Chapter 244 - Hot Stuff
A day up to the humid Big Smoke yesterday for the birthday of our youngest descendant. She had hesitated to book a motel for Sunday night, something we had decided to plan to do on such trips, partly in order to have more family contact once other family members (on the out-law side) had gone home, but this time she was not keen to be away from home, me thinking the worth of spending $100 or so on accommodation. On the way yesterday morning we stocked up with a selection of cheeses as our contribution and a pack of the horrid drug filled bilge that I find brings me alert whenever my driving concentration falters. As things turned out, I needed none going or returning.
I find participation most difficult in these family gatherings. I have often likened my experience to that of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", although in our case there are no other cultural influences involved - simply too much short term chatter at cross purposes around the table, too many "in family" jokes & references with which we have little knowledge, even after some 17 or so years. And my hearing in a hollow house does not help me, although I don't know about her.
Anyway, sitting back, un-involved in conversation, I was able to observe the body actions of those around the table. She was wobbling, weaving her head & shoulders, some hand tremor while seven other adults and several teenagers were pillars of stone by comparison. There were some comments when she switched on her small personal battery powered fan as her face dripped perspiration, someone mentioned air conditioning but that was not acted upon, I think I heard a snippet of the usual female comment about "hot flushes" yet the conversation changed before I could react. Partly due to my tipping over a mug of tea to look like an incontinent old fart.
Middle aged women, and beyond, always take a self interest in describing their change of life crises whenever they see her dripping sweat. When a male chips in, to point out that in her case she instead has an autonomic issue caused by PD, he is treated condescendingly as not knowing what he is talking about. At her age, with a hysterectomy half a life time ago, the cause of her discomfort has nothing in common with their memories of their female condition.
Fortunately, we live in a cool, dry climate. At least one benefit of living some distance from many of the advantages of city life. Even so, we have fans in various positions about the house for her to switch on as she needs. The fan in the bedroom has a remote control so she can operate it while still in bed, covered by the bed clothes. After all, she does not wish to feel cold at 5AM. That is the strange thing she sweats, not because she is hot, not due to physical activity, she just sweats, especially when her meds are "off". Stress, as when she is manipulating pieces of fabric for patch work, also encourages sweating. Lately, her hair looks as if she has just stepped out of the shower. She often has difficulty pulling on her night dress when it rolls and sticks across her shoulder blades and she often calls for help to untangle herself. One evening she came out here to my dungeon, asked me to touch the shoulders of her blouse and my fingers came away as if dipped in water, the water content of her blouse was so high. Irrespective of feeling hot or cold, she sweats. I am concerned that other autonomic functions may eventually be impacted by the PD condition.
Her utterances during sleep, although less frequently or perhaps I am sleeping more soundly, have become clearer so I am able to understand the words. Early one morning recently she yelled out "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" I remained awake listening for more until I dozed off again.
I find participation most difficult in these family gatherings. I have often likened my experience to that of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", although in our case there are no other cultural influences involved - simply too much short term chatter at cross purposes around the table, too many "in family" jokes & references with which we have little knowledge, even after some 17 or so years. And my hearing in a hollow house does not help me, although I don't know about her.
Anyway, sitting back, un-involved in conversation, I was able to observe the body actions of those around the table. She was wobbling, weaving her head & shoulders, some hand tremor while seven other adults and several teenagers were pillars of stone by comparison. There were some comments when she switched on her small personal battery powered fan as her face dripped perspiration, someone mentioned air conditioning but that was not acted upon, I think I heard a snippet of the usual female comment about "hot flushes" yet the conversation changed before I could react. Partly due to my tipping over a mug of tea to look like an incontinent old fart.
Middle aged women, and beyond, always take a self interest in describing their change of life crises whenever they see her dripping sweat. When a male chips in, to point out that in her case she instead has an autonomic issue caused by PD, he is treated condescendingly as not knowing what he is talking about. At her age, with a hysterectomy half a life time ago, the cause of her discomfort has nothing in common with their memories of their female condition.
Fortunately, we live in a cool, dry climate. At least one benefit of living some distance from many of the advantages of city life. Even so, we have fans in various positions about the house for her to switch on as she needs. The fan in the bedroom has a remote control so she can operate it while still in bed, covered by the bed clothes. After all, she does not wish to feel cold at 5AM. That is the strange thing she sweats, not because she is hot, not due to physical activity, she just sweats, especially when her meds are "off". Stress, as when she is manipulating pieces of fabric for patch work, also encourages sweating. Lately, her hair looks as if she has just stepped out of the shower. She often has difficulty pulling on her night dress when it rolls and sticks across her shoulder blades and she often calls for help to untangle herself. One evening she came out here to my dungeon, asked me to touch the shoulders of her blouse and my fingers came away as if dipped in water, the water content of her blouse was so high. Irrespective of feeling hot or cold, she sweats. I am concerned that other autonomic functions may eventually be impacted by the PD condition.
Her utterances during sleep, although less frequently or perhaps I am sleeping more soundly, have become clearer so I am able to understand the words. Early one morning recently she yelled out "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" I remained awake listening for more until I dozed off again.
posted by Kilpike | 11:01 am
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