Mish-Mash

We had an orange with breakfast and Mary got some pulp stuck in her teeth. She couldn't get it out for love nor money, so I found myself trying to coax it out. I ended up taking some floss and flossing her teeth. I went ahead and did all of them (that I could) because they needed it so badly. She used to floss all the time, but, hey, I dont' know what she's doing with that floss. Just like I don't know what she's doing with the tooth brush. I couldn't believe it, though. Is there anything I havne't done for this woman? It really is just like having a child.

We went to two doctors today. The podiatrist just trimmed her toenail a bit more. He didn't seem much concerned about her toe hurting her so much. He cracks me up. He looks very German and up-tight. He's so very serious. He has loosened up a bit, though. I think he's rather young for a doctor--around my age. He has three different offices. I wonder why. He's not handsome but he's not bad looking.

I know, I'm a sad case, checking out Mary's doctors. It's just that they are the only intelligent, well-educated men I meet. When I put it that way, it makes absolute sense that I check them out! Well, let me tell you, the gastroenterologist was totally hubba-hubba. And so nice! Big sigh. He said to call him in a few weeks--so I don't have to come back in. I was thinking, "Oh, that's ok! No problem!" I gave Mary a prescription for a stronger antacid and switched her Protonix to the evening--with no calcium or vitamins. He also ordered some blood work. Maybe all those antibiotics for UTI's have screwed up her intestinal flora. Who knows?

We had a lot of time to kill between doctors' visits, but it wasn't worth going home, so we drove through a White Castle (didn't want to get out of the car) and then picked up a butter kuchen from the bakery across the street. Then we drove through Cherokee Park. It was a gray day and the trees were all bare and grass dead, but there were lots of people with dogs, which Mary and I both enjoyed.

I think I have a cyst on one of my knuckles. Well, one thing I've learned--don't put heat on it! Maybe I'll get out a bible and slam it down on it.

We're leaving for St L tomorrow. I hope the rain isn't too annoying. If everything goes alright, we'll be celebrating Mary's birthday in St L. I think that will be a good experience for the boys--celebrating Mary's 96th birthday.

Mom knitted a baby's cap, but it's too large for a baby. Mary tried it on and fell in love with it. She wears it all the time. Here's a picture of her wearing the cap and holding Jaden, the baby for whom the cap was intended.

You can see that he does have a big head. Maybe it would fit him!

I was quite proud of myself today. I handled the stress of the doctors' visits with a fair amount of aplomb. I only lost it once when I finally managed to get her chair into the podiatrist's tiny waiting room only to find myself and the wheelchair stuck between the door and another chair. I said, "Jesus Christ!" for which I immediately felt guilty and proceeded to climb over the chair behind me and move it. Why do doctors' offices never have doors for handicapped people? Are they too expensive? Why don't I go in and get someone to come out and help me? Do I enjoy playing a martyr? I get so angry that I can't think straight, true, but I also hate to ask for help. I think people should just offer it. I did ask for help when I left. She only held one door open and I asked her if she couldn't get the other one, too, which she was perfectly happy to do. But it did make me a bit annoyed that I had to ask. Hm. Maybe next time there's someone in a wheelchair she'll think about it herself and they won't have to ask.

I found a website with some games on it that are supposed to help older people keep their minds fit. I registered for the website so I can keep track of my progress--had to lie about my age! I was playing some tonight when it occured to me that Mary might enjoy them. She couldn't do the mouse though--especially not on a laptop, but on the puzzles she could sometime point to a piece on the screen and tell me where to put it. She was super slow, though, so I did a lot myself. She just kept exclaiming about how good I was--and it was the super easy level :-) I tried some other games, but I think they were too fast for her. However, this has got me thinking that I need to get some children's puzzles and clean the dining room table off so we can work on them. I have never been a puzzle person. I don't see the point in putting something together that you're just going to tear up and put away. However, I do see the value in the mental skills that you practice when doing a puzzle. As well as the sense of accomplishment and pleasure it would give someone like Mary who has very limited outlets for leisure activities. I often look at games in drugstores but it's hard to find one for Mary. She even finds Uno confusing. I'll have to have a look at the puzzles.