Party like there's no tomorrow
We took Dorothy out to dinner while Don was sleeping yesterday. Don awoke shortly after we got back. Don was ready for a glass of wine, so we broke it out, along with cheese and crackers.
Don was a little silly and confused, probably from the morphine, and he spilled his first glass right away. The hospice nurse was right there with fresh blankets, and we resumed with smaller portions, closely watched.
Don laughed most of the time and became a bit more lucid the longer he was awake. He joked and kept repeating "we've got to stop taking life so seriously" and "why is this such a big deal?" It was all very fun, and we watched the video of Dan's concert from Sunday. Don kept asking about the time, and when the recording was made. Dorothy watched, looking stunned and a bit disapproving of the wine.
It was festive until it was time to go. Then Bobby hugged Don and my composure broke. He told Dan to take care of me and Vickie.
As of now (6:30 a.m.) we haven't heard more. They still say Don might have up to two weeks, so we may get to repeat the festivities. His fourth son was supposed to arrive about 3:00 am, after driving straight through from Denver, so I'm glad all his kids got to see him. The other three left town yesterday, so Vickie is on full-time Dorothy duty. She's tired... I can't imagine how tired Dorothy is.
Don was a little silly and confused, probably from the morphine, and he spilled his first glass right away. The hospice nurse was right there with fresh blankets, and we resumed with smaller portions, closely watched.
Don laughed most of the time and became a bit more lucid the longer he was awake. He joked and kept repeating "we've got to stop taking life so seriously" and "why is this such a big deal?" It was all very fun, and we watched the video of Dan's concert from Sunday. Don kept asking about the time, and when the recording was made. Dorothy watched, looking stunned and a bit disapproving of the wine.
It was festive until it was time to go. Then Bobby hugged Don and my composure broke. He told Dan to take care of me and Vickie.
As of now (6:30 a.m.) we haven't heard more. They still say Don might have up to two weeks, so we may get to repeat the festivities. His fourth son was supposed to arrive about 3:00 am, after driving straight through from Denver, so I'm glad all his kids got to see him. The other three left town yesterday, so Vickie is on full-time Dorothy duty. She's tired... I can't imagine how tired Dorothy is.
posted by Joe at 6:24 AM
3 Comments:
It sounds like Don has wisdom to share- we realy shouldn't take everything so seriously.
What a touching description. I can't help but hope there are a few more glasses of wine in his future.
My heart goes out to Dorothy. I know that Vickie faces the impossible task of trying to hold her together and keep her well through this.
I wish we were closer so that we could help give rides or bring a dinner or two.
I like Don's style! No wonder you got choked up.
Perhaps Dorothy is in too much pain to appreciate the atmosphere. I can't imagine having to go through this a second time.
Retta:
Thanks for the good wishes. You have your hands full already, though!
Peggy- that's one of the advantages of being male, I suppose - we tend to bail at a younger age. I know, we're cowards...
I think Dorothy is overwhelmed by things. It will be a really different world for her on her own.
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