Chick Flick and Other Simple Pleasures

This was my first weekend as caregiver in the apartment, vs being a companion in the hospital, which carries a layer of added responsibility….particularly if the “patient” is in need of a lot of care. So far so, so GREAT. I arrived yesterday morning (Friday). Carol looks and feels very good, she has energy and counts are all in good shape. As long as she is on anti-rejection meds, she may continue to need to supplement magnesium, and potassium & sodium levels are still low, but those are of course very minor in the scheme of things. Bottom line is, we are able to go out together when needed or for walks when the sun goes down (she is sun-sensitive now and it tends to be oppressively hot this time of year anyway). Yesterday right after a quick lunch, we had a date to get to the movies – this was the first time in 6 months that Carol went to a movie theatre (yes we saw a chick flick, Eat, Pray, Love...totally predictable Hollywood writing & ending but fun nonetheless!) . There are certain times I wish I could capture Carol’s expression or her sense of excitement on film, and this was one of those times, but you’ll have to imagine what it must be like to finally have a little freedom to be in a public place (with a mask) when it’s not too crowded and feel normal, not be wearing that patient label…enjoy some popcorn (another first in many months), get lost in that movie. Later we made a terrific dinner together (so nice to cook together and enjoy it together) and went for a walk at sunset (it’s August in Florida…I wonder how even the Herons and Grebes can breathe??).
Today we went to the fitness center (walked around the lake until we lost our cloud cover) and again, so great to be in a public place doing what normal people do, and doing it together, was healthy for both of us of course! Dad & Joyce came for a visit at lunchtime, and we celebrated Dad’s birthday a little early – so nice to be together for that….they brought lunch, we had birthday desserts & I shared some travel photos…very sweet visit. We went out to run an errand or two, including picking up some ingredients to compliment our dinner, and ended the day with our favorite game of scrabble.
We’ll see what tomorrow will bring beyond the required visit to the clinic. I may not get to finish this weekend tale before I fly back to NJ, but I’m SO happy to see Carol doing so well, and taking small steps to regain some freedoms and enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures…I’m so proud of her ability to make the very most of being present in the moment, keep her mind sharp and have such inner strength and forward-focus. Of course the love & support & dedication of her men & daughter & parents & extended network of family & friends helps to keep powering that engine :-)
Susan (sister)