Tomorrow I get my stitches out after the CT surgery. My fingertips are still a bit numb, but the doctor said this is normal and should improve over the next 3 months. But I can hold a telephone without numbness, hold a pen, type, so I think things are a lot better.
Mum did another massage today because of her lymph glands that don’t work. Her feet/ankles are still very swollen. I don’t know if these massages are worth it as they cost money and hurt a lot. What to do? I suppose go back to the doctor for him to see the state of her ankles and decide. I’m not going to quit without the doctor’s word because if mum gets erisypela, I’ll get blamed for quitting too soon.
Right now mum’s yelling really loudly, grabbing the aid by the throat and acting crazy. I go and talk to her, but it doesn’t help much and then she grabs me by the throat. We go through this every other day more or less. At other times she’s quite calm. Dementia is a terrible thing!
I have to take for a dentist appointment, which I dread, because the dentist seems to be afraid of her. I think he’s afraid she might faint or something in the chair. And then if mum has one of her crises, well, it’ll be really fun!! Hope it all goes smoothly!
How is summer going for everyone? We’re coming out of the cool dry season (our winter) into the hot dry season which precedes the rains. It’s still cool in the evenings though with lots of wind. It’s kite season and the boys are all outside flying their kites and having kite battles where they cut each other’s strings then chase the floating kite, yelling “tora, tora” (torar = to cut). You have to be really careful when you drive, not that I’m driving yet, because they run out into the street without looking for traffic, with their heads turned upwards following the kite. So far, this year, not one has fallen into our yard though there is one stuck on our TV antenna. When it wrapped itself around the antenna, it was brightly coloured, now it’s bleached white but still flaps away in the wind. I suppose it’ll gradually disintegrate.
You are a disruptor. The delivery of health care starts with you, continues because of you, and ends with you. Let's disrupt together to make the world better for family caregivers. 
Denise
Hi Dilys—It sounds like your recovery is on schedule! I hope all continues to go well and that you’ll know a pain-free hand soon. Ugh, I’m sorry about the difficult moments with your mom—tough for all of you!
I enjoy when you provide peeks into life in Brazil. I hope bright kites slowly pass by so you can enjoy the site.
Bette
Hi Dilys,
I’m so glad all went well with your surgery. I hope your hand is back to normal soon. I’m sorry for what is happening with your mom right now. You are very strong. That would be so hard to see. I hope all went well yesterday with the removal of your stitches. Take Care Dilys.