It's been a little over three months since my husband Jeremy was seriously wounded in combat over in Afghanistan, and I've mostly adjusted to being a caregiver for two people in wheelchairs. 

Mostly.

I don't, however, want to have people over at our apartment ever again.  You know what suffers when you are caretaking for two people?  Housework, that's what.  Housework is directly connected to my sanity at the moment, and if I have more of the former than I have less of the latter. 

It makes sense, if you think about it.  If I have half an hour during the day in which Jer doesn't need anything and Connor doesn't need anything, do I sit down with a cup of tea and read, or do I rush over and get the dishes washed?  One glance at the current state of my kitchen would give you my answer to THAT question. 

This is yet another reason why I am looking forward to the new house, which, at almost twice the square footage of the apartment you would think would actually be more work to clean.  The difference will be that I won't be the only one doing the cleaning.

Right now Jeremy can't get to the dishwasher or the refrigerator or the oven.  He can't do the laundry, take a bath or a shower, or even empty his own bedside commode (ever try using a wheelchair on carpet while balancing a full chamber pot in your lap?) Once we're in the new fully wheelchair accessible house, I'll be able to put him to work, thus cutting down my own load and similtaniously increasing the time I get to sit down and get a moment to myself.  Aren't I sweet? 

Also he'll be able to go to the bathroom by himself.  We're both looking forward to that, let me tell you.

In the meantime I'll do the chores the way I've been doing them; haphazardly in between two people's therapy, meal times, hygiene, and the eight billion other little things that go into caretaking.  And I'll do my best not to feel guilty about the piles of laundry or the unvacuumed carpet.  Really right now there are things that are more important. 

And my book and tea are calling me.

~Jess

You can see how the house is coming along and read more about Jessie, Jeremy and Connor over at Jessie's blog, Connor's Song.