Caregivers Log: 4-14-23

Peg: 4-4-23

A week has passed in the life of Peg and Maggie.

Multiple family texts have been sent back and forth. It is imperative to keep everyone up to date; when you’re not here it is a guessing game. When you ARE here it is a guessing game. It is the double-edged sword of caregiving.

Nidia, Peg’s regularly scheduled CNA is away so there has been adjusting to different folks at different times. I am rather amused that she’s vacationing in Brooklyn where it has been hotter than in Florida.
 
Last week was an “up-ish” beginning of the week. Spirits were high, energy was high.
 
This week has been a recovery week and not so up. New medicine routines have been established. There’s another new med hitting tomorrow and another change scheduled for Sunday. Each change is a “what will happen next” event. So far, we’ve done a fairly good job of staying on top of what’s best.
 
Yesterday we had reached critical mass in the kitchen. No eggs. No milk. No cold cuts. Only one lemon left. (This is perhaps the most egregious offense.) It’s been a “low” week so I didn’t want to leave mom alone for too long.
 
You think to yourself, how long could it take to get groceries? WELCOME to Florida. Where every light is 100 minutes long. Where even though there are three lanes for cars it still takes forever to get anywhere. Where you need to go to multiple places to get the groceries you require because each place has slightly different/better stuff. It’s a solid two hours every time. No joke. This was for three stores. NEXT TO EACH OTHER she yelled from the keyboard.
 
So, what was I to do?
 
Enter Angie, Peg’s nurse. On Thursday’s she has a zoom meeting scheduled at 12:30 that typically lasts upwards of three hours. She normally takes the meeting in the car. Well, well, well, look at that. The perfect solution. I asked her if she wanted to work in the office and I would run out. SHE SAID YES! (This also requires a yell.)
 
I was able to get more lemons (::: whew :::) and she was able to sit at a desk.
 
Now, if you know me, you know I pride myself on being a 5-star B&B (and Uber, right kids?). So of course, I came home and made lunch for everyone. It was so nice knowing I could run out and Peg was with someone who frankly, was far better equipped to handle any emergency than I am.
 
We have decided this will be our new Thursday routine. (Note to self: find out Angie’s favorite foods and snacks and treats…)
 
I read mom all of the comments. She’s loving them. I like to think it helps keep friends and family in the loop of what’s happening on the frontlines.
 
I’ll keep you posted.
xo

PS - the title *would* be better if I was actually a Star Trek fan, but let's face it, some things are iconic.

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