came back and help Joy dress for church (as fast as tempers rise around here is as fast as they tend to simmer) I put her earrings in, and Syl and I fixed her hair (yes it was broken). Finally, I delivered Joy to church - 4pm for 5pm mass and then I went home and punched out. Oh I almost forgot - we made sandwiches once again for the casino with the left over turkey salad - Yay!

A big thanks goes to Yvonne for taking the chore of helping Joy into and out of the casino tonight (that's the quality of life I worry about.) Can you imagine not getting to do the things you love to do?

Cheers,

Darryl

What a morning!

There's a great amount of excitement on today because Friday is the day that the girls go to the casino.

6am - the morning routine goes off without a hitch. No nurse or physical therapist today.

Chin's breakfast - bacon and eggs

Joy's breakfast - coffee and toast with sugar free jelly (her usual.)

Joy walked the hall while doing vocal exercises - ga ga ga, gir gir gir, ing ing ing

Chin naps off and on, while watching the price is right.

9:30 Cheryl came over and together we finished cleaning the hutch - crystal, etc. washing

10:00 am - Uncle Farrol visits to give Chin a book on rider lawn mower parts - Chin's lawn mower won't start (he can't cut the grass anyway - cousin Danny does - refer to prior post) Farrol is suffering with arm pain - had a MRI yesterday and waiting for results

Hutch cleaning continues.

The best part of the morning was when Syl came over with a Carolwright Gifts catalog and preceded to point out all of the great items one could buy. Here are some of the highlights.

Neckline slimmer - to make you look younger without surgery - Syl said she needs this for her eyes ???

Syl thinks Joy needs a wizzit for cutting her hair on her chin and neck without bleeding to death.

Syl also likes the device for straightening out crooked toes (She asked Farrol if he had any crooked toes - Farrol: "no, but I have a crooked finger)

Other favorites:

The magnet knee brace - this is a great item for her and Hallie.

Baggy Eyes? - they got something that eliminates baggy eyes over night - you wake up looking beautiful and alive - "Farrol, you got baggy eyes?" (Asked by Syl)

Uncle JP came to visit around 11:00. Chin leaves (while his guest are still here)(too many guests, I guess) He must be off to Randy's bar. What a morning for the elderly. All the while Syl kept browsing through the catalog...unfortunately I cannot remember all of the comments or impressive gifts.

The cleaned Hutch.

12:00 noon - Chin back in to watch the news - Joy, after walking the hall again sits at the table (her hint that she's ready for lunch). While at the table Joy looks through the catalog - while Syl comments. (All those looking to get gifts for Syl should have this catalog!)

I quickly cooked Shrimp Scampi with elbow macaroni with garlic toast (we are officially safe from vampires).

After feeding Joy, I start laundry (yes, I have laundry everyday...ugh.)

Chin missed most of the news, because he fell asleep. (In his defense, his medication is keeping him up at night...he doesn't seem to have the same problem during the day - obviously.)

After lunch, Joy put on her makeup - tonight is casino night after all (and you never know who you'll see in the darken arena.)

The time now is 2:00 and all have settled to watch "The Doctors" (a very good show I must admit) and I settle down to update the blog, while boiling eggs to make turkey salad. Okay, I have to explain this. When Syl came over this morning with the catalog, she brought with her some turkey from Terrilyn that she said needed to be used and Syl suggested I make turkey salad for sandwiches. (From time to time, I make grilled chicken salad sandwiches for the girls (Syl, Joy, and Betty) to bring to the casino for supper - I must admit, I've never even heard of turkey salad....we'll see.

Hallie called to ask for "Darryl's Cleaning Crew"...but alas Darryl is not looking to expand his business. He is, however, looking forward to go back to Dallas tomorrow, for a week (maybe I'll get some of my own work done.)

I'm very glad that so many of you enjoyed the first post. And those who are worried about next week (when I'm not at Chin and Joy's), put your fears to rest - there will be remote updates from Dallas.

I'm not exactly sure of the schedule of "care givers" for next week, but the list does include Jody, Yvonne, and Cheryl, maybe Davey but I'm not sure.

Cheers,

Darryl

Thursday is Hair day.

This is my first blog attempt - so please be patient. I'm creating this to document my time with the folks.

Day 14 of 16 for this round.

Chin woke up today at 6:00AM and took care of Joy's morning routine - breakfast, putting away night time things etc. Sylvia arrived at around 7 to put on Joy's brace, socks and shoes.

Meantime, Chin took a 3 hour nap, ate lunch, then hasn't been back inside since.

This morning, Joy got her blood level checked by the nurse (Michelle, a former student of mine) - her blood was not as thin as the dr. wants - so her medication is adjusted yet again. Then, Joy's hairdresser, Lorraine, came by to cut and set Joy's hair. Cheryl and Addison dropped by as well and together, Cheryl and I cleaned out the draws and cabinets of Joy's hutch - washing all of the silverware and platters, while Joy worked on her therapy exercises.

Lunch - salad and potato omelet (made by Cheryl yesterday).

After lunch - Joy sat in the lounge chair with legs elevated - one of her least favorite activities. For those who don't know, Joy has a blood clot in her left leg, which swells to resemble a pork roast if not constantly moving or elevated. During this time, I did laundry.

Danny, my cousin came today to cut the grass - thanks Danny!

Lorraine came back about 3:30 to finish the hair - doesn't it look nice.

For a little afternoon snack - I made a delicious "dump cake" that we ate with ice cream.

(One of my new hobbies while I'm staying with the folks is taking stock of the food items of which we have a surplus - typing them into google and finding new recipes to try. Today was fruit cocktail and cake mix.)

Joy, Syl, and I are spending a little time this afternoon in between therapy exercises, watching tv games shows (Deal or No Deal, Family Feud, etc.

Time now for a little more therapy and then cooking. Last night we ventured out to Metairie to eat at Applebee's and then shopping at Target.

Tonight, I think we'll take it easy.

Cheers,

Darryl

P.S. Sylvia told me to add that her leg is flying right now.