Paperwork, faxes, phone calls, and ice storm

So today and started off with a bang. I really cannot complain that I can do what I call my work from home.   This ice laden tree is across the yard from me. I am sure there are many more beautiful photo ops out there, but opening the from door to take this photo is as far I am going outside until someone around the maintenance free building deals with the ice skating ring that circles the building. 

Caregiving is a funny thing.  To be able to afford health care, and Bill's spend down for Medicaid, we have to have what is called in NY a NYSARC Trust.  This is a place where we can pay for my independent health insurance to cover his expenses and not write a check to NY State.  So all in all, it is pay Peter or pay Paul.  I have spent the past two mornings on the phone with NYSARC and our service coordinator getting information I mailed them both a couple of months ago.  Lots of paperwork in the world of health care. 

Bill has decided that going to group this morning is not on his agenda, and I for one am glad. I don't feel it is safe for him to chip ice off the car, and do it while standing on an inch of ice.  And I can't keep doing dangerous things or he will have no one to care for him.  So we are staying in another day and he will have a visit from his counselor.  Yesterday they did a crossword puzzle, and he was so funny. He was right on so many times, and then the next question left him blank.  No one can figure out why this happens, but I say hooray for those that he gets right, even before the whole clue is given. It works his brain and challenges him, and that is very important in brain injury.  Bill cannot read the puzzle, but he can hear the clues and takes off from there!  I find this an important activity for him, because he did the local and NY Times crossword puzzles everyday. He had since his grandmother started him on them when he was young. It is one of his losses.  Not be able to drive or work are high on the list as well.

When it warms up a bit I will be able to warm up the car and get some of the ice off and hope that our drive downtown to specialist first thing in the morning will be ice free and safe.  We are all waiting for Spring, and as we know, it is sure to come around again. That is the promise of winter...it won't last forever. 

To stay busy today I need to find something that is non-brain injury related. There is a danger for me and other caregivers that we make our whole life about caregiving or the disease or illness that has created that need.  I have pictures of grandchildren to hang, and a photo album to put together.  That will be my cure for cabin fever while Bill sleeps later today.  We will be home together this morning, and that will be our time to enjoy life, and be glad the other one is here.  And I hope that phone does not ring again unless it is a friend or family!