Mom

My brother Jeff and I went to see Mom this morning.  Our sister, Kim, and Mom's youngest sister, Becky, were already there.

Mom is failing.  We are coming to the end.

The Next Few Days

Likely, there won't be another blog post until Tuesday at the earliest.

Monday, my new apartment will be treated for the bedbugs, and I'll have to be away for 8 hours.  If I can't get relaxed enough to urinate while I'm away, that could be a long, uncomfortable, even painful day.

Also, Mom has taken a turn for the worse.  Her kidneys are failing, and her doctor is now saying kidney failure will take her before the cancer does.  That could happen in a matter of days.

Quiet Christmas

No one came over yesterday because they didn't want to risk taking bedbugs home with them, so I spent a quiet holiday alone.

Of course, after the news about Mom, none of my family is in a festive mood, anyway.

Happy Holidays

I wish all readers of this blog a merry Christmas, happy holidays. and a 2014 in which you maximize your personal independence.

Bad News

My brother Jeff came by this morning with a Christmas present and some bad news.

Doctors say Mom has advanced brain cancer, and they give her two months to live.

Please keep her in your thoughts.  Please pray that she does not suffer.

New Channels

I was fooling around with my television Saturday night, and I found I get many more channels than I thought I did, including some I used to watch, the NFL Network, and the MLB Network.

We'll see if they all stay free.

Yet Again............

Yodit found another bed bug in my couch last night.  She also told me the aide company had had her apartment fumigated earlier this week.

I would've thought the cold had killed all the bugs, but apparently these got established in the warm indoors before the cold really hit.

Different Languages

Over the past two years, both in the nursing home and since, I've had many aides who spoke many languages in front of me.  I only understand English, but I can still tell when an aide is happy or agitated or asking a question by the way they use their voices.  It's one more reminder of our common, ancient heritage.

Something to keep in mind this holiday season.

Book-Of-The-Month Club

I ordered a book from BOMC for my niece Callie's Christmas on November 25, and I still haven't gotten it.  I sent an email asking about the book last week, but nothing has happened yet.  I had a similar problem with the History Book Club, but I think Janeka got that worked out for me.

Both BOMC and HBC got new websites earlier this year, and the websites have been pains to use ever since.  Sound familiar?

Go BSU

My Ball State Cardinals play Marquette on Fox Sports 1 tonight.  I get FS1 in my cable package, so hopefully I'll be able to watch the game.

Marquette will probably pound BSU, but I want to see my guys, anyway.

Still Adjusting

I'm still adjusting to the updated software package in my new computer, learning how to do things with it.

I still need to figure out how to copy and paste a document from Word 2013 into AOL Mail.  I don't think the easy way is possible, but there might be another way.

Again With The Bed Bugs

Yodit found another bed bug in my couch last night.  Hopefully they'll only have to treat the couch this time, but they'll probably end up doing the whole apartment, and I'll have to be away for several hours.

It's extremely frustrating.

Janeka's Chili

Janeka made me some chili yesterday, and I had some for lunch.  I don't know what she put in it, but half an hour after eating it I was in the bathroom passing huge amounts of gas, plus other stuff.

It was good chili, though.

Doing Better

I'm finally getting the hang of running this new computer system.  I still get in trouble sometimes, but I can get out of it easier now.

A lot of it has to do with using my old mouse.  The fancy new mouse was way too sensitive for me to handle.

Cold

It's cold out today.  I can also hear the wind howling, which is never good in winter here in the north.  The television forecasters say it's going to stay cold all week, with another storm arriving this weekend.

Hopefully, this is not a taste of the winter ahead.  The first snow is pretty-- even a touch magical-- and a white Christmas is nice.  After that, however, I much prefer a mild winter.

James

I had a new aide this weekend.  James seems to be a nice guy-- he even baked me cookies while he was here yesterday-- but he was determined I go to the bathroom a second time before he left.  I guess that's in the instructions somewhere.  I didn't need to go, however.  It took a little while to get him to accept the fact that I wasn't going, but I managed it.

Streaming

I'm doing much better with my urination.  Now, I think, the issue is my age.

I don't always go very much.  My male aides are younger than I am, and when I hear them in the bathroom they go, and go, and go.  I used to do that, but not anymore, or at least only occasionally.  I wish I could get back to that, but it's probably not in the cards for me.

Weather

The television forecasters are still predicting a winter storm starting tonight that will dump a good amount of ice and snow before it passes.

Yodit should be here before the storm really hits tonight, but tomorrow may be open to question.

Winter Storm

The first winter storm of the season is due to hit tomorrow, according to television weather forecasters.  I hope my aides will be able to get here safely.

Just one more thing to worry about.

Tiffany Is Back

My aide Tiffany came back to work this morning, and Janeka is back from here vacation in the Lone Star state.

Hopefully, then, things can get back to normal around here.

Improvisng

My aide Tiffany developed pneumonia last week.  I hope she's better soon.  Among other things, her illness wrecked my aide schedule.

My two aide companies have been improvising, with mixed results.  Last evening, for example, somebody, presumably the dinner shift aide, tried to get in twice, but couldn't, and simply went away.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was nice around here.  My sister Kim came early in the morning and prepared a great meal, and my brother Jon and his family came over, too.  My aide Foley was here, as well, and got his first taste of dumplings.  I'm not sure he was thrilled.

Another Failure

My daytime aide company again failed to cover a shift this morning.   I had to call my brother Jeff and ask him to come.  This after my team leader Janeka tried numerous times to make sure that shift would be covered because she's away.

The company insists it does its best, but if it can't cover a shift, it should at least inform my other aide company.  Maybe it does that, but, from my perspective, that doesn't seem to happen.

Mom

Mom is now living in a nursing home in Tipton.  She is beset by Parkinson's and likely Alzheimer's, though I'm not sure a doctor has formally said that.

Please keep Mom in your thoughts.

I'm Back

Well, my old computer finally quit October 30.  We tried to have it fixed, but it was beyond hope after serving me well for eight fairly tumultuous years.  Then I moved to my new apartment, which I really like. November 9.  After that, we got a new computer, but it took me a while to get it figured out.

Hopefully, I'm back for good now.

Westerns

I love the westerns that dominated television when I was a boy.  Lately, I've taken to watching episodes online.  Westerns have a bit of a tag as simplistic and violent, but some of the best ones tell solid stories and keep violence in check.  They can be taken as a window on the society that created and watched them-- a society perhaps more confident about itself and what it believed to be important than American society is today.

Anyway, watching them now relaxes me and makes me happy.  Maybe it's a sign that I'm getting old.

Getting Close

We are getting close to my move now.  Final preparations are being made, and my apartment is crowded with boxes full of my stuff.

I'm looking forward to having things get back to normal.

Rough Weekend

The company that provides my aides during the daytime again largely failed to do so this weekend.  It managed to have somebody here for only two of the six shifts.  Luckily, my brother Jeff and sister Kim came over Saturday morning or the weekend would have been an even bigger pain.

I thought we had worked through and gotten beyond such breaches, but obviously not.

I'm Back

The exterminators did their thing yesterday, treating my apartment for bed bugs.  They also took the place apart.

It was a long, difficult day for me.

Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs

The exterminators will be here tomorrow afternoon to treat my apartment for bed bugs.

Likely, then, there will be no blog entry tomorrow, as I have to stay away for four hours.  I'll be glad when this is over.

Four Hours

We're getting my apartment de-bugged this week, and I'll have to be away four hours when they do it.

I'm dreading it.  There may be no problem, but if I can't get back in before I need the bathroom I could be in for a painful period.

Colts On Their Way

The Colts beat the previously undefeated Denver Broncos in Peyron Manning's return to Indy last night, 39-33.

The Colts have now beaten the Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos.  Halfway through the season they've established themselves as legitimate, if early, Super Bowl contenders.

Baseball Playoffs

The major league baseball playoffs have been particularly good this year, featuring many tough, tight games and sterling individual performances.

I think the 2013 World Series will be a rematch of 1967 with the Red Sox and the Cardinals.  Neither team seems to know when it's beaten.

Bed Bugs

Janeka's boss Michelle brought an exterminator by yesterday, and he found bed bug skeletons plus one live bug in my couch.  Just now, the building maintenance guy had his own exterminator in here, and they found dead bugs, but no live ones, and none in my bed.  If they fumigate this apartment before I move out, I'll have to be away a whole day.

Ain't nothing easy.

Moving

The move to my new apartment is less than a month away now, and preparations have begun.  Insights is looking for movers to hire, and Janeka has started bringing boxes over for some of my stuff.

Hopefully, we'll have good weather that weekend.  November can have some dark, nasty days in these parts.

Bugging Me

Yodit told me last week that she'd found a bug in my couch, so I passed that information along to Janeka, mentioning that some of my aides sleep on the couch.

That was probably a mistake.  The rules say aides are not supposed to sleep while at work.  It's a good rule-- a no-brainer-- but it's probably one of those rules that need to be viewed within the context of a human situation.  People up all night with nothing particular to do for hours will likely doze, especially if they're too busy at another job to nap before starting the overnight.  The question should be whether they do their jobs to the satisfaction of the client.

I was looking forward to some calm stability with the new schedule, but that might have to wait.

Sunday Morning

There was another mixup yesterday, and no aide came at 11.  I finally called Janeka, and she came.

That was the first such problem in a while, though.  We're down to using a small number of aides regularly, and it's working well.

My Bio

One of the fellows leading the Hawaii conference project asked my friend Vid and me to send him our bios yesterday.  Vid-- he's Latvian-- has an extremely impressive biography, spanning over 25 years of teaching and working on technology and economic development, as well as being active in the space advocacy movement.  Coincidentally, much of that time was spent in Indiana.  Currently, he runs his own consulting firm in Riga, Latvia.

Mine is sparse by comparison   I wrote it honestly and sent it in, but Vid kindly rewrote it for me, making it look better than I had.  My friend Chrissy tells me I have no talent for self-promotion, and I guess Vid agrees..

Pirates Out

My Pirates lost their playoff series to the Cardinals last night, so their season is over.

It was a good year, though.  They won 94 games in the regular season and played well in the post-season.  They should be early contenders next year.

They're At It Again

Congress and the President are once again at loggerheads over the federal budget and the federal debt ceiling.  Writing a budget is perhaps the most fundamental act of governance.  The fact that Congress hasn't passed a budget in years says the people there are not serious about doing the hard work necessary to govern a huge, complex, democratic society. The President, too, has allowed things to drift to this point of real economic danger.

Hopefully, our leaders will lead at the last minute and avert disaster.  Even if they do, however, it might be well that the voters in 2014, 2016, and beyond remember the sorry displays in Washington over the past few years.  This is no way to govern a great nation.  The American people must demand better or accept a weaker, poorer, less free country.

Hawaii Conference Again

What started as my idea for a lunar settlement conference continues to blossom.  Now, we are looking at a series of conferences to look at various aspects of enlarging the human economy by creating a sustainable move into space.  We're also planning establishing a foundation to run those conferences and otherwise promote our ideas.

I'm really pleased.

Go Colts!!!!

The Colts prevailed in a spectacular game against the previously undefeated Seattle Seahawks yesterday.  Both teams are now 4-1.

By beating Seattle a couple weeks after soundly defeating the 49ers in San Francisco, the Colts have established themselves early on as a Super Bowl contender.  The rest of the season should be a lot of fun.

Aargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my 59th birthday, and my Pirates have a playoff game with the Cardinals, but I can't watch it because it's on the MLB Network, which I don't get.

Such is life.

New Schedule

A new aide schedule incorporating the added hours assigned to me recently seems to be rounding into shape.  It would feature one 12-hour shift at night instead of one dinner shift and a separate overnight shift.

Hopefully, we can get to the new schedule soon.

Pirates 6, Reds 2

My Pirates advanced in the major league baseball playoffs last night, beating Cincinnati in a single game showdown.

Now, they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Divisional Series.  The Cards will be favored, but I think my Pirates have a good shot.

The Monon

Yodit and I took my power chair onto the Monon Trail again last evening.  That may be the last time I go there before my move.

My first time on the Monon was in the spring.  Green lined both sides in bushes and trees, and the sun was still high.  Now, the sun is setting by the time we get back there, and those trees and bushes make it even darker.  Yellow leaves were also fairly numerous on the ground already.  It's an interesting contrast.

Easy Weekend

I had a fairly easy weekend.  My body cooperated and didn't give me a hard time.

Unfortunately, I had a relatively painful morning today-- more urination issues.  That problem is getting much better, though.  I'm more in control, even if it can still be painful.

Still Waiting On Hours

I was approved for more aide hours a couple weeks ago, but, as I understand it, the state has yet to approve the new plan that uses those hours, so we're still operating under the restrained schedule of the past few weeks.

That means I had two days this week when my dinner shift started at seven, and I'll have to get through another weekend with no aide from 8 to 11 in the morning.  That's fine if I don't need the bathroom during that time, but mornings tend to be my worst times, so weekends can be tough.

Tiffany

My aide Tiffany has been getting lots of hours with me lately, which suits me just fine.  She's a nice lady and a good aide, and we get along well.

Her birthday is Monday and mine is next Friday, and Tiffany insists we're going to celebrate together in some way.  We'll see if she comes up with anything.

Swallow Study

Nurse Danielle was here while I was eating lunch Monday, and she suggested I might need a swallow study to make sure food is not getting into my lungs, which could cause problems.

It's always something.

Playoff Bound

My Pirates clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 21 years last night.  Right now, they would be a wild card team, but they still have a shot at winning their division.

I'm pumped!

Stretching Out Times

I urinated yesterday afternoon about 2:30, not again until after 10 last night, and not again after that until about 7:30 this morning.   Since I had bladder cancer I worry about such things.

I wasn't in particular pain during either interval, and when I finally did go there was no problem, so I guess it's okay.  I want to get to the point, however, where I control my urination, not the other way around.

Saturday Morning

I dread Saturday mornings.  My current aide schedule has one aide leaving at 8, and the next one not coming until 11, so I have to go a long time without using the bathroom.  It can be extremely painful.  I try to use the urinal sometimes, but that only works as the very last resort.

Hopefully, with more aide hours approved, that gap weekend mornings can be addressed.

Another Long Afternoon

Today is another day when my dinner shift won't begin until seven o'clock.  It makes for a long, uncomfortable afternoon because of my urination issues.

I got more aide hours in the latest review of my case, as I understand it.  I hope some of those aide hours can be deployed soon.

Folorunso

My aide Folorunso stayed for three straight shifts yesterday and today.  The dinner shift started at 7 last evening-- though he was late-- and stayed until after 8 this morning.

Aides are increasingly staying multiple shifts with me, which I like.  Dealing with a few aides is better than regularly getting new ones.

Working Well

The new wheelchair Jeff brought me yesterday is working out very well.  That's not surprising, as it is very like the chair I had before, but it does make my life easier.

Medicare/Medicaid probably won't pay for this chair, so I'll have to, but that's okay.

New Wheelchair

My old push wheelchair finally gave out last week, and the one I used this weekend past was really uncomfortable, so my brother Jeff saved the day.  He just brought a new chair.

It's very much like my old chair, so I have no doubt it will work just fine.

Wheelchair Problem

One tire of my push wheelchair shredded badly last night, so now I'm using a chair that seems to have been made for children.

Mom bought the chair on QVC more than twenty years ago, so we got good value out of it, but now we need to see about a new one.

Getting To Seven

For the past month, maybe, I've had two evenings a week when my dinner shift aides have come at 7, not 6, to save some aide-hours.  It can be a difficult time for me, as it means I can't use the bathroom for that extra hour.

I've gotten more hours from the state, however, so I'm hoping today is the last time I'll have to worry about getting to 7.

Busy Time

This has been a busy time for me-- looking for a new apartment, contributing to the email discussions about the Hawaii conference, and keeping up with my other stuff.  The move itself is still ahead, as well.

Hopefully, things will calm down.

Addendum

I made a mistake in today's post.  The sites under consideration for the conference are not on the Kona coast, but on the South Kohala coast on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I guess if this works out I'm going to have to learn my Hawaiian coasts.

Yesterday

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day for me.  Not only did I get final approval for my new apartment, but my beloved Pirates won their 82nd game, clinching their first winning season in twenty years.  They also have a playoff spot all but locked up.

The Hawaii conference project is also moving ahead.  We're looking at possible sites on the Kona coast, and planning to formally announce the conference before Christmas.

All Systems Are Go

The snags have been worked out, and I'm getting the apartment at The Masters.  It's a relief to have that settled.

Moving day will likely be Saturday, November 8.

Hours Up

I got some good news yesterday.  The state has approved an increase in my aide hours and agreed to let us use them more as I need them.

I hope that means we can get back to the old schedule.

Bum Battery

Yodit and I were on our way to Target last night when the battery in my power chair quit.  Yodit had to push my chair the rest of the time.  Fortunately, Yodit's son, Evan, came along at exactly the right time, and he was a big help.

I'm not sure pushing it was the best thing for the power chair, but it went easily, so maybe Yodit knew what to do.  Anyway, we had little choice.

Ball State Football

My alma mater, Ball State, scored 51 points in a season-opening victory over those mighty Illinois State Redbirds.

BSU played in a bowl game last season, and the Cardinals seem off to a good start towards getting in another one.  That would be quite an achievement.  I remember when Ball State played teams like Butler and St. Joseph's in football.  Now, they'll occasionally play the big boys like Nebraska and Oklahoma.  That's quite a move up.

Another Snag

There's another problem with finally securing my new apartment.  It seems the complex has questions about my financial situation.

Hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon.

Hawaii Conference III

A planning session for the lunar settlement conference I suggested to some of my contacts in the space community a few weeks ago was held Friday via teleconference.  The project is moving ahead with the conference tentatively scheduled for fall 2014 on the Big Island in Hawaii.

I'm pleased to have finally contributed to something important.

Keeping My Aides

I've asked a couple of my aides if they will stay with me after I move, and they're willing.

My case manager and team leader are aware I want to keep my current staff, and the new place is only 10-15 minutes from here, so hopefully I'll be able to keep them all.

Success!

The snag mentioned yesterday was quickly overcome.  I'll be able to stay here until my new apartment is available in November.

It's a huge relief to have that settled.

Snag

We found out yesterday that the apartment I want isn't available until November, so now we have to see if I can stay here till then.

It's always something.

A New Home?

Jeff and I went apartment hunting again today, and we may have found my new place.

It's a nice apartment only 10 or 15 minutes from here in a complex called The Masters.  Since it is so near here, if I get it, I'm hoping I can keep the same aides.

Odd Capital Improvement Approach

My brother Jeff and I went apartment hunting today.  We found some nice places, but they weren't really handicap accessible.  I thought such places had to be accessible nowadays, but Jeff tells me the way the law works is that a renter can file papers to put in needed improvements at his own expense.

Why should a renter who has no equity in a property be expected to make capital improvements in a property just so he can live there?  That unjustly takes money from the renter-- he has no ownership stake in the property after paying for a permanent improvement-- and unjustly enriches a property owner who failed to make the investment.

Dark Monon

Yodit and I took the Monon Trail to Marsh again last night, and didn't head home till around 9.  By then, it was getting dark, and the Monon is lined with bushes and trees, which makes it even darker.

When we got back to my place, Yodit told me she'd been scared coming back.  I wasn't scared, but I could see where she might have been.

Condo Option

Michelle, Janeka's direct boss on my case as I understand it, suggested yesterday we might look at buying a condo for me.

I love the idea.  Buying a condo has been my goal for years, if I ever got the money to do it.  I would finally own my own home, a place I could count on having.  The particular condo Michelle found looks really nice, too.  If everything works out, I'll go see it Saturday with Janeka and my sister, Kim.  I'm really excited.

Shadeland Station

Shadeland Station is a nice apartment complex.  They've obviously put a lot of work into landscaping the property, including building duckponds and at least one small lake stocked with fish.  The interior of the buildings is attractive, too.

We couldn't see the apartment I would get, but they showed us one with the same floorplan, and I liked it.  Maneuvering my power chair in there might be a bit tight, but I could be wrong about that.  We're going back tomorrow to see the actual apartment, so I should know more then.

Apartment Hunting

We start looking for another apartment for me today.  First up-- the Shadeland Station complex.

Keeping My Aides

When I move, one factor I want to keep in the decision-making process is going somewhere I can keep all or most of the aides I have now.

We've established a small group of aides who are here regularly.  I trust them.  I don't want to start all over with a new bunch.

Accident

I had my first big accident in my power chair last night.  I was on the sidewalk, and frankly distracted-- I was thinking about having to move-- when I missed a corner and drove off the sidewalk.  I was able to avoid falling all the way to the parking lot pavement by pushing with one hand against a car.

Luckily, Matthew, my aide, was with me.  He's a strong young man, and he was able to wrestle my big power chair, with me in it, back up onto the sidewalk.

Getting Out

My lease here is up at the end of September, and we're trying to move me out by then.

The alternative would be to sign another lease out to March 1 of next year when, it seems, the new age rule takes effect here, but nobody, including me, wants to be moving me in February.  The weather could be horrible.

Bad News

I'm getting kicked out of my apartment.  New ownership of this complex is making it a HUD rules property, which means residents have to be at least 62.  I'm 58.

It's extremely frustrating.  All I want is a calm, quiet life.  That seems to be too much to ask.

New Aide

An aide I'd never met before did the morning shift this morning.  We got through it okay, but she said a few times how this or that or the other thing should be changed.

She may be right about some of it, who knows, but I always find it interesting how a certain type of person feels perfectly comfortable telling me how things should go in my life after spending five minutes with me.  I don't know if they do that with everybody they meet or not, but it seems to assume I don't know much and that my regular aides aren't as good as this person.  It seems to be a mindset some people need, for whatever reason.

Nighttime Accident

Last night when I had to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, my aide helped me into my wheelchair, and somehow the thing flipped over backwards, hitting the floor.

It was no big deal-- I'd forgotten it even happened until I started typing today and felt a little sore-- but I'd like to know how it happened.

Yodit's Advice

Yodit gave me a little talking to last night, telling me I should ask more of my aides.  She noted some aides at the nursing home where we met did the bare minimum, and sometimes worse than that-- which I saw myself.  She said an aide should do for a client what that aide would do for themselves, and I shouldn't be shy about asking them to really work while they're here.

She's right, of course.  I'm satisfied with the aides I have now.  Many of them do work here on their own initiative, but I could ask them to do more.  I'll have to work on that.

Being Sociable

The state, in its bureaucratic wisdom, uses some of the money available to those trying to live independently to encourage them to be sociable, to be engaged in their communities.  Of course, arbitrary rules define what being sociable is for the purpose of accessing that money.  It turns out that if, for example, I leave my apartment, get my mail, and say "hi" to whoever might be there, that counts for being sociable and getting the money for the aide hours I need.  If I talk to my aides and get to know them, that seems not to count.  If I email people all over the world, engaging in discussions with them to accomplish a social good, that is not as sociable as saying "hi" to random strangers.

This is what happens when bureaucrats and politicians get too much time and too much power.  Its also what happens when individuals can't figure out ways to support themselves.

Hawaii Conference III

A conference in Hawaii next year examining ways to settle and industrialize the Moon is gaining people in the group trying to make it happen.

Better yet, that conference may be the first in a series that would seek to lay a phiosophical foundation for humanity's expansion into space.

Shopping At Marsh

Yodit and I took the Monon Trail to Marsh grocery again last evening, and this time I bought some stuff.

I didn't keep track of how much I was spending, and it turned out I could've gotten more than I did.  That's okay, though.  Now that we've established I can go over there, I don't need to get every last thing every time.

Controlling Public Money

Congress and the President still have yet to address Medicare/Medicaid reform, even though they all say doing so is essential to the long term economic vitality of the United States.  When-- if-- they finally get around to it, the safest bet is to assume, to pick one program, that money helping people live more independently, out of institutions, will be cut.  Penny wise, perhaps, but pound foolish.

That route would bring us to how the public money spent should be overseen, to have a minimum of waste and fraud.  One way would be to allow bureaucrats to write lots of rules for the recipients of the money to follow.  Politicians and bureaucrats are comfortable with that approach, and it's not unreasonable.  Another way, however, would be to write fewer rules, allowing more flexibility at the case level to tailor approaches to meet the needs of each individual client, as far as possible, with fewer dollars, and fewer bureaucratic resources.  We'll see which approach wins out.

Finding Marsh

Yodit and I went out on the Monon Trail last evening, and I finally found a Marsh grocery store and the several eating places Laura had told me were near the Trail.  It was a Christopher Columbus moment.

So, now I have more options I can reach in my power chair without fooling with getting the power chair into and out of a larger vehicle.  Getting there and back takes a while, so finding the time to shop at Marsh is a problem, but I now know it's possible.

Pirate Power

My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates are on a roll, having beaten the St. Louis Cardinals four straight games so far.  The fifth and final game of their series is today.  Currently, the Pirates have the best record in the major leagues.

I just wish I could see them play more.  Neither Fox nor ESPN has carried many Pirate games this season.  Presumably, if the Bucs keep winning, that will change going down the stretch of the season.  And then, hopefully, there'll be the playoffs.

Three Times

Three times this month this building has lost power.  It happened again last evening.  The power has only been out for a few minutes each time, but it's still been out.

Fortunately, we didn't lose power all last winter.  Hopefully, these summer outages aren't the start of a long trend.

Hawaii Conference II

My idea to hold a lunar settlement conferemce might actually happen.  My email buddies are working to pull it off, and they have already recruited some more people to the effort.

They even have a rough target time frame-- September-October, next year, on the Big Island, as they say.  That would be right around my 60th birthday.

Another Long Wait

Everything has been going along well with my bathroom issues, but yesterday I urinated about 2:30 in the afternoon and not again until midnight.

I was never in bad pain, so I guess no harm was done, but I'd just as soon not do that again.  Since the bladder cancer, I've become a chicken when it comes to such things.

Extending Bathroom Intervals

I haven't peed since shortly after 7 this morning.  Before that, I hadn't gone for 6 hours.  Yesterday, I went 5 hours without going.

I haven't been in real pain, so I guess it's okay.  I would like to get back to going fewer times a day.  Maybe that's what my body is doing.

I finally went about 2:45.

Hawaii Conference?

Yesterday I emailed a few of my contacts in the space community and proposed a conference to look at some of the obstacles to humans settling the Moon.  My contention is that they are more legal, financial, economic, and political than they are technological.

My email got a good response.  There might be a teleconference next week to begin planning such a conference for next year in Hawaii.

Rowdy Seniors

When I moved to an over 55 apartment complex I thought it would be a nice, quiet building.  In fact, it has been.  Last winter was very quiet.

This summer has been a bit different, though.  Occasionally, I'll hear singing in the hall, or loud voices.  Kids are around now, too, presumably visiting grandparents.  Dogs make themselves heard, too.  There are several dogs living here.  I guess people have their doors and windows open now, as I do, so you can sometimes hear a dog barking.  It's an interesting contrast between summer and winter.

Little Excitement

Yodit and I went over to Target again last evening, and we had a little more excitement than either of us wanted.  We were on the sidewalk on the other side of the street from Target when a car came busting out of the parking lot and put one wheel up on our sidewalk.  The driver quickly got back down on the street and went on his way, and the car went on the sidewalk maybe forty yards from us, so it wasn't really a close call.

Stilll, it definitely got our attention.

Nice Weekend

Jordan worked with me for three shifts this weekend, and it was good to have her back.  Everything went smoothly with her here, just as it did when she was one of my regular aides.  Hopefully, she'll be back often now.

Jordan also had some big news for me.  She's getting married.  Her fiance is a very lucky young man.

Going Out

Yodit and I, along with Matthew, possibly a new aide for me, went over to Target last evening, and I got some red velvet cupcakes for snacks.

Matthew seems an interesting guy.  He's already graduated from IU, and he intends to start med school soon, using the job as an aide to help get himself through school.

Jordan

Janeka told me this morning that Jordan will be here Saturday and Sunday.  It was welcome news.  Jordan is a really good aide and a very nice young woman.  I've missed her.

Staffing the weekends can be tricky, but this weekend seems to be in good shape.

Increasing Intervals

I was able to urinate soon after writing yesterday's blog post, which was a relief.  I seem to be stretching out the intervals between necessary bathroom visits.  Since the bladder cancer, I've had to go quite frequently, and that has become my norm.  It's what we based my aide schedule around.

Before the cancer, however, I went twice a day.  Maybe now I'll be going less and less often.  We'll see.

Tough Time

I've been doing extremely well lately, but today I haven't urinated in nearly six hours.

Hopefully, I will go shortly.

The Dentist

I had a dental appointment this morning.  It was supposed to be for a tooth cleaning and replacing a filling, but the cleaning is the only one that was done.

My dentist looked at the filling, which he's been watching for years, and decided he didn't need to replace it yet.  He just shaved it, tested it, and I guess smoothed the surface, and I was good to go,

Johniece

I'm assuming my aide Johniece is gone for good.  She worked here July 1 and hasn't been back.  Janeka is searching for a replacement.

It's a loss for me.  Johniece was an energetic, competent aide, and we got along well.  I will miss her.

Progress

Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of my father's death.  He died of an infection, but the underlying cause was blood cancer.  Multiple myloma.

Today, the pharmaceutical company Celgene is pursuing a new drug to be used against multiple myloma that has the oncology community excited.  It's far too late for Dad, but it's good to see progress possibly being made.

One Doc Out Of Two

My medical doctor made his housecall yesterday, and he said everything looked just fine.

I was wrong about the dental appointment, however.  I thought it was today, but in fact it's not until next Monday morning, so I still have that to drea.... er, look forward to.

Doctor Visit

My doctor's office called this morning to say he'd be out this afternoon to check me out.  I'm not sure why he needs to come every month or so.  Most people get by perfectly well with yearly check ups.

Anyway, I have this surprise visit and a dental appointment tomorrow, and hopefully I'll be done with doctors for a while.

Getting Better

My urinary problem has improved a lot recently.  I can go longer between bathroom visits now, and there's much less pain in the whole process.

After three years of dealing with bladder cancer and its treatment, it's hard to remember how I was before.  I didn't pay much attention to such things then.  Hopefully, though, I'm moving on to a good place now.

No Fireworks

Unfortunately, the sky was overcast here last night, so I didn't even bother going out on my balcony to try to see the fireworks.  It was a bummer.

From what Yodit tells me, next July 4th will be a big one for her.  She's going through the process now to become a U. S. citizen and expects to be sworn in later this year.  Then, she wants to bring her mother and other family members here.  It's an old, honorable, American story that says nothing but good about this grand land.  Hopefully, Yodit's first Fourth as an American will have nothing but clear skies.

Independence Day

Jon and his family brought Mom over today and stayed for a couple hours.  It was a good visit.

Tonight, I'm planning to go out on my balcony to see if I can watch fireworks,  I asked Jon if he thought I could see them, and he wasn't sure, so Yodit and I will have to find out.

Delaying Obamacare

The administration has decided to delay implementation of the large employer mandate section of Obamacare-- a key element in the overall program-- for a year, until 2015.  It seems implementing the mandate is turning out to be more complicated than first thought.

That shouldn't be surprising.  The bill creating Obamacare was over two thousand pages long, and many members of Congress have acknowledged they didn't read the whole thing before voting on it.  Nasty surprises are perhaps inevitable.  Of course, Congress concerns itself with an incredible range of issues.  Members probably don't have time to absorb a two thousand page bill, even one that affected a huge part of the economy and the very lives of Americans.  That suggests bills should be kept much shorter and more focused.  If Congress doesn't read the bills it passes, in what sense are we governed by our elected representatives?

Independence Day

Technically, today should be Independence Day.  The Continental Congress decided to split from Britain July 2, 1776.  It adopted the Declaration of Independence July 4.

Just to keep the details straight.

Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!

I figure I need to note this while I can.  My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, currently on a nine-game winning streak, have the best record in major league baseball.

The Pirates haven't had a winning season since 1992, so Pirate fans are careful not to dream too big just yet.  This season's team, though, seems to have a lot going for it-- and its best player hasn't really gotten hot yet.  If Andrew McCutchen has a huge second half of the season... well, that would be fun.

Feeling Better

I feel better today than I have lately.  I wasn't really aware of not feeling good before, but I feel better today.

The cause is pretty clearly that I now have yesterday's urologist appointment behind me, and everything is fine.  It's odd how the mind can work on the body.

Urologist Appointment

I went to the urologist today.  After a long wait, my brother Jeff and I finally got in an exam room, but the wait proved to be worth it.

I am still cancer free, and I don't have go back for six months.

Another Aide Problem

Yesterday, my aide Tiffany told me she wouldn't be here today because she had to take her son to the doctor.  So, assuming Tiffany told her boss, the company had at least a day, and probably much longer, to find someone else.  It failed.  Janeka had to do the shift.  Nor did the company notify Janeka, my team leader, that the shift was open.  Janeka only found out when I asked her who would be here today, and she called to find out.

Part of the problem, of course, is that the company struggles to find staff when new situations come up.  It can't hit a curveball.  Another part of the problem, however, as far as I can tell, is that it tends not to tell anybody it couldn't find replacement staff.  That leaves its clients in difficult situations.

Sidewalk Stuff

Johneice and I went outside after supper yesterday.  It was a wonderful early summer evening.  We went all the way around my apartment complex.

The sidewalk we followed isn't flat.  It follows the lay of the land and has two or three fairly significant swales.  Presumably it was simpler to build it that way than it would have been to level the land along the sidewalk's course.  The swales aren't huge and my power chair deals with them easily, but it is interesting to see how the sidewalk was built.

Easy Weekend

I had an easy weekend with my bathroom visits.  I was able to urinate easily enough to stay away from real pain.

I have a scope at the urologist Thursday, and that's about how these things go.  I get in a good place just in time to have another procedure, which can throw me off again.  Oh, well.

Eating Out

Last evening for supper, Johneice and I went over to Target, and I had a small PizzaHut pizza at the Starbucks inside Target.  Ain't capitalism grand?

It was a nice night to get out, too-- warm, with a bright blue sky.

Heat Tonight

I think the Heat will win the NBA title tonight.  I hope the Spurs do, but I think they had their chance Tuesday night and failed to close the deal.

If the Heat win, it will not have been a dominating playoff run.  An ill and injured Bulls team gave them some trouble, and both the Pacers and the Spurs could easily have beaten them.  Anyway, Yodit will be pleased.

Trying Time

My bathroom issues have been better recently, but yesterday I went shortly after noon, and I couldn't go again until after 8.  It was no fun, but the pain was not what it's been before.

After I finally went, though, everything has been fine.  As long as this only happens occasionally, I guess no harm will be done.

Looking For Agents

A friend of mine is attending a writers workshop back east in a couple weeks.  Literary agents-- maybe some prominent ones-- will be there, and writers will be able to pitch projects to the agents in hopes of securing representation.  My friend has agreed to take some of my work along and pitch it with her own work, if she gets the chance.

I have a literary agent, but she only handles science fiction, and I have four completed mystery novels I'm trying to sell to publishers, so I need another agent for those.

SimLeague Baseball

Well, my SimLeague baseball season is over, and my team went 93-69.  That's often good enough to get in the playoffs, but it wasn't in this league.

Still, I'm happy this team did so well.  It had a pitcher who won 20 games, three Gold Glove winners, and the league's rookie of the year.  A 13-game losing streak early in the season is what wrecked the playoff chances.

May Be Gaining Weight

Well, my aide Yodit was happy the Heat beat the Spurs last night, evening the series at 2-2.  She likes basketball, but she tells me she doesn't understand baseball.  She didn't grow up with the game, so I'm not surprised it eludes her.  Baseball is a complex, subtle game.

When she was giving me a shower, Yodit said out of the blue that she thinks I'm gaining weight.  That would be a good thing, as I seem to have a tendency to lose weight.

Go Spurs

The Spurs could take a big step towards winning the NBA title tonight by beating the Heat again.  I'm rooting for the Spurs because I like Tim Duncan.  He's a great player, and he just plays-- no nonsense stuff.

My aide Yodit, though, likes the Heat and LeBron.  She was pleased when her Heat beat "my" Spurs.  Yodit will be here again tonight, so it should be interesting.

Budget Stuff

According to reports, the federal deficit is shrinking this year because of the sequester-- which neither Congress nor the Presidnt wanted to go into effect.  It's good the deficit will be down this year, but the real problems driving up long-term federal debt have yet to be addressed.

Those problems-- coming huge shortfalls in Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare-- could break the government financially, forcing a draconian cut in benefits and a reduction in the standard of living for most Americans.  The political consequences of that kind of situation are unclear.

What is clear is dealing with the entitlements dilemma is another test of whether humans are in fact capable of self-government.  It is the essence of the American Experiment.  Are we willing to make tough choices to retain and enhance our freedom and independence as a people?  Americans have in the past.  We might know soon if we still have that capacity as a nation.

Johneice

I seem to be losing my aide Johneice in September.  She's joining the army, of all things.

I will miss her.  She's a nice young woman, and she does her job well.  I've come to trust her.

Reading My Novel

I was fiddling with one of my novels yesterday when my aide Liz came in and saw it.  She said she'd like to read it, so I got her email address and zapped it to her.  We'll see what she thinks of it, maybe when she's back in a couple weeks.

I think my novels are as good as some published novels I've read-- but, of course, I'm biased.  I'd hoped the novels would support me financially, but that's increasingly unlikely.

Last Evening

Well, the dinner shift yesterday went okay.  Janeka had to come let the new aide in because she didn't have the right code, and that was probably a good thing, as Janeka got the aide, Esther, oriented.

Esther is a nice lady, and we got along fine.  I was relieved things worked out.

Nerves

On my dinner shift tonight, an aide I've never even seen before will be here, and I'm nervous about it.  I'm already having trouble peeing, and if I can't go when this aide is here, it could be bad, or at least painful.

I'll have to find a way to make it work.

Surprise Tests

Yesterday morning, I learned my doctor had ordered tests for that very morning.  It screwed up my day.  I'd known nothing about any such tests beforehand.

I asked Nurse Danielle to contact the doctor's office and ask what the deal was.  She said they were apologetic and agreed I should have been notified in advance and told what the tests were for.  Hopefully, then, this won't happen again.

Pacers Lose

Okay, so the Pacers lost the seventh game last night, and it wasn't close.  They still won two playoff series and pushed the defending champion to the limit.

They're a young, building team.  They'll learn from this playoff run.  Hopefully, there'll be several more deep playoff runs for these playerrs.

Game 7

The Pacers have forced the defending champion Heat into a deciding seventh game in their playoff series.  They clearly know how to beat Miami-- now it's a matter of execution, matching intensity, and hitting easy shots.

I think the Pacers win tonight.

Random Calls

I got some calls on my cell last evening, and another this morning.  They turned out to be nothing-- random calls from idiots with nothing better to do.

They did concern me, though.  My family and my aide companies are the only people who have that number, so when I got the calls last night I was worried something might have happened to Mom, or one of my nieces-- Shreve, Renee, or Callie.  That's what crossed my mind.  I couldn't work the cell fast enough to answer the calls before they hung up.  When the calls stopped coming, and when none of my brothers showed up here last night, I assumed nothing bad had happened, but having a cell phone might have a down side till I get better at using it.

Yodit's Lasagna

Yodit filled in on my dinner shift yesterday and brought me some lasagna she'd made for her family.  It was goood stuff.  Some lasagna has all kinds of stuff in it, which is fine, but this was simple and tasty.

Yodit seemed concerned that I wouldn't like it, but in fact it reminded me of the lasagna Mom used to make.

Pacers Even Up

The Pacers beat the Heat last night to tie the series at 2-2.  It was a good game.  The Pacers could have easily lost it, but they kept coming back.

The winner of the next game will likely win the series.  That game is in Miami, but the Pacers have already shown they can win down there.  It should be interesting.

Hot Air Rises

This winter, we thought my fourth floor apartment would be easy ro keep warm because hot air rises, so I would get the benefit of the heat from the three lower floors.  It seemed to work.

Now we're moving into summer, however, and hot air still rises.  My apartment has been getting quite warm, so I've had the aides turn the air on or open a window.  Then, it gets too cool, so we go back the other way.  We're still trying to find the happy medium.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, a holiday set aside to remember those who have honorably served in America's armed forces, especially those who gave the nation their last full measure of devotion.

It's fairly commonly said, especially around days like this, that without the service and sacrifice of the military, Americans would not enjoy the freedoms we do.  While true enough, there's another side to that relationship.  Traditionally, as today, American forces have been volunteer forces.  People have volunteered to serve for various reasons through more than two hundred years, but mostly they've volunteered because they believed in America and its freedoms.  So the fate of America has never hung solely on the prowess of its military.  Rather, the nation has always relied on the devotion of its people, in the armed forces and out, to the cause of liberty.  That, too, should be remembered.

Long Wait

Yesterday, I urinated about 3 in the afternoon, and not again until well after 10 last night.  I wasn't overly concerned because I had no strong urge to go during that period, nor was I in bad pain.   Maybe I didn't have enough liquids.  Since last night, everything has been fine.

Still, I don't like going that long without going.  Since my bladder cancer, it worries me.  I'm a chicken.

Go Pirates

My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a good start for the third straight season.  Hopefully, this year they won't fall apart down the stretch.

The Pirates are my team because they were Dad's team.  They were his team because during World War II major league teams didn't hold spring training in Florida-- the war effort had commandeered the trains-- so the Pirates held spring training in Muncie, and Dad would go watch.  Also, when I was young, the Pirates were really good.  They won two World Series in the 1970s, and could've played in a couple more except for that Big Red Machine from Cincinnati.

Working Through My Problem

My urination is still a problem, but it's getting better.  Now, I can regularly go three or four hours or more between urinations.  That's progress.

It's still painful to go that long, but less so than before.  It worries me to wait that long, too, but I guess I'll just have to get over that.

Pacers In Eastern Finals

The Pacers start the Eastern Finals against the Heat tomorrow night.  I think they have a real chance to win that series.

There's a chance the NBA Finals this year could feature two old ABA franchises, the Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs.  The Spurs have obviously done better in the NBA, but the Pacers were sort of the Boston Celtics of the ABA.  A Pacers-Spurs matchup would be fun.

Company Woes

I've had problems recently with one of the companies that provides me with aides.  Saturday, the company seems not to have been able to find somebody to cover my dinner shift, so it simply didn't send anybody.  I had to email Janeka that nobody had shown, and she got Yodit to come.

Today, the company sent no one for my lunch shift.  I called Janeka on my cell to let her know, and she called the company.  An aide finally came over an hour late.  Tiffany, the aide who normally has that shift, told me Saturday she wouldn't be here today because she had to take her son to the doctor, so the company had days to get somebody else.  It failed to do so.

Several descriptive words for the company come to mind, but I won't use any of them.

Back To The Monon

Johneice and I went back to the Monon Trail last evening.  This time, we went the opposite way from before.  It's a nice stretch, but so far I've seen no eating places along the Trail.

We also saw a balloon in the air.  Johneice called it a blimp, but I think it was a hot air balloon.  Of course, her eyes are younger than mine.

Bingo

They hold regular bingo games in this building, and my aide Johneice suggested I might want to play.  She said it'd be fun.

Well, no.  You don't really play bingo.  Bingo plays itself.  You just sit there.  The game would play out the same way no matter who was watching the cards, as long as everyone paid the required bit of attention.  It's boring.

Small Mall

Last evening, Johneice and I continued our travels by going over to the little mall across the street.  We were scouting out eating places, and found a Penn Station sub shop.

I'm a little leery about crossing the street in my power chair because I lack real speed at the moment.  I feel like a bit of a sitting duck.  Johneice tries to turn up the speed, but hopefully we can get it going even faster.  That would also increase my range.

On The Monon

As I recall, the Monon Trail was built when I was in college, or around there.  Since then, it has been mentioned on Indianapolis television news broadcasts fairly frequently, and not always in connection to good things.

Last evening, my aide Johneice and I went through the small exit in the back of this property and reached the Trail. It's a nice place.  Fairly dense vegetation runs down both sides of the section we were on, at least, making it quiet, peaceful, and attractive.  Bikers and joggers left me in their wakes, but it was a good time.

Mother's Day

My sister Kim, twin brothers Jeff and Joe, and Mom all came over yesterday, and we spent a large part of the day together.  I think we all had a nice time.

Kim made us a homemade pizza, too.  Mom made them for us regularly when we were kids, so I guess it's sort of a comfort food for us.  Kim did a good job with it, too.

Sippy Cup Issue

Lately, I've been having trouble getting my lips around the spout of the sippy cup so I can suck the liquid out.  It's extremely frustrating.  I'm to the point now that I try to pull my lip down with my hand.  Sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I'm sure it's CP-related-- simple muscle control-- just as my bladder issue seems to be.  They are further related in that I try to get plenty of fluids to help the bladder situation, but as drinking becomes more frustrating, that gets harder to do.  Sometimes I feel like I'm falling apart.

Split Decision

I didn't go out to eat last evening.  I had another problem urinating, so I ate supper here.  After eating, I was able to use the bathroom, however, and after that took my power chair outside.

Johniece and I went all the way around my building on the sidewalk.  I was looking for the way to get to the Monon Trail, so I'd know where to go next time.  I only saw one small exit off this property in the back, so I guess that's the way.  We also got caught in a shower, which is not good for the power chair.  Happily, the shower only lasted a few seconds, but I decided I'd best get the power chair back inside.

Monon Trail

The Monon Trail is a popular walking and jogging trail in Indianapolis, and it runs right behind my apartment complex.  I might take my power chair on it this evening and go to one of the several eating places along it.

That will depend on my bathroom situation, and on the weather.  I can't go if it's rainy because I can't get water in the electronics of the chair.  So, we'll see.

Doing Better

Yesterday went very well.  My bathroom issues weren't a problem.  The things I was working on with the computer went well, and Yodit even gave me a haircut.

Hopefully, that will turn out to be the start of a nice, easy summer.

The Case Of The Second Stool

I have two stools at the island in my kitchen, but late yesterday there was only one.  Neither Janeka nor I could find the second one, nor figure out why anybody would take it.

Well, nobody took it.  I spied it on my balcony this morning.  The question is why was it out there?  Maybe an aide wanted to sit in the fresh air out there.  That would be fine, but why not bring the stool back in?  Very odd.

The Courtyard

After supper yesterday, my aide Johneice and I spent some time in the courtyard of my building.  My apartment overlooks it.  The evening was soft and pleasant, and we both enjoyed it.

I took my power chair down and had no problem at all.  The courtyard is a nice area, quiet except for singing birds and far off televisions.  The grass needs to be cut, but I assume they'll get to that shortly.

Hot Times

My apartment got really hot yesterday-- up to 83 degrees, according to my aide, Johniece.  I had my office window and my sliding glass door open, but Johniece said it was hotter in here than it was outside.

So, the air conditioning is on today-- so much for trying to save some money.

Very Odd

Last Friday and Saturday were tough when it came to using the bathroom.  Saturday, for example, midnight to midnight, I urinated 12 times.  Since then, however, not only have I gone less often, but I've had a minimum of pain or even urgency.  Sometimes I've gone into the bathroom largely because I knew I should.

So, I don't know what happened.  Maybe Saturday was some sort of biological crescendo that re-set my system for a while.  I hope so.

Springtime In Hoosierland

We're finally getting some nice, warm weather in Indiana.  The winter had some rough spots, and it seemed to hang on and on, but we're hitting 80 this week.  The weathercasters are calling for a cooler weekend, but winter is finally over.

Just in time, too.  May is Indiana's time on the world stage each year with the running of the Indianapolis 500 and everything that leads up to the race.  I'm not a big race fan, but I've kept tabs on the 500 over the years.  It's a Hoosier tradition.

My Weight

My aide Yodit told me Saturday night she thought I had gained weight since the first time she saw me here in my new home.  Then, she said, I looked bad, but she didn't say anything about it.  That was a few weeks after the last time she'd seen me at the nursing home.

Now, she says, I look healthier.  My face looks fuller.  Lately, my aide rotation has settled into a good routine, and we are getting to know each other better.  That helps.

The Mirror

Nurse Danielle was over yesterday for her monthly visit, and my vitals are fine.  Yesterday also happened to be her birthday, so the subject of age came up, whereupon she said I look ten years younger than my actual age.

Well, there's a big mirror over the sink in my bathroom.  When I look into that, I certainly don't see a young, or even a youngish, man, anymore.  I guess it's a matter of perspective.

Sharing Perspectives

John Dickerson of The ARC of Indiana has asked me to write a piece about moving out of a nursing home that he can share with state employees he is training to help people do precisely that.  It's a good, forward-looking program that sees people as individuals and tries to help them improve their life situations.  It's forward-looking because as the population ages there will be an increasing need for such a service.

Anyway, I'm glad to do it.  I owe the program a lot.

Still A Problem

I'm still having the problem urinating, but it seems better than earlier.  Maybe I'm getting better at managing it.  I'm trying to drink more liquid, including plain water, and hopefully that's helping.

When I have the problem it's painful, but not as bad as it was.  This problem, though, is also limiting what I feel comfortable doing outside my place.  More liquids might, therefore, give me more freedom, too.

Settling In

It seems we have established a regular rotation of a few aides who'll work with me consistently.  They are all nice people, too, so I'll be happy if I can keep this group for a while.

Of course, I thought we had a group set once before, and that didn't last.  We'll see if it does this time.

Yodit Is The Terminator, I Think

My aide Yodit has taken to imitating Arnold Schwarzenegger's classic "I'll be back" movie line, only she says, in her best deep voice, "I will come back."  She says it's from The Terminator.  I think that's right, though, thinking about it, that line might come from another Schwarzenegger effort.  I'm not sure.

Anyway, it's cute when she does it.  I wouldn't have pegged Yodit as a fan of Schwarzenegger-type action movies, though maybe her boys are.  Offhand, it's hard to think of two more different people than Yodit and Arnold.

Tiffany

My aide Tiffany is a kind woman.  This morning, I had trouble urinating again, and I was in pain.  I told Tiffany I was hurting, but she could obviously see that for herself.  So, when I went back into the bathroom after a quick lunch, she called Nurse Danielle to see if there was anything she could do for me.

Happily, I was able to go that time, so everything is okay at present.  It's strange, though.  Sometimes, three or four hours between urinations is no problem, but other times, I really need to go after only two hours.  Between midnight Wednesday and midnight Thursday, for example, I went ten times.

More Storms

We're looking at more bad storms later this afternoon.  Hopefully, it won't be as bad as the weathercasters say it might be.

I hope we don't lose power.  This is a fairly new building, so there should be a good chance everything will be okay.

Stormy Night

We had storms roll through most of the night last night.  While I was reading in bed, the lights flickered a few times, and I was afraid we might lose power, but we didn't.

They're calling for more storms to rumble through tonight.  Such is springtime in Indiana.

Tiny?

A couple of my aides have commented recently that I'm a "tiny" man.  Well, I am a small man, but I'm roughly as tall as most of the aides, though I do lack the bulk most guys have.

Yodit was one of those who made the comment.  She's a slim lady herself.  In fact, when she was pregnant, you couldn't really tell.  Now, she tells me she's going to have to start exercising to lose the weight she gained.  That should take all of a week or two.

Jackie Robinson Day

Today is Jackie Robinson Day in major league baseball, the 66th anniversary of the day Robinson broke the color barrier in the majors.  For that, and for his subsequent careers in baseball and business, as well as his commitment to civil rights, he is remembered as a major figure in the civil rights movement.

Some argue, therefore, that Robinson is the most consequential player in the history of the game.  In a broad context, that may be, but we should understand that his impact on the nation was based on the place baseball had in American culture and the national heart.  That place had developed over decades through the exploits of many players, the most notable being Babe Ruth, and including players in the Negro Leagues.  Had baseball not been the national pastime, Robinson's impact would not have been as significant.

Jackie Robinson was a man of great courage, a Hall of Fame ballplayer, and a hero to anyone concerned about personal independence, freedom, and opporrtunity, but he stood on the shoulders of baseball's giants to use the game to accomplish a higher purpose.  The irony is that some of those giants would not have played with a black man.  Such is the complexity, the tragedy, and the power of the American experiment.

Frustrating Times

Sometimes my computer seems to have a mind of its own.  Like today.  It's been very reluctant to do what I've wanted, and I've had to fiddle with it to get anything done.

Usually, it does just fine for my needs, but days like this get me thinking about fiendish things I might do to silicon chips.

Hitting The Button III

My aide was late for the lunch shift today-- it turns out she missed the bus-- and I tried to call Janeka on my new cell phone, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.  So, reluctantly, I hit the emergency button.  As I knew would happen, an EMT squad was sent over, followed closely by Janeka.

Janeka now has my cell phone set up so that I can speed dial her number, so hopefully I won't need to use the emergency button again.  Hopefully, too, my aides will get here fairly close to on time every shift.

Trip To The Dentist

Janeka took me to the dentist this morning.  Kara, my regular hygienist, said my teeth looked in better shape than they have in a while, though she did find a chip in a filling that will be fixed in July.

The trip there was interesting.  We saw a man working on a laptop as he was driving along on the highway.  You have to wonder how some people get to be as old as they do.  We saw another bizarre thing, too.  Right in front of us, a goose flew into the side of a truck.  This was a big bird, but the truck was bigger.  The goose fell to the highway pavement.  I don't know what happened to it after that.

Warm Weather

We've finally had some better weather the last few days.  After a winter that hung tough well into spring, it's nice to finally get some warmer weather.  I've even had my windows and balcony door open, letting the fresh air in.

The weathercasters on television are saying it'll be cold again this weekend, but surely that will be the last freezing gasp until the fall.

Louisville vs. Michigan

The NCAA Men's basketball championship game is tonight, with Louisville playing Michigan.  Both teams had tough games Saturday to reach the championship game, so both earned this shot.

Tonight's game could be a wild one.  I think it will be fairly high scoring.  I'm not a Michigan fan, but I am a Big 10 guy, and I think Michigan has about an even chance, so I'll be pulling for the Wolverines.

Cell Phone Activated

Yodit activated my new cell phone for me last night.  It's a tiny thing, but I think I'll be able to use it.  It will give my family a way to contact me when I'm not at the computer, and vice versa, and it will give me a third option if an aide is late, for example.  Now, instead of either just waiting longer and hoping somebody shows up, or hitting the emergency button, I can call Janeka, or Yodit, who gave me her numbers.

All I have to do now is figure out how to operate the phone.

Tiffany

I have a new regular aide-- Tiffany.  As I understand it, she's taking over for Desma, who took over for Jordan.

If Tiffany is here for the lunch shift every weekday for a while, I'll be fine with it.  She's a good aide and a friendly lady, and, so far, she's been right on time.

Target

Janeka and I went over to Target this morning and got me some new underwear.  It went well.  Driving the power chair outside is a little different than doing so inside, but I did okay.

I think we need to increase the speed of the chair if I go out regularly, however.  Crossing the street took a while this morning, and I think it'd be better, and safer, if I had the ability to get across faster when needed.

First Trip

If everything goes right and the weather holds, I'll be taking my first trip in my power chair soon.  Janeka and I are going to Target, which is sort of next door to this apartment complex.  I intend to get some new underwear, as some of the shorts I have now are getting pretty ragged.

Hopefully, this will be the first of many trips around the city.

Opening Day

This is Opening Day of the major league baseball season-- no fooling!-- even though the first game was last night.  Go figure.  Baseball argues that was Opening Night, and this is Opening Day.  Okay.

Anyway, I always look forward to the baseball season.  This season, my Pirates might even break through and finally have another winning season.

Yodit's Back

Yodit came back to her regular overnight shift last night, exactly three months after having her baby.  She also did the dinner shift Monday, which happened to be her birthday.  She'll really only do the overnight shift, though, because that's when her husband can be home with the baby.

Yodit is no longer working at the nursing home where we met.  She told me much of the staff has left, and it's not as good a place as it was.  I may have left at a good time.  Anyway, I'm very happy to have Yodit back with me.

Good News

I went to the urologist this morning to see about my urination problem and got good news.  My doctor said everything is fine.  I just need to drink more liquids, especially more water.

When I was going through the cancer treatments, I knew I needed lots of liquids, so I paid close attention to how much I got each day.  Lately, however, I haven't been too concerned about that.  I guess I'll have to go back to counting fluid ounces.

Back To Myself

I was finally able to urinate about 6 last evening, and it's been fine since.  That's the pattern of whatever this is-- I'll have a tough time, then be good for days or weeks.

It's an odd, even humbling, experience.  One minute I'm reminded I'm an animal.  I'm in pain, trying to get relief, trying to understand.  The next minute, after a success, I'm immediately back to my semi-rational, quasi-civilized self.

Trouble

I haven't been able to urinate in nearly ten hours, and I'm worried and in pain.

Tammy

Last night's shift was the last for Tammy as a regular aide for me.  She'll probably be back occasionally, but she's been transferred to another site.

Tammy is a good aide and a friendly, caring lady.  I will miss her.

Yodit Delayed

Yodit was supposed to be back last night, but she wasn't.  There's been a paperwork snafu-- the company doesn't have the permission papers from Yodit's doctor yet-- and she can't come back to work until that's settled.

Now, she's expected back early next week.

Good News

Johniece told me last night that starting tomorrow night she wll be here every weeknight from 6 to 9.  It's good news.  She's a good aide and a really nice young woman.

Also, Yodit is due back tonight. so maybe we can get a really solid aide rotation established quickly.

Hitting The Button II

My aide was late again this morning, so I hit the alert button as Janeka told me to, to let her know all was not quite well-- and an ambulance was sent.  Luckily, the aide arrived at the same time the parammedics did and quickly straightened things out, but I could've been left trying to tell those guys I really didn't need to go to the hospital even though, yes, I had intentionally hit the button.

True, the person involved in sending the ambulance had no details, only the alert, so you could argue that person acted out of an abundance of caution.  Aides are regularly late, however, and Janeka wants me to hit the button to let her know I'm alone 15 minutes after the start of the shift.  If that alert is going to trigger an EMT run every time, the arrangement quickly becomes unworkable.  We need a better solution.

Hoops

The NCAA men's basketball tournament starts tonight.  It's a wild, fun event.  This year, March Madness is sloshing over into April, which is a little bit odd.  You'd think if the NCAA and CBS were going to spend all that money and effort promoting "March" Madness, they'd try really hard to play the thing out in March.

Anyway, my Final Four picks are Duke, Michigan, Indiana, and New Mexico, with IU beating Duke in the championship game.

Hitting The Alert Button

We had another problem with an aide not showing up today, and Janeka told me I need to hit the alert button if no one is here some time into a shift.  I haven't done that because the one time I hit it accidentally Insights folks didn't come.  Instead, paramedics came charging in here in a few minutes.

So, if taken the button to be an emergency resort only.  However, If Janeka says to use the button to let her know no one has come, I will.

Bladder Spasms

I haven't heard from my doctor yet, but Nurse Danielle thinks the problem is bladder spasms.  She said she could feel my bladder spasming when she did the catheterizatiion.

If that's what the problem is, she said there is medication that will stop it.  I sure hope that's all it is and that we can get it under control soon.

Big Ten Tourney

The Big 10 men's basketball tournament runs today through Sunday, and it should be a wild affair.  The first game certainly was.

I'm looking forward to watching it and hoping IU can pull it out.

Another Aide Problem

I didn't mean for this to be Complain About Aides Week in this blog, but the aide who was supposed to be here this morning didn't come, so Janeka came almost an hour after the shift was to begin.

This particular aide is good when she's here, but I can't count on her completely.  She's regularly late, and sometimes, like today, she doesn't come at all.  She's always apologetic after, and she always has a good explanation, but I need them here on time.  I'm having enough trouble urinating as it is-- having to wait longer for an aide to get here only makes it tougher.

Sleeping Aides

As I understand it, the aides who do the overnight shift are supposed to stay awake to be ready when I need them, but that doesn't always happen.  I never really thought it would, and it's generally not a problem.

Sometimes, however, I have a tough time waking them up.  I'll yell and yell because I need the bathroom, and I can hear the aide snoring away.  When I finally get them up, they do a good job, but getting them up can take several minutes.  You'd think if they knew they were to be on duty all night the aides would try to get naps in beforehand.  Maybe they do-- or maybe they can't.  Who knows.  If they can't because they need to work that much to make ends meet, we are back to a basic weakness in the system that needs to be addressed as part of a larger reform.

Taking A Sample

Nurse Danielle just used a catheter on me to take a urine sample so the doctor can get on with trying to determine what's wrong.  I had another rough day Saturday.

Danielle said my bladder was spasming even as she was getting the sample.  Maybe that's the problem.  I have times when I have trouble urinating, but once I get through that, I can have many days of normal activity before another episode.  That sounds like it could be spasmodic.  It also might connect with my cerebral palsy.

Accident

I had a bowel accident today.  Right after lunch I though I was going to pass some gas, but more than gas came out.  My aide Desma was right there, and she was very good, but I hate it.

Getting old is hell.

Now, Johnice

I lost Jordan as an aide last week, and now Johnice, another aide I've come to trust and count on, is cutting back to only two dinner shifts a week.  I assume it's the nature of the industry-- aides don't make much money, so they are constantly on the lookout for better opportunities-- but it is frustrating.

Hopefully, after Yodit returns in a couple weeks, we can establish a regular rotation of a few aides that will last a while.

Another Big Storm

We had another pretty big snowstorm blow through last night.  I was concerned it might delay my aides in getting here this morning, but both Janeka and Desma made it as usual.

Hopefully this will be the last big snowfall until next winter, but this is Indiana.  I've seen snow here in April, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Alas, It's Official

I got an email from Jordan today, and she said she will no longer be my aide.  Whoever is getting her is fortunate-- Jordan is a competent aide ready to help her client in any way necessary.  On top of that, she's a really nice young woman.  When she smiles-- which she does often-- her whole face lights up.

I hope this move helps in her career, but for me, this development is a bummer.

House Call

My doctor came this morning to check out my urination problem.  He said my prostate seems pretty good, his nurse took a blood sample, and he's ordering ultrasound tests on my bladder and kidneys.

He also wanted a urine sample, but I couldn't go on command-- which is, after all, the problem.  If I could always go when I wanted, I wouldn't have needed to see the the doctor.

Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Jordan

I might be losing Jordan as an aide.  She could be switching to a client who has physical needs more in her area of interest than mine are.

Losing her would be a big loss for me.  Jordan has become one of the aides I count on the most.  She's extremely reliable-- on time even during the blizzard after Christmas-- and I can count on her to do anything I need done.  She is also a realy nice, very kind young woman.  I will miss her a lot if she moves on.

Blog Birthday

This blog is a little more than a year old.  I started it at the suggestion of John Dickerson of ARC as a way to present my own case for having a home of my own.  This may or may not have helped, though I'm told it did.

Anyway, it's been quite a year for me, and if anyone has benefited from reading this blog, that's all to the better.

Late Winter Blues

Most people around these parts are beginning to grouse about winter.  It's been a long, cold, dreary season, with just enough nice days thrown in to tease us, and people are getting sick of it.  The fact that this is roughly how most winters in Indiana play out doesn't really help much.

Me-- I keep my eye on baseball.  Spring training is in full swing, and the regular seaon opens next month.  Then, all will be well-- except for possible tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods....

The Birds

I have a lot of birds visit my balcony.  Maybe they like being this high up.  There were as many as five at a time this morning in the rain.  I couldn't see any markings; they were all dark, but I don't think they were starlings.  I have seen robins already this year, though.

I've thought about getting a bird feeder for out there, but the people below me might not be too thrilled with that.

Neurogenic Bladder

I had another tough time last night.  I was on the pot two hours trying to pee and in pain before I finally went.  The good news is that I've been able to go as usual since.

I emailed Nurse Danielle about it-- she works for one of the companies that supplies my aides-- and she said that is not uncommon for people who have CP.  It even has a name-- neurogenic bladder.  It seems all the tiny muscles involved in urination don't coordinate properly to allow me to go.  That, in fact, is how it feels-- as if I've forgotten how to go.  If that's correct, the problem would be unrelated to my bladder cancer.  She still wants me to get a prostate exam, though.

As I told me brother Joe a couple weeks ago, it's hell getting old.

Maybe More Liquids

Yesterday, I had another difficult time urinating.  My dinner shift aide, Johnice, who is very good, asked me if I'd had much to drink that day.  That hadn't occurred to me, but in fact, I hadn't.

So, I asked Johnice to give me a glass of juice on top of the Ensure I drank with supper, which she did.  I got through last night and this morning on my regular bathroom schedule, so maybe I still need to pay attention to how much liquid I drink every day.

Neck Hugging

Since moving here, I've hugged more female necks than I ever have.  I do it to help my aides lift me.  It seems to work well.

I also have two male aides, and one of  them doesn't seem to want me to put my arm around his neck, so I've stopped trying.  A couple of the women have been like that, too, which is fine.  I don't do it with Yodit, either.  We never did it that way at the nursing home, and she's from a different, more traditional culture, so I don't know how she would respond to it.  Anyway, she doesn't need the help.  A couple days before she had her baby she was still handling me just fine.

Windy Home

Since I've been living here, I've really noticed the wind.  Of course, we've had some good storms in that time, but whenever there's been any wind, I've heard it howling.

I've always lived on the ground level, so maybe living on the fourth floor gets more wind noise.  Or maybe the wind swirls around the courtyard my apartment faces.  It's four stories deep, maybe that's enough for wind to dive into and roar out.  Anyway, it's interesting to hear the weather people on television predict storms and wind, and then hear the wind reply.

Singing Aides

I have an aide who hums through the shift.  I don't recognize the tune-- I wouldn't, because I'm not big on music-- but the aide hums it steadily along.

Yodit sometimes sings softly in her native language as she shaves or showers me, too.  From her, I take it as a sign of something like contentment in her work, and it relaxes me.  I hope the other aide's humming is similarly an indication of satisfaction.

Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day, as far as I know, exists because Congress wanted to create a three-day weekend in the dead of winter.  While it seems to honor all presidents, the holiday is most closely identified with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, if only because it generally or always falls between their birthdays.

Lincoln is undoubtedly the president most closely associated with maximizing personal independence because he freed roughly four million slaves and led the effort to constitutionally abolish slavery in this nation forever.  But he also signed the 1862 Homestead Act, which helped open the West to ordinary people who wanted to try to build a better life for themselves and their families.  He also signed the law creating land grant colleges, which was designed to give ordinary people a chance at a college education.  Lincoln started life in a log cabin on the Kentucky frontier and worked his way up to becoming a prosperous lawyer, and eventually, president.  A main thrust of his political career was that other people should have the opportunity to better their lot in society just as he had.

The system dealing with helping the elderly and the otherwise challenged should always keep those bits about personal ability, opportunity, and maximum independence firmly in the forefront of what they do.

Sequestering

President Obama and the Congress-- the Democratically controlled Senate and the Republican controlled House-- have adopted a strange approach to governing.  Roughly eighteen months ago, they passed a law calling for indiscriminate, large budget cuts after the presidential election unless Congress enacted a more reasoned plan before then.  The idea was that the cuts in the so-called sequester approach were so tough that Congress would never let them go through, thus forcing everyone to the bargaining table.

It was, and remains, a silly way to govern a great nation.  More, it hasn't worked.  The two parties are not noticeably closer on a budget, and now there looks to be a reasonable chance that the cuts designed to scare everybody into cooperating may in fact become law, at least temporarily.

The American people deserve better, but we must elect better.  I'm 58, so, according to the politicians running things in Washington, my benefits should be safe.  The performance of those politicians, however, does not inspire confidence.

Love Is In The Air

Under the new schedule, my dinner shift is 6-9.  Tonight, however, it will be 5-8.  My aide Johnice, who is a really nice young woman, asked to move it up an hour because she has a date after.

Of course, I agreed.  Far be it from me to get in the way of Valentine's Day doings.

Dogs

I took a break from college basketball the past two nights to watch the Westminster Dog Show, as I do every year.  I love dogs, and I enjoy seeing all the different breeds.

The last time I checked the website of my apartment complex, the dog policy limits us to dogs forty pounds or less.  That would rule out service dog breeds like Labs, goldens, and German shepherds, for example.  I'd be fine with a smaller companion dog, though-- a dog who'd be happy just to be my buddy.

Mom

Yesterday was Mom's 79th birthday.  I tease her that she was born the day before Abraham Lincoln.  She is a typical Hoosier-- generally easy going, friendly, funny, kind.  As far as I can tell, everybody who knows her loves her.

She is also a strong woman who devoted her life to her family.  I'm the eldest of five kids-- including twin sons five years behind me.  Mom got me in high school by going to the principal of her old high school and asking him to let me go there, even though we didn't live in that district.  The high school I should have gone to didn't want to take me-- something that wouldn't fly today.  So, I went to Mom and Dad's old school.  Mom took me to school every day except for my senior year when she was pregnant with her fifth child.  Then she took me to college classes for four years, bringing young Jon along when necessary.  Mom and Dad were married nearly fifty years, and during the last few years of his life, Mom was helping both Dad and me.

She is remarkable.

Gracie

Friday night, my brother Jon's family lost a member.  Gracie, their 11-year-old Rottweiler, had to be put down.  Gracie was a great dog, completely devoted to my niece, Renee.  Gracie will be terribly missed.

I know Rottweilers have a bad reputation in some circles, but Gracie was a sweet, gentle, playful dog who never hurt anyone and never would have-- except in defense of Renee or other members of her family.  Though not huge for a Rottie, she had the classic Rottie look, so nobody in their right mind would've challenged her.  The family knew, though, that Gracie always saw herself as a lap dog.

New Case Manager

I seem to be getting a new case manager from the state.  From my experience so far, a case manager comes around every three months and spends a few minutes making sure the rules of the state are being followed.  As far as I know they are, so I don't expect changes with this new person.

I am pleased with the quality of my aides here.  At the nursing home, the quality was uneven-- some were very good, others weren't.  At TenderCare and Insights, however, I do have favorites, because we're all human and humans are like that, but all of them I've had over the past several weeks have been good.

A Year And Counting

When I first moved to the nursing home, I had trouble having regular bowel movements because I wasn't comfortable there, and I wasn't comfortable with the aides yet.  In fact, I regularly needed chemical help to go.

Today marks the first anniversary of the last instance of such help.  I was able to adjust to being there with those aides, and even with the move to my own place with a new set of aides, I've been able to stay on track.

Aren't you all glad I shared that? 

Bedtime Stories

Different aides have different ways of helping me into bed.  Most pull the spread and sheet down towards the foot of the bed, which I take to be usual.  Some, though, pull the spread and sheet sideways, front to back.  Others still just open the spread.  One aide didn't do any of that.  When I said I was cold, that aide went and got a comforter to cover me.

All these work, but it's curious how such a simple, every night thing can be done in so many different ways.

First Big Goof

While practicing in my power chair this morning, I had my first really big problem.  After maneuvering through the area twice with no problem, I ran afoul of a table and chair and also knocked over a potted plant.  I'm still not sure what happened.

Anyway, it was the first time Janeka had to help me get out of a mess.  Hopefully, it will also be the last.

Tammy

Tammy was back as my overnight aide last night.  It was good to see her again.  We get along, plus she sometimes brings me food.  Last night, for example, she brought beef stroganoff, which I had for lunch, and a couple brownies.

Tammy will be back later this afternoon, too.  Today is the first day of my new aide schedule, and it seems to still have some bugs in it, so she is doing another long shift with me.

Super Bowl Pick

The Super Bowl has taken on a brotherly theme the past few years.  Both Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, have quarterbacked their teams in two Super Bowls, though never against each other.  That still might happen, though.  This year, the brothers Harbaugh, John and Jim, have coached their teams into the Super Bowl and will go head to head.  Mathematicians could work out the odds of brothers becoming NFL head coaches at the same time and reaching the Super Bowl in the same year, but I'm betting those odds would be way long against such a thing happening.

My prediction:  49ers 21, Ravens 17.

Yodit's Visit

Yodit came to visit me yesterday about suppertime.  It was a really nice surprise.  As is typical of her, she brought me yogurt and cookies.  That was nice, but I was just happy to see her.

She told me she'll come back to work with me around March 21.  That's later than I had hoped, but at least we have a pretty solid date to plan towards now.  Plus, other aides have worked out in her absence, so when Yodit does return, there should be a fairly large group of aides I'll be able to trust.

Aide Stuff

At least one of my aides moves my television in the living room around on the stand.  I don't know why anybody would have the need to do that.  Another aide, if I don't watch her, gives me just whatever to drink instead of asking me what I want.

February 1, the new aide schedule begins.  I'm not sure yet who the aides will be, but the plan is to keep my best aides and add new ones as needed.  I'm interested to see how it works out.

Better Night

Janeka stayed overnight last night, and it went much better.  In fact, I went to the bathroom about 1, as usual, and not again until I got up at 8.  I obviously needed some good sleep, and I feel much better today.

My bladder is getting better, too.  Now, I can go a few hours without using the bathroom.  If I hadn't had an aide all night even when I first moved in here, that would have resulted in a real mess.

Bad Night

Friday night, my overnight aide was over an hour late.  Last night, no one came at all.  It was an extremely difficult few hours.  I had to figure out how I could use the urinal, which I finally did about 3:30.  Then, I got on my couch and tried to get some sleep.

Janeka, bless her, was ticked when she got here at 7 and found me there.  She has decreed that all my aides are now to call her when they get here, so she'll know somebody is with me.  I am also getting a cell phone, so I can contact someone when I'm not at the computer, and getting that will probably be fast-tracked now.

Schedule Changes

There looks to be scheduling changes coming to my aide shifts.  Starting in February, for example, the dinner shift will be an hour longer, from 6 to 9.  That will give the aide time to cook, getting me better meals and more food.  It will also help get aides here.  Laura tells me aides make very little money on two-hour shifts, so getting people to do them can be tough.  Hopefully, a three-hour shift will be more attractive to them.

I'm fine with the changes.  They're an attempt to better meet my needs.  I'd like to have one primary aide on the dinner shift through the week, like Jordan is here every day at lunch.  We'll see.

Food

My biggest Peapod order so far is due to be delivered this evening.  Just in time, too, as I am running out of food.

I'm still trying to get the hang of ordering food.  Even though I'm the only person eating it, the stuff seems to go fairly fast.  We're trying to work out some crock pot recipes and a weekly menu so I'll have a better idea of what I need to get.  That more and better food would also keep my weight up.

Names They Call Me

Different aides call me different things.  Most call me Greg, but one calls me Mr. Anderson, and a couple call me Mr. Greg.  I take that last to be a Southern cultural thing.  One even regularly calls me Josh.  Go figure.

Of course, that's what they call me to my face.  Who knows what kinds of things they might call me among themselves.  Or, maybe they don't mention me at all.

Progress Sleeping

Last night, I went to the bathroom shortly after 1, as usual, and then not again until 7.  I call that progress.

I'm still a little uneasy about waiting so long between visits, but I've only gone once since 7, and it's nearly 2, and I'm feeling fine.  We'll see if this becomes my new normal.  I hope so.

Speed... Or Not

I'm doing pretty well handling my power chair.  My only major problem now is backing out of the elevator.  Maybe next time I'll try backing in, so I can drive straight out.

There's also the matter of speed.  The fellow who set the chair up put it on the lowest speed until I got used to it.  That's very slow. Little old ladies walk away from me.  On the other hand, maybe I should get better with elevators before I get more speed.

Lunch

Yesterday, I tried the lunch they serve here.  My aide Jordan took me down to the lunchroom on the first floor.

One of the things I looked forward to on leaving the nursing home was getting back to eating food I like and away from institutional food.  Well, the stuff I ate yesterday was instutional food.  If you're feeding hundreds of people on a limited budget, it could hardly be otherwise.  The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, either.  I'll probably stick with my stuff from now on.

Dad

For whatever reason, I've been thinking a lot about my dad recently.  He will have been gone ten years this summer.

I see a great play in a game, and I want to share it with Dad.  I haven't had such thoughts in years.  I listen to a politician yammering on, and I know Dad woudn't have bought the spiel any more than I do.  I wonder what he would think of my situation today.  I am sure some things would be quite different if he were still around, helping and guiding and molding.

Crock Pot Stuff

Laura brought over a crock pot Monday, the idea being that the overnight aide can cook a meal in the crock pot that I can eat the next day.  That will hopefully get me better quality food than I get eating TV dinners and canned ravioli.

I'm also going to try the lunches they serve here in the building.  The point of all this being to keep my weight up, and keep me healthy.  I guess I'll find out which of my aides can cook and which can't.

Better Day

I'm doing better today, as my bathroon issues are improved.  I also slept better last night, and the new overnight aide worked out just fine.

This morning, my practice in the power chair went well, too.  I had a little problem backing out of the elevator, but other than that, I was in complete control.

Bathroom Troubles

I didn't get much sleep last night as I had to urinate every couple hours-- that after I hadn't gone for about four and a half hours.  So, it was tough.  I'm having the same problem right now, in fact.

I'm also beginning to have trouble with the other bathroom number.  It's not a great day.

More Practice

In practicing in my power chair this morning, I had some rough points.  I had my most serious scrape with a wall yet.  I still don't know what happened.  I was out in the open, nothing near me, and somehow I drifted hard into the wall.  I also had a devil of a time getting out of the elevator.  Twice.

All three times, however, I was able to get out of the situation on my own, without help from Janeka-- except for her keeping the elevator door open.   Everybody has bad days, but I clearly still have work to do.