Time on My Hands

Dennis has another bladder infection. After two days of bed, antibiotics and lots of attention, he is finally feeling better. I worry whenever he gets sick.

But I had plenty of time on my hand and accomplished two big tasks.

I booked a late August cruise for the interior of Alaska. Dennis and I were in Alaska a few years back, and were in awe of the glaciers. The sounds they make when they melt and crash into the ocean is indescribable. We also enjoyed the laid back atmosphere. Now we are looking forward to seeing other parts we have not yet seen. Even better, Raquel will be joining us to help out with Dennis.

I also finished a painting. Raquel really seemed to like it, so I am giving it to her for her birthday. It was fun to give away something that I created and the recipient likes.

It's angels in the night. And while Raquel is not here during the nights, she is an angel in our eyes.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

ER Episode 4 (or is it 5?)

I woke up this morning fever free! 3 cheers!

The household did not hold out long, however, before sickness struck again. At midnight, Dennis woke me up and wanted me to check his catheter. He thought it might be clogged. Since the night bag was dry, it was obvious he was clogged. We had two choices - wait until morning or go to ER. Dennis did not want to do either choice and we started a game of one-upping each other with words and thoughts I don't want to admit to online. I will only say that it wasn't pretty and that I hope we did not wake up the neighbors.

He has a bladder infection, again. It's easily treatable. And we should have seen this coming quite a long time ago. There definitely were signs.

A couple of weeks ago, during his last bout of diarrhea, his urine was almost black one morning. It was better the next day, so we forgot about it. He has been lethargic lately. The weather has changed, and I have been so sick, that we ignored that, too.

Then there was the nasty clot in his night bag that Raquel found this morning. I thought I had pulled the whole clot out of the tube and we planned on calling the urologist during the day. Only problem is, each of us thought the other was going to make the call.

We need to become better at handling situations such as this. The mean talk is uncalled for no matter what is happening. We need to watch for signs and act on them right away. Neither one of us have ever been people that run to a doctor for this, that and the other, but perhaps that needs to change.

Tomorrow, when the dust has settled, the prescription has been filled, and we have both had our 8 hours, we can talk. That's one thing about us that is great. We can always talk it out. And for that, I am extremely grateful.