Category Archives: LD

Outlook: Enrichening or Depressing Experience?

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Readers of this blog are aware that my spouse remains ill with an ongoing, persistent, chronic set of physically debilitating conditions caused by an infection that can’t be beat. So far, medical treatment, change of diet, consultation with allied health professionals, and much more have not resolved these problems and he remains in bad shape.

A close friend of mine was asking about him, and said, “I’d find that depressing to deal with day in and day out.”

Like a “glass half full or half empty” outlook,…
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Holding My Man

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My beloved spouse is still recovering from a relapse of a long-term bout of illness caused by an infection from two microbial organisms transmitted by a tick bite.

It worries me that each evening, I literally have to hold him and guide him to the bathroom and then bedroom, as he is not quite able to walk on his own. But holding him, guiding him, and loving him is not a burden, but my devotion.
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Intellectual Discussion with My Best Friend

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Sunday, my spouse and I did something we love to do on a cold winter’s day… we made ravioli from scratch, and by hand one raviolo at a time.

While my spouse has not been out of the house since November 19 (except for visits to his doctor and twice at an E.R.), the treatment regimen that he is on at least has cleared the bugs from his brain. No more “brain fog” and extreme fatigue, though the joint pain remains severe.

So while he was feeling in good spirits and wanted to spend time with me doing something together, I made pasta dough, and …
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Boots–Shopping, Shoveling, and Hospital

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Saturday was a very busy day, starting with a shopping trip to a plumbling contractor’s supply store, where I wore my Chippewa logger boots (’cause it’s damn cold and icy!)

When I arrived home, I had messages from some of my senior pals who asked if I knew anyone who could shovel their sidewalks. Frustrated and angry that teenage neighbors refused to help, even for pay, my boots took me to four of their homes and I shoveled… broke up the ice… and shoveled.

Man, when I returned home, I was beat. But the day’s trials of my soul weren’t over…
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Observations from a brother

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Guest blog from BHD’s twin brother, J

I decided to come visit my brother after all. He told me to take some time for me, to decompress after my six-month assignment with a voluntary organization where I tried to bring some relief to people suffering from political strife and long-term neglect.

I returned to my home in Italy from that assignment about one month ago. I have enjoyed spending time with my wife and catching up on many things — most of which (besides my wife) seem trivial now.

But what is not trivial is where I can help a guy who never asks for help, but helps many others.
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Biggest Welcome Surprise

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Posted: 8:50pm 12/27/2013.

The doorbell rang while we were having dinner tonight. My spouse grumbled, “who could that be? Tell them we’re eating dinner and to go away.”

Forgive him, he remains grouchy because he is not feeling well.

When I looked out the window at the door, I jumped and screamed, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
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An Hour on Christmas Day

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My spouse remains awfully sick. Yesterday, Christmas Day, he woke late, so I thought perhaps it was a good sign that he slept well the night before. He got up, but needed help dressing.

He gave me that blank stare — that scary blank stare — indicating that his disease fogged his brain. He didn’t know what day it was.

I bucked up and didn’t cry. I just held him.
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Holiday Blog Break

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Dear readers,

Let me wish you and yours joyous holidays and best wishes for 2014.

I need to take a break from blogging for a while. Turns out that bringing my mother-in-law to our house while my spouse is sick was not such a good idea. Having to care for two people who are very needy requires all of my attention, and honestly, I’m about worn out. My patience is drawn to its extreme.

Man, I can’t stand the “voice” that my spouse’s illness has. Trust me, it can be quite nasty. I know it is not him talking, but nonetheless, there are just so many times I can say, “I love you, but not your disease and how it makes you say things you don’t mean and how it makes you behave.”

This will be a very rough Christmas in the ol’ BHD household.

If you are the praying sort, please pray to relieve my spouse of this awful illness.

Best wishes. Looking forward to a much brighter New Year!