CNA City
At long last, I got my favorite CNA back, as she was reassigned to our room today. Most importantly, I got a real shower.. including gentle physical pressure applied to my muscles without my being hamstrung by P.E.M. consequences. So perhaps I'm improving ever so slightly.
Additionally, she and I had 15 separate interactions today, from pre-dawn until nearly midnight. So besides being clean and feeling good, I was able to actively engage far more than usual. And she seemed reasonably entertained throughout (as was I), despite the incessant proximity.
Really, I like how she pays attention to me by simply offering life-affirming validation. Treating me as though I'm human. Because in most ways, I am (and probably, you are, too!)
Formal Room Change Request
I'm not sure how this works, but every time I'm about to shove off, my roommate senses it somehow. Tonight, he said, "Hey, if the TV ever bothers you, I don't have to watch it."
That DID NOT happen, did it?
Well, yes it did.
Anyway, my dedicated CNA advised me that my neighboring room has an available bed. With a window! And that neighbor is apparently, REALLY quiet (going into this, I somehow thought all old people were rather quiet and reserved, but now I know differently).
So, I sent the request to the Assistant Director of Nursing, who'll forward it to Social Services, I expect. Yes, I've left multiple messages with the social services director in recent weeks, but nothing ever comes of it. I've also been requesting a dentist for the better part of a week, and have been trying to get a response out of my non-existent case manager since I arrived here. Otherwise, things are on the up and up. There's motion in the ocean.
Two Days Ago
Sunday was a severe P.E.M. day from end to end. Plain awful. As I never did quite recover from the early morning Commode Olympic Event until 10p.m. At one point, dizziness, profuse sweating, and an insane internal hunger for food took over my bodily senses. I later determined that low blood sugar was the culprit… an experience that's not occurred since I began tube feeding in 2019.
So, how exactly does someone who relies on the exact same amount of nutrition, day in and day out, experience a sudden profound drop in blood sugar?
My theory?
Perhaps my stomach at long last contracted, processed, and emptied, or my duodenum did something random and wonderful… and maybe this subliminal signaling is meant to be interpreted as my need to resume eating real food again!
So I took this event as a sign from above, and beyond, and from bed, and … Hmmm. Nevermind on that. Anyway, I signed up for Amazon Prime (in doing so, borrowed $6 from my mother for the monthly fee), and ordered two different snacks that were covered under the EBT/SNAP designation… which means, the snacks that are free to me.
Hopefully I am able to tolerate either one of these: Kay's Naturals Protein Cookie Bites (Cinnamon Almond, Gluten-Free, Low Fat, Diabetes Friendly, All Natural Flavorings) and/or gimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Sheets (Sea Salt - Keto, Vegan, Gluten Free - Great Source of Iodine and Omega 3’s) -
Perhaps eating a little bit of food here and there will help with any number of things.
Receiving is Believing
I've received additional additions for my wall to hang. Since I am uncertain as to where I'll be, I am holding off on The Hanging. But I did receive a super cool card, a fabulous picture, and an artsy children's book. I'll take some pics later.. in better light. So yes, The Wall is coming together (in my mind).
Friends in Need
I've had some meaningful heartfelt conversations of late with several different people, friends who've been experiencing a variety of noted difficulties. And these exchanges have been (I believe) beneficial to all parties.
Yes, I often get a lot of value by going deeper. That's where I live and feel these days. But also, each of these people are open to having fun. We play (in manners of speaking). And I feel that this "play" is vital, in regards to my (our) well being.
And taking this one step further, life's vitality is wholly dependent upon the element of surprise. "Not knowing" keeps us real. And not knowing what's going to happen next makes living life worthwhile. It's the only thing that keeps us truly connected, alert, and alive. Everything in our lives ever worth remembering happened unexpectedly, or in a manner not wholly devised or predicted. So, if you know what's going to happen next, you may be doing it wrong.
Slum Bird
I caught four whole hours of sleep, before the graveyard shift CNA did her emptying the trash thing at 4:45am. What happened is that she stumbled and nearly fell onto my bed and on top of me. Yes, I came to be conscious with the bed shaking violently and muffled curse word sounds emanating from behind the mask.
And soon thereafter, a designated phlebotomist came in, hoping to install an all-new IV for my roommate. In the midst of her searching for a vein to poke, the heat turned on aggressively, eventually pushing us out to an even 80°.
Note: they've adjusted the thermostat downwards, so.. no more 85° nights!
Now I await my vitals check. And then after that, who knows… outdoors sooner than later, basking in the glory of daylight's gleaming radiation beams.
Take care,
Howard
SORRY - images not attaching again, so you have to look at my stupid dumb face LOL
Ha! It worked.
At long last, I got my favorite CNA back, as she was reassigned to our room today. Most importantly, I got a real shower.. including gentle physical pressure applied to my muscles without my being hamstrung by P.E.M. consequences. So perhaps I'm improving ever so slightly.
Additionally, she and I had 15 separate interactions today, from pre-dawn until nearly midnight. So besides being clean and feeling good, I was able to actively engage far more than usual. And she seemed reasonably entertained throughout (as was I), despite the incessant proximity.
Really, I like how she pays attention to me by simply offering life-affirming validation. Treating me as though I'm human. Because in most ways, I am (and probably, you are, too!)
Formal Room Change Request
I'm not sure how this works, but every time I'm about to shove off, my roommate senses it somehow. Tonight, he said, "Hey, if the TV ever bothers you, I don't have to watch it."
That DID NOT happen, did it?
Well, yes it did.
Anyway, my dedicated CNA advised me that my neighboring room has an available bed. With a window! And that neighbor is apparently, REALLY quiet (going into this, I somehow thought all old people were rather quiet and reserved, but now I know differently).
So, I sent the request to the Assistant Director of Nursing, who'll forward it to Social Services, I expect. Yes, I've left multiple messages with the social services director in recent weeks, but nothing ever comes of it. I've also been requesting a dentist for the better part of a week, and have been trying to get a response out of my non-existent case manager since I arrived here. Otherwise, things are on the up and up. There's motion in the ocean.
Two Days Ago
Sunday was a severe P.E.M. day from end to end. Plain awful. As I never did quite recover from the early morning Commode Olympic Event until 10p.m. At one point, dizziness, profuse sweating, and an insane internal hunger for food took over my bodily senses. I later determined that low blood sugar was the culprit… an experience that's not occurred since I began tube feeding in 2019.
So, how exactly does someone who relies on the exact same amount of nutrition, day in and day out, experience a sudden profound drop in blood sugar?
My theory?
Perhaps my stomach at long last contracted, processed, and emptied, or my duodenum did something random and wonderful… and maybe this subliminal signaling is meant to be interpreted as my need to resume eating real food again!
So I took this event as a sign from above, and beyond, and from bed, and … Hmmm. Nevermind on that. Anyway, I signed up for Amazon Prime (in doing so, borrowed $6 from my mother for the monthly fee), and ordered two different snacks that were covered under the EBT/SNAP designation… which means, the snacks that are free to me.
Hopefully I am able to tolerate either one of these: Kay's Naturals Protein Cookie Bites (Cinnamon Almond, Gluten-Free, Low Fat, Diabetes Friendly, All Natural Flavorings) and/or gimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Sheets (Sea Salt - Keto, Vegan, Gluten Free - Great Source of Iodine and Omega 3’s) -
Perhaps eating a little bit of food here and there will help with any number of things.
Receiving is Believing
I've received additional additions for my wall to hang. Since I am uncertain as to where I'll be, I am holding off on The Hanging. But I did receive a super cool card, a fabulous picture, and an artsy children's book. I'll take some pics later.. in better light. So yes, The Wall is coming together (in my mind).
Friends in Need
I've had some meaningful heartfelt conversations of late with several different people, friends who've been experiencing a variety of noted difficulties. And these exchanges have been (I believe) beneficial to all parties.
Yes, I often get a lot of value by going deeper. That's where I live and feel these days. But also, each of these people are open to having fun. We play (in manners of speaking). And I feel that this "play" is vital, in regards to my (our) well being.
And taking this one step further, life's vitality is wholly dependent upon the element of surprise. "Not knowing" keeps us real. And not knowing what's going to happen next makes living life worthwhile. It's the only thing that keeps us truly connected, alert, and alive. Everything in our lives ever worth remembering happened unexpectedly, or in a manner not wholly devised or predicted. So, if you know what's going to happen next, you may be doing it wrong.
Slum Bird
I caught four whole hours of sleep, before the graveyard shift CNA did her emptying the trash thing at 4:45am. What happened is that she stumbled and nearly fell onto my bed and on top of me. Yes, I came to be conscious with the bed shaking violently and muffled curse word sounds emanating from behind the mask.
And soon thereafter, a designated phlebotomist came in, hoping to install an all-new IV for my roommate. In the midst of her searching for a vein to poke, the heat turned on aggressively, eventually pushing us out to an even 80°.
Note: they've adjusted the thermostat downwards, so.. no more 85° nights!
Now I await my vitals check. And then after that, who knows… outdoors sooner than later, basking in the glory of daylight's gleaming radiation beams.
Take care,
Howard
SORRY - images not attaching again, so you have to look at my stupid dumb face LOL
Ha! It worked.