Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Life Goes On

It's been a while since I've written anything about life around the Hillin household. I've alluded to the fact Bob is feeling better and that makes us very happy. Not a lot of news to write about but normal is good.

I believe we owe this improvement, and seeming stability, to the new cardiologist. Sometimes it takes a new set of eyes to catch something.

Now that he's feeling better he's up to his old tricks. It has been quite a while since he has driven the car. Recently, when I was sick, I told him I thought it would be okay if he drove to the trash area here on the complex grounds. I knew the minute those words came out of my mouth I'd made a mistake.

The next day he decided he would drive to a Walmart grocery near us. I wasn't happy but couldn't think of an argument I thought would stand up in court.

Then he decided it would be okay if he drove to Costco. No way, that was it. Time to drop the hammer. Who could ever imagine I'd rather drive to Costco than have him drive by himself?

I confess I miss him driving more than just about anything. I tried to be as gentle as I could but he needed to be reminded his reflexes are extremely slow. He was nice about it and backed off.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I love to make reservations and take everybody out to eat, then come home and take a nap. That does not play well with Bob. He's our hold out. Daughter is flying in Thanksgiving day. On Sunday she will be in the kitchen, with Bob standing at her elbow, cooking a traditional meal. He will be happy.

18 comments:

  1. I remember a few times after my husband's stroke and I had to do all the driving (when before it was always him) and I went out to the garage, got into the passenger side and totally forgot that he was tagging along behind me in his wheelchair. LOL Change is hard sometimes but often has the power to make us laugh.

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    1. Yes, it's nice when we can laugh at those moments. They lighten our spirits.

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  2. I'm glad Bob is still feeling well recently even thought there will always be challenges.

    If I was the one doing the cooking, eating out would be my first choice. My brother loves to cook and does the whole thing every year. I'm so lucky.

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    1. You are fortunate. My mother loved Thanksgiving and always prepared the meal, and then it fell to me but I never loved it. Unfortunately Bob wants it all. I've already warned my children there will be no home cooked holiday meals if I'm left to live alone.

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  3. I'm glad that things are going better in the health department and I hope they continue.

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    1. I don't let my hopes get too high because it would take very little to bring it all crashing down, but we are enjoying this break.

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  4. Glad things are going better for Bob. Gives both of you a break from the constant focus on health. That can get draining after a while.

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    1. You are so right! I was to the point I thought we might be looking at the end of his life. With this second wind who knows how long he'll live?

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  5. I knew the minute those words came out of my mouth I'd made a mistake. Don't you just hate learning things the hard way?
    Glad the new cardiologist is working out.

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    1. I seem to learn a lot of things by this method and every time I swear it won't happen again but it does.

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  6. What a blessing Bob is doing so much better. Think his new doc is a keeper. It must be a relief that he doesn't fight you about driving. I think turning over the keys is a huge fear for most of us.

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    1. I would have bet anything Bob giving up driving would mean a real battle but not at all. In fact that went smoother than many other things we've faced.

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  7. Thank goodness for your daughter coming!! Now you have the best of both worlds! Nita, my sister, hosts Thanksgiving every year. She took over after Deanie had hosted for 10 years or more. I always cook Christmas Eve for my children and their families. I used to make big Sunday Dinners but not so much anymore.
    I'm so glad Bob is feeling better and is on more stable ground! It seems to me he's mellowed out a bit. At least over the car situation.

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    1. Yes, I can hardly wait for Susan to get here. You're right, we're both in a rather mellow state right now. I hope it lasts.

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  8. I really was lucky with my mother. When she moved to Texas to be near me, she was intimidated both by the speed of the traffic and my her inability to get her bearings. She was nervous about getting lost, or getting creamed -- neither seemed good to her! So, although there were some inconveniences associated with becoming her driver, it was better by far than an extended battle. Still, there's a great loss of freedom when driving no longer's a possibility. Intellectual understanding and emotional acceptance are two quite different things!

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    1. Bob always insisted on driving if he was in the car. Once we drove from Texas to Oregon and back and he did not allow me to drive a single mile. I was prepared to have a huge battle when it was time for him to stop driving. Thankfully, that did not happen.

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