Things I can’t do yet- -home hydration of this individual, Friday Matley.
No matter how brave I am, how calm I am, how resolved I am to make the best of a difficult situation, things along my widow’s journey can jump out of the woodwork and bite me, hard- -things I can’t do yet.
The day I’m writing this blog, January 17, 2019, is one month after Bruce came home. That day, I left the hospital ahead of him to tidy up the house, move the living room furniture to accommodate a hospital bed and wait for the delivery of hospital equipment, the arrival of Bruce (via wheelchair transport) and the Walla Walla Community Hospice admissions team. It was a crazy day that left me mentally soggy, fire hosed with home health care information. Also, it was a huge relief to have Bruce here, with me and the 4-legged kids.
Days before, I’d feared he wouldn’t make it home at all. It was shocking to, in a matter of hours, adjust Bruce’s goal from seeking treatment that might buy him a few more months of life to “this is it.” Making it home became the sought-for miracle. He made it, and we shared one precious week together.
Getting him home and keeping him comfortable was hard work, but it was work I could do. I’ve managed the “after” business with the funeral home and have met with a lawyer to initiate the process of closing Bruce’s estate. Though my emotions are near the surface during these types of chores, they are not the things that have made me break down. It’s the little things, things that I can’t do yet, that are the buggers.
One such buggery thing chomped me this week: subcutaneous hydration for Friday, my cat with renal issues. It was my second attempt doing this at home- -putting IV fluid under his skin to help his kidneys function better. Bruce used to do the “doctor” work while I held our patient. in recent weeks I’ve taken Friday into the veterinary office for treatment, all the while thinking I should be able to do this myself. So I asked the vet techs for instructions. They showed me the process, something I’d seen many times at home but couldn’t quite hold in my brain, and loaned me something called a “cat sack” for containing legs, tail and claws.
My first at-home attempt was a dismal failure. I didn’t make it as far as the hydration procedure but spent several minutes trying to wrestle Friday into the “cat sack” (it looked so easy when they did it at the vet’s!). We were able to get an appointment for later that afternoon, including another instruction session for me, this time watching the procedure and noting the things that make it possible to perform, single-handed. These are not hard things, but they need to be seen to be known. After copious “Aha!” moments for me and 200 milliliters of IV fluid for Friday, I was confident I had the right stuff to try it again and succeed.
This week, I changed the needle at the end of the IV hose, embarking on the procedure with extreme calm and confidence until I poked my own finger. Twice. Shrieks of “I can’t so this!” accompanied by tears echoed around the bathroom as I applied bandages to my wounds. Tears. More of them than I’ve cried since November 27, when we first learned that something suspected but not yet confirmed was really, really wrong with Bruce’s pancreas and liver. Tears, over something I knew I could fix by making an appointment at the vet’s.
I righted myself and resolved to go on, changed the needle again without further maiming myself and scooped Friday up from his napping spot. He settled onto the towel in the bottom half of the cat carrier while I tested the flow of saline solution (perfect) and proceeded to poke him. Attempt one poked in and out again, sending a stream of saline solution all over the kitchen window. Poke two seemed to go in okay, but the saline solution didn’t appear to be flowing. Same for poke three, after which I praised Friday for being a good, patient kitty and called the vet. They scheduled us for 8:45 the next morning.
In one of the exam rooms a kind and compassionate vet tech guided me through a hands-on subcutaneous hydration of Friday:
Make a BIG pinch of skin. See the pocket that forms over his shoulder blades? Push the needle in there. Harder, it’s not all the way in. Quicker, too, so it hurts less. If it’s impossible to keep him still, if you get most of the recommended fluid in he should be okay until next time.
Given my track record with needle replacement, I took home a half-dozen extras.
The good news is, I don’t have to try home hydration again until next Thursday. I’m hoping there is no bad news (fingers crossed). Home hydration is difficult for me, I think, for two reasons:
- I’m afraid I’ll hurt Friday (and can now add that I’m also afraid I’ll hurt myself)
- Home hydration is something I strongly associate with Bruce, something we took care of together since last September, and years before that, for our long-departed cat Arial. It’s spooky and sad to be alone on “his” side of the table, doing his job.
I’m sure things like this, things I can’t do yet, will crop up along the way. How not? But I’m carrying some lessons forward:
If it’s a hands-on job, have someone walk me through it while I do it myself (this was something I had to deal with when learning how to apply Bruce’s fentanyl patch, too).
If another person or an animal is involved in the process, concentrate on doing the job right instead of worrying that I’ll cause harm.
Most things work out. If they don’t, time and practice will see me through, eventually.
Being one person working alone does not necessarily mean I can’t do a job once performed by two people joined as one. It just means I have to do things differently; that, and to keep asking Bruce to help me from the other side.
You are a courageous lady, Susan. Let the tears flow when you need to, and you’ll be up and at the task at hand when the need is there. I think of you every day!
Thank you for the encouragement, Ellen, and for your kind thoughts. Tears are few for me, but when I get them I really get them! Invariably, it feels good to let go when the opportunity comes. Love, Susan
Hang in there kiddo! You are doing an amazing job!
Thanks. I’m doing my best, which, of course, you and I must because we were raised that way (hee, hee, hee). Today, so far, is smooth, with all 4-legged kids healthy and (fairly) well-behaved.
Oh how I wish there weren’t hundreds of miles and a mountain pass between us. I wish I lived down the street instead of across the state. I am a Nurse Ratchet of sorts and will do what I have to do with little remorse and could help you with kitty-in-the-bag..
You should go slow and steady but not tentative. Of course doing it yourself will not replace the job Bruce did. You can do the job without him and you can live your life without him but that kind of team work, companionship and love does not just dissipate. And as painful as that can be, thank God it doesn’t. These lovely memories mean it was all real and they will be with you until you join him on the other side.
Best of Luck from Nurse Ratchet!
Probably it will all turn out fine the next time I try to hydrate Friday. I will invoke the name of Nurse Ratchet before I start, for luck! Good point about the memories meaning it was all real. Thanks.
Beautiful expression of your love and his memories within you. I knew Bruce some 30 years ago at WSU. I’m so glad that he found a person like you!
Thank you, Yolanda.
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing these intimate moments with us
Certainly! It helps me to share these things through writing.
My three-legged cat, who happens to also be on Prozac, read this with me pre-nap. (She really was just rubbing all over the corner of the iPad.) I’m thinking of you and your four-legends as you forge ahead, Susan.
Thank you, Pam.
I don’t know if you’re a praying person, but asking the Savior, Jesus Christ, to take your pain and comfort and guide you brings much relief. It’s good to know that your Spirits still are close and that you can feel Bruce closely by. He is there. God loves you and so do I.
Thank you, Judy.
Thank you Susan for reaching out with your consistent and beautiful writing. You and Bruce shared a wonderfully creative life. You are as precious as ever and your grace is a continuing tribute to Bruce and to the Love you shared. You can help the kitties and do the other things in time. Life has given and taken a lot, I hope you are sustained and blessed with opportunities yet to come.
I think your honesty is absolutely refreshing. How many times have we been brave enough to talk about something scary, personal, sad, whatever, only to discover all of us feel or have felt the same way. You’re awesome.
Thank you, Daniece.
Dear Susan, go lightly on the “shoulds” as in “I should be able to do this…..”. ♥️ Thank you for sharing this rocky new path you’re on so openly and honestly. From what I’ve witnessed over the years in the lives of so many women on the same path, those little things that jump out at you can be multitudinous over time. Asking for help is ok, glad you have a patient vet! 🙂
Good work, Susan! I went through this with my mini schnauzer not long ago, and it is a challenge. Even more so for you, with its emotional overtones in Bruce’s absence. You are so humble and generous to share with us these little things which aren’t so little at all, but rather, the grit and crystals of daily life.
Rooting for you!
Thank you, Kelly!
I’ve been thinking about you Susie. My heart goes out to you. Take each day as it comes. Also, with the cat, try a blanket or large towel to swaddle Friday in, it’s much easier then putting him in a bag. We do it with our kiddos in the ED and it provides a little more comfort. Good luck with him and keep working at it. Everything takes practice. If I were there, I’d come over every Thursday to help you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Susan!