Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace

Sep. 28, 2022

MY LITTLE 'CLICK-CLICK' FRIEND TO CHEER ME (09.27.22)

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

6:43 PM

Hello, thank you for joining us!

  It's hard to see clearly at this minute, the events of Larry's day. On the elevator as I was leaving Larry, then in the parkade & intermittently on the drive home, I cried & cried & cried! On the elevator in our building, a neighbour said "How was your day?" followed by "Oh dear!" as she gave me a hug. It’s the first time I've cried more than a little. Some have been telling me for quite a while, to have a good cry. A cry isn't exactly something I can or want to plan! The emotion today came without nurturing any thoughts, the pain bubbled up & overflowed. Echoing began, of words of many recently, as they think out loud: "3 months!" "12 weeks" "So long!" "You need a break!"

  I'm finally getting a little smarter. I record the name of each nurse, doctor, therapist, etc on my phone. Most of the names are not as easy to remember as 'Sally' or 'Smith'. Today, an infectious disease doctor had a look at Larry, with lots of questions. She has asked an allergy specialist to come (Thursday). She said "We absolutely have to get to the bottom of this! He's done so well in other areas, let's take care of this!" Music to my ears! The pharmacist also came by & was happy with my homework of making her a calendar of events ie. Timeline of Larry's rashes & procedures that I was aware of. She had a complete list of his meds from Surrey. He wasn't as itchy today, but still is covered with the rash. A speech/occupational therapist spent time with Larry. She was very bubbly & kind. Larry did well in responding to her instructions which included testing his swallowing. When she asked if he had any questions he said, "I have trouble sometimes, vocalizing my thoughts very well!" We looked at each other & both thought "What a delightful contradiction!" But it's true, he does get stuck sometimes. It seems not all that often for us, but for him, of course his challenges are magnified & frustrating. A new mattress for Mr. Bowen today… a Tessler! Sounds like a car. It's brand new & wow, hard to stay awake while lying in such comfort. He's literally, floating on air! The hospitalist stopped by while I was out & Shane was visiting. He said she just asked if there were any concerns or questions. I think that's it for the RCH team that looked in on & took care of Larry. We are so pleased & grateful with the attention he's being given.

  Speaking of Shane. Did Larry ever get big eyes, when he talked about catching a fish this weekend. It was fun to see the 2 of them. Shane said the fish was a foot long (as he held his hands at least 2 ft. apart, 'chip off the old block'). He gave a play by play account, which finished with "I hooked him in the eye!" and called it a 'FSH'. A fish with no 'I'! It was so good to see Larry laugh. Jokes have not played much of a part in Larry's life for a while.

  I asked Larry today, how he felt about being in this room with 3 other patients. He said he really liked it, as there Is always something going on. He said it was hard being alone in a quiet room, which he has been for all but a few days since the start. Selfishly, I thought it was so nice to have the privacy & freedom to be & do & come & go & talk openly & have no limit on visitors. Well that was when family & friends were there with him, not the case of course for the long hours on his own. Although, with his horrible coughing & the special care he required, it would not have been practical or even do-able in a 4 patient room. Sub-consciously I may be experiencing something from the very familiar outcries & confusion from other patients echoing our dear Mom's suffering in her final years.

 I picked up lots of fresh fruit & veggies on the way home. Enjoyed a relaxing balcony dinner with my little 'click-click' friend! Now I'm saying "Good night!" to you & "Thank you for your love & caring for both Larry & I." You have been & continue to be good companions on our journey! We are blessed by you. May God bless you in return!