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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Shut Down

We are surrounded by foreclosures. The house behind The Pink House sits abandoned, its stucco face cracked with age lines, its wooden front steps broken and leading to a drooping porch on which a bloated and long ago delivered telephone book lies. On the other side of us is an empty duplex, its aluminum eaves, pealed back like a sardine can, clank when the wind rises. Next to that, the melted facade of a long forgotten house, its vinyl siding liquified in a fire set by vandals, window glass all broken out.  Across the street, a For Sale sign has sprouted in the lawn and next door to that another foreclosure, though that neighbor is hanging in there until, she says, they drag her out kicking and screaming.

A few years ago, during the big real estate boom, we were the next "up and coming" neighborhood. Ripe for revitalization, conveniently located with many fine historic bungalows ready to restore....

And now, it seems like this neighborhood has shut down.

These past few days, our DIY rehab center at The Pink House has been shut down, too. Because I've been ill. Me. The strong one. The one whose always healthy as a horse. Lately, it takes everything out of me just to get Bob's bedbath, meds, tube feedings done and then, I am down for the count. Crashed on the couch. Feeling as dismal and miserable as this neighborhood. And guilty as all get-out....

Which brings up another dilemma, the first time we are dealing with this, which is: Who takes care of the caregiver when the caregiver needs care?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello. You have an excellent point and or question about we caregivers. If we are unable then how do all the vast and necessary duties we perform each day (and night) get done. I think the answer lies in our strength. We just muster up enough, like you recently had to,to get by. Maybe thats why we were given this position in life to start with? The bottom line is I'm happy to hear you are on the mend. Hugs Patricia

Nikki said...

I hope you're feeling better soon! It's a pity that your friend Chris is moving- you needed the extra help just so you could get a break every now and then!

Jenn said...

Wouldn't it be cool if suddenly Bob bounded out of bed to help you (coz he's better)???
Somehow, some way, the caregiver pulls herself out of bed, and begins again.
Some two decades ago, Erik being an infant then, I came down with a nasty flu. Started to rest. Whoa! Erik caught it right quick (crap!). Next day, the husband is outta commission with the same damn flu! Both are vomiting and weak. What happens? As my mom says with abundant disdain, "the mother gets up".
Somehow seem to make it through.
Or we don't. Very philosophical, hmm? Lol.
I'm so sorry for your illness :-(
Wish I was there right now. Love you guys.

Fantastic writing, my author friend!!!!!

barbpolan said...

I hope you're feeling better now. You are admirably strong to be able to persist through all you've been through. You will be my inspiration whenever I am faced with a challenge that I just don't think I can handle.

Linda said...

It is awful to feel sick and run out of energy like that.

I hope you feel better really quickly. Your DIY rehab can have a break period and you most certainly don't need to feel bad about that part.
Just get better and take you care of yourself.


Linda