Sunday: ...a pound of peaches in Pittsburgh

Another week has passed.  We are still in NYC and probably staying here through the month, though we miss East Hampton.  But it is so convenient here just running out to stores, the drugstore, the post office, restaurants, etc. And of course NYC is a good place to people watch. But the apartment is small and gets a little claustrophobic.  

Days are filled with urging Redjeb to do his exercises (legs, arms, swallowing/throat muscle strengthening  (which involves yelling out sounds and funny sentences, e.g., Perry paid for a pound of peaches in Pittsburgh.)  Our days are scheduled around so-called appointments from the physical therapist, the speech therapist (for the throat exercises), and the nurse.  I say "so-called" cause they give a range of time, usually two hours, when they might arrive, but frequently surprise us by arriving one or two hours earlier.  Twice we almost missed the person, as we would be sitting outside getting some sun and not expecting the professional to come early.  Today was an example.  The nurse called in the morning to say she would be here between 2 and 4 pm.  So about noon we went out for some exercise and fresh air.  She called about 1:20 pm and left a message that she was outside our door ringing the bell and we weren't home.  Fortunately she called back about an hour later, and did come by.  Another day she actually arrived 2 hours early, but fortunately Redjeb was here. Typical.

But not to be to hard on these professional folks, as they are never sure how long an appointment will take and are dependent upon public transportation that is not itself always predictable re time.  And all three of them are very nice people.

So this is why we often can't tell you when is a good time to come by.  Redjeb has these so-called appointments that are floating.  But I know that he enjoys seeing friends, whether you stay for just an hour or a few.  And of course I do too.  So I usually just tell people, give me the time when you might come by, call before you leave home, and call again when you get to our building.  The first is to let you know if we hope to be available, the second is to let you know if there have been changes, and the third is to let you know if we are outside getting fresh air or are in the apartment.

Should also add that some of you have said that you put comments on the blog, but I haven’t seen them. You should check after you think you have posted one.  If you don’t see it under my posting, then you didn’t do it right.  There are more people who think they’ve written comments than comments that are appearing.  That’s ok, an email, card, or whatever is fine too, though I know is fun to put a comment immediately when you have the impulse.

Just for your info, in addition to the Homecare people, Redjeb has two doctors’ appointments this week, Wednesday and Thursday, which will take us away for a while.  Thinking of this, I realize that traveling to these appointments will be a first for him, going so far that is.  I assumed we would go by taxi or car service.  Redjeb is announcing that he wants to go by bus.  I’m not sure he is up to that, but actually in many ways the buses are more equipped to handle his walker with the wheels and seat (is a bit big), so maybe he is right.  I hope he has the stamina.

He did not have his Eggs Benedict yet, as says he can’t eat that much yet.  But he does get himself to a little coffee shop/bakery that is a couple blocks from here.  He still has to stop along the way and sit on his walker seat a couple times, but he does get there.  And today was a first:  he walked to 85th Street from our place on 90th (with some stops).  But he got there.  That is good cause his favorite haunt is there:  Barnes & Noble.  There is also a good place for croissant down that way.  Things are certainly looking up.

So we are hanging in there.  Not getting on each other’s nerves too much.  I can’t be in-charge-bossy anymore since he is no longer sedated.  He has a mind of his own.

Till next Sunday….