Tasting the Future

No, I did not eat my watch. Today, I got a phone call that isn't so unusual, but ended with a reminder of our human frailties.

Earlier this week, my primary night nurse started having major trouble with a leg injury. Today, the scheduler from the nursing agency called that she is in the hospital and will be gone for at least a week. Tonight, in about an hour, my two night a week person is scheduled to train someone from another agency to help fill the shifts. Right now, how many, if any, will be covered is uncertain. Unfortunately, this isn't new, but comments were.

When my dad was out helping my aunt, mom commented that she didn't know how much longer they could do this. Tomorrow, Friday, she and dad were planning to take a much needed two-day vacation, but that is now unlikely. With unseasonably high temperatures this week in mid-February, a mini getaway was welcome, and relief from never-ending stress at dad's work.

Mom's statement says what I feel though, my parents are in their mid fifties, and most of my nurses are at that age and above. Two especially, more likely three, of my four regular assistants are also not in great health. When my parents should be looking toward retirement, they are instead not seeing an end, or change, in the future to current levels of need.

As I have heard at least twice this week, and as my title says, I need to learn to rely on God more, and know He has a plan. In looking ahead, I cannot see a positive future, but in looking back, that has been the case before. In time, that plan will come into light, just waiting for it in uncertain times is the hardest part.

Pacing
In other news, I'm doing well with the DPS system. Last week, both units alarmed low battery one day after the other, so we're doing well on keeping them even. Last Friday, I sent one unit in to have its output increased, it was returned today. Dad hooked me up to it before supper, going directly from one unit to the other.

It definitely has an increased jolt, and I like the breath I was taking. It was much fuller, larger, and more like I expected. For a few minutes, I started to get lite-headed, but since we were eating, I didn't want to interrupt to check my O2. After about three hours on the increased jolt unit, six hours pacing, I went back on the vent.

Yes, the vent is completely different than the DPS, but I was well aware of how much less air I was getting. I will give a few days testing before I send in the smaller jolt unit to be changed, but I am impressed with the quality of breathing. God allowed me to experience this new way of breathing and has allowed it to go very well, maybe it's more of the future He has for me than I know.