Break

Getting things ready this week, for my brother PJ to come and stay with my parents for the weekend. It will be the first time, since the stroke that I will be going away. I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of looking forward to the break. As much as we all are creatures of habit, it's going to be nice to stray from the established routine we have. Even Mom and Dad will get a break with PJ helping them out versus me. PJ even lucked out because there are no Friday appointments for him to take either of them to!
Of course, the flip side to an established routine is it's established, well thought out, rarely deviated from, something everyone is used to. This is when I strangely begin worrying (about what I couldn't tell you). It's then a million scenarios pop into my head, what if this or that happens, etc. All natural reactions I'm sure everyone has when they leave their loved ones in someone else's care. I know it's just me overreacting. It happens.
Either way it's going to be a good weekend for everyone involved. The three of us get a break from one another and get to spend quality time with PJ. I cannot wait to hear how it went when I come back.
I hope you all out there have the best week ever!       

Managing Expectations

I was watching an episode of Breaking Bad where the main couple, Walt and Sklar are sitting in the Oncologists office talking about Walt’s incurable lung cancer. Sklar mentions something about the treatment Walt is going through, how his color has improved and that this must be a good sign that the cancer is going away. The Oncologist, hesitantly talks about not “curing” but “treating” the cancer and about managing expectations.

I received a call from Kazia, Dad’s Occupational Therapist this week. Since the seizure, since starting up all three therapies again, his energy level is not as it was pre-seizure and when he was only in 2 of the 3 therapies. In discussions with Dad, she said how he would like to focus on strengthening his right leg, with the hope that there comes a day where he won’t have to wear a leg e. So, as she put it, she’s pulling her therapy out to allow Dad’s energy and full attention to be with speech and physical therapy. Does she think he will be able to walk one day without a brace? She didn't say no, she didn't say yes. Managing expectations. It's all about that now.  If there is one thing I have learned through this experience and all my experiences is to manage your expectations. Not lower them, but manage them.

I talked to Dad later that night about his goal. I told him if this is what he wants to focus on then that is what we will do and we will work as hard as we can to reach this goal. All things are still possible, with this as with everything.

What record will you leave?

In the garage, along one of the wooden beams, written in pencil, are dates when Mom and Dad’s house was painted. Leftover from the previous owners, it tells the tale of when the trim was put up, the color and when they painted the exterior of the house, along with a couple of other interesting little notations. They left their mark on things they did, a reminder for themselves, a record for anyone after them. 

I was working on something in the garage the other night when I noticed it. Dad made his mark on this house, as I know he has in all the houses he has lived in. Written on the workbench he made was a list of the trees and shrubs he planted around the house, throughout the years of residence here. Plants he was so proud of. Plants that he put so much forethought into purchasing. Plants he he designed with the knowledge that they would be living creatures blossoming long after he was gone, long after we were all gone, from this house, from this earth. He left his mark, a record of his actions in this house, just like the previous tenants. 
What record will you leave?