Bad Week, but It Ended Okay
Mon., May 9, 03:24 PM
It began as one of those rotten weeks. The weather was doing its act on my muscles and joints. I didn’t feel like working, because there’s not much of interest and I’m feeling stress from trying to use my eyes on type that’s too small. I was really looking forward to Wednesday, which is supposed to be one of my days off. Supposed to be…
Tuesday afternoon Son-in-Law phoned to remind me that he and M.D. were going on vacation and to ask if I would drive them to the limo Wednesday morning. I can do that. Pick them up at seven please. Oh. Well, I can do that, even if I might rather sleep in. Actually, I woke up in plenty of time, got my breakfast and warned U.D. that she was on her own till I got back. A fairly leisurely drive got us to the departure point in a timely fashion. While waiting for the limo – which was late – Son-in-Law remembered that he had left behind his traveling cash. Could I…
Well, I couldn’t. There wasn’t enough time for me to retrieve the stuff for him, even if I tried to catch the limo down the road. Well then, would I go to their house, pick up the cash and redeposit it, so that he could access it with his bank card. Yeah, I can do that. Even though I hate using my key, which always seems to stick, leaving me to wonder if I’ve left the house unlocked.
Eventually the limo arrived and I left, missing M.D. already. It was a little early for the bank, so I went home to get Husband his pills and see that U.D. went off to work.
It has seemed to me that Husband’s foot has been swollen for some time. He won’t let me look at it and insists that it’s fine. But this morning it seemed worse. U.D. tried to get a better look at it, said it looked pretty bad; Husband got mad and stomped out of the kitchen, slamming his bedroom door on her. Damn, he wears me out! I don’t know how long I can keep caring for him.
U.D. went off to work, and my day was pretty well shot. I went out to get Son-in-Law’s money and went to the bank, and then I came back home. Husband was angry and, like a small child, he is apt to do something to try and get back at us. We’re out to get him, y’know. I didn’t dare go shopping or anything else that would leave him home alone too long. He stayed in his room, and I spent the day feeling sorry for myself. I can’t go out, can’t travel, can’t do anything without making sure there is someone to check on the “baby.” This is not how I envisioned my so-called golden years.
I set up a new plan: after work on Thursday I would take Husband to see the doctor, whether he wanted to go or not. He did not; it took both U.D. and me to “convince” him. (She took his cane to keep him from using it as a weapon.) I asked her to accompany us. We had to use my car (a little tight for him), because she had just had a flat. It’s a bad tear; the tire will have to be replaced.
After all that, Husband had no trouble at the doctor. The nurse was waiting for him, even put out a chair so he wouldn’t have to climb up on the table. She took his vitals – not bad – and the doctor came in and looked at his foot. It’s swollen. (I know.) It is, as I also know, dangerous for an inactive person like Husband to have swelling in his feet and legs. For now, Doctor U is recommending increased diuretics and a Doppler evaluation next week. For whatever reason, Husband is not complaining about the extra pill.
On Friday morning, I finally got to the supermarket. I wanted to be available in the afternoon to take U.D. to Costco for a new tire, but she decided she didn’t feel well enough to drive out to Milford. So I just worked on the mailing I was doing for Bosslawyer and kept myself busy for the rest of the day.
On Saturday morning, U.D. went to the bank while I took Bosslawyer’s stuff to the post office. Then off we went to Costco, where they replaced her tire in less than an hour for a reasonable price. (Love Costco for tires.) We did the necessary shopping while we waited. We brought in the groceries and had lunch. I glanced at the computer and napped until my son came.
Just having Son visit is a Mother’s Day gift, but he came bearing presents. Large type: The DaVinci Code, so I can finish it at last. Also a book of large type crossword puzzles. Yay! And a few of the Lemony Snickets from Miss P. Son was budgeting his weekend time, as Miss P.’s parents were coming to his house for Sunday dinner. He may as well learn about such things now.
He replaced my storm windows with screens and began cleaning up the joint. He went out to my favorite Chinese restaurant for fabulous takeout, and we watched “Harry Potter II” as we ate. Son, U.D., and I took turns explaining the movie to Husband. It just occurred to me, Harry Potter has something in common with Chinese food – I’m always wishing there was more.
Dessert was U.D.’s contribution, an absolutely unbelievable cake. We cut half servings, and they were still extra large and sinfully good. Our fiend Chocolate Chaos would love it.
Son stayed overnight and began the yard work next morning. He’s very pleased with it, as he has avoided the probability of arriving in June to knee-high grass.
For a rotten week, it ended very happily. Hope all of you had good Mother’s Day too.
