Friday, June 7, 2013

Glamorous

I've come to the conclusion that I'm much too old to sleep in a chair.  When the doctor came out to talk to me after Jason's eye surgery on Tuesday, he casually mentioned that Jason can't lie on his back for one month.  He is supposed to only lie on his right side until his eye has fully healed.  I wondered aloud how this would be possible with Jason's memory issues.  I decided it might be best for Jason to sleep on the couch.  I wheeled out his dialysis machine from the bedroom, and got him settled in for the night.
Since I needed to be close by in case one of the alarms sounded on the machine, this left our chair and ottoman for my repose.  I've always longed for an antique fainting couch, so turned the ottoman sideways and tried to fashion one.  Somehow my creation fell rather short of comfort.  When I wasn't checking Jason's machine or asking him to roll over, I was searching for a cozy position.  After a mostly sleepless night, I arose with a battered back and wretched demeanor.
After two restless nights in the living room, we moved back to the bedroom last night.  We settled with our heads at the foot of the bed so he could face his machine.  I snuggled into the soft mattress, and sighed as I drifted off to dreamland.  Before my drool could hit the pillow, my dear husband began to snore beside me.  We were also instructed that he can't wear his CPAP mask for a week following surgery.  I did catch some winks between snores, checking the machine, and shifting him to his side, but still looked quite bedraggled this morning.
The past several months have been a bit overwhelming.  I've noticed the bags under my eyes have gone out and purchased new bags.  Stress and sadness have left their marks.  It's possible I haven't put much thought into my daily attire as well.  My son has threatened to stay in the car if I deign to continue wearing my capri sweatpants in public.  My flip flops have become my companions.  I am less than glamorous.  I must ask that if you happen upon me wandering the grocery store aisles...kindly avert your eyes and mumble a friendly greeting before scrambling away.
"I am well in body although considerably rumpled up in spirit." -Anne of Green Gables