I love D.C.

I spent my workday in our D.C. office today.  I had meetings, and was also getting the latest "lay of the land" as I'll be covering for someone else 3 days next week when she goes on vacation.  Essentially, I'll be my bosses bosses assistant. 

 

I love D.C.  It's taken me this many years to realize that.  After working down there for 9 months previously, I knew D.C. was my city.  I hadn't yet embraced it, I loved Boston, but D.C.?  Today I realized, I think I've missed it, walking the rat-maze halls, seeing the sites so close by.   I saw the WWII Memorial from the office window of my company's CEO, a memorial which had not been there all those years ago.  Nor had those barriers.  Nor were the painted party animals, donkeys and elephants ironically side-by-side.  Oddly, even the oppressive warm muggy air felt good today (less so in the un-air conditioned Metro car - I switched cars).  One of my favorite parts of the long commute is walking across the map on Freedom Plaza, and looking down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol, simultaneously along the map and the actual avenue.  

 

It's been a while since I've been in D.C. NOT as a tourist or visitor, but as a commuter.  It was actually almost fun to show two families how to buy their various fare cards.  Is that pathetic?  No doubt I'll feel frustrated by Metro-riding tourists by the end of next week.   (Kudos to Metro for allowing credit card payments for parking fees now; I wasn't forced to purchase one of the "stupid"-cards.)

 

Downtown, I got off on the wrong side of the Metro stop I prefer, still knowing instinctively, anyway, which way I was to head.  I took M's camera, yet, didn't take any photos.  I'm a commuter today, not a tourist; I'll let my mind re-absorb all of this.  The architecture, the people, the Smithsonian and everything.  I hadn't remembered the stars in the sidewalk near the Warner Theatre.  I smiled to see the National Theatre, where M and I once performed with my Irish ceili and set dance group.  I may feel less nostalgic by the end of next week.  The commuting sure sucks time out of the rest of the day.

 

The weather in this greater area is localized enough that it was drizzling at home and nary a drop downtown, until I came back above ground again on the Metro, greeted by light rain.  All those men on the Metro, all those men dressed up and looking fine.  I almost felt pretty, dressed in my new skirt that swishes just a bit, and my heels and light makeup.  I was within blocks of N's office and I know how he looks in a suit....  I'm hoping it's exciting for N and his daughter to show off all of New York City this weekend to her visiting-the-country-friend.  As Bon Jovi sings in his latest song, "let's make some memories."

 

At the feis last Sunday, I drove down Canal Road and across Key Bridge (into Arlington).  Okay, I drove down Canal Road and onto the Whitehurst Freeway.  But I turned around and then took Key Bridge like I was supposed to.  That stretch along the C&O Canal and by Georgetown, is beautiful.  We lived in Georgetown approximately the first 3 years of my life.  My father used to take our family ice skating there when Doug and I were little and the winters hadn't yet turned quite this warm.  Most of our C&O Canal hiking was further north, not in D.C.  Dad most loves the Independence Parades in Palisades where we'd take M every year, until the heat and walking were too much for him. 

 

Dad used to love Glen Echo, telling me many stories of when he was a youth there, riding the roller coaster, integrating the pool by accident (oops, no blacks allowed in the poool yet, he didn't know and had let whomever in wanted to come).  So then we'd take M, and then I'd take M.  And she's had caligraphy and metalwork summer camps there.  Glen Echo is actually in Maryland, but after driving back off Key Bridge from Arlington into Georgetown, and Fletcher's boat house that I think isn't being run as a boat house starting this? year?, down Canal Road, I go by Glen Echo. 

 

In the beautiful sunny green Sunday afternoon, enroute back to the hospital to tell Dad how well M had danced, and talk of the drives so perhaps he'd remember and think of something other than the hospital walls and television.  (I took actual printed out photos yesterday, better for him to see than on the camera.  The books and magazines still unread but there; he likes having them there.)

 

My father is much improved.  He's ready to be discharged, yet that may not happen until Monday.  We're working together to find an appropriate facility to have him transfer to.  ("We're" meaning the hospital staff and I, along with Dad.)  That's a first.  The first choices, after things like insurance and quality are considered, are the two facilities closest to me. Medicare will pay for the first 20 days.  He will get weaned off of the oxygen, most likely.  He is in the early mild stages of diabetes.  His dementia is likely due to his various strokes.  He is likely to never live at home again without a fair bit of care, if he does at all.  He tells me he just wants to go home for 2-3 days, then he just wants to stop by for an hour and get some things.  I want him to, too. 

 

D.C. is my city, and I DO love it. 

 

Heck, I love all the walking involved.  I can't imagine becoming disabled and having to use a cane or wheelchair to get around town.  One teenager was wincing this morning, shod in flip flops.  I can't imagine becoming too unable to get around at all, and spending most of my time in a room in a facility, suddenly.

 

Tags: I love DC, I love D.C., Washington, D.C., eldercare, Metro

another reason to eat a veggie diet

There are many reason to eat a vegetarian, or modified vegetarian diet.  I first started primarily for environmental reasons (for example, less energy and resources are used to produce one pound of grain protein than is required to produce a pound of beef).  Some have religious or cultural reasons.  (I used to aim for strict vegetarianism during Lent, and modified mostly vegetarian otherwise; some religions forbid eating of certain flesh foods or all flesh foods.)  I also started avoiding pork after getting food poisoning from a pulled pork barbeque sandwich while pregnant.  Those sick days are not easy to forget even years later.  Yet, somehow, eating one bad shrimp only kept me away for a few years until my allergy testing proved that I hadn't developed an allergy to shrimp.

I didn't mind the health benefits of eating primarily a veggie diet, yet now, I know it's a critical factor in managing my health.  My main diet-related health concern is for my heart and circulatory system (also for my hypoglycemia).  My younger brother's had two strokes before he turned 40.  My father's had several mini-strokes, as had his mother, and his father died of a blood clot in his brain (his brother from both prostate cancer and a heart attack).  My mother's had several heart-related issues, bypasses and such, as have her siblings; her oldest brother died of a heart attack in middle-age? or younger?  I forget now, other than he was shoveling snow, not uncommon in Maine winters.  As I age, it seems more acceptable to some that I eat vegetarian for my health.  I still have borderline high cholesterol levels, it's hereditary for me, yet I also have high levels of the good fats.  This could be saving my life (combined with exercise, yadda yadda).

The potential cost savings in health care costs is one of the cost savings listed in this CNN article I found on msn.  Another is that the costs of purchasing some of the (non-prepared) vegetarian diet foods are comparably cheaper than the cost of meat protein foods.  Of course, prepared vegetarian products (fake frozen sausage, for example), cost more just as other frozen/prepared meat products often are, imho. 

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/GoVegetarianToSaveMoney.aspx?vv=450

Basically, if you're looking to cut your grocery costs, consider replacing a few meat-based meals with meatless entrees and meals.  Assuming that you're still including sufficient nutrients, which isn't guaranteed in any diet without watching it, your wallet and body may thank you:)  Besides, peanut allergies aside, how many of us who grew up in the U.S. DON'T like a good peanut butter sandwich once in a while?  Okay, I admit, I eat it by the spoonful, sometimes adding sugar-free jams.  And I enjoy "real" food, too, such as Thai food which isn't listed in this article.  We're born omnivores, sure, but not carnivores.  There isn't really any need to consume flesh foods in every meal.

Tags: vegetarian diet, veggie diet, cost savings in a vegetarian diet, heart health

first red leaf

first red leaf (of the year). (listening to Tarzan soundtrack by Phil Collins)

I was surprised to find a red leaf this morning, fresh, recently fallen. Red is not quite descriptive. The "stem" was a bit yellow, the red that bright glorious fall leaf red, not the darker fall leaf read. With green, I know it'll be a fall green making the leaf look like a touch of Christmas. But, it's almost spring/lime green. Now. Not a month from now, which is still too soon for school to start back up.

Just yesterday, M's report card FINALLY arrived. No blasted real reason it shouldn't have right after school ended (they have a new policy, all camp fees must be paid first, also, WTF? entirely bogus, AND, yet paid the week followingFather's Day, when C decided tofinally give June 1st child support). Anyway, itcame. Along with M's summer assignments due the first day of school. C didn't get the assignments, also, but did receive a copy of the report card. One section mentions a school assignment (basically, read for pleasure. She can do that one:)

I'm pretty sure it's Wednesday. Sometimes, I forget. Beth thought Dad would be moved to the physical rehab place today; perhaps that'd been the plan at one point. Heck, he has thetransfer approved, to move to a regular hospital room and bed, but, he's still in the ICU. At this point, it's almost frustrating. Yet, he gets good care, and it's a nice room, considering.  I recall the ICU where my grandmother had been, so many there in one large room.  Not nearly as nice.

The room nextto dad's has visitors donning gowns and masks and head coverings and such, just as a visitor did the other day for that room. I pray he's okay, or will be. Tonight, I peeked in some of the other rooms as I walked by. Usually I don't, to respect ehri privacy.

An hour and a half of watching Dad in deep enough sleep, and Everybody Loves Raymond and some silly animated show with an almost-human dog, I leave him a note and leave. I think I know the room where the husband is, the one the wife visits whom I walked out with, oh, some night, Sunday perhaps? We were both as if a bit distracted, and laughed with each other that we both should know the way out by now. She seemed stressed. All these people, worried, their loved ones truly needing ICU care right now.

I sit in the car for a few moments, listening to Tarzan, "You'll be in my heart," M's song. And "Trashing the Camp," which I'm reminded of by her performing troupe's new percussion dance. She loved this cd, wanting it much more so than the movie when it came out. She used to be enamored by Phil Collins' work. I miss her.

We talked today, which is great! "Dad wants to talk with you when we're done." He did have to put that damper on, eh?  "I'm at work right now, and I'd like to just go on to the hospital, honey; I can call him back later." M seemed stressed. "Is he right there?" "Kind-of." Ugh. The last thing I wanted to do was talk with him, can't she and I just enjoy a conversation, not combine things like this? Yet, the really last thing I want to do is put stress on her, particularly for things not of her doing.

So, we exchanged our "I love you"'s and I talked with him. Or, more so, listened. He was incredibly rude and cold to me at the feis Sunday, making a point to push himself between M and I, things like that. Whatever. Life's too short, and I primarily try to simply ignore that attitude. He got on my case, with our girls in the adjacent room, and other families in another, the previous Sunday at "transfer" time, also. BIG SIGH. He's trying to manipulate the court order.... get me to agree to something that isn't just a minor inconvenience but alters a LOT.
But, I talked. The day after that Sunday was when Dad went into the ER. Hmmm, was C recording this, or knew M was still right there, or what? He said he understood that things like this are never convenient almost nicely (I'd also expressed sympathy for his cousins recent tragic passing, one he had not been close with, but still).  I wish I could trust him as if we were old friends still.

Somehow, the report card said M was absent14 days last year, and tardy some amount, and he kept asking if that's something we should be concerned about. Well, she was absent only once last year, albeit another time was almost 1/2 day, so that likely got counted as another absent day. Obviously, the record keeping is incorrect, and she got all A's and one 87 so a high B, and no teacher ever expressed concern, so I'm thinking, "No." He did try to stay digging on that.

M and I talked of feiseanna, and the boy who "swept" Prizewinner (gettin all firsts), and twice M got 2nds, that he just got 15th at NAN's, so she should feel good. She IS feeling confident, that it's a matter of time. "Mom, you said you did sign me up as all Prizewinner at the [next] feis?" "Yep. I just felt you'd move up, but I knewI could change it if need be." (M got first in her Novice Treble Jig on Sunday, yeah, I'd gotten that one added for her (Sh didn't include all of M's dances), so M moves up to Prizewinner level in that dance, i.e., her last Novice to move up.)

We talked of their newest cat (Sh likes cats like I do), and our cats, what M did in Lancaster the otherday, school and report card (she just finished reading Lily's Crossing), how she did find her cell phone (they had hidden it), and she tried to check messages quickly but didn't have a lot of time -- she didn't see my text messages or hear my voice ones to her yet). She's missingbeing home, feeling confident in her dancing "it's a matter of time, I keep getting 2nds and 3rds" in Prizewinner dances.  Oddly, M doesn't know what she's doing the rest of this week, or the weekend, or next week.  Her 3 weeks there are halfway done, (the 3 weeks that should be 2 but life goes on). Summer is halfway through or so.

That red leaf. School summer assignments, butnot yet word on their 8th grade class trip end of summer. For the weekend C is saying hewants but has no plans for. I'll write him, though, the weekend he actually wants, I can switch for, just don't go modifying the whole court order from now to just under 5 years from now.

A fire engine or ambulance, I forget which, beats me home, joining two other emergencyvehicles. A building near mine had a gas leak, I learned later. Daisy is eager to go out, yet scared (hearing the engine sounds) and retreats at first, me encouraging her when my cell phone rings. It's Dad. He woke up, missing me. The nurse who helped him dial reads him my note in the background. It's not the same to visit this way, but at least he knows he's not alone. I almost put up a photo of M or whatever I had in my purse, on his bulletin board.  Ironically, I finally found a cheap but decent summer purse to replace my burgandy velveteen (ack, yes, summer fashion fax paus). The only photos I have in there are on M's digital camera. It's time to wash his hair again. He asks how his house is coming along. We talk of Doug.

At least I found a dress and a skirt today, clearance so affordable. I actually like them:)  AND they fit.  I'll get a blazer to the cleaners, and my one pair of long dress pants that still fit (to be hemmed in other than "silver threads," yep, I staple). I didn't want to think of this right now, yet, I go downtown for 4 of the next 9 days, and almost none of my work clothes still fit. I struggle with clothes shopping now, monetarily and fit-wise. I basically went in and out today, I mostly hate trying anything on lately, but I needed something.  That's the worst part of this middle-40's hormonal spread crap. Nothing fits any more. Blech! :)   I played with colors and clothes for a few moments tonight, encouraged. 

Okay, enough rambling. Daisy is snoring. I assume dad's been back to sleep. I assume Doug had a decent doctor's appointment today. I even ran into Barn Director today, still in summer camp, "I saved a t-shirt and sunscreen for M." Good, as somehow M didn't get hers given to her. M wants to help out there the rest of the summer. It's going so quickly (I think Barn Director has other ideas). That first red leaf of the year even.  Dad stays in the ICU and the rest of the world j just goes so quickly passing by.

Tags: hospital visits, hospital stays, first red leaf, feis

Diabetes Testing

Dad resists doctors.  Or, more so, resists leaving the house, but also resists doctors.  And the dentist.  He proudly takes his low-dosage aspirin daily, and his fish oil, and his multi-vitamin.  Some years he'll ask me to take him to get an influenza "flu" shot, some years I have to remind and encourage him; last year he refused.  Sigh.  His hospital doctor said that there isn't really much that I can do if Dad refuses to go.  In part, it's not as if Dad's dementia is that bad, yet, where he can be forced to go.

Doctor and I talked about a few things today, after first clarifying that we were talking about my father, and not my brother (Doctor was looking at Doug's name).  My father just "keeps getting better and better."  Glad Doctor's assessment is the same as mine.  The "stopped breathing" appears to have been caused by too much water buildup albeit it "remains a bit of a mystery."  I know about how many liters of fluid they'd drawn out each day, and know it's a LOT (over 3 liters each Saturday and Sunday). 

The new floor in the hospital comes with a new social worker, who is also new there, who will talk with me on details about the physical rehabilitation center and future and all that.  The social workers didn't wish to talk about that while Dad's in ICU.  He's getting moved this afternoon.

I asked if they'd tested Dad for diabetes, as I'd heard it mentioned and, heck, he's had all sorts of tests.  I do like this hospital.  (I think.  Wondering if they should have been more proactive on drawing out fluid before his breathing failure, but second guessing won't change it, now.)  His blood sugars have been high and they've given him some insulin while he's in there (oh, that's news!), but the doctor said something about how it's not a normal state of things for Dad right now (meaning, he may not have diabetes normally).  He also was not on a regular diet some of his days.  I mentioned how Dad seems to crave his sugars sometimes, and that *I* think his frequency of urinating is rather often.  Doctor said he'd look into it further, which was clinched when I mentioned that my dad's father had diabetes.  Beth had reminded me of that one.  Here I was thinking prostate cancer (oops, my uncle had that, could have mentioned that one, too).  Doctor will run a test that'll show Dad's blood sugar levels for the past 3 months.  Wow, now that is interesting that it can go back that far, and it sounds quite accurate. 

Ha, Dad, now you can't refute it:)

On other news, I finally got a huge start on cleaning out M's room, AND, the financial aid application filled out for her school for next year (online, once I found the name of the place again, better late than never).  I have some other big things going on (including where Dad will go, and work on his home, etc., etc.), yet, with how well Dad was yesterday and such, I finally felt as if I could relax.  He's getting good care and is doing well.  M did great at the feis and was really happy with that, and it just seems as if life is moving forward again perhaps. 

After a mismash dinner, I ate a bit of that good dark chocolate N brought me back from his last trip, Daisy and I finished off the last of some good Irish cheese.  I enjoyed 2/3rd of a bottle of Samuel Adams Summer Ale (last bottle from last summer?? it takes forever for me to drink 6) which tasted so good, had a few lime tortilla chips, and actually slept through the night.  I woke up early, I still have a few nights of NOT sleeping to catch up on, but, I slept.

On another note, N's friend, Mike, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery today.  N wrote me back in the wee hours that for once I was NOT awake in, following my expressions of support and sympathy to him.  (He knows I'd have been willing to go with him, except it'd have been more awkward for him if I had, his kids and all going and they've not met me, etc.)  Sometimes things don't seem to make sense, like Mike's motorcycle accident.  I'm hoping that seeing Mike's wife and kids last night, and the honorable funeral ceremony today, will help N with some bit of closure.  I'm so sorry, N.  I'm so sorry.  Virtual hug to you:)  (I wear black today in remembrance.)

Tags: eldercare, diabetes, funeral

Monday

So Mom calls Doug, as I'd sent out an e-mail update on Dad to some relatives and church and such, IRL people, adding a line about Doug at the bottom.  Oops.  Ah, well, so now Mom knows about Doug, too.  And, she called Doug, and they had a good talk.  I'm real glad about that, actually:)  I felt that it'd be best, for them both, if my mother knew of Doug's accident, yet, he asked me specifically not to tell her.  I was torn, but decided that I needed to respect that if realistically possible, so I tried to.  Even if she felt Doug should be doing more for Dad right now. 

And, my dad?  He's continuing to do great, continuing to lose excess fluid, and feeling better and eating more every day.  He is still in the ICU, but, that's due to insufficient beds in the "regular" hospital bed areas.  I'm okay with that reasoning:)  He's getting excellent care right where he is.  Even if he doesn't need it to this extent, I'm not complaining.

Sunday Evening (It was a good day)

Occasionally hearing Goo Goo Dolls, "before it's too late," their song from the Transformers movie. It fits the theme, and I do love it:)
"It was a good day." Two of Dad's nurses said that, and it was for M, also. I really should pretend I do more than sleep here a few hours and walk the dog, so I won't get into too much right now. But, my dad was basically okay last night, which I verified this a.m. xyz, and by tonight, wow, he's as if almost himself again. Or, his current state of himself. Not fully certain yet. But, good:)
He was still able to get his beauty salon visit, after all (not exactly professional looking, but, hey, he enjoyed it and it gave the staff something positive to comment to him upon, it was better, and his hair not washed for days cuz it's tricky to do in the hospital). Real good nurses there in that ICU, too. I learn more from than, and they talk with each other about the patients, etc.
Len and Beth happened to call Dad during my evening visit, and he talked with them both, enjoying it. Then, introducing the night shift nurse to me, referring to me as his sister. He corrected himself, that he'd just talked with his sister, haha, that "this is my daughter, not my sister."
This morning, I'd missed M's first dance [as my exhausted self missed pressing "enable" for the alarm after setting it, and I checked in on dad before her 8 a.m. dance], and he told me he wanted her to dance today, proud of her and interested in it. So, tonight, I showed him the digital photos. I don't know how long bourne identity is but egads, and last night we watched the Untouchables together (I prefer that one). (I, too, am very proud of our M, first in Treble Jig (so all Prizewinner now she is psyched, and I just knew she would), and Second in both Reel and Slip Jig (feeling badly she beat L ahh, sweet).
M and L got first in their 2-hand, in some ways, in honor of Kelly and Ian. And, the rest of her dancing, in some ways, in honor of my father. It's all good. I'm real glad.
I suspect that tomorrow, I'll talk more again with the doctors and social workers about "the plan." Dad and I talked some about it ourselves, and have been. Each day, he's more himself again. Well, of course, it was more than, as Dad said, "an interruption" for him to just stop breathing. It can really shake you up (even if told he's okay by the time I'm even told he hadn't been for a few moments). They told me that they're likely to put the mask back on him tonight, not because he needs it, but for precaution. He's in good hands, and doing well. Yes, that does equate to a good day:)

Basically in shock. (Saturday)

For those of you following along at home:

Dad's doctor and I finally got to talk (we've been playing phone tag.) Plan B. Dad's okay, but is in the ICU for a day or two before he gets transfered to physical rehabilitation center now. He'd been doing well in his recovery from pneumonia, with a positive turnaround noticeable last night, even trying to joke with the nurse and some minor complaining. This morning, he was found "unresponsive," and not breathing.

. "You know he has bad lungs." Yes, I do know that one. They are going to try to figure out what happened to cause that.

Your continued prayers are welcome. Thank you.



I'm still sorting this through in my head (and heart). Just glad Dad was there when it happened. He has visitors 7 days a week at home right now, or did when home (contractor still goes there, and I do, but not meals on wheels). I take it this occurred EARLY, however. All was said and done and things quite stable again by the time the doctor called me an hour ago.