Chapter 568 - An Often Forgotten Anniversary

 Today, Sunday 16th August 2020 is the 61st anniversary of that Sunday morning when, in long ago 1959, I waited at the top of the front steps of Auburn Baptist Church for her. As she came level with me I asked "Can I sit with you this morning?" and as the saying goes, "The rest is history." Actually, history began the evening before as I waited with a group of teenagers gathered to catch the train into the City to attend BYF, when she, the last to arrive, came stomping down the pedestrian ramp, hair flying, rope petticoat maintaining a hoop of skirt way out from her legs, high heels. You do remember how teenagers dressed in those days, don't you? Most years August has long gone before I remember these dates, especially the 22nd, when I took her to see "South Pacific". Along with COVID reports, news broadcasts have frequently mentioned the cessation of WWII in the Pacific this weekend, and this reminded me to check the dates of personally more important events.

I have not bothered to attach the FitBit to her right leg for quite a few days now. In a way I wish I had, for her dyskinesias seem to have lessened. And our moods have changed, hers and mine, perhaps we are duller, more irritable.

This morning another "event" occurred so once again I will be lazy and simply transcribe my notes.

0615    Pump flow rate increased from 2.8 to 7.0 and morning dose 1.0. She remained asleep. laying on her back.

0730    Breathing OK, mouth open, lying on her back.

0735    Unable to wake her. Raised head of bed, dyskinesia of legs began, mouth open.

0740    Oximeter 94% and pulse 82 (?). 

0750    Wild Dog Carer here. Wrist BP monitor on left 167/99 Pulse 180. Dyskinesia vigorous. Hot and sweaty. Temperature on forehead 36C.

0800    Omron BP  monitor 142/62 Pulse 99; 136/69 101, vigorous leg dyskinesia.

0816    Vigorous leg dyskinesias.

0818    Eyes now open, had been closed, pupils wide. eyes follow me.

0819    Pupils close as torch moved across her face.

0821    Her knees bent upwards then down again, her right hand moved. She does not respond to my voice and eyes do not look at me. About now the Carer left.

0827    Dyskinesia continues, knees up, eye lids blink, eyes follow me sometimes. Feels hot and sweaty. Omron 128/31 86. Remains staring and pupils wide. Oximeter 95% 103.

0832    Awake so gave her a sip of water. She said "Hot". She coughed and asked for "toilet".

0833    Omron 128/57 106.

0839    Slid her from bed to commode then to bathroom. I asked "Piddle?" "No", "Poop?" "Yes".

0843    Enormous turd in the commode pot. I took 2 pictures of it. Remains on the commode.

0845    Responds slowly to my questions, saying she is comfortable on the commode, says she will shower but she looks dopey, so I decided to leave her on the commode while I had some breakfast as I felt the need of energy.

0852    Gave her a bottle of water, remains on the commode.

0908    Pump off. Shower then returned to bedroom on the commode. Dressed her. Says fingers of right hand "feel funny" and do not flex very well, then said right hand "is burning". She does not remember the Wild Dog Carer being here.

0930    Dressed and in back room at the TV. Pump cassette replaced, pump batteries replaced.

1015    Has had fruit juice, diced fruit and two crumpets topped with cheese. Complained of both arms being "dry" as she rubbed them so Sorbolene was applied.

The time is now 1155, she has been cleaning the "feet" on the bottom of the step stool I often use to reach upper shelves in our cupboards. I said "OK Dear, I'll take you out to have a mushroom pie for lunch". "Why do we need to go out?" "To celebrate our Anniversary." She smiled.