Friday evening, we got home (Alex helped me get into the house), and Amy had to go to CVS to get a patch for me that might help with the saliva (Scopolamine Transdermal System), and picked up Italian food (there are a lot of things in the living room: walkers, etc.). Alex helped put the patch behind my left ear, while Amy made my dinner (sadly, I was not able to eat it because I now have trouble using spoons), and the new feeding tube was not working. It seemed clogged, but after Amy gave me something to clean the port, it finally worked (I put the RSO in the feeding tube). I then used the toothbrush, and the crew took me to the bed, where they added another medication to help with saliva. Then I went to sleep.

Saturday, I woke early and had a real issue with the dryness of my throat – I was coughing and gagging for at least 1 hour. I woke up at 9:00, and by 9:30, Alex had showered me, got me dressed, and we headed to the kitchen. I did the protein shakes, and Alex made breakfast for him and Amy. When they were done, Alex left for the weekend. By 2:00, Amy went out to do some shopping, and I stayed in my office. We had dinner, mine was some ice cream to swallow the drugs, and then I did two protein shakes (the new feeding tube was not working well, and it took more than an hour, and some of the liquids fell on my shirt). Amy called the hospital, but nobody was available. We then traveled to the bedroom, Amy got me a new shirt, and took my socks off. The problem is that my feet slide. We got the left leg up, but the right one slipped, and I ended up flat on the bed. I took Amy a bit of time to get me in the right way (she needed to slide me around). Finally, I put the sheath on and went to sleep.

Sunday, the sheath worked well, but when I removed it, I noticed some skin damage. However, Amy got me up and took me to the shower. Then she got me dressed before 10:00 because one of Lance’s oldest friends, Arthur, was stopping by to see if he could help start the Corvette (it had been sitting in the garage for a while and wouldn’t start). He was not able to do much. While he was trying, I had my breakfast. A short time later, my mom came to see me. We stayed in the kitchen and played some cards while Amy went out to pick up stuff. When she returned, my mom left, and she first took me to the bathroom and then to my office. She had an appointment, but before leaving, she brought the Doxy in with the syringe, water, and tube. Upon her return, we had dinner with Mark & Robin Hoorwitz. I had lasagna in the kitchen while they were in the dining room eating. I then had ice cream, and then Mark moved me to the dining room to play Scrabble – Amy won! After they left, I brushed my teeth in the kitchen. Then, Amy took me to the bedroom, helped me get on the bed, and we watched a little TV before I went to sleep.

On Monday, we got up around 9:00. Amy then showered me, got me dressed, and took me to the kitchen. I had ice cream to eat the drugs, and then the protein shakes. Around 11:00, Alex came by for the week. First, he massaged my legs, and then we headed to the dentist (where I needed my teeth cleaned) after we went home. Alex helped get into the house (which is becoming more difficult), and then I went to the office to do some work. Amy brought me the Doxy and the feeding tube. A couple of hours later, I had lunch. A new chair was received, and then friends came over – Mike and Dody (they even bought me a large Carvel ice cream). Also, Arthur came by to deal with the Corvette – finally got it to work! Had dinner (lasagna), plus all my typical things. After, David Rosen stopped by to give me banana pudding that his son, Jesse, bought for me. Then our niece, Helaina, stopped by for a while. After everyone left, I went to bed.

On a side note, I find it very difficult to open bottles of water with my fingers; I need to use a paper towel to open them. I am also having more difficulties with my arms.

On Tuesday, we got up around 8:00. Alex then helped me in the shower, got me dressed, and took me to the kitchen. It took a long time to finish breakfast (got a liquid version of the Doxy that can be taken with food twice a day). Then we headed to the car — another long time. We got to the gallery after 11:30. I started working on the computer (more difficulties typing), and then we realized that Amy did not bring the tube, so she went to get me chili. A little while later, Neil brought some gelato. Then a box arrived, containing Maple Syrup, Lavender Elderberry Honey, and a Goat Milk Lotion from Amanda Greive. Then we headed home. Getting out of the car and into the house took a long time, even with Alex’s help. I had dinner that Amy made for me, while Alex made dinner for him and Amy. I then brushed my teeth and used NeilMed Sinus Rinse. After that, Alex helped me get into bed, and he massaged my legs. Then I finally went to sleep.

Wednesday, the urinal worked well, and I got up, with Alex’s help, showered, got dressed, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. After heading to the gallery, we arrived around 11:15. I went to the bathroom. As I was standing up, I tried to move the scooter back a little and ended up falling on the floor; luckily, I did not cause any damage. Lance and Alyssa came in and helped me get up, and Lance got me to the toilet. Alex arrived (he went with Amy to park the car) and helped me get up and back on the scooter. I went to my office to do a little work, and by 1:30, I had my lunch. At 3:30, Alex massaged my legs, and we headed home around 5:15 (it was raining). We stopped by the house and then went to physical therapy. When we arrived, we found cars in the handicap parking spaces that shouldn’t have been there. I spent about 45 minutes, and then we got back to the house. I had dinner, then shaved (Alex helped me get all the hair off), brushed my teeth, used the sinus rinse, and headed to the bedroom – it was very late.

On Thursday, we woke up around 8, showered, got dressed, and had breakfast (which took a while), then took care of my teeth before heading to the car. Each day, the legs are getting weaker. Got to the gallery around 11:30, went to the bathroom (with Alex’s help), then welcomed the photographer, and got to my office, and I saw a gift from the photographer (a photo of waffles)! At 1:30, I had lunch, which took one hour. Neil gave me gelato at 3:15, around 3:30, Alex massaged my legs, and by 5:00, we were heading home. I got home and had trouble moving my feet and legs to get inside. For dinner, we had spicy meatballs that Lance gave us. After I finished, I had some ice cream with RSO, brushed my teeth in the kitchen, and then used the sinus rinse. Made my way to the bedroom with Alex and Amy, got in bed, and went to sleep.

Friday, I was up around 8:00, showered, and got dressed with Alex’s help. I then went to the kitchen, which took a long time to finish, and then went to the bathroom. After that, we got into the car and went to the gallery; we arrived at noon. Lance, Alyssa, Neil, and Nathan were setting up next week’s exhibition, Sweet Treats, which opens on Friday, 22nd, at 4:00. I had lunch around 1:45 and finished by 1:58 — one of the fastest.