Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Life Goes On


Daughter has been in Vancouver this week attending a conference and sent some pictures from Butchart Gardens.


Around here it has been hot, triple digit hot. Only three days of it but that's three days more than I wanted.  I've resorted to using the a/c which I don't use all that often because Bob never gets hot. Never the less, I melt down in a hurry so I told him to put on a jacket I had to have some cool air.


He's lost about five pounds since he's been on the diuretic. He can't seem to remember to weigh the same way every time, either with shoes, belt, billfold and keys, or without, but be consistent.

I'm pretty sure he's continuing to lose weight but don't know exactly how much. Perhaps I'll be able to tell more in a few days. I see no improvement. He's moving very slow and is not very alert.

He eats very little. I was reading about food supplement drinks as a possible treat sometime during the day other than mealtimes. It seems you need to be careful about that if the person is taking blood thinners as they don't always mix well. I'll wait to talk to the cardiologist about that when we see him in September.


It's been a very long time since I've read a book. I listen to a lot of audible books but had almost quit reading. For some reason I've suddenly switched and am reading now and not listening to books. Our daughter says she does both and perhaps I will also but for now I'm only reading. 

I have a few books I'll read in paper but some I'll download on Kindle. I have an iPhone Plus and have found I enjoy reading on it. The extra size is very nice for reading. I always have my phone with me so I can sneak in a few pages here and there and I especially enjoy it for reading in bed.

I hope you're having a good week-end.

20 comments:

  1. I do switch back and forth from hard copies to audio. However, I generally lay down with an audio book instead of a hard copy so I guess I won't ever totally give them up.

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    1. I love audible books but for some reason don't seem to be able to stay awake. I'm always having to back track to the place where I went to sleep.

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  2. Those photos are all beautiful! I'd love to visit those gardens.

    When I worked at a job where I was in the truck 8-12 hours at a time I went through a ton of audio books. It's wonderful that we have so many choices in how we 'read' books.

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    1. I can remember when people with vision problems had a hard time finding audible books. I'm so glad all that has changed.

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  3. We've visited Butchart Gardens a few times. Always beautiful. I'm still at the hard-print stage of reading. I don't know if I'll some day take the leap or not. You are such an excellent care-giver to Bob! He's one lucky guy.

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    1. Reading is the important thing. How we do it is our personal choice.

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  4. Those photos are gorgeous! Beautiful time of year to visit Vancouver.

    I haven't tried the audio books. I tend to process information best if it is visual versus audio.

    The weight thing is tricky if the clothing isn't consistent. The other feedback is if his breathing has improved. Not sure if he had swelling in his feet/legs, but that can be another indicator of weight loss/gain. He's lucky he has you to monitor his health. So many older folks don't have someone who can help them with their health care management.

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    1. I'm 10 years younger than Bob. We go to all these appointments where I see couples about the same age and I think "heaven help them".

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  5. I'm about to try an ebook on my ipad. I don't know how it will work. Looking after Bob must be a big challenge as he's not able to do things like weighing and is not willing to accept close management.

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    1. In his effort to remain independent Bob makes things much harder on me.

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  6. Linda, your last comment, just above, really sums up your situation. I continue to wish you well in your role as caregiver.
    I am trying to make more time for reading. I use a Kindle exclusively for book reading. I am currently reading a book you would like: The Nordic Theory of Everything.

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    1. Thanks for the book suggestion. I've ordered it.

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  7. Daughter's photos are beautiful.
    I keep several audible books on my phone at all times. I'm still impressed with the availability of books and movies today. Remember the days of only three television channels and having to go to the library? I have to admit, I loved going to the library, but the luxury of a book or movie anytime you wish is very nice.

    I didn't know about supplemental drinks not mixing well with blood thinners. Good to know. This is a tough gig. I did it with my father, but I can only imagine how hard it is with a spouse. My aunt who spent many years caring for her father-in-law, then her sister and then her husband used to say that she was practicing to be a good patient when her turn came. Independence is the last thing many of us relinquish. It does make it harder for the caregiver. That's for sure.

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    1. Both my parents died in our home. I thought I did my turn as a caregiver then, but apparently that was just practice.

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  8. The pure color of those gardens amazed me. Beautiful.
    I have trouble with audio books. My mind wanders and I get distracted. I finally got myself a Kindle and I like that a lot. Reading keeps me more focused than listening.

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    1. I need to 'read' nonfiction but I can listen to fiction.

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  9. I am not an 'auditory learner', so audible books are a no-go for me. (at least until/if my vision gets so bad I have no choice.) I'm impressed with those that can enjoy audible books. I hope Bob's symptoms improve soon.

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    1. I enjoy audible books most for fiction. I don't do as well listening to nonfiction.

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  10. I weigh every morning as I get out of bed. That way I am always dressed the same though it is a bit of a shock at the doctors office when fully clothed. Maybe put the scales by the bed and see if you can get him in the habit.
    I tend to zone out and my mind wanders with audio books and lose track of the story. I do love my Kindle though and read every night.

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    1. I'm still working to get him onboard with how to weigh. He's not good at following directions.

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