One Spot - How Busy Can We Be?

When we hear someone say they are really busy, we generally picture someone running here, there, and everywhere.

My son and I are, however, stuck in just one spot nearly all the time, and yet I tell you we are busier than a one-armed paper-hanger working in a high wind.  It is just ridiculous.

Take yesterday for example.  (I certainly wish someone had taken yesterday, besides us that is, because it was a real lulu.)  The first nurse was due at 10:30, so we planned other chores to be done in the morning.  However, the first nurse arrived early, then the medical transport team (it was wound clinic day) also arrived early so they were trying to work around each other.  Trust me, this is not pretty. Then the second nurse didn't arrive at all, which meant we would now have to reschedule for after we got back from the clinic.

About then, insert the IV infusion supplier "dropping by" with supplies we had not ordered and did not yet need.  But on the theory that they may not come when we really do need them, we took delivery anyway.  Just have to remember to make sure we use the older meds first, and not get the two deliveries mixed up.  Oh, and three do not have to be refrigerated, but one does, and we had better not confuse which one that one is.

Meanwhile, my son had a planning commission report due, his long-term substitute teacher for his students called to get his thoughts on first quarter reports, and a friend called wanting to know if K. could "look in on C. - because he wasn't doing well."

Excuse me? No, he really cannot, as he has not been allowed out of bed, except for medical visits, for over two months.

Meanwhile, I am off to the store to get supplies, down to the gas station to avoid running out as my low-fuel light had been on for days, and then to the post office to mail an insurance appeal letter for some of his treatments, for which they had denied payment.  (Sighhhhh.)

And of course, clinic visits require coordination worthy of a synchronized swim team routine.  One must lay out the dressing kits and cannisters for the wound vac, refill K.'s sealed cold water bottle, and get his clothes ready to put on at the last minute, as he cannot wear them in bed; they could pull the vac tube to which he is attached - literally - at the hip.

Then as the gurney team pulls in - oh, yes, I have to first go move my car out of the driveway so they can have full access - and load him up, I have to quickly strip his bed and put on clean sheets, because it is much quicker and easier for him if I do it while he is out of the bed.  I then jump in the old Buick and race to the clinic to deliver his personal dressing supplies and to jot down his wound measurements so that we know what kind of progress he is making.

The second nurse still had not showed and was now an hour and a half late, so I called the agency.  "Oh, she is in Clear Lake today."  Whaaat???  That is about two hours northwest of here.

Take a deep breath, Marsha, and ask calmly, do they plan to send someone else?  Oh yes, there has just been a minor mix up.  So when we return from the clinic I begin set up for the next nurse, who still does not show.  Three calls later, she comes huffing an puffing in, apologizing for keeping us waiting; but she had to go pick up her teen age son after soccer practice!

And so it goes.....and goes....and goes.  The good news was that the doctor was really pleased with the healing rate going on with the actual wound site.  We are thankful!  And thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.

I have to say that I am a "little old lady" who is not really built for this pace.  I am finding water bottles all over the house, wherever I set them, and I just grab one and take a quick swig, because there is no time to linger over a nice cup of tea.  But here is an odd thing, I am actually stronger than I was two months ago.  And if the health reports are true, that you add one day to your life for every fifteen minute brisk walk, well, shoot; at this pace I'm going to live to be a hundred easily.  :)

Until next time - hope your pace is a little more sane.  We are still stuck here in one spot, but running in place as fast as we can.  :)
...Marsha