I treated my entire family to an Eastern Caribbean Carnival cruise. If nothing else-dementia has taught me to live for the minute. Bill has been at end stage and declining for months now. I left with a heavy heart and a fractured patella. My family was great about helping me get around. I took my walker because I am terrified about being knocked over, With the splint between ankle and thigh my balance is poor. Got me to the head of the line while boarding. As soon as I got home one daughter and I went to see Bill. He was very interested in our family cruise picture. He didn't recognize any one-including me but it was so nice seeing animation in his face. He color was better than in months. He pulled some shirts out of the laundry basket and was actually able to pull it on over his other clothes. Didn't matter to me that it was someone Else's shirt-I was pleased that he could put it on. I watched him get up out of his chair and walk a few steps. His aide told me that he is even feeding himself. She was off a few days and was amazed in the change. A few weeks ago his color was blue, he was ice cold and when I fed him he couldn't even swollow. There is no understand this blasted disease.
Me? I'm not sure who I really am any more. On the cruise was a large family group. Mom and Dad were celebrating their 50th anniversary and one of their children had just been married. Our 50th will be in March. Only man I ever wanted to marry. It was painful being with so many happy couples of all ages. The trip was a wonderful deversion for me. Family great. Lots to do and eat whenever the spirit moved. Meals were either dinning room elegant or buffet casual with nothing to be decided until the last minute. That was the best part-no one depending on me for anything. Monday reality sets in again-having to deal with no heat in spite of three service calls, dealing with insurance-and so on. Let me repeat-I had a week of bliss with nothing depending on me. I am glad to be back with my pussy boys. They were very happy to have Mom back home again. Three more weeks and I have another x-ray of my knee. Hope the splint can come off and my therapy begin.
Bluedaze, I'm glad Bill is doing better. And that you had a good time. Did you tour Key West? And Grand Cayman? Did you take any pictures you could share with us? I hope so! I know you were glad to get away with your family, and at the same time so sad because Bill couldn't be there with you. Did you get in the Jacuzzi? Did you get a massage? I intend to! I've been tensed up for some time and am looking forward to getting one! I would love it if you would give more details. Is your leg giving you fits, or it is better now?
Mary-my family treated me to a spa night. Daughter said I was purring when I came out. As I can't remove my splint or bend my knee water activities are limited to a very careful shower. We were in the Dominican Republic, Nassau, St. Thomas and spent the rest of the time at sea. I sprang for a balcony cabine for the daughter sharing my room and invited the other two couples to joint us in the evenings. It was wonderful to see just the stars and moon and nothing else. I didn't take pictures except for a family shot.
Briegull, If you have a couple of green garbage bags, you can! <grin> I knew she couldn't bend her knee and that she had a splint, but some idiots (namely me) would try it anyway! <grin>
Bluedaze, thank you for the descriptions. I'm so glad you got the spa night!
Oh, I love St. Thomas, have been twice. There's this great restaurant that has this crab/cheese dish, that everyone on the plane was talking about. I got addicted to it. I'm thinking, where can I go fast & cheap & warm before my job starts.
Mary, be sure to have key lime pie in key west..they invented it there! also a very cute thatched like bar right off the pier area that serves the most deliteful pina coladas! and theres a museum there to see-yum! lots of snorkeling in the caymans, its going to thrill you do see all the varieties of colored fish and marine life.. bluedaze thats wonderful you had such a relaxing time-divvi