Day 3: While I might get daffy after two nights on duty, Tom stoically takes double shifts routinely and even had a three-nighter. He's our MVP but as of last night he was almost MIA.
Tom took up meditation in preparation for Annie's hospitalization and he has kept it up every day without fail. Last night a nurse friend came and gave him a break so he went out to meditate. He quieted himself on his favorite bench and soon heard a rustling sound. Being the good meditator he is, he acknowledged the sound but breathed through it. Again more rustling and more breathing. At some point it got the best of him and he opened his eyes to discover ... a skunk ten inches away from him. He had been so silent it hadn't noticed him but then Tom flinched, the skunk raised it's tail ... but luckily it's stinker was pointed in another direction and Tom was able to move slowly away.
Fortunately we have a new indoor option for naps and quiet time so we'll be safe from the dangerous creatures stalking Duarte. Well all except for cranky Annie. Now I too would be cranky if I hadn't really eaten for eleven days (she has lost about eight pounds) but I think the TPN might have given her a little boost as in the late afternoon she moved to her chair by the window and managed to do a few of her recommended treatment activities and catch up on some emails. By dinner time she was actually interested in some food and in the end managed to keep down five spoonfuls of broth and a noodle. She'll get TPN again tonight and hopefully continue to build her confidence with food.
One noodle is better than no noodle! Hooray for Annie! Someday I will tell you about our skunk story in Linda Vista, on Banyan street, in our kitchen, in our bedroom, cat in the bathtub, middle of the night, middle of winter, doors and windows open for ventilation, smelly Odermatt family....for days!
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