David, I wish that you did not have to learn as much about the medical system as you have had to learn.

Also yay to bureaucracy smashing people. They are very much the best.

We're receiving the suction machine from hospice today for her G-Tube. I'm going to need some insider tips, kat!

We never suctioned Grace's g-tube because she didn't have any intestinal blockage issues etc. But in general, suctioning any stoma can be extremely scary and extremely straightforward at the same time. Just ask whoever trains you how deep the suction catheter should go and look for the markings on the catheter itself and hold that spot with your fingers so you never go deeper than that. I'm not sure what size cath you'd use on a gtube, but if you happen to need 8 Fr, I have so many that it's stupid.

So happy for you, smonster!

David, you're amazing. Now I'm picturing you in slo-mo running while Chariots of Fire plays in the background. Heroic film shot. Nope, not quite ready for levity. In any case, I'm glad you got there in time.

Oh man, Hec. I hope hospice gets their shit together so you don’t have to pull crazy hero shit when you should just be spending time with her.

Seems I have to meara more often lately!

The lesbian thing explains the moving-in thing. :-)

Bwah! Okay, that made me laugh. So happy for you smonster.

I found some good books for ltc today. Who inexplicably is going to be 8 tomorrow!

Happy birthday, ltc!

We just got back from the cocktail bar, because now that she can legally drink hard liquor (here), of course she should.

Awesome! It was 18 in NY when I was that age, but I had already had plenty of experience, as one does.

it was Emmett who carried her up the long steps in his arms into the house.

Yes, all the feels. I know she was safe in his loving arms.

Good to hear that Tim is progressing with the healing. Is he a patient patient?

I came home today to find the downstairs toilet spewing water.

I hope there wasn't water damage.

Let me tell y'all about two more people who deserve Fucking Champ recognition

You and Jacqueline deserve to have so many Fucking Champs in your camp after all you have done for so many over the years.

Oh gosh. I missed y'all.

And we have missed you and all the Buffistas who have been absent. We miss your fonts!

I finally have a work area set up with my computer here in the construction zone. Still going to my sister's when the workers are here being noisy.

Excellent meara, Laura! Are you able to, like, sleep and/or cook and/or shower there yet? Or, I guess... live there yet?

I did actual yard work yesterday. WHAT.

I am vibing that all the home care arrangements settle to regular, Hec.

Are you able to, like, sleep and/or cook and/or shower there yet? Or, I guess... live there yet?

Sleep is working for us. There are 2 other bedrooms that were filled with stuff that was cleared from the kitchen and living room, but I am getting through that and hope to have them sleepable by next weekend. Which would be helpful since I have visitors arriving then. Cooking is still iffy, but we have an interim plan to place the appliances with basic frames and plywood for a countertop. That way I will have oven, dishwasher, sink, and room to do my cooking. I love to cook so that has been missed. When they do the actual cabinets they will just pull out the appliance, build the box then put it back. Bath and shower was first on my list and it is quite lovely. Even has a heated floor which makes for happy toes getting out of the shower. I didn't mean to have it on, but it goes on automatically with a power interruption. I got out of the shower and stepped on the bath mat and realized it was warm. Nifty! It can get really cold here overnight, even in the summer.

But yeah, still pretty basic with most of the walls still open and beams and jacks and plywood floors for the most part. They do have the pine walls up in the kitchen, bath, and laundry, as well as the back porch. The floor is only done in bath, laundry, and porch.

It's a process to live in a place being gutted, and I do have plenty of family if I need space for me or guests, so it works out.

So happy for you, smonster! Yay, healing, Tim!

That sounds like it will be great eventually, Laura, but yikes for now!

Someday when I redo my bathroom, I am definitely getting a heated floor.

Yay, healing, Tim!

Everyone walk back the yays, because Tim may be going to an inpatient rehab facility. He's having an extraordinarily difficult time transferring in and out of bed, and even rolling over in bed, and it became very clear at 5 a.m. today that I cannot physically move him in and out of bed without hurting myself. The entire right side of my back, from my shoulder blade to my butt, is spasming, and my whole lower back hurts worse than it has in a long, long time.

This is just a scenario where we didn't anticipate what difficulties might happen, and now we're flailing to solve those difficulties. I can do stuff like fetch him food and beverages and meds, bring him pillows, take his temperature and blood pressure, etc., but I can't physically move him, and that's what he requires right now.

He's actually on the phone with someone from the surgical clinic right now, talking through the situation and trying to come up with a workable solution.

I hope y’all get a solution quickly, Tep. That’s rough. I’m sorry all your prep for recovery at home was not enough.