Saturday, October 1, 2022

6:43 PM

Hello, welcome to the 1st day of October!

 Weekends, especially long ones are always short staffed. Larry's nurse was assigned to 6 fairly needy patients. If 2 push the 'help' button at the same time, it gets crazy. Larry asked what the date was & scrunched his eyes shut & shook his head when I told him. So hard to believe.

  Larry's urine sample showed positive for infection. The whole day seemed to revolve around checking in on a few concerns. The (new) doctor today, prescribed an antibiotic & was very careful in considering other meds Larry's been on, that caused his rashes. He also asked the nurse to remove the catheter. Hopefully that will alleviate any further infections.

  Larry was quite down when I arrived! He said he just wanted a change of routine. After a bit of talking about wasting the time we have together, by wishing things were different, we agreed to make the best of this time, right now! We played 1/2 a game of rummy. It helped change the mood. 

  I spoke close to Larry's ear, the words of the scripture prayers of encouragement that I read to him each day. I try not to be too loud, as there are 3 other patients in the room. Our 'friend' in the bed across the room, shouted out "I really like what you just read!" No problem hearing, that's for sure. They keep finding more & more wrong with him, he's grateful for the prayers of others for him.

  Shane must have been on the up elevator, as I was going down. I had a quick lunch in the hallway & found Shane, when I returned, holding his Dad's hand by his bedside. They'd had a little chat & were just 'being' with each other. I invited Larry & Shane to create a drawing story, like we had done yesterday. Well, one can never have enough drawings of catching fish, because that was the subject again.

  My cousin, his wife & son are here from Canmore, Alberta for a few days & came to see us. It was a great surprise & lovely catch-up on what their adult daughters & teen son are pursuing & passionate about. They've always been a delight, and I am privileged to be Anthony's Godmother, as well as the connection of his grandfather being my Godfather.

  Hopefully tomorrow, Larry will be up to doing some exercise, even in his bed. He couldn't sit long in his wheelchair, as it does not have the special seat, he requires for his pressure wounds. The chair facilitates a some really good exercises. We'll create our own therapy activities, as staff will be sparce again, compared to weekdays.

  On the way home, I saw huge plumes of black smoke to the south of the Fraser, then huge white plumes past Burke Mtn. to the north. I drove down to a dyke along the Pitt River & saw the image in the picture above. Forest fires for me have always been in places fairly far from our home. This one is eerily close to where we used to live. The bears, deer & cougars will be wandering through neighborhoods for sure. Be careful, screen doors won't keep them out!

 Good night. Talk to you tomorrow! God bless you. Please pray for Larry to build on his spirit of hope, courage & perseverance… and mine too. Thank you! We're praying in thanksgiving for you!