Kintropy In Action

Today, has been a day of running. I got up early to get Gabriel ready for school. We started our wake up process. Our night nurse let me know she was feeling nauseous. I told Robert what was going on. We changed our plans and spirited the nurse out the door to go rest. Robert took over care for Hannah while I got Gabriel fed, packed his lunch, and took him to bus stop.

I took over for Hannah's care so Robert could have his morning time. I was sleepy. I found some Disney Channel shows and curled up on floor next to her. Her medport on her G-tube opened. It spilled formula all over. I dragged myself up and went to wet a wash cloth. I changed her clothes and wiped her down and changed the blanket under her. (Hannah always has a blanket under her; she breaks out in hives from the carpet.)

I get her resettled and curled up next to her. She swirled the mucous in her trach. I suctioned her. The phone rang.  She swirled the mucous in her trach. I suctioned her again. Ten minutes before the day nurse is suppose to come, I fell asleep.

When the nurse arrived, I dragged myself up again. I talked myself into getting to Gabriel's school. Wednesday is my volunteer day.

I quickly freshened up to give the day nurse a report and dropped the bomb that we have a Doctor appointment for Hannah at 11:00 am.  We should try to leave by 10:00 am since it is in downtown Portland, I said.

I packed a workman's clip on pocket with extra school supplies: the kids always need something. I headed to Gabriel's class (which is already in full swing). I heard the directions wrong and started the kids on projects in the wrong order and with the wrong techniques. As I am about to leave, the fire alarm goes off. Not knowing all about proceedure, I stuck around to make sure it was OK for me to leave the premises.

I got home and started loading the car for the appointment. I think I grabbed a chewy bar. We loaded up Hannah and made it to the Hospital with 10 minutes to spare.  We ran into a nurse who used to work in our home before she re-expanded her career to the hospital. We talked for three minutes, and we made it to the office 3 minutes before the scheduled appointment. I chatted with a few mommies in the waiting room (we were comparing doctors' notes). I think we got out of the appointment by 11:30.

We packed the car back up and headed home. I then realized the van was in it's lowest quarter on the gas tank. So I got off an earlier freeway exit, and, while I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green, my gas lite came on and beeped. Gee, I didn't know it did that. I made it to the gas station and home.

Robert was there having lunch. I had planned to unload Hannah, grab a snack, then head back out. I had to buy a wedding gift for this weekend. It was my last chance this week to do it, and I needed to pick up Gabriel at the bus stop at 2:20pm.

I go check online the registries of the places where the happy couple are supposed to be registered. Nothing comes up. This takes 20 minutes. I realize I'm going to be winging it. When I come back to the kitchen, Robert let's me know we have a couple of phone messages. I check them. One is my sister in-law, newly moved here, and I didn't return her call the day before. I'm waiting to take Robert back to work, so I call my sister in-law. I tell her what I'm doing, and even though I know it's not particularly exciting, I ask her if she wants to come along. She does. Logistically, it works well. She is at a Max stop, one away from Roberts work, so we worked out that she would take the Max to the stop by Robert's work. I droped off Robert and pick up my sister in-law.

With her, I get to have a conversation that doesn't involve superheros and ninjas. I then get to browse in the store. Wow, what a treat.

We make it back home with twenty minutes to spare before picking Gabriel up.

After that, I receive report from the day nurse. I work on the dishes in between TV and over enthusiastic brother patrol. I then start dinner. I remember another call I need to make.

Ok, I think you get the point. I'm going to curl up with a book and go to sleep now.

   

--Mom