• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Lost in Bed: Transitioning into an Adult Care Facility

Howard
3 min read
Views
833
Reaction score
6
Comments
16
User Blogs
I guess I'm not sleeping. Literally. My friend and neighbor Dora keeps waking me up by shouting out loud into the night. Okay then, it's not night time anymore, but the sun has not yet risen, however - I do see a pale blue hue beyond my window pane. Speaking of pain, I'll choose not to go on...
Howard
5 min read
Views
841
Reaction score
8
Comments
21
User Blogs
Please keep in mind that I missed the brunt of everything - but this is exactly what was happening at 3:03 p.m. (Mountain Standard Arizona Pacific Daylight Savings Time) during the brief 22 minutes that I spent in-house. My neighbor and friend (Dora) was borderline hysterical, calling out my...
Howard
5 min read
Views
873
Reaction score
8
Comments
14
User Blogs
Robert is gone. He was my roommate for nine days. An eventful nine days. You see, he's suffering from dementia. And for the first 48 hours as my roommate, he was quite agitated. He neither slept, nor stayed in bed. Nor did he wear clothes, all that often - careening down the hallway with his...
Howard
5 min read
Views
973
Reaction score
10
Comments
18
User Blogs
Dateline: two days ago - A frigid desert night is in the making. Freezing. Below freezing. Our version of an Arctic blast. This winter has been cold. Colder than normal. Or at least, far colder than it's been (on average) in the past decade or so. But that's okay, as the chill is much more...
Howard
7 min read
Views
727
Reaction score
10
Comments
18
User Blogs
I'd been outside waiting for my return ride back to the nursing home (for nearly two hours). That's right, they forgot about me. And hence, the possibility of being stuck in Gilbert, Arizona overnight on Christmas Eve was becoming a real possibility. Lucky for me, the temperature was agreeable...
Howard
6 min read
Views
894
Reaction score
9
Comments
18
User Blogs
I've written five full blog entries (ready for posting) in the past six days. But for a multitude of reasons, I've decided against actually posting the darned things. Why? Because my purpose in doing so is unclear. And also, I do not wish to unnecessarily hurt others, or stress others...
Howard
6 min read
Views
297
Reaction score
6
Comments
2
User Blogs
Isolation - Day 6 (Wednesday) Sleep. It's something I've been doing of late. More specifically, lots of napping. The other thing I've also been doing with some frequency is wake up whenever the blaring door alarm goes off. Because we are under quarantine, all staff members must exit our unit...
Howard
4 min read
Views
623
Reaction score
8
Comments
10
User Blogs
Symptom Status I'm fine. Or at least, in most instances I am getting there. Since early this morning (Monday) my chief complaint is a semi-regular cough. So that's not much to complain about. The fever, elevated blood pressure, sinus / facial pain, and body aches, are no longer much of an...
Howard
1 min read
Views
638
Reaction score
5
Comments
7
User Blogs
Yep. I just tested positive. There's no way the experience could be as bad as last time, right? My fever is at 102.3 degrees. And of course, all the rest of the symptoms. But I should fare better this time, right? I've had it twice already. And I was outside in the direct sunlight yesterday...
Howard
3 min read
Views
642
Reaction score
6
Comments
12
User Blogs
Thought I would share something silly with y'all - Background: it's 418am and it's really warm in here! So I just sent this off to management via email. And no, this is not a crisis situation. But I thought you might find this communique amusing on some level. Good morning, Once again I...
Howard
5 min read
Views
522
Reaction score
7
Comments
5
User Blogs
He exited I-10 instead of going straight, which put us on the outer fringes of Tempe, instead of Ahwatukee. No, it wasn't a fatal error, but there would be several more "errors" to come. Upon entering the chosen apartment complex (15 minutes later) the driver angled to the right instead of...
Howard
6 min read
Views
792
Reaction score
8
Comments
9
User Blogs
After being rejected, deflected, and neglected for so long, something positive has finally happened. No, it really hasn't been all that bad of late. Just mostly that bad. Anyway, Valley Metro Transit approved transportation for me. What this means is that I can cop a ride anywhere in and around...
Howard
4 min read
Views
634
Reaction score
8
Comments
14
User Blogs
My application for disability was rejected. Again. And already. Heck it's only been three weeks. Talk about fast rejection. I don't even know how to react at this point. Supposedly, they're going to send me some sort of documentation within the next two weeks that shall explain in grave detail...
Howard
3 min read
Views
549
Reaction score
6
Comments
7
User Blogs
I came down with something Monday morning. But in the meantime I did test negative for covid-19 and the flu. And now it's Friday. I think. And my symptoms are on the wane. Just some leftover congestion. You know what I mean? But sleeping? No. That's not a thing that's happening (I realize I...
Howard
1 min read
Views
518
Reaction score
7
Comments
4
User Blogs
It may be difficult to contend with this new song at first, but after a period of time it settles in - awkwardly. Because there are guest vocals you don't have to listen to me sing. An added bonus! Yes, the vocal renderings originate in India. The vocalist's name is Dabra. Or perhaps not...
Howard
4 min read
Views
439
Reaction score
6
Comments
3
User Blogs
Sure. Sure. Sure. I can sleep any old time I want to. I mean, I don't have a job. I never need to be anywhere. And heck, I've spent the past seven years in bed (besides my newfound freedom in the power chair). So why exactly am I so angry? Well, it's 3:39 in the morning, and the ruckus - nope...
Howard
6 min read
Views
593
Reaction score
8
Comments
5
User Blogs
Because my roommate is snoring as loudly as he is, I am afforded the rare opportunity to voice text into my phone at this late hour. Not much has changed here. Except my clothing. Yes. I am now wearing warmer things out of necessity. Even in my room. Of course, the air conditioning is on...
Howard
4 min read
Views
965
Reaction score
12
Comments
16
User Blogs
Yes, I'm finally offering up the fruits of my chosen labor of love. My expression to the masses. Well, not very many of the masses will be watching or listening. But I've never let that stop me. And neither should you. Don't stop. Unless you're doing something bad. So you know, bad things should...
Howard
6 min read
Views
855
Reaction score
11
Comments
10
User Blogs
I am finally able to write again. Numerous factors have come together and efforts to prevent my normal writing efforts. I will list them with exacting details. Okay, yeah… details won't be exact and perhaps not even clearly defined, but I will offer some details in regards to this. First off...
Howard
2 min read
Views
971
Reaction score
15
Comments
18
User Blogs
I've been meaning to write of late, but time is conspiring against me. Well, it's actually a toss up. The lack of time available versus the distraction of pain. Do I have time available? Why yes I do. Each of us could squeeze in dozens or hundreds or perhaps even thousands of words per day if...

Blog information

Author
Howard
Blog entries
145
Last update