March 20, 2010

Update for March, 2010

I have been keeping a daily watch on my wife who is still in the hospital and will soon be sent to a nursing home.
She will live out the remainder of her time on life support, something she decided she now wants, for the rest of her life. Without the breathing machine, she would die within an hour or so.
So, my weight loss has been put on hold since she went in February 8.
Notice, I said put on HOLD.

I have stayed within 8 pounds of the weight I was before she went in. I weighed in around 202 and now am 208. I have been weighed around 211, but that was only for a day or so. It all depends on how much liquid I drink, and what I eat.
I plan to lose at least 40 more pounds before I finish.
I admit, I am using pre-prepared meals for my evening meal, and I have eaten one or two more puddings than before, but that will change.
It is very stressful watching someone you love and have been with for 35 years die.
How I deal with it is not the way others might, but that's OK because I am me.
I walk the stairway at the hospital when I can. I even went up 6 flights the other day. It was tough, but I did it.
I have eaten hospital food, and the stuff they make isn't bad. I can actually stay within my diet there because of the variety.
I still take my vitamins and other supplements on schedule.
I find that I can stand more, walk without pain, and have more energy to do the necessary things I need to accomplish.

I hate living alone with a damn cat. I would rather live alone than with a damn cat! I am starting the process of looking for a new home for the damn cat, but it will be tough because she is on a special diet and has to take meds to keep her healthy.

So, I still eat my chili. I made up a fresh batch and added more spice because my wife won't be sharing it.

My finances are about to tank. Disability has cut me in half. The medical bills are now 4 inches thick and getting thicker. I will be making arrangements next week to handle them. I am up to date on the mortgage and all the utilities, but the credit card debt will take me down to serious levels.

Netflix, and my wife's phone have been put on hold. I added texting to my phone because it is easier to send them instead of calling and talking to all the people who want updates on a daily basis. I am considering cancelling Comcast and just doing without TV for a few months. A savings of $780.00 a year! I can't believe some of you out there pay for premium packages that cost more than that. I just have basic cable. It's crazy to pay that much just to watch infomercials and reruns instead of doing real things. I still have the old style 26 inch flat screen TV, and hope to someday have a HD, but that won't be too soon.

Yesterday, I was able to sign on to Skype at the hospital and let my wife see the grand kids in Maryland. She still can't talk, but she could wave and smile.

I will be finishing up the taxes this week too come Hell or high water. I got stuck when I got to totaling up the medical bills from last year. I have to sort them, and since they are all different shapes and sizes, I have piles subject to wind currents and all. So far, I only owe the government 1.2 trillion dollars, so Lord Obama will be able to pay for his stupid health care program when I send him my check.

I have plans of closing up the house and selling it after painting, and repairing some things to increase resale value. I may end up doing that quicker than I planned depending on circumstances. I know I won't make nay money or get rich by doing so. We used up everything we saved long ago.
No pension, no retirement, no savings, oh my!

I had thought of starting a business after my wife passes, but I don't know if that is folly, wishful dreaming, or a possibility.

One thing I am going to do is take a vacation.

Another thing is I am going to start walking again. And, I am looking for a climate that I can spend most of my time outdoors. I hate being cooped up all winter. It makes working outside tougher, and less desirable.
So, now I am heading out to pick up my Purple amp from my guru friend who has modified it and eliminated the buzzing. Then, this afternoon, I will be packing up some nic nacs from a corner hutch so I can give the hutch to my son, and the nic nacs to my daughter.

Tonight, I will go see my wife.

Next week along with the taxes, I will be cleaning and organizing.

Life is good.


1 comment:

Larraine said...

Hi, Lee! I'm so sad for your wife. Yet I understand how she feels at the same time. We all want to live, don't we. I hope you find a home for the cat. Please consider finding a foster care facility for the cat. They will find a home for him/her. In the meantime, I would rather be with my cats than be alone, but that's my preference. Take care of yourself.