Today Handsome Son and I went to my doctor's office to discuss and sign my instructions for end of life care, including the DNR. I wanted them to meet under undramatic circumstances so that if they meet again later, they'll know each other, better all round.
I did change one decision after discussing it and understanding better the gray area, and now it's done, signed, filed with my doctor, original on my refrigerator, copy home with Handsome Son.
Here cropped because of privacy issues, in place for the benefit of EMTs, first thing they see coming in
Then sandwiches and iced tea provided by Handsome Son, then he worked on my Christmas present!
He checked my tires, adjusted fluid levels, recalibrated the tpms, finally getting rid of the low tire pressure alert on the screen.
This was a lovely gift, mainly about peace of mind. Then we finished off a pot of hot tea, with toasted cranberry walnut muffins and had a wonderful visit. Christmas officially completed
After he left, it was time for Textiles and Tea, with Maximo Laura, internationally famous Peruvian tapestry weaver, fifth generation of his family.
I think he was in Lima, anyway I lost the connection for quite a while, so I went in search of more of his work to show you.
See if you can breathe after seeing these stunning works!
Meanwhile, back on earth, about eyeglasses, Steve wondered how useful they can be to donate. Exactly the question I asked my eye doctor who used to collect them for donation to poor countries.
I wondered how useful, for instance, Handsome Partner's glasses would be, massive correction in one eye, plain glass for the other, blinded by measles in childhood, before vaccine.
Dr G. had gone in the past on charitable missions to Haiti with collections of donated eyeglasses, and explained that in affluent countries we're used to exact prescription lenses that enable flawless vision.
We don't realize that for people without access, even a near enough Rx is better than nothing, after examining the patient's vision for maybe the first time in their lives. Andy's massive correction could be the difference between being employed and being considered blind.
So they're not wasted, even when the Rx is not totally accurate. This surprised me quite a bit, but it certainly computes.
So this was a stellar day, and I fell asleep after Textiles and Tea, just so much activity, much of it emotionally demanding.
Happy evening, everyone. I hope your day was even half as satisfying as mine.
The poor deserve much better. Vision is vital to everyone. I always believed new lenses were added to donated frames. How sad.
ReplyDeleteMaybe sometimes. But massive corrections can't always be done in poorer countries. I agree that poverty shouldn't be an obstacle.
DeleteStunning work!
ReplyDeleteYour very organised with your health. Not many people are and they definitely don’t want to talk about end of life issues. Good on you.
It's not easy. Even my doctor and her nurse were stressed out! When it was done they separately said, go do something fun! Take your mom to lunch.
DeleteA very thoughtful gift from Handsome Son.
ReplyDeleteThe colours in that weaving are, indeed, breathtaking. They seem to glow and shimmer.
We had an amazing ophthalmologist called Fred Hollows who pioneered sight saving surgeries in third world countries (and third world pockets in first world countries like Australia). His foundation still does so much good and makes us aware of things like glasses - so basic for us but so life changing for others.
That's wonderful work, so life changing.
DeleteThe Lion's Club has a collect glasses for reycling program.
ReplyDeleteThat's the group whose box I put my glasses in
DeleteSimply breathtaking tapestries. I love your Tea With Textiles Tuesdays - it's a whole new world for me.
ReplyDeleteWell done on introducing your son to your doc, and for completing the DNR process. Interesting that it was stressful for your doctor and nurse - I would think they would be relieved and happy to have a person like you who puts her affairs in order. Emotionally demanding for you and HS, of course - but so good to have these decisions made and agreed to by all parties.
It sounds like you bounced back nicely from yesterday's 'stress test'. Glad a nap happened today.
Chris from Boise
The medics and I get along well, and we've known each other many years. I think it made them sad to think my days might be nearly over. But they were glad it was done .
DeleteLaura and I put out glasses in the Lions Club box for years. Since she left, I have quite a collection.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if there's a collection box anywhere in your residence?
DeleteYou got a lot of important things accomplished today, that's for sure. And I love the beautifully vibrant colours of the Peruvian tapestries!
ReplyDeleteAren't they amazing? He started life as a painter, and you can tell.
DeleteThose tapestries must be among the best I have connected to through your blog - the colours are immense and the designs are beautiful. Good to know that info about the glasses. I donated loads of our old ones through the local church in Greece, but had doubts about how useful they might be. Now I will make sure absolutely none are wasted, ever. xx F
ReplyDeleteI agree on both. If there's even a small chance that expensively made lenses can help anyone else, worth donating.
DeleteHis color and shape sense are really the best I've ever seen, too.
Oh my, the tapestries are absolutely glorious! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you for clarifying and making clear your end-of-life wishes. Better to understand and make the decisions yourself rather than leave them to the interpretation of somebody else.
Mainly I wanted them off the shoulders of my son. He'll have a lot of responsibility as my sole remaining relative anyway so this gives him a document and my doctor as his team, if necessary.
DeleteI’ve donated glasses with unlike corrections in the lenses. I didn’t realize how they could be used. Thank you for the info, Boud.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to help. I'm seeing my eye doctor today, maybe if I remember, I'll mention it to him.
DeleteThat makes sense about the glasses. I had never thought about it before.
ReplyDeleteSo if you can, donate! Is there a Canadian Lions Club? Or an equivalent eyeglass program?
DeleteYou are right- that was an incredibly emotionally demanding day.
ReplyDeleteAs to Sr. Laura's weaving- my GOD! Unbelievably beautiful. As is the weaver. Oh my. That was probably most uncouth of me to mention that but I felt I had to.
He's pretty cute! But his work is totally amazing. He's a Peruvian national treasure. I hope he's safe in the present upheaval in Peru which never makes it into our news.
DeleteGorgeous work, so colorful! That's one of the things I like about south of the border, they embrace bright color. It's ironic, my joy at seeing color, when I only wear muted colors of blue, gray, green, and purple but my skin is so white bright colors make me look even more like a ghost.
ReplyDeleteI think here in the north, this season is so muted that seeing these artworks is particularly great. No flowers here yet, no snow.
DeleteWhat gorgeous colours. Sounds like a good day for you.
ReplyDeleteAren't they? Just luminous. He mixes strands of weft together to get his effects.
DeleteStunning art. Really pretty. I walked through a craft store the other day and saw yarn so bright and pretty that I wanted to make something with it!
ReplyDeleteI think you received a perfect Christmas present from Handsome Son. Sometimes things like that mean much more than a store bought box of chocolates.
ReplyDeleteThose weavings are incredibly colorful - beautiful!!
I always donate my glasses to the local Lion's Club - not sure where they go from there but I think it's to third world countries where there such a need for such things.
Yes, the gift was my request. It got a bit delayed but np, as he would say!
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