Monthly Archives: August 2017

Opioids

Posted on August 29, 2017 by

This week has been a series of medical challenges.  The dog pooped blood. That’s never a good sign. Two trips to the veterinarian and an empty check book later, Nickie is on the mend. The very hour the dog’s symptoms … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, health, humor, marriage, Pamela Foster, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Nebulous

Posted on August 25, 2017 by

Webster’s dictionary gives these synonyms for nebulous – vague, ill-defined, unclear, hazy, uncertain, indefinite, indeterminate, imprecise, unformed, muddled, confused, and ambiguous. When people ask me how I’m doing as Jack’s caregiver, instead of my usual answer of ‘okay’, or ‘not … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, marriage, Pamela Foster, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Mixed Messages

Posted on August 23, 2017 by

Yesterday was not a good day between Jack and me. We got up a little late, had a 10:00 appointment a half hour away at the Coast Guard Station to renew my dependent ID. The respite worker was late (first … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Love and Stripper Poles

Posted on August 21, 2017 by

This past Thursday evening was the last free concert-on-the-bay of the season. Jack and I attended all but one of these events. There were a slew of logistical challenges when he moved from the walker to the wheelchair. A lift … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, health, Humboldt County, humor, marriage, Pamela Foster, Uncategorized, veterans, writer | Leave a comment

Karma

Posted on August 20, 2017 by

Six months ago, Jack and I sat in a VA doctor’s office and listened as two neurologists explained the diagnoses of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. We argued with the experts a bit, tried to find another explanation for his many symptoms. … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, health, marriage, Parkinson Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, pts, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Juju Beads

Posted on August 16, 2017 by

My winding path to enlightenment, or more truthfully toward survival, is strewn with a discarded string of juju beads representing various religions and philosophies. I have at one time or another embraced Protestantism, Catholicism, Christian Fundamentalism, Humanism, and Skepticism. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, marijuana, Parkinson Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, pts, Uncategorized, veterans | 2 Comments

Very Interesting

Posted on August 14, 2017 by

Jack The photo is of Jack in happier, though no less interesting, times. This morning was interesting. The dog ate Jack’s hearing aides. Not the batteries, thank God, but the little, grooved flesh-colored pieces of plastic and technology are now … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, health, humor, marijuana, Pamela Foster, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Hollering

Posted on August 13, 2017 by

A few days ago I started to write this ‘H’ post about hope. My intent was to incorporate healing into the mix. Look, it’s not like I don’t know that people can only take so much raw truth and pain … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, health, Humboldt County, humor, marriage, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Grief. And Guilt.

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

G is for grief. And it’s also for guilt. If I had been a better wife, if I had loved Jack more selflessly, more deeply, might I have prevented his brain from developing Progressive Supranuclear Palsy? Is it possible that, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiver, grief, marriage, nursing home, Pamela Foster, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Forgetting

Posted on August 7, 2017 by

Forgetting our past is terrifying. Our experiences, our memories are who we are, how we identify ourselves. Part of the progressive supranuclear palsy from which Jack suffers is dementia. But, not the loss of memory associated with Alzheimer’s disease. No, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, grief, health, nursing home, Pamela Foster, Parkinson Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, pts, Uncategorized | 2 Comments