Just Another Monday

Yesterday was just another day here, but some regular things happened that I can tell you about. In the morning, I had my catheter changed, which happens once a month, and one of the nurses is actually paying attention, so it happens every four weeks instead of when it occurs to them. I think I am the only person here with this kind of catheter. That surprised me until I realized who was here. If you are not in your right mind, then looking down and seeing a tube coming out of you would be a bit disconcerting.

I also just realized that that sentence wouldn't make sense unless you knew that I have a suprapubic catheter. This is a catheter that is surgically implanted and comes straight out of your bladder. There is a bag attached to the end of the catheter, which gets emptied two or three times a day. Once I was unable to transfer anymore, this catheter became pretty necessary.

The nurse came and laid everything out, so when the doctor stopped by, he changed the catheter very, very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that I didn't think he had done everything he needed to do, but he had. It's nice when it's done so quickly because I don't have time to feel everything that's happening. It takes a few minutes, really an hour or so, for my body to settle down afterward.

After lunch, Mom and M brought Humphrey to visit. He is the highlight to any week. He curled up next to me and just wanted to lay his head on my arm, which was fabulous! This is, of course, my left arm, which is my only usable limb, but I will not move while he is resting on me. (That's only true about 75% of the time.)

We all watched the 1988 Tom Hanks classic Big by Penny Marshall. It held up pretty well, and we all got a good laugh. I finally taped Humphrey going back into the carrier at the end of the visit. By now, he knows when the visit will be over, and he really doesn't want to leave. Mom was the cameraman, and the carrier moved, so it was a little bit difficult getting him in the crate. Mom and M were both a little surprised. I wanted to film this, but I get a perverse pleasure out of seeing him fight to stay with me. It also reminds me that I need to find a place where he never has to leave.

Lastly, I am so happy that the website is up and running. I love to tell people about it, and I love to hear their reactions to it. I wish it were easier to comment as that really motivates me to keep writing. Let me know if you have any questions or want to read anything on a specific topic. More later!