((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~
Jeannie, agate, funnylegs4, and Jeanie ~
Thank you so very much for your love, prayers, and kindness. We are truly grateful and feel blessed, knowing you are supporting us every step of the way.
I knew that the time would arrive, when Jim would need to be in Jon's bed. Jim resisted that option, but it wasn't until this past week, that he felt uncomfortable in his futon bed. He also liked being in the living room, so he was in the midst of the house. Jonathan's bedroom is in the back of our house. It's the quietest room in the house, and it's spacious, with a large picture window and a view of our backyard, Michael's and Jon's memorial gardens, and the trees on the greenbelt and in the distance.
I opened the shutters today, and Jim smiled. "I know our yard is dirt, but it's still a lovely place. I see the view Jonathan saw. It's very nice and peaceful."
He continues to mention how comfortable he is in Jon's bed. I said that makes me happy for him, but also for Jonathan, to know that he was as comfortable as possible, with all of his issues.
When Jim asked me if I was okay, seeing him in Jon's bed, I said, "Of course. This is where you should be. Where Jon wants you to be. He knew how ill you were, and he made space for you in your time of need."
I didn't remove Jon's special things entirely. I just relocated them. I need to find a place in Jon's room to put Jon's beautiful photo, the one John took the evening we put his new mattress on his bed the day before Thanksgiving 2018. We put it in the living room, where Jim could see him all of the time. Jim often talked with Jon through the photo.
Nothing about any of this is easy, but I am praying and finding strength in knowing that Jonathan and Michael are present with us, and that Jim and I are doing what we need to do. And that all of you are praying for and loving us.
LAST NIGHT
Jim requested 2 lettuce, tomato, cheese sandwiches (2 because the bread is small). He ate 1 1/2 and a tub of applesauce.
He said, "I realize now what I've done by not eating, when you continued to encourage me to eat something, anything. I just felt like I couldn't eat, because I was so full. I want to change that and start eating more. I know what I want for breakfast tomorrow: sloppy egg and fried potatoes. I want to gain some weight. I know I can't get it all back, but I can do better than I have."
I am so happy that he said this, and he clearly means it, because this morning, he ate 1 whole egg, plus my yolk, and a good portion of fried potatoes.
He's been off of O2 all night and today, with SATS in the mid 90s. He's had a couple of panic attacks after getting up and walking to/from the bathroom. So, I guide him through his breathing technique and calming him to envision his "happy place." It works, which is wonderful.
He has had some pain, and I gave him T/C at 5 a.m., and a 1 p.m., and both times, he fell asleep. It is a blessing to be able to sleep, not cough or feel pain.
THIS MORNING
I put our old cable box in a grocery bag and left it on the front porch for John to pick up after he and his wife enjoyed a breakfast at a restaurant nearby. John had no problem with exchanging our old box for the new HD box. He was here at 11 a.m. and began hooking up the living room TV and the Blu-Ray and Jon's Blu-Ray.
John told me, "I know how important TV and movies are to you. You can't get out for entertainment, so you need entertainment from TV and Blu-Rays. You can't be without it. Jimmy needs to watch soccer and golf. You know, the important stuff!"
"Oh, and very ancient movies. And music." I added.
Our old box took up half of the table. The new box is small, like a Blu-Ray player. It's tiny compared to the HD box John put in Jon's room for Jim too. Also, the whole system has changed in terms of presentation, like the guide to channels or the special menus for sports. Jim would never be able to figure this out, so I'm glad he has the old HD box.
APPLE PIE
Jim has had a thing for apple pie since his first hospitalization in 2017. Apple pie was on the menu, and it was so sweet and satisfying, so he craves it. The problem is that most apple pies have a ton of sugar in them. He asked for apple pie when he had his blood transfusion, and the nurses ordered 2 slices, because it was Jim's birthday. I tasted it, and it did nothing for me. But he loves it.
So Jim asked John to pick up an apple pie for him the next time he goes to the cafe, where John and his wife had breakfast. It just so happens that John and his wife and extended family are going out to dinner tonight. John said, "I'll see if they serve apple pie."
When I walked John out to his car, he asked me, "Should I get him an apple pie? Will you let him eat it?"
I cringed. "Yeah ..." while praying the restaurant wouldn't serve it.
Later, I texted John to scrap the pie. I'll get the ingredients, fresh apples, and a recipe with low sugar and make Jim an apple pie.
John told me that there has been an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to one of his favorite restaurants. The outbreak was in December, and John was there in November for his birthday. This is why I resist eating restaurant food after decades of not worrying about this kind of stuff.
John donned his mask, as soon as he entered, and he's very mindful of protecting us in every way.
So, anyone with a good recipe for low-sugar apple pie, please share with me. I'm going to buy frozen pastry. I used to be the Pie Queen in my youth, but I haven't made a pie for 30 or more years. My best and most favored pies were Pecan Pie and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie. Talk about sugar overload!
For now, that is us.
We love you and pray for you and your loved ones, and we give abundant thanks for your love, prayers and support.
Love & Light,
Rose
Jeannie, agate, funnylegs4, and Jeanie ~
Thank you so very much for your love, prayers, and kindness. We are truly grateful and feel blessed, knowing you are supporting us every step of the way.
I knew that the time would arrive, when Jim would need to be in Jon's bed. Jim resisted that option, but it wasn't until this past week, that he felt uncomfortable in his futon bed. He also liked being in the living room, so he was in the midst of the house. Jonathan's bedroom is in the back of our house. It's the quietest room in the house, and it's spacious, with a large picture window and a view of our backyard, Michael's and Jon's memorial gardens, and the trees on the greenbelt and in the distance.
I opened the shutters today, and Jim smiled. "I know our yard is dirt, but it's still a lovely place. I see the view Jonathan saw. It's very nice and peaceful."
He continues to mention how comfortable he is in Jon's bed. I said that makes me happy for him, but also for Jonathan, to know that he was as comfortable as possible, with all of his issues.
When Jim asked me if I was okay, seeing him in Jon's bed, I said, "Of course. This is where you should be. Where Jon wants you to be. He knew how ill you were, and he made space for you in your time of need."
I didn't remove Jon's special things entirely. I just relocated them. I need to find a place in Jon's room to put Jon's beautiful photo, the one John took the evening we put his new mattress on his bed the day before Thanksgiving 2018. We put it in the living room, where Jim could see him all of the time. Jim often talked with Jon through the photo.
Nothing about any of this is easy, but I am praying and finding strength in knowing that Jonathan and Michael are present with us, and that Jim and I are doing what we need to do. And that all of you are praying for and loving us.
LAST NIGHT
Jim requested 2 lettuce, tomato, cheese sandwiches (2 because the bread is small). He ate 1 1/2 and a tub of applesauce.
He said, "I realize now what I've done by not eating, when you continued to encourage me to eat something, anything. I just felt like I couldn't eat, because I was so full. I want to change that and start eating more. I know what I want for breakfast tomorrow: sloppy egg and fried potatoes. I want to gain some weight. I know I can't get it all back, but I can do better than I have."
I am so happy that he said this, and he clearly means it, because this morning, he ate 1 whole egg, plus my yolk, and a good portion of fried potatoes.
He's been off of O2 all night and today, with SATS in the mid 90s. He's had a couple of panic attacks after getting up and walking to/from the bathroom. So, I guide him through his breathing technique and calming him to envision his "happy place." It works, which is wonderful.
He has had some pain, and I gave him T/C at 5 a.m., and a 1 p.m., and both times, he fell asleep. It is a blessing to be able to sleep, not cough or feel pain.
THIS MORNING
I put our old cable box in a grocery bag and left it on the front porch for John to pick up after he and his wife enjoyed a breakfast at a restaurant nearby. John had no problem with exchanging our old box for the new HD box. He was here at 11 a.m. and began hooking up the living room TV and the Blu-Ray and Jon's Blu-Ray.
John told me, "I know how important TV and movies are to you. You can't get out for entertainment, so you need entertainment from TV and Blu-Rays. You can't be without it. Jimmy needs to watch soccer and golf. You know, the important stuff!"
"Oh, and very ancient movies. And music." I added.
Our old box took up half of the table. The new box is small, like a Blu-Ray player. It's tiny compared to the HD box John put in Jon's room for Jim too. Also, the whole system has changed in terms of presentation, like the guide to channels or the special menus for sports. Jim would never be able to figure this out, so I'm glad he has the old HD box.
APPLE PIE
Jim has had a thing for apple pie since his first hospitalization in 2017. Apple pie was on the menu, and it was so sweet and satisfying, so he craves it. The problem is that most apple pies have a ton of sugar in them. He asked for apple pie when he had his blood transfusion, and the nurses ordered 2 slices, because it was Jim's birthday. I tasted it, and it did nothing for me. But he loves it.
So Jim asked John to pick up an apple pie for him the next time he goes to the cafe, where John and his wife had breakfast. It just so happens that John and his wife and extended family are going out to dinner tonight. John said, "I'll see if they serve apple pie."
When I walked John out to his car, he asked me, "Should I get him an apple pie? Will you let him eat it?"
I cringed. "Yeah ..." while praying the restaurant wouldn't serve it.
Later, I texted John to scrap the pie. I'll get the ingredients, fresh apples, and a recipe with low sugar and make Jim an apple pie.
John told me that there has been an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to one of his favorite restaurants. The outbreak was in December, and John was there in November for his birthday. This is why I resist eating restaurant food after decades of not worrying about this kind of stuff.
John donned his mask, as soon as he entered, and he's very mindful of protecting us in every way.
So, anyone with a good recipe for low-sugar apple pie, please share with me. I'm going to buy frozen pastry. I used to be the Pie Queen in my youth, but I haven't made a pie for 30 or more years. My best and most favored pies were Pecan Pie and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie. Talk about sugar overload!
For now, that is us.
We love you and pray for you and your loved ones, and we give abundant thanks for your love, prayers and support.
Love & Light,
Rose
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