Decisions

I finally might have something to write about today as I’m realizing that perhaps I’m making a rash of poor decisions lately.

Early in the summer I decided I wanted to get rid of the narrow front driveway that allowed an automobile in if only it were 1932 and the cars were still extremely narrow. So far every day since I have gazed at the bare spot under the driveway and wondered how to make it into a new landscape. It all started when a neighbor’s sister stopped by and sketched new landscaping for my front yard. It was beautiful planning but I also wanted a second opinion so I invited a local landscaper to stop by and give me his ideas. He sprayed orange paint exactly where changes should be made and I was delighted. Of course all these plans required changing the existing sprinklers and digging out more planting areas. I actually enjoy digging out sod and plants so it has given me a daily project for focus a tiny step at a time. Meanwhile the yard gives everyone pause to stop by to ask what I was planning to do.

I was pleased to have a new neighbor who was skilled in removing concrete driveways and making a new sidewalk. He was courteous and a hard worker. They had just moved in across the street last fall and I had met his nice wife and his two daughters. After two months I got a little inquisitive about why their family was living in his mother’s home. I googled his name and up pops a Spokesman Review article about his participating in a compromising situation with a 16 year old in a fire station just two years prior. I remember the headlines well but I couldn’t believe it was a former fireman who had now been helping me. I’m trying to tell myself that plenty of politicians have had the same experiences and are still in office or running for office,, just like that nice John Edwards for instance. Somehow the friendly neighborliness doesn’t seem as real anymore even though he can really redesign sprinkler systems. There goes the neighborhood.

Today I am sitting in Seattle in an apartment with a nauseating Vanilla scented plugin permeating the place. It all started with a simple email from Steve Smith explaining that his cancer had reoccurred and he needed a stem cell transplant. Since he is a single man with no family he was asking for volunteers to be caregivers for one week at a time for 100 days including before, during and after the transplant. Steve was a librarian in Warden and a good friend to my mom and dad. Since I am always ready for a change of scenery I said, “Put me on your schedule.” As the time came nearer, Steve needed to get his transplant sooner than expected so here I am in this apartment for cancer care patients waiting for Steve to finish his last chemo today. Monday he gets radiation and Tuesday a Cord Blood Transplant to help get his blood 100% cancer free. Right now 75% of his blood cells contain cancer.

I think my job is accompanying him to treatments, keeping this apartment clean and scrubbed down with diluted bleach solution and preparing meals when and if he decides food sounds appealing. There is a handout here stating the caregivers duties-
1. Making Arrangements.
2. Giving Emotional Support
3. Providing Physical Care (obtaining medical care if needed, recording medications).
4. Maintaining the Home Environment.
5. Being a Patient Advocate.
6. Providing Assistance/Support to Others.

So far the main task has been waiting and I’m good at that. I carried my cell phone and walked all over the Lake Union section of Seattle this afternoon. This evening will be another night at the U of Washington Hospital.

Linda and I are going hiking in October with Elderhostel. Yes, the old, old peoples’ travel group. And you wouldn’t like where we are hiking. You and I took a Jeep ride there in search of a mystical vortex in 1993. We hope to get more people to join us.