Moose

We just returned from 3 nights on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We stayed in the small town of Grand Marias about 2 hours up the coastline. It was a beautiful drive. The town has suffered from our recession, and so many of the cute shops and restaurants were closed. One more sad reminder of how our economy has suffered.

One day we drove on the Gunflint Trail in hopes of sighting a moose. Dennis was in his babble, coughing and grunting mode for the entire two hour drive. Neither JoAnn or I could understand one word he was mumbling. Occasionally I would ask him what he was talking about, but it was not worth the effort to try and understand him. He was beyond participating in any real conversation.

I was driving very slow. One of the dirt roads we took had recently been graded. We felt like we were riding on top of a washboard. The second off road experience had not been graded, but instead was covered in rocks. There was no choice but to drive slow, enjoy the scenery and keep the eyes open for a moose.

We were just approaching a small body of water when Dennis said, "MOOSE!" Sure enough, there along the edge of the water was a large moose drinking water. The moose slowly took off when he heard the car and hid in the trees. We could see him hiding from us and we stayed for a while hoping he would return. The moose, however, took off for the woods after a few minutes and we drove on.

For the rest of the vacation we would tease Dennis with, "oooeeeeaaaa, uuuuaaaerrrrr, cough, cough, grunt, mmmmnnnnoooooouuuu, MOOSE!"

I am glad that he is such a good sport and laughed each and every day he teased.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

A Mini-Vacation

Dennis wanted to squeeze in another vacation before we left on our Alaskan cruise next month. So we are headed up to the North Shore of Minnesota for four days and three nights.

Our friend, JoAnne, is accompanying us on this trip. JoAnne is the gal that hosted my retirement party, worked with Dennis for a short period of time and has the garage that I am helping clean out. She also is the gal that helped so much with cleaning out mom and dad's place when we moved mom to Minneapolis last summer. She has been there for me so often that I don't want to begin counting how much I owe her. Thankfully, we both believe in the philosophy of "paying it forward."

So adios for a few days, and see you next weekend.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

A Vacation Story

One of the more interesting days in Boston happened on the day that the four of us (Jane, Ralph, Dennis and I) decided to take a cruise down the river Charles. It's a great, informative, hour long trip that hits many of the highlights of what makes Boston so special.

We had decided, fairly early on in the day, to go to the to the top of the Pru (Prudential Building in Copley Square) to take in the view from the top. We were educated along the way about the stories of Boston from the beginnings until today. Most interesting fact learned? Much of Boston is built on Land Fill. That left me feeling a bit queasy about standing on the 50th floor of a building.

After the Pru, we began to make our way to the dock for our boat. We couldn't find a taxi that would take the four of us, plus a wheel chair, so Jane and Ralph took off in the first taxi that came along. Dennis and I were told to head to the Fairmont hotel, where taxis cued up on a regular basis. This was a short couple of blocks away, and even though we were a bit late, we charged over there with lots of hope of tagging a taxi. The first taxi in line was driven by one of the worst of the Boston lot of drivers.

As I asked him if he wanted a fare, the driver looked at Dennis with disdain. I should have turned to another driver, but I have been taught the rules of queuing taxis and knew that we were to take the first in line. He finally allowed me to work Dennis into the back seat, unpack the gear that we carry on the back of the chair, load the chair and the gear into the trunk, when he decided he would not take us. The chair wasn't a perfect fit.

I can swear like a sailor given the opportunity, and I am very defensive when it comes to Dennis. I told him he would take us, but I lost the battle. All of a sudden he did not know any English. So I asked him to help me and take the chair out of the trunk. He refused. I swore more at him, asked for his name and licence number, and swore a bit more. Then I moved to get Dennis out of the back seat and he started to fall. I yelled again for help, and finally the other driver came over and helped me get Dennis back into his chair.

In the meantime, Jane had been calling me on her cell telling me her driver was hopelessly lost. I had shown the driver the exact location on my Blackberry before they pulled out. When he got lost, Jane had used her IPhone to show him again. But he was still lost. It looked as though none of us would make it to the boat on time.

With the help of the Fairmont staff, we were able to snag a cab and finally met up with Jane and Ralph a few minutes after the boat pulled out. They were gracious and let us change our reservations to the next ride, which gave us an hour to settle down, chill out and enjoy the River Charles. This is a picture of my sister (on the left) and me overlooking the River Charles. Please note that I am smiling and no longer cussing like a madwoman being undone by a taxi driver.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

Vacation

We are back home from our Massachusetts vacation. We had a few bumps along the way - airline related, mostly - but all-in-all, it was a successful vacation.

We met up with my sister, Jane and my brother-in-law, Ralph in Boston. Ralph was such a sweetie and did most of the pushing while we were in Boston.

Dennis carries a helmet everywhere he goes for when he walks, which he does try to do occasionally. You can see it hanging on the back of his wheel chair.

It was great to spend time with my sister, since she lives in London and we do not see her often enough. Jane and Dennis get on quite nicely, and he misses her as much as I do.

After Boston, we went to Cape Cod for four days and met up with Dennis' sister, Donna and brother-in-law, Louie. We haven't seen them for two years, and as much as I had tried to warn them about Dennis condition, they were still a bit overwhelmed, but happy to see us, too.

More later. I think I can find a few more pictures to share.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

Post Vacation

How was California, Ann?

50 degrees warmer than Minnesota, wine tastings and a taste of both mountains and ocean in one week. Now throw in a a spa treatment most days, a nice upgrade in our room with a private jacuzzi, and free breakfast delivered to you door each morning. It was a slow vacation, with few agendas and meant to be completely relaxing. 100 percent self-indulgence vacation!

We set a nice plan in place - spa, eat, taste and sleep in a setting known for relaxation.

And, for the most part, it worked out that way. But, as we are all trying hard to accept, MSA makes even the greatest plan difficult to implement without major changes.

For example, a visit to a winery.

You drive until you find one that sounds interesting, or one that you have picked out. Then you fork over a few bucks for a tasting. They pour, describe and try to encourage a purchase. You sip, discuss the tastes and toss out the extras. You either buy or you don't and you drive off to your next destination.

Easy peasy, right? But reality sets in when you put the plan into action.

First there was the bathroom - everywhere the bathroom becomes a problem. We find our first winery, and get ready for a tasting of 6 red wines. First one is poured, and Dennis has to take a poop. We make it to the bathroom just in time, and about 10 minutes later, we are back to taste the wine that has been sitting waiting for us. At least it had plenty of breathing time.

Into our second taste, Dennis says he must return to the bathroom. 15 minutes later, we are back at the bar, and Dennis is depleted from all the up and downs of bathroom life. We head back to the hotel for a jacuzzi.

Or, for another example, a spa treatment.

Normally, you jump up on the table, get massaged in very assorted ways with a variety of oils and creams. When done, you feel relaxed and rejuvenated and fork over a big tip out of gratitude for the renewed feelings in your mind and body.

Then, it is Dennis' turn for his massage. So I took my relaxed body, and shoved, and pushed Dennis up onto the table and pushed more until he was on his stomach, face in the right place for breathing. Then 30 minutes later, someone comes looking for me to flop him over. then it is up from the table and a long push of the chair back to the room. Dress both of us, feed Dennis, insert his pills, shower and dress myself, and on and on. When all is said and done, the aches in the back have returned and I am ready for a nap.

It was a great get away. I just need to accept these changes in traveling with Dennis. And I can - it's for the sake of a vacation away from home, after all.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

A Busy Week Ahead

We are up for a week of doctors, dentists and surgery. Dennis has an appointment with his family doctor on Monday and then a quick stop-off to pick up some drinkable stuff for his surgery on Wednesday. Tuesday, his teeth will be cleaned. Wednesday, the feeding tube will be placed into his stomach. An overnight stay at the hospital is required to monitor him. Thursday, he will come home, who knows when and Friday he will have day surgery for his catheter placement.

Oh, how much sleep he will need the next week.

For an odd assortment of reasons, the surgeries could not be on the same day. Because we do not know if he will have any insurance for a while, they also could not be delayed. Both surgeries will improve his quality of life so there seems to be no reason to delay.

I also will be moving Mother soon. The day we returned home, I called her. She is very anxious to move to the Twin City area. I think she is very lonely. She misses dad, and her kids are the next best thing. I only wish she understood that this is what is happening.

I am so very glad that my job gives me a long summer off. I am also so very happy that I have learned to take the summers off and make the most of them. Even with everything I need to accomplish this summer, I still have time left for a wonderful vacation, relaxing, painting and reading. Oh, and today Dennis and I enjoyed a great meal at a 4 Star restaurant. Life is good.

Cemeteries Around the World

Dennis and I are very good travel companions. On our very first trip, a wonderful week spent in Bermuda, we discovered that we both loved visiting cemeteries. Sometimes the cemeteries contain headstones that are fun to read. I remember a headstone in Scotland that rambled on about a man who deserved to die from the drink that killed him. We have stumbled upon cemeteries where everyone is buried above ground because the town existed below sea level. Hours have been spent reading and revering our fore-fathers in Boston.

In Ireland, the Celtic Cross dominated every cemetery we visited. Often, the nature of a cemetery made it impossible for Dennis to get a close look. He viewed the stones through the pictures that I took. I hope you enjoy viewing a few of them as much as we did.

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These crosses were in a large cemetery in Kilkenny.

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This one, while not Celtic, is very famous. It is St. Kevin's Cross. It is said that five visits to this site equals one visit to Mecca. At least that is what the literature stated.

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Until later,
Ann and Dennis

Post Vacation

We are home. We are also tired, surrounded by dirty laundry and hungry. We ate too much food, and way to many potatoes. We both gained weight; Dennis is happy with his gain, and I am very unhappy with mine. But, it is all part of the vacationing process, I suppose.

Vacation is always a great indicator of how Dennis is doing. I use the last vacation and compare it with the current vacation. He is definitely slower than last year. Last year, in Paris, we would be out and about late at night, eating dinner at a fairly appropriate European hour - between 7:30 and 9pm. This year, our days were done by 7 pm and we were often in bed by 8 pm.

Last year, he was still able to eat a full meal in a timely manner. This year, he needed a couple of hours to eat a meal. We were not able to indulge in late night meals, rather we ate a larger breakfast and at large, late lunch. We ate quite a bit of pub food, which resulted in us saving a few bucks on food, but drinking way too many Guinness beers. Is it true that a Guinness a day keeps the doctor away?

Now, the final indicator of his health, will be the amount of days he needs to recover. This is our second day home, and while I am feeling lazy, the jet lag has pretty much passed. Time will tell when Dennis is back up to speed.

More on the vacation, and a few pictures, over the next few days. Until then, Cheers!

Ann and Dennis

Tired

Dennis gets tired too easily. Well, maybe it's just too often.

Last night I came home from work, and he had just finished a session with the in-home PT, Phoebe. He was sitting in front of our new, big screen, LCD TV and practicing tennis on the Wii. He was feeling feisty and challenged me to a game of bowling. Neither one of us played a good game, but he challenged me to a second game. After the second frame, he was done.

I had picked up stuffed chops for dinner, and cooked them while we played. I chopped one up nicely for him, and halfway through dinner, Dennis wanted to go to bed.

Tonight he was in his office when I came home. The phone was ringing as I was walking up the steps, but he wasn't able to pick up the call.

We didn't spend any time together today. He was just too tired. Too tired to talk, too tired to eat, to tired to do much of anything.

Vacations are our real measure of how we are doing. Last summer, while in Paris, we took off about 2 days a week, due to tiredness. This fall, in London, it was closer to 3 days a week. But, giving that I was sick for half of the trip, it seemed a bit skewed to be considered real data. During this years spring break, we were at an every other day rhythm of fun and rest. But we were at home, and it was more about relaxing than anything else. We have slowed down, but both of us rally for real vacations.

We have been considering how long to take off for vacation this summer. How long can we rally? How many days will be down days? How much do we really want to see?

It's a question that we need to answer soon.

A Good Sunday

Happy Easter. In Minneapolis, it is a beautiful spring day. The temp is running in the upper 50's and the sun is shinning. I have two lamb shanks in the oven filling the condo with great smells. Perfection.

This is the last day of my spring break. I accomplished almost everything on my list. My taxes are done, and I get a small rebate. The insurance problems might actually be fixed, finally (keeping my fingers crossed) and there are only 8 or 9 weeks left of this school year.

Dennis has his nurse and PT visits set up for the upcoming week, and he is scheduled for another class at Pathways. He has recovered from his last hospital stay and is in pretty good spirits.

This is going to be a wonderful spring.

Ann and Dennis

Somedays You Just Need Help

Dennis hasn't been able to get out of bed since we returned from our vacation in Paris. It doesn't seem to be hypotension, but rather just plain low blood pressure. He's exhausted, coughing and choking and not eating well. He did eat toast with jelly, drank his daily portion of Boost and ate a few of the bbq'd ribs I bought for last nights dinner. Of course, just the simple act of putting his hand to his mouth with the food I cut up for him wears him out, so he finally decided to just stay in bed for the day.

I should let you know that my day job is in education, so I am off for the summer and able to spend more time with Dennis. And before anyone reading this thinks or says anything about teachers having 3 months off in the summer and how lucky we are, let me tell you something. That is exactly why I am in education. For the summers. So there.

We hired a PCA last winter when it became completely apparent that I was not going to be able to continue working full time knowing that I might come home, once more, to Dennis sprawled out on the floor in a pool of blood or Coke. We thought she was coming today, but we had forgotten to call her, so I was staying home. Since I have my summers off, it was not a problem. I had tons of laundry anyway and all those pictures of Paris to download and then upload and then share with friends via email and the boomer forum I hang out in all of the time and staying home all day seemed to be okay.

We found Dennis' PCA, Raquel, through Craigslist. I know this is not the traditional way to hire a care attendant, but when we called the organizations on the list that the Parkinson's social worker had given us, we figured we had to find a more affordable alternative. I mean we are already paying those huge cobra payments for his insurance and the co-payments for all the medications and physical and speech therapy and I was NOT going to give up Laticia, my housekeeper who makes the house sparkle every other Saturday. So we decided to find an independent PCA to save our budget.

We needed some help and we found Raquel. But Raquel was not coming with us to Paris.

I knew that Dennis wanted to see all of Paris. I mean ALL of Paris. I also knew that I was not going to be able to push his wheel chair everyday, everywhere. So we asked at the desk of the hotel about hiring someone to push him around for a day. We both wanted to visit the Latin quarter and it has lots of small streets and small hills. Pushing a 150 pound chair and 170 pound guy up even a slightly hilly area is not my idea of enjoying my vacation, so if we were going to see this part of Paris, we simply needed a strong kid.

We found Julien. An 18 year old, who just graduated from High School and whose mother runs an agency that takes small groups on different types of tours around Paris. Seems she wanted he son to get some work, so she lined him up to take us around the Latin Quarter. Julien knows the Latin Quarter well, since that is where he goes to school, so he was the perfect guide and he was also able to push Dennis up the hills and able to hold onto the chair while going down the hills. Sometimes a girl needs a young boy to help out.

Thanks, Julien, for helping us out. Thanks, Julien, for showing us the Latin Quarter and all the great stories.


Until tommorow,

Ann and Dennis