ONE MORE DAY TOWARDS HEALTH

Michelle and Valerie "talking" :)

This is probably the longest stretch of what I'd call good days in a LONG time.  Valerie has been determined, upbeat, resolved, and dedicated.  We've had a few "family meetings" to work things out; she's spent an entire day on her own; she's taken off and walked to the beach (farther than she's walked in a LONG time); and she's moved us all to a different place.  We are no longer caregivers.  Valerie has proven than she CAN fend for herself.  We are now supporting her in her journey to strength and health.  While she CAN do a lot of things, she realizes that by letting us do some things for her, she can channel that strength towards being healthy.   We've moved for caregivers to support.

Melissa and her Aunt Val

Sunday, Valerie's younger sister, Sara, arrived.  That afternoon, she, Valerie, Michelle, and Melissa went to Deep Blue - a local swimming pool that uses more natural cleaning techniques than chlorine.  The chemicals are not good for Valerie, so Michelle had researched local salt water pools or people that use minimal chemicals.  Deep Blue has offered to let Valerie swim in "off" times for FREE.  They want to donate this service towards her health and recovery.  Any locals needing swim lessons or scuba classes - check out deepbluelongbeach.com.  Thank you Deep Blue!  Sunday was the first trip to meet the owner and to finally swim - which is one of Valerie's most favorite things to do EVER.  Melisssa and Sara did some supportive/assistive swim exercises with her.  They were there for about an hour and a half.  They all said it was GREAT!  After that, I think we all expected Valerie to be pretty much wiped out and ready to go home.  But NO - she had them go on a mini tour of our lovely Long Beach for Sara.  They had lunch at a local mediterranean place that we've eaten at before and then they drove around getting the "beach" tour. 

Melissa, Valerie & Sara

The nausea and appetite problems haven't gone away but they have been very much improved lately.  Valerie has pushed through and eaten, taken her supplements, and generally done REALLY well.

Tuesday morning, Valerie told me that she didn't want anyone helping her that day.  She wanted a day to herself.  She wanted to have some control over her day and be in charge of her house for the first time in a WHILE.  So, everyone respected her wishes - I went to work and everyone else made sure someone was in calling distance but let her have her space.  And she did everything by herself - bathed, ate, took her supplements, straightened up, etc.  It was a very gratifying day.

We did it!!

Then Wednesday morning (today), we all got together at 7am to regroup.  That's when we had the conversation about moving to supporting her and away from caregiving.  She is a capable, strong woman and needs our support but she also needs to be treated like a capable, strong woman.

So, people were in and out supporting her today and then most of the group went to see the finale taping of America's Got Talent.  I'm sure stories from that will be fun.

Sara & Valerie catching up

Carmen (who I need a picture of) is a family friend and the woman who drove Michelle all night to get here last Sunday night.  She and Melissa have run MANY "errands" to pick up things that people have offered us.  They've driven to my old workplace in East LA to get medication; they've driven to Silverlake to get a papasan chair and a Wii from the Waldinger-Sprafkin family - thank you guys!!  And other stuff that I don't even know about.  Thank you Carmen!!

We got an awesome care package today from my parents - full of food.  There's some spaghetti, raw kale snacks, dark chocolate, homemade granola bars, homemade fudge, and homemade banana bread.  About 15 minutes after opening it, Valerie had eaten a mini loaf of banana bread, a granola bar, and some raw treats.  As she was falling asleep tonight, she said "don't give away any of that banana bread.  that's the most delicious thing I've tasted since I've been sick."  Needless to say, even I won't be eating my mother's banana bread.  :)  Thanks mom and dad!!

It really feels like we're on an upswing.  Things have been going well.  Not perfectly, but really well.  Valerie's gotten into a routine - we have all learned how to best be of help/support - and she's getting stronger.  She sits and stands easier; she moves around easier; she manages everything much easier.

This video is from one of her workout sessions with Melissa.  They are GREAT!!!!

Sweet dreams everyone!