Hell of a week... And it's only Tuesday

Good Lord. What a week this has been.

Saturday - My trusty Cozmo pump starts alarming as I'm showering in preparation for the Jack and Jill party Bob and I were partially responsible for planning and implementing on Saturday. "No Delivery - Blockage Detected" screeches said pump. I look for a blockage - none to be found. So, I try to load new cartridge. Pushrod will not move forward - I try to prime the tubing "No Delivery - Blockage Detected" insists the pump. At this point, I am officially freaking. out. It is 4:15 - we are due to be in Lowell at 6:00 - Lowell is 1 hour and 45 minutes away. I have a rapidly climbing bloodsugar that is at this moment 270... I give an injected bolus and call Smith's Medical and my doc's office. Two hours later, A) I have been told my pump is "not fixable" and that I won't have my new one until Tuesday B) I have talked to the Endo's office, gotten a prescription for Lantus and begun my MDI holdover plan and C) We're off to Lowell. We are late. I don't care.

Sunday - I start looking over new pump options. Not that I don't care for my Cozmo anymore. It's just that I'm longing for something new and exciting and I've seen some features on the Animas I like - including its very compact size... (That's a hint - and there will be more on this when I'm feeling more up to it.)

Monday - My 96 year old neighbor calls me to tell me she is not feeling well. Really, she's not technically my neighbor anymore. When we moved from Seekonk in September - we had to leave Gertrude. It was difficult because she is 96 and she is pretty much alone. Bob and I adopted her when we lived in Seekonk - I took care of her pills every week, drove her to doctors visits, took care of her bills and mail, did her laundry, and an assortment of other small things. I get over to Seekonk once a week now and still do most of the things I used to do. But when she gets sick, it is difficult - because I'm not right there anymore.

At any rate, since she really wasn't feeling well and she doesn't usually complain, I asked the woman from the local Elder Service plan to head over there and check on her. When she arrived, she thought it best if Gert went to the local ER. So, off Gert went. I got a call around 3:30 asking if I could come get her and bring her home. I told them, of course I could, at 5:30 when I got out of work. I pulled up to the ER at 6:00 - it was a zoo - and Gert was sitting in the middle of the madness in a wheelchair. She had obviously not had a good day. She was pale, she told me she was nervous and wanted to go home, and she stunk to high heaven as she had (brace yourself) shit herself and the people in the ER told her she'd have to use a maxi pad until she got home. I got her home, gave her a sponge bath, put her in PJs, gave her some stomach relief medicine, and sat with her until she'd calmed down and gone to sleep.

On my way home, I cried because I was so upset for her, so angry for her, and really just plain tired.

I called the hospital today to put in a number of complaints. Not the least of which were that she was covered in excrement (some of it dried to her legs) when I picked her up and that her home care instructions included NOTHING. The name of the doctor who treated her wasn't even listed. They have yet to call me back. Perhaps my utter disgust showed through in my message...

Today - The biggest blow saved itself for last (at least I hope it's last.) Bob's grandad died this morning. Our hearts are broken. He was a wonderful, accomplished, clever, and spunky soul and he will be so sorely missed. Among other things, Vic was a WWII PT Boat Soldier, Unionized Sheet Metal Worker, Engineer, and Motorcyle Enthusiast - but moreover he was a proud father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather who cared a great deal for his family, his country, and his community. Truly one of the good guys.

We could really use your positive thoughts (and/or prayers) during this difficult time.