Bill's Bedroom Baby Cam Monitor

I don't remember who came up with the idea of installing one of those baby monitors in Bill's bedroom (I think it was Pat), but I installed one on Sunday. It wasn't easy. My head hurt after spending about four hours trying to figure out how to configure the baby monitor camera with my iPhone but I got it done. I'm finding that I'm accomplishing a lot of tasks that I wouldn't even have attempted before my caregiving of Bill.

As I type this blog this morning at 7:12 AM I am monitoring Bill on my iPhone, waiting for him to get ready to get up. Today is shower day. He hates taking a shower. It's an extra effort for him. I've had to remind him it's a lot of extra effort for me because I have to undress him, all the while he's groaning and complaining, get him in the shower, wash him down, then dry him then (this is the hard part) getting him dressed again. He does feel a lot better after a shower but it is an ordeal for both of us. 

We're settling into somewhat of a routine here at home. I have all his medications lined up on the kitchen counter. He has morning medications, evening medications and bedtime medications. I have a little chart with dates and check marks to keep a records of the medications I give him. This is a full time job folks. And as of yesterday, his health aid worker informed me that I'm going to have to take his blood pressure every morning before I give him his a-fib medication. 

Our routine consists of me helping him to the bathroom three or four times a night (I get up that often myself). He can go to the bathroom himself during the day but sometimes I help him. 

First thing in the morning I put on his compression socks. He hates that. My back hates that too, it's a killer getting those socks on. Now his legs are more swollen than ever from edema. The health aid worker yesterday was concerned about that. She told Bill that he has to do more exercise with his feet while his sitting and keep his feet elevated. Of course Bill resists, as is his nature. He doesn't even want the home health aide worker coming in but I convince him that it is in our best interest. She is helpful.  I told him it was either the home health aide working visiting us or he's in a nursing home. That seems to get his attention. Bill is stubborn but with patience I can usually convince him that this is the best situation we're in now. 

After I put Bill's compression stockings on we go upstairs (yes, Bill is climbing the stairs) for breakfast. I help Bill to his recliner chair in the sunroom and to elevate his legs. Yesterday he finally figured out who to recline the chair on his own. I was doing it for him. Then I give Bill his morning medications first. Bill always has the same breakfast, oatmeal with half and half, a lot. Very watery, just the way he likes it. 

After breakfast we settle in for the rest of the day. The home health aide workers usually come in between 10 and 11 AM in the morning twice or three times a week. They only come in on the weekdays, never on the weekends. 

Yesterday when the home health aide worker came in I was making carrot ginger soup for Bill, his favorite. Mine too. The whole kitchen and sunroom caressed the aroma of that subtle, gentle pureed soup. I'm surprise the home health aide worker didn't ask what I was making. 

After the home health aide worker leaves, Bill either checks his iPad or naps in his sunroom recliner. I try to snatch a little time for myself in my home office just around the corner from the kitchen. 

Then it's lunch time. Yesterday was good with the carrot ginger soup. Then we go for our daily ride. Usually I drive up Route One to Milton and our local Food Lion, which was recently revamped. It's no Wegmans but it is a good supermarket. Good prices and I can usually get what I want.

Something interesting has happened since I began my full time job as caregiver to Bill, I've lost my sweet tooth. I just have no desire for desserts. Gone are the cakes and pies I used to make. In the process I've lost fifteen pounds. I'm down to 159 pounds now from a high of 174 pounds. What a way to lose weight huh? Well, I don't look any better. All this stress has gotten to my face, my iPhone doesn't even recognize me anymore. 

Just got back from giving Bill his biweekly shower. Oh how he moans and groans about the effort it takes to undress him, get him in the shower, lather him down, rinse him off, dry him then dress him. I reminded him that it's taking an effort on my part too (my back). But Bill did admit that he felt a "lot better" after his shower. Positive feedback, always helpful after a major effort like this. 

"Kathy", the home health aide worker just called. She'll be over between 10 and 11 this morning. Bill moans and groans about those visits too. I explained to him this is much preferable than living in a rehab facility or nursing home and having health aides check up on him. I got his attention. Bill is a little spoiled, always has been since we've been together. He just never has liked to have "company" over wherever we have lived. We have gotten into many arguments over the years because of this quirk in Bill's personality. I thought when I partnered up with someone we would have company over for dinner, travel together, etc. Was not to be. I adjusted over the  years. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I like my friendship with Pat. He likes to travel with me, have company over (entertain) and "go out" to different venues like concerts. I met Pat late in my life and began doing these things normal couples do, it's nice.

That's it for today folks, have a great day!

Monitoring Bill on my iPhone with "baby cam" - it's black and white because the room is dark