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therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: When the Caregiver Needs Care

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-caregiver-needs-care.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, July 24, 2012. When the Caregiver Needs Care. 8220;Do it sooner rather than later,” my neighbor, the physical therapist, advised. Others chimed in with supportive quotes like, “wish I had done it 10 years earlier,” “I feel like a teenager again.”. Laundry, grocery shopping, and this-and-that, kept me postponing a visit to a surgeon. I relaxed even more w...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: The Ambivalent Widow

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-ambivalent-widow.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Monday, November 12, 2012. At first, sleeping on Tommy's side of the bed seemed like a good idea: It was a quicker trip to the bathroom and would eliminate the nightly toe stubs endured during my darkened path from my side. Then, I scooted onto my side, pulled up the covers, and bawled. My partner was gone. His side of the bed was empty. He would neve...This new ...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: How To Suction A Tracheotomy

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-suction-tracheotomy.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, October 23, 2012. How To Suction A Tracheotomy. My last blog post was Sept. 18, two days before I was to undergo a total hip replacement. That was a lifetime ago. The following morning, Stuart - a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) who had been driving Tommy to the YMCA several days a week - and I took him to Northwestern's ER. He was admitted with se...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: The Kids Are All Right

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-kids-are-all-right.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, August 14, 2012. The Kids Are All Right. I do have flesh-and-blood daughters. But since they live on either coast, they can’t be at our beck-and-call. As for Tommy, he entered this second marriage sans children; hence my designation of this new adopted duo as “our kids.”. After Tommy gave the plan two thumbs up, I gave Stuart this checklist: “Befor...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: An Untroubled Brow

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/10/an-untroubled-brow.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, October 30, 2012. This is what you look for in a hospice patient: the brow must be untroubled. Smooth, free of lines. There should be no grimacing. The face of the patient must be serene, peaceful. Regularly scheduled doses of Morphine and Haldol, with an occasional drop of Atropine, are keeping my husband pain-free and tranquil, the goal of hospice.

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: August 2012

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Better Late Than Never. When Tommy returned from his trip to Walgreens, he was carrying a plastic bag that appeared to contain more than the Triple A batteries he had gone to purchase. From the square shape of the box within, I thought it to be golf balls. 8220;What did you get? 8220;Thank you, Sweetheart! 8221; I called out as I searche...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: November 2012

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Monday, November 12, 2012. At first, sleeping on Tommy's side of the bed seemed like a good idea: It was a quicker trip to the bathroom and would eliminate the nightly toe stubs endured during my darkened path from my side. Then, I scooted onto my side, pulled up the covers, and bawled. My partner was gone. His side of the bed was empty. He would neve...This new ...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: Better Late Than Never

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012/08/better-late-than-never.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Better Late Than Never. When Tommy returned from his trip to Walgreens, he was carrying a plastic bag that appeared to contain more than the Triple A batteries he had gone to purchase. From the square shape of the box within, I thought it to be golf balls. 8220;What did you get? 8220;Thank you, Sweetheart! 8221; I called out as I searche...

therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com

The Rookie Caregiver: June 2012

http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html

True stories of love, *language, panic, and patience. Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degeneration of the part of the brain that affects speech. Tuesday, June 26, 2012. All For One, One For All. It’s a perfect day for golf. The sun is shining and the temperature is in the 70’s. There is no wind. Although I’m not a player, the weather delights me because it means Tommy will be hitting the links with his three friends. 8221; Barry says as he approaches my bench. His golf bag is slung over one shoulder l...