Much too smart for his own good
Funny story I want to share.Like most of us, we have set back thermometers. The main house is oil heated, the addition gas heated. In the early days, post stroke, dear niece Melissa got all the "manuals" filed and organized for me. Heat regulation was always Bruce's responsibility. We kept things cool - as most do. In the early years we heated with wood. Can't be warmer than that! But then to 60 hour work weeks and a chimney fire, we were back to oil and gas.
With the help of the manuals, I was able to program both spaces. I can change the addition easily when Mary Beth is due in. But Bruce does not feel cold like he used to. He still feels he is overheated, yet the affected foot and hand are ice cold. I factored in extra oil in the budget and set the main thermometer at 68, on at 5am down to 55 at 8pm: Bruce hours.
Yesterday morning Bruce had a blood draw - fasting. Normally we would have gotten up and out when the lab opened and then gone to breakfast, but new PCP offered draw in the home - easier for me, but set Bruce off. He was up and wanted out of bed at 4am - except it is 55 degrees at best. I upped the temp, made him wait 10 minutes, then helped him transfer out of bed and into a sweatshirt at 4:30 am. Now I know Bruce fell asleep in the WC because I could hear the TV remote drop onto his table.
Wednesday is my double shift day at work. I take a 2 hour break at noon to come home, have lunch with Bruce, nap, shower if he wants, Estims and snack and then head back to work. I noticed the temperature change right away, but waited until Erma left to ask Bruce, who said "I don't know." Bruce's stock answer to anything. I checked the set back thermometer. Down to 66. And I am OK with that. I certainly understand the savings. But I can not have his hand and foot blue with the cold, especially when he is in his AFO where circulation is also compromised.
We will talk tomorrow. But tonight Bruce says "I didn't do it." I know I didn't and the caregivers certainly did not. So who did, Bruce - Kira? I know who did it. Part of me is disturbed that he doesn't remember, but he also got up too early and fell asleep. Bruce would own up if he remembered it. But the funny part is that you can not take back who he is, his essence. That much I just love. Debbie
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