Sunday, May 04, 2008
I Wore Plastic Underpants to my Husband's Graduation
I hope nobody noticed. The package claims that they are "discreet" but they seemed awfully lumpy and crinkly to me. So I dug out a skirt that is rather too big and tried to wear tops that would cover up any unusual bulging.
Luckily, it rained. So my mom went and got herself a green Wayne State umbrella, and me a clear plastic "reusable" poncho. I was glad of the poncho because I figured it would disguise any crinkly noises.
My mom and I got there pretty early, and were herded to the walker-not-wheelchair area. Yes, the handicapped people were being segregated from each other. It rained off and on, but the array of colorful umbrellas was actually pretty festive. As were the escaped mylar balloons, which, when I first saw one, I was convinced was either a flying rubber raft or a UFO.
I've been ruined forever by science fiction.
We nearly sat through the entire ceremony, but lost fortitude as the last of the people were crossing the stage to get their faux rolled-up diplomas. They won't actually send the nice certificates until later. But it doesn't matter. I am so proud of Brian and of what he has accomplished.
Navigating the regulations of the LIS degree and having to negotiate with the head of the program to be allowed to continue (due to time issues), working full time, taking care of a sick wife who was hospitalized many times during his academic travails, and just managing to get the actual academic work done...I don't know that he believed he could do it...but I did. I know what kind of man he is, even if he isn't sure himself.
I am particularly haunted by a ghost who isn't mine. There is a person in Brian's past who chose to throw her own life away, who was so mired in despair that she couldn't imagine anyone else's success. She told him he would fail when he said he was going to Detroit to be in the LIS program.
This has tormented me. When Brian and I met, it was partly the fact that I was a librian and he was in library school that brought us together--we didn't actually have that much in common at the time.... When I got very sick the first time with my broken hip, it was his impulse to quit school, quit work, and do nothing but spend all day, every day, taking care of me.
I didn't want that. I wanted Brian to continue, to do what's best for him and to silence that voice that haunted me, that I never heard, that I was only ever told about afterwards.
"You won't succeed."
Wrong.
My Husband, Brian James Elkins, on the day of Saturday, May 3, 2008 did receive his Master's Degree in Library Information Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, while his wife, Janet Lee Elkins sat in the audience whooping with joy, wearing plastic underpants.
This is Brian's accomplishment, not mine, but I feel vindicated and I don't mind telling that stupid ghostly voice: "toldja so."
Luckily, it rained. So my mom went and got herself a green Wayne State umbrella, and me a clear plastic "reusable" poncho. I was glad of the poncho because I figured it would disguise any crinkly noises.
My mom and I got there pretty early, and were herded to the walker-not-wheelchair area. Yes, the handicapped people were being segregated from each other. It rained off and on, but the array of colorful umbrellas was actually pretty festive. As were the escaped mylar balloons, which, when I first saw one, I was convinced was either a flying rubber raft or a UFO.
I've been ruined forever by science fiction.
We nearly sat through the entire ceremony, but lost fortitude as the last of the people were crossing the stage to get their faux rolled-up diplomas. They won't actually send the nice certificates until later. But it doesn't matter. I am so proud of Brian and of what he has accomplished.
Navigating the regulations of the LIS degree and having to negotiate with the head of the program to be allowed to continue (due to time issues), working full time, taking care of a sick wife who was hospitalized many times during his academic travails, and just managing to get the actual academic work done...I don't know that he believed he could do it...but I did. I know what kind of man he is, even if he isn't sure himself.
I am particularly haunted by a ghost who isn't mine. There is a person in Brian's past who chose to throw her own life away, who was so mired in despair that she couldn't imagine anyone else's success. She told him he would fail when he said he was going to Detroit to be in the LIS program.
This has tormented me. When Brian and I met, it was partly the fact that I was a librian and he was in library school that brought us together--we didn't actually have that much in common at the time.... When I got very sick the first time with my broken hip, it was his impulse to quit school, quit work, and do nothing but spend all day, every day, taking care of me.
I didn't want that. I wanted Brian to continue, to do what's best for him and to silence that voice that haunted me, that I never heard, that I was only ever told about afterwards.
"You won't succeed."
Wrong.
My Husband, Brian James Elkins, on the day of Saturday, May 3, 2008 did receive his Master's Degree in Library Information Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, while his wife, Janet Lee Elkins sat in the audience whooping with joy, wearing plastic underpants.
This is Brian's accomplishment, not mine, but I feel vindicated and I don't mind telling that stupid ghostly voice: "toldja so."
Labels: Brian, depends, library, Wayne State
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Early but Sleep=Success!
I am slowly tapering of the decadron, which has been keeping me up at night and has made me extremely cranky during the day.
This is a relief.
My itchiness is gone; I have some dry skin where the shingles were, but that is much improved as well.
Yesterday we had a visit from a special home-program where my insurance will offer as little or as much home support as we deem necessary--this could be home nursing visits, occasional accompaniment to appointments, light help around the house, all-hours medical advice and assistance, and the social workers are helping to look into transportation options that might be a good idea for now. They were incredibly nice, and I'll be interested to see if I can actually think of stuff I'd like help with.
I like to be independent, so it's tough for me to think of things for people to come do, although if somebody wants to vacuum, I could totally get behind that!
We also went to a lawyer's office yesterday where we got help setting up some basic documents that everyone should have. This I don't like thinking about, but it's useful for people to have power of attorney and wills and living trusts and what not. I found the experience refreshingly non-smarmy, and it's good to have things arranged even if they're unpleasant to think about.
We also stopped at Zingerman's again--this time the potato salad was swiss and we got some excellent macaroni and cheese. The deli seems weird to find if you're not pedestrian, but we will make a heroic effort to take any guests there who come and visit. I swear to you, the food really is phenomenal.
Monday is my last radiation visit (for now, although the neuro-onc, Dr. Lisa Rodgers, did indicate she would speak to Dr. Hayman about whether two lesions in my spine needed to be addressed before they begin intruding with my spinal column).
Monday is also Brian and my second wedding anniversary. :D
We both failed to believe when we got married that I would get to this point. I am so very happy to be wrong. Celebration, alas, will have to wait for a day Brian is not doing his practicum at Plymouth Public Library. It's his last semester in the LIS program at Wayne State, and I'm so very proud of what he's accomplished.
We will celebrate Wednesday, I think.
We also totally forgot about Baxter's birthday on the 21st, but he'll be getting a nice, juicy bone on Sunday so maybe he won't mind.
This is a relief.
My itchiness is gone; I have some dry skin where the shingles were, but that is much improved as well.
Yesterday we had a visit from a special home-program where my insurance will offer as little or as much home support as we deem necessary--this could be home nursing visits, occasional accompaniment to appointments, light help around the house, all-hours medical advice and assistance, and the social workers are helping to look into transportation options that might be a good idea for now. They were incredibly nice, and I'll be interested to see if I can actually think of stuff I'd like help with.
I like to be independent, so it's tough for me to think of things for people to come do, although if somebody wants to vacuum, I could totally get behind that!
We also went to a lawyer's office yesterday where we got help setting up some basic documents that everyone should have. This I don't like thinking about, but it's useful for people to have power of attorney and wills and living trusts and what not. I found the experience refreshingly non-smarmy, and it's good to have things arranged even if they're unpleasant to think about.
We also stopped at Zingerman's again--this time the potato salad was swiss and we got some excellent macaroni and cheese. The deli seems weird to find if you're not pedestrian, but we will make a heroic effort to take any guests there who come and visit. I swear to you, the food really is phenomenal.
Monday is my last radiation visit (for now, although the neuro-onc, Dr. Lisa Rodgers, did indicate she would speak to Dr. Hayman about whether two lesions in my spine needed to be addressed before they begin intruding with my spinal column).
Monday is also Brian and my second wedding anniversary. :D
We both failed to believe when we got married that I would get to this point. I am so very happy to be wrong. Celebration, alas, will have to wait for a day Brian is not doing his practicum at Plymouth Public Library. It's his last semester in the LIS program at Wayne State, and I'm so very proud of what he's accomplished.
We will celebrate Wednesday, I think.
We also totally forgot about Baxter's birthday on the 21st, but he'll be getting a nice, juicy bone on Sunday so maybe he won't mind.
Labels: anniversary, Baxter, Brian, Decadron, Dr. Hayes, Dr. Lisa Rodgers, insurance, lawyer, library, Plymouth Public, shingles, Wayne State, WBR, wedding, Zingerman's
