This is Friday, our first full day home after Joel's surgery in ABQ. We got in last night about 6 or so.
Yesterday, #34, was not our happiest in spite of getting to come home. The exit process was rushed and weird. Then they handed me two prescriptions for pain meds (her next dose was due in 45 minutes!) and said we could go. ...What?
"May I have the drugs to get her home on? That's 188 miles! No, you can't; that's illegal.
Can we sit here for 45 minutes so you can dose her? No, she's been released. But you can go to the drug store. There's one just down the street."
I was fit to be tied!
That put both ends of the trip - getting her in and out of a low-slung car, at home navigating a gravel pathway and 6 steps - on the wrong ends of her meds.
I don't remember if I did meditation. There was no Tai Chi in the morning; I didn't want to miss any of the exit nurses or their information, so I was there by 8:00.
Day #33 was MUCH better than Thursday and probably made getting thru the tough one easier. That was Wednesday and I wasn't feeling much time pressure. I did both of my practices while still at the motel. Joel was in good hands and doing well. Spent the day at the hospital then picked up a friend for a drink and a Thai dinner. Then we took some food to Joel and she got a good visit with Andi.
I found something to stress over in the walker that we had, but I told people and left big notes and the word got thru. We got the one she needs.
And after taking Andi home, I still had a nice quiet evening at home in the motel.
Now, we're back to today, and I did not find many moments for quiet reflection...until now.
There was a glitch in the orders so the Home Health folks had never heard of us. Left messages. Fretted.
But with my newfound understanding about pain management, I was strict with doses, and got most of her exercises out of her in the morning. She slept a lot, but walked again in the late afternoon. And by 5:00 dear Jennifer found an email about us and reasons for the mix-up were discovered and understood.
Most of the morning was spent changing furniture and figuring out how Joel could get around. And tracking down extra blankets. Anyway....
I found some time in the afternoon when I thought a little meditation would be in order. Could not pull it off; couldn't stop fidgeting; mind scattered and racing.
I switched to Tai Chi and after awhile I began to relax somewhat. I just focused (repeatedly) on finding places that were tight and relaxing them. Today my shoulders were the most actively tight. Couldn't seem to keep them off my ears! :)
It worked like meditation for me today.
One minute I think I picked one Hell of a time for my 100 Days, and then I think, I picked a Hell of a time for these 100 Days!
Now, it's time for meds. Then two more hours of silence.
