Chapter 510 - Just Another Year

Last year's posts were printed as Volume V in this waffling series. Recently we were asked whether we have discussed our demise with anyone. Well we have wills, power of attorney, superannuation matters in hand (our advisers send forms complying with new government regulations from time to time), her Level 4 package provider has signed documents to comply with regulations, our retirement village management has next of kin details and an envelope on the inside of our kitchen pantry also has contact and next of kin details. Recently in an on line palliative care seminar by a care group (I'm a member) the words "advanced care directive" were mentioned and I downloaded a questionnaire, handing it to her to read; I suppose she did so yet we failed to discuss it. Now following this most recent prompt, I printed more copies, filling in one myself, showing it to her before discussing what her answers may be. So now I have prepared two electronic copies to be filed away. Does it just stop there? The matter of organ/tissue donation was raised in the document. I feel squeamish about the matter, but realised having one's body burnt or buried is no greater violation of "Me". So I connected on line and gave our details, afterwards realising I may have muddled her personal details, so I sent an email outlining the problem only receiving a reply asking for more personal details. Without thinking, I replied with the details but the reply bounced with addressing errors, causing me to take fright and forget the whole matter. I assume in the near future one or both of us will receive some sort of ID card and then I will attempt to make corrections if required. Neither of us intend to die soon so where's the panic? Anyway, she wants to identify her china-pottery-cutlery-dolls with the names of recipients and I am puzzled about the fate my genealogy files, physical, digital and on line. I doubt there are recipients enough, willing or otherwise, to take these "valuables". My embroideries and books are sure to go into a skip. I said I will get sticky labels to place on her valuables to ease her concerns. As to our physical digital technology which will be quickly out of date so who cares but records on line and off are another matter if anyone cares.

A week ago I reduced her Duodopa flow rate to 4.5 from 4.6. At first i thought her dyskinesias had reduced markedly but such returned, peaking in early afternoon, although I am yet to print and examine the FitBit charts. We both agree that I have not needed to give her Kalma tablets or Panodol to relieve stress symptoms. I need to ask her whether hallucinations continue to occur; they do, but she no longer voluntarily says so and when I ask they are of adults or kids outside. Each Sunday I ask whether she wishes to go shopping; she does not. Of course over the last week as temperatures hit 40 degrees C to do so was not a good idea. Neither of us intends to suffer heat stress in our old age. Our air conditioning was running from around breakfast time until late at night all through the last week. Although today at 1100 the ambient is 23 she has no interest in shopping. She is content making small pillows and watching tennis on TV.

Friday a week ago we collected and paid for a sling lifter, an item we may need quite soon, one that folds and can be fitted into our car along with her collapsible wheel chair and collapsible commode and a 22 litre cooler for 2 weeks supply of Duodopa. Once I become skilled at lifting her and transporting her safely we hope to visit two relatives, one at each end of the age spectrum.