Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Uneventful Living

In spite of all the awful things that have gone on in our country this week, life in our little corner of the world has been uneventful. Uneventful living can get boring but it can also be welcome relief.

Bob and I played well together this week. I'm now convinced running frantically to keep him entertained was not good. Yes, he is still an extrovert but now he's an older and slower one. Constantly being around people sometimes causes him to have to think faster that he's really able to do these days. Short exposures are better, a chance to smile and speak a greeting, a neighbor stopping by, things that happen at our apartment or as he moves around the complex, even greeting people in the grocery store are better I think.

Having Safeway deliver groceries was a godsend. We still hit the grocery store two or three times a week but only for a very few items. No more loading and unloading large amounts of groceries.

This week we've been pretty quiet. Bob does pretty well given a little extra time to think. I need to remember not to rush him. He even did a small repair on the car this week, after thinking about it a couple of days.

He's still cooking. I'm in charge of what he cooks but he pretty much does the rest. We're keeping it simple. He's not eating much these days but I don't think it has anything to do with what we're cooking.

Weeks like this make me think we may make several more anniversaries and I would like that.

Next week he will have another blood test to check his platelet level. There was reason for concern a month ago so the doctor ordered another test in a month rather than six months. This test will tell us if he's in trouble or if the dip last month was just a fluke.
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I'm a bit put out with the world of medicine. I so fear for older people who have no one to stay on top of their medications.

Right now two of Bob's doctors think they're treating his blood pressure. They're both prescribing the same medication, one with an added ingredient, and one without. If he took the medications coming to our mailbox he would be dead.

Three time last week I had telephone conversations trying to straighten this situation out and still another bottle of the wrong medication arrived in our mailbox. Fortunately Bob knows there's something going on about that drug so he's been good about showing me the bottle and asking if that's the one he should take. I've been quickly whisking away the bottles he should not be taking.

At one point I called our mail order pharmacy and canceled delivery of the wrong prescription. To my horror the doctor sent a new one and another bottle arrived last week.
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I've been thinking some about the 60s and 70s, thinking about some of the personalities of those times. Remember Governor George Wallace of Alabama? My, my, did he ever strike fear in my heart.

17 comments:

  1. Well it makes sense that over-stimulation could have a negative effect on Bob just like it does on some children and adults. Glad you figured that out. When I get my new menu figured out, I'm going to use one of the delivery services. That way when I do make small runs to the grocery, it will be like you say, only a small bag to carry in.

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    1. Grocery home delivery is the best thing I've discovered in a very long time. I love it.

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  2. Probably I'm not far away from grocery store delivery. It's a BIG thought.

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    1. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to not have to put groceries in a cart, put them on the belt for the checker, put them in the car, take them in the house, and put them away. Exhausting just to think about it.

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  3. Reading this, makes me glad we've always had an internist who acts like Grand Central. All other specialists send their reports and test results to him and he's the one who prescribes everything recommended, to make sure there aren't overlaps or interactions.

    I'm glad you're having a good week. It still fascinates me how often you go to the grocery store. LOL

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    1. Yes we still hit the stores often but picking up two items is a lot better than picking up twenty. Also there are times we aren't really buying groceries. These stores carry everything, hardware, plants, clothes, paint, you name it. Sometimes we're shopping for that kind of stuff.

      Our internist situation is supposed to work pretty much like you describe, only one of the bunch messed up. We're seeing the Dr. this week and I'll see if a face to face discussion will set things right since nothing else has worked.

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  4. So glad you are able to help Bob stay on top of his meds. The automatic refill option that some pharmacies use can cause a lot of problems, especially if a doctor is changing the dose. I feel bad for couples where both are a bit confused, and there is no one to help them sort out the meds.

    Uneventful can be a good thing! Especially if eventful means stressful!

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    1. Medications are extremely frustrating for both doctors and patients. I don't know what the answer is to the problem, but it is a problem.

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  5. Don't get me going on medications. Most docs have no idea what they're doing. They do not consider side effects and drug interactions.

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    1. Absolutely. Bob sees several specialists and I have to watch so closely that they don't give conflicting medications. Each specialist seems to be familiar only with the medications in their field and clueless about how they interact with other drugs.

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  6. So glad you are on top of the meds and I really feel for those who don't have some one to ward off the excess.
    It is wonderful that the home delivery is working so well with you and I smiled when you mentioned that you and Bob played well this past week. It is easy with spouses or grands to over entertain and manage which wears out both parties. Well done.

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    1. Thanks, every day I learn more about my new role. I guess that's what life is, a learning experience.

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  7. On medications, I am so unsure about taking bone building medication. What to do if the doctors says you really need it, but the side effects are horrible. I've got to make a decision soon. I enjoyed this post and also your last post.

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    1. I don't have osteoporosis and don't need that kind of bone building medication but like you I would certainly have concerns about taking any of it. I take the pill you take once a week for five years. I also take vitamin D and Calcium. I'd do a lot of research if I were asked to take the stronger medications.

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  8. There is such a quiet, relaxed tome to this post, as though you are finding your way in this new role, and making peace with it.

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    1. I think that is how I feel these days. I just hope I can keep it going.

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  9. Prayers for you to get well soon. Some doctors will be friendly to us and tell the right things. It is nice that you had a wonderful time with Bob

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