5C's Que Pasa

….poor Colin he really had a full day doing what needed to be done with the RV but he did finally get it done.  Of course it took several hours longer than expected, partly because when he got to Penticton ( 90 minutes away ) they did not have the appointment on the books 😯  He thinks that the girls thought they were headed south as they assumed their normal travel positions and dozed the entire trip to and from. I think they might have been surprised to end up right back home at days end.

Amazingly it is currently colder at 9:00PM in Kelowna than it is here in northern Edmonton.  At home in Kelowna where my very special family is it is -9C/15F and for once here in Edmonton I am basking ( Ah, not really ) in -4C/24F.  I was told that it was downright balmy today.  I got up sometime last night to go to the bathroom and was shocked that I could not see the bright lights of the refineries.  Turns out that there was ice fog coming off the river.  There was more hoar frost this morning but it is still dark when I get to the hospital and it was gone with I left mid afternoon so no photos.

Hmm, I better hurry this up, looks like I can’t even copy/paste any longer.

Just as I was leaving about 2:30PM I was told that there is only one, yes only one long term care facility in the entire city that will be able to take Dad  😥  It seems that because of the tube in his chest that requires draining he needs to be in a special place.  This may be good or bad.  I don’t know yet. On the one hand that means that he actually might see a doctor more than once every 4 – 6 weeks.  On the other hand this is a much older place.  Is anyone out there there familiar with St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital?  I have a call in to to try and get there tomorrow afternoon to check it out.  Honestly, I really would rather that Dad stay where he is as the staff have come to know him and his routines.  He will not be put on the list for transfer until he is declared non acute by the MD whom I hinted to today to leave Dad as is.  We have no idea how much longer he has, so let’s make his last months happier ones.  I am a firm believer that change is good but not necessarily for the elderly, especially my Dad.

What gets me is that this tube is designed so that people living in their own homes can drain their lungs themselves!  It is not rocket science.  If the staff at the hospital can simply watch a video before they do the procedure why can’t the staff do so wherever he will end up?

The problem is that St. Joseph’s is in the SW quadrant of the city and most of the family lives in the NE area of the city.  Quite a distance to travel.  Right now they are between 5 and 15 minutes away and this possible new location is easily 30 minutes or more away.  However Dad is not yet on the list and it might take some time for him to get to the top of the list. It is what it is.  Just another little detail for me to sort out before I leave in less than 48 hours  🙄

Sorry no photos tonight…..I am taking a chance in not losing this post and don’t want to jinx it. Thanks for your continued support and the vibes of heat and relaxation.  The guilt is starting to build in my mind.

~ I apologize to those who thought they saw a post but only got a part title, all thanks to this beast of a computer.  Thanks for the heads up Peter.

~ thanks to Colin for posting the hoar frost post.  I sent him the photos as there was no way I could load them onto a post

~ will wonders never cease?  I got a text from Colin yesterday.  I had asked him to look into how his phone texts as it is more modern than mine ( I have no idea how it works ) and it seems that he was successful.  We will be using his cell for texts to/from Edmonton and calls while transiting the US.  For about $45.00CAD thru Telus we are able to receive and send unlimited texts as well as have 150 minutes of voice time.  This is good for 30 days and works perfect for us.  Actually I am likely to do this in each direction as it is a small amount to pay for cell phone coverage in an emergency situation.

~ also back in Kelowna Colin discovered today that our RV was down to 1/8th of a tank of propane.  The furnace which also heats our basement runs on propane so he had to pull the RV out and head out to fill up.  Our RV tech came yesterday and changed the water pump but was unable to check it out as it seems that we are out of water in the RV.  So while Colin was getting propane he was thawing out the water hose in my bathtub.  However the connection from the nozzle to the tank was frozen shut and he now has heater running in that compartment so he can fill the water tank.  We are dry camping the first few nights so we need some agua.  Hmmm, glad I am not there but what a struggle for Colin.

~ he has parked the RV on the street in front of our home for tonight as he is driving the RV to Penticton tomorrow to get the transmission fluid changed.  We do this $400.00 upkeep about every four years.  We aim to keep this RV going for years.  

~ well it has warmed up somewhat here in Edmonton but honestly 8 degrees makes no difference to my freezing toes and fingers.  I recently remembered that  mitts are warmer than gloves.  I really don’t get why they say that the temperature is -10C but with the wind chill it will feel like -16C.  Why don’t they just say it is -16C.

~ I do hope that I didn’t offend anyone when three posts ago I asked ‘why do people choose to live here’. I do agree with you that there is beauty in this area in the winter.  Remember I did live here, but I guess my blood has thinned.  I took this morning off from the hospital and was not stressed nor pressed for time and was able to enjoy the snow flurries.  I do love the hoar frost.  I abhor the ice and driving conditions.  However if I lived here I would be much better dressed than I am now and would be used to the driving conditions.

~ thanks so much to readers Susan and Norm.  You have been so kind over the past months with your  constant support.  I wish I had more time so I could see your bit of paradise.  I so hope that Colin and I are able to come and stay in our RV on your property.  We have been talking about doing a trip next May or June.  I will let you know.  Thanks for the offer.

~ sadly it seems that the couple that were so interested in buying this condo have decided to wait until January.  Hopefully it will be sold by then  😀

~ Dad continues to do well.  Today he greeted me with a decision that starting tomorrow he was going to start doing mini walks ( like 4 -5 feet and back ) so that he can start walking the hallway.  His plan is to be strong enough to move back into his condo when I get back from Mexico  😥  So hard to tell him that that will never happen.  I have noticed that when he gets tired he becomes confused.  He only used to nap from 1 -3 in the afternoon but now needs to nap in the morning also and goes to bed earlier.  His heart just can’t pump fast enough to give him the energy to do much.  He is so loving his hot water bottle.

~ update from Colin.  He could only fill the water tank about 1/3 rd when it began to overflow.  That could mean that we have frozen water in the tank ( It should have been full ), he also can’t get the new pump to work.  So either it is frozen or was not put together properly.  The only good news is that it is supposed to warm up in a few days to at least 0C.  This has been a learning season for the both of us.  However I think we could have done without these experiences both at home in Kelowna and here in Edmonton.

One more shot taken by our vet. I know that you enjoy seeing my photos but I am limited to one per post. Grrr.

So here I sit at 7:00PM and still no word from the realtor.  Are we or are we not going to get an offer?  Not much I can do about it except keep waiting and hoping.  I sure hope so, as then everything will fall into place.  But as you know how I like to say…it is what it is  🙄  Meanwhile Edmonton has been at a constant -24C all day including the wind chill.  Sorry folks but I have to ask, why do people chose to live here?  So glad I escaped.

Dad had another good day, although I noted he had a tiny bit of confusion which was a direct result of being exhausted.  He was feeling stronger mentally so did not want to rest during the morning. so just before his afternoon nap he was a wee bit confused but really not too much.  Heck he even gave me a dressing down and offered to spank me.  Made me happy to see him so feisty.  Sadly his body is not keeping up with his mind.  I knew he was back to what his new normal is when he started arguing finances with me.  All the staff, cleaning lady Marcella included, were beaming to see Dad so with it again. She refuses to clean in his room when he is resting.  I know that I am leaving him in great hands.  Almost forgot to mention that Dad is now enjoying warm hands for the first time in months.  Due to the poor circulation of his heart his extremities are always chilly, to the point that the finger measurement of his oxygen level does not even register due to the cold.  I came up with the idea of an old fashioned idea, using a hot water bottle.  Needless to say Dad is really pleased.

Remember when I was trying to set him up with TV in his room.  First off he has not moved yet, renovation delays they say.  So I took it upon myself to set up the new TV with window antennae attached where he is now as I only have until Monday to return the entire system.  Took me two days to get it right but I did figure it all out.  Sadly we only get 3 – 5 channels depending on the time of day and whatever the universe decides. I also have to rescan the channels every now and then.  Even worse is that we get none of the channels that cover sports.  However I have watched Dad scanning the screen when it is on and to me that is worth the mental stimulation.  I do believe that it is possible to hook up a tablet to a hot spot and then connect it to the TV’s USB port so he can watch his sports but that is way above my pay grade.  I would need to have it laid out step by step cuz I am not even sure what a tablet is  😳  So I have decided to keep the TV and when he does eventually move there is a chance that he may get more channels.

Just a few days ago, Monday in fact, my girls went under anesthetic to have their teeth cleaned and their tear ducts cleared. Our plan was to have this done in Mazatlan for at least 2/3’s less but when we saw our vet on Nov. 1st for the annual check up and travel papers she said please no, she would be upset to have them go under anesthesia there. We countered with the difference in price and just not seeing us spending $1000.00 here as opposed to the much lower cost in Mexico.  Her hobby is photography and she picks Colin’s brain each time we are there.  So between them a plan was formed.  A contra deal where Colin would set up a photo studio for her use over the winter using his equipment ( not the cameras ) and a lesson on how to use it all.  This is something she has been wanting to do but was not sure about spending money on the equipment.  This way she can borrow his things and try it all out.  So a deal was struck and both parties are muy feliz.  I just felt guilty that I was not there for my girls but that happened to be the day that Dad was moved into the hall for the deep clean so I was too occupied to worry.

The girls were just a few hours of out anesthesia.

There have been 5 showings of Dad’s condo in the past 40 hours.  Three of them have been by the same couple.  I will be seriously disappointed if I don’t get an offer tomorrow.

Yesterday I thought that Dad was on his way out of this world, he was totally confused, day to night, the month (January ) and my name ( Cleopatra ).  Today he was very close to what he was a few weeks ago, joking and telling stories.  He finished his last dose of a potent IV antibiotics last Thursday and when I Goggled it, I discovered that confusion was one of the side effects.  Today we were discussing finances, world issues and memories and he was right on the button.  Then they did another lung drain of 500 ml so who knows what tomorrow will bring.  The procedure was painful and it should not be.  I am going to suggest more frequent drains of 350 ml.  A few weeks ago they were removing 1500 ml and 1000 ml, way too much.

So needless to say I have been rather occupied.  Colin is happy with the efforts he made to keep our home from freezing so all is well.  Actually that is not quite true, this morning I came within inches of a car wreck.  There were 5 car lengths between myself and the vehicle in front.  I saw him apply his brakes ( still dark at 7AM ) and I proceeded to do the same, only they did not brake.   I was on a sheet of ice and skidding closer and closer.  As I was repeatedly pumping the brake and getting closer and closer I cranked the wheel to the left ( instinct ) and suddenly I stopped, one inch from the bumper in front of me.  I was extremely fortunate that no one was in the left lane next to me.  Still very cold here….my water bottles were frozen solid when I got back into the van this afternoon after 8 hours inside.

 Personally I am exhausted but still doing what I have to do.  I continue to feel that I am doing the right thing by leaving Canada on the 27th in the RV.  Two out of threes sibs think I am shirking my duties but I know ( as does Colin ) how hard I have been working both here in Edmonton and also at home in Kelowna.  Needless to say I am likely to continue to be totally involved even while on the Isla.

It took a few days but I have worked out a system where I will be available 24/7 to my sibs and the hospital so that they can contact me while driving and on the road to Mazatlan.  All at no charge them.  Am I great or am I just good?  There will be a 38 hour period where I cannot be reached but I don’t think that that will be the end of the world.

Colin is keeping busy working on my to do list and also sorting things out in the RV like a new water seal for the toilet and most importantly a new water pump.  That was a lucky find.  The kitchen sink was just a dribble but the bathroom sink was fine, first clue to a problem.  Best be safe.  We also always travel with an extra water pump.  You just never know, especially in Mexico.  Colin is also about to finish his last photo shoot tomorrow and then I can finally close the books.  First I need to collect all those outstanding invoices.  I am certain when I get back to Kelowna next week, I will be hitting the ground running.  Hopefully the adrenaline will kick in and give the boost I need to get er done.

That is it for tonight, I am exhausted, need to eat and go to bed.  6:00AM comes fast.  Actually I have become a fixture on the ward and end up helping the other patients when Dad is sleeping.  I stopped a newly almost blind person from having a nasty accident and greet the patients by name.  They are coming to me with their problems.  Yes I loved nursing and I guess I still do.  Honestly I could  do it again in a snap but in reality I don’t think my body is young enough. Every night I do feel my aches and pains from over exertion but at the time of  the action I just roll with the moment.  I so admire those who are there 12 hours a day and just keep smiling and giving.  Dad relies on them and most of them have come to love him.  I have said it before and I say it again, it takes a special person to do that job.  I don’t know if I could work in that environment day after day with the same patients who stay pretty much the same and remain so positive,  Kudos to them.

Hmmm, is it just me or have any of you  noticed that there seems to be less wine in a bottle 🙂