Nashville, Tennessee, April 22, 2011 (Good Friday)~
Dear Journal~
Louie here. Am at work as I write this: short day today. I get off in just about seven hours. Slow here in the Geriatrics ward; nobody is really giving me any trouble, thank goodness. Some are rather agitated, or else they scream "Help me! Help me!", but the poor person who is doing the yelling is an Alzheimer's patient, and all we can do is lightly restrain her and try to reassure her that it is going to be okay. Even if it's every fifteen minutes to a half hour, we do it, or else she could really become frustrated and try to get out of bed (which she did, once; this is why we have her restrained, for her safety).
Yet everytime I walk out of that patient's room, I end up trying to cry. Alzheimer's disease is such a cruel, unforgiving disease, not only for the person going through it, but the person's entire family.
But on to happier things ...
Ronee' and Britnee got in yesterday. They had a very good trip from Louisiana. Ronee' looks wonderful. The Louisiana sun/humidity does wonders for her skin: she is already a deep, rich walnut brown, and her hair is so soft and managable. She was a little stiff from sitting in her car all that time, but once she got moving a little, she was okay. She was so glad to see me: upon seeing me, she wrapped me in a big bear hug, the kind I've always remembered. Ronee' was (and always has been) a great hugger!
Brittnee looks good, but I could tell she was nervous. I tried to reassure her that we don't bite LOL, and that we were more than happy to have her come; only then did she seem to relax a little bit.
Johnathon's fiancee', Rebekka, is here as well; she looks absolutely fantastic! She is so excited that Johnny has asked her hand in marriage; and frankly, so are we! They are very much in love: all they do is keep stealing looks at one another and holding each other's hands. It is absolutely adorable!
Johnathon and Rebekka have been busy on working on their wedding plans. They have decided that the bridesmaids and groomsmen will wear plum colored gowns or tuxedos/slacks to match the beautiful robin's egg blue tux that Johnny got. They have also decided on having a German polka band as the wedding entertainment, to celebrate Johnathon's German heritage. As for the food, it will probably be a German banquet, coupled with Jewish delights, to celebrate his wife-to-be's Jewish background. A little of both: the best of both worlds! :)
Anh had his surgery: it was cancer of the lymph nodes, but the doctors think they got it all. He has to have a couple rounds of chemoherapy, but not much after that, excepting for checkups every month. He got out of the hospital yesterday; he was in for about four days, according to Thu, his wife. So it was good news, as the cancer was caught early enough. So answered prayers; it wasn't as serious as it could have been. He is proably feeling a little weak from the surgery, but he should perk up in a month or so.
Anh was understandably upset when he got the diagnosis. When he called me from Oklahoma to tell me about the surgery, he asked me: "Why, ma? Why??" All I could do was try to reassure him and pray for him. Thu was too upset to talk; she couldn't talk without crying. I felt so bad for them both, but as I said, I am relieved that it wasn't as bad as it could have very easily been!
Hang on: Miss Prissy+ is calling me again; be right back ....
Miss Prissy was wrapped up in her IV; I had to untangle her. No wonder she was so upset. I felt so sorry for her. Her poor daughter, Carole, was so upset she was in tears. Once I got her settled and the tubing untangled, Miss Prissy fell right to sleep, and I gave Carole a reassuring smile and hug.
Hopefully Miss Prissy will sleep for a while, so I can finish this before I go back to my shift ....
ANYWAY, before that interruption, I was about to tell you that Roberto's recent trip to the ER really didn't slow him down much. He's as active as ever. We have to continuously think of ways to keep him occupied, so he doesn't try to dismantle the house again. I guess it will be harder with several busted fingers, but the sling keeps him somewhat restrained, and it's harder for him to walk, so he is using his wheelchair until he heals. Small blessings in disquise. With Roberto around, life is NEVER dull! LOL
Well, I'm gonna get me a quick bite to eat; I will probably write in here on Sunday before we head on over for church. Until then, have a great day and may God bless you mightily this Easter/Resurrection Sunday weekend!
~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :D
+Not patient's real name.
