Yesterday a package came – I was sure it was a sustain pedal for my keyboard. I opened it and found two high class jigsaw puzzles that I wasn’t expecting at all. They came in round containers and I call them high class because they are of frameable art and posters. The pieces are all the same basic shape. I had to try one of them out today and it is hard. I can get kind of forgetful when I’m deep into a puzzle and have to remind myself that I am a caregiver (my patient no longer lets me know when something is needed). I have no clue who sent the puzzles, but thank you. I’m praying a blessing your way…

I pay close attention to the mail these days because that is how much of my shopping for the husband gets done – online and arriving in the mail or by UPS or Fedex. Packages come frequently to keep my little, private hospital supplied. What I’m learning is that I need a purchasing agent.

When I first knew that I was going to have Dennis at home I searched medical supply companies for the items I knew he was using in the nursing home. I could never find it all in one place so I ordered from three or four different companies. I have since become overwhelmingly confused with passwords, promo codes, and “did I really order this?” syndrome. One day a whole case of disposable briefs came when I thought I had cautiously ordered one box to make sure they were the right size. I’m never sure what’s coming anymore, but it’s entertaining that way, and I need entertainment. I pay for the privilege of being surprised.

But my biggest shopping woe has been/is finding the husband’s nutritional formula. He gets everything through a feeding tube. His formula is calculated to supply all his nutritional needs. I found a company that had it, but after three weeks it was out of stock and I had to find another supplier. It’s relatively important not to run out of this stuff so I get pretty nervous when I’m down to only a few bottles. The second company has also started sending me messages about stocking problems.

Yesterday I was down to 1 day’s supply left when two cartons showed up. One had traveled about four different places since starting from Pennsylvania on January 13th. The other had come from Florida and only been traveling for four days. The packing slips didn’t have recognizable order numbers although it is all from the same company. I’m getting so confused. At the end of the day, I know I’ve been charged for two more cases and they are probably out there seeing the world on their way to me. I’m hoping to pray them in. In an emergency I guess he could have what I eat without starving but I don’t know if popcorn would blend up and go down the tube very well.

I have just put the husband back to bed after several hours in the recliner. Getting hoisted up in a sling evidently isn’t the most comfortable ride because he starts doing a little half moan, half song during the process. I think he’s self soothing by distracting himself, but who knows. He doesn’t tell me what he’s feeling and most of his songs have no words. Except the other night, when I was telling him about the cooking show we watch on YouTube. He decided to sing the word Azerbaijan for a while – that’s where the cooking show is from. I took it as proof that he’s listening to me even when pretending not to.

That’s all for today’s look into my caregiver’s world. It gets a little crazy, just sayin’…