![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Apr. 15th, 2008 12:03 pmLeAnn continues to make slow but steady improvements. She has been navigating the stairs by herself, makes her own breakfast, takes her own showers and only needs the cane these days, the walker is obsolete. This morning she took Rowan to the bus stop with my mom. She requires less and less assistance, but occasionally I find her making requests for things she can do herself, and I call her on them. It's a little about not wanting to be a butler, but mostly about furthering her independence.
LeAnn has also indicated interest in driving again, much to my horror. I want to remain encouraging, that she can do anything she sets her mind to. But she is still a little slow in the reaction and thought process department and thought of her driving scares the holy bejesus out of me.
There have been no signs of side effects from the gamma knife treatment. You might not even know she had the treatment besides the scabs on her forehead where the frame was screwed into her skull. Here is a photo of someone wearing the gamma knife frame, you can see the bolts pressing into his skull. It’s a little like the bolts on a Christmas tree strand, and tightened about the same. The end of each of the bolts has a tip that looks a little like a center punch and the spike drives into the bone of the skull.
If you think it looks painful, you would be correct. I’d provide photos of LeAnn herself, but I don’t want photos of these events, I’m not even happy about the mental photos residing in my memory. I was damn near in tears to see her wearing this damn thing.
There is another thing bugging me though, I've not managed to send out thank yous to everyone who helped with the fundraiser to offset the medical bills. The truth of the matter is I've been so focused on untangling red tape, LeAnn care, work and home I've not had much of a chance. Also I don't feel this part of the story is yet a wrap, I still feel like I'm in the trenches. But mark my words there will be thank yous and goodies, done properly when the smoke clears.
The next problem on the horizon is the house in Isanti. Now my father is gone the house is empty. I'm not sure how long I will be able to manage care for two houses, one has to go, and it is not the house in Isanti. But gas prices are only going to get more outrageous, it's a 50 to 60 minute commute each way. Living close to work is one of the things I really like about my location, gas prices have had little effect on me, and I feel like I’m being a good eco-nerd because of it. I really believe in local living, and feel time driving is time wasted. The only plus I can see is downloading audio books to listen to during the ten hours a week I would spend on the road.
I can't quit my job in the city, we need the medical insurance, Rowan is in a great school and LeAnn is close to top doctors. Ten years ago I could have moved up there without much trouble at all, but life is a little more complex these days.
But on the bright side I think I will semi-retire in 2020 up there. In the mean time continue to work for big Multi-national Corporation and get my 401k big and fat, and then take a part time job at a Wall-Mart or something, some sort of part time job I can tell my boss to shove it all and walk out the door if I like. Maybe do some sort of work on the side for extra cash, set up a shop, maybe build ice fishing houses, cedar canoes or something?
LeAnn has also indicated interest in driving again, much to my horror. I want to remain encouraging, that she can do anything she sets her mind to. But she is still a little slow in the reaction and thought process department and thought of her driving scares the holy bejesus out of me.
There have been no signs of side effects from the gamma knife treatment. You might not even know she had the treatment besides the scabs on her forehead where the frame was screwed into her skull. Here is a photo of someone wearing the gamma knife frame, you can see the bolts pressing into his skull. It’s a little like the bolts on a Christmas tree strand, and tightened about the same. The end of each of the bolts has a tip that looks a little like a center punch and the spike drives into the bone of the skull.
If you think it looks painful, you would be correct. I’d provide photos of LeAnn herself, but I don’t want photos of these events, I’m not even happy about the mental photos residing in my memory. I was damn near in tears to see her wearing this damn thing.
There is another thing bugging me though, I've not managed to send out thank yous to everyone who helped with the fundraiser to offset the medical bills. The truth of the matter is I've been so focused on untangling red tape, LeAnn care, work and home I've not had much of a chance. Also I don't feel this part of the story is yet a wrap, I still feel like I'm in the trenches. But mark my words there will be thank yous and goodies, done properly when the smoke clears.
The next problem on the horizon is the house in Isanti. Now my father is gone the house is empty. I'm not sure how long I will be able to manage care for two houses, one has to go, and it is not the house in Isanti. But gas prices are only going to get more outrageous, it's a 50 to 60 minute commute each way. Living close to work is one of the things I really like about my location, gas prices have had little effect on me, and I feel like I’m being a good eco-nerd because of it. I really believe in local living, and feel time driving is time wasted. The only plus I can see is downloading audio books to listen to during the ten hours a week I would spend on the road.
I can't quit my job in the city, we need the medical insurance, Rowan is in a great school and LeAnn is close to top doctors. Ten years ago I could have moved up there without much trouble at all, but life is a little more complex these days.
But on the bright side I think I will semi-retire in 2020 up there. In the mean time continue to work for big Multi-national Corporation and get my 401k big and fat, and then take a part time job at a Wall-Mart or something, some sort of part time job I can tell my boss to shove it all and walk out the door if I like. Maybe do some sort of work on the side for extra cash, set up a shop, maybe build ice fishing houses, cedar canoes or something?
