The Krystal Kaper...Part 1

As many of you know, Marvel has not been well this week. She was scheduled for 5 doubles this week, much of which was covering Lolo who is unavailable this week. Kelly helped us earlier this week cover some shifts, but left for Disneyland on Wednesday, so we're quite short handed which has had me and Suzanne scrambling. But we've made it thanks to all of you who have jumped in to help - you are all ANGELS! I did hear from Marvel again last night and it looks like she is going to be out for at least the rest of the weekend. This means that we still don't have anyone for TODAY (FRIDAY) from 3:30 to 10pm or on SUNDAY from 10am to 6pm. If you are available at all during these times, please call me!!!

So, without Marvel, the big question was HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET PEGGY TO THE ART SHOW TO GET HER AWARD?!!!! Marvel and Lolo are always the leads on our outings, so we had no idea how we were going to pull off getting Peggy to the show last night. The Hawaii Watercolor Society was so excited for her to come and Peggy was too. And guess what - WE DID IT! I just have to share the miraculous and hilarious story of how we did it...

The day started with the infamous Thursday morning duo Andy Yim and Suzanne "Maria Rose" Ching. Together, we made sure all of Peggy's equipment was charged and ready to go. We packed her bags, picked out her outfit, and had Peggy give us a list of what not to forget. Cathy the nurse called and said that she strongly recommended that we have Peggy go on oxygen since she's been a little congested. So Suzanne and I had to dig the oxygen tank out of the shower and make sure it was ready to go since Peggy never uses it on outings.

Suzanne had to go and babysit her grandson, which was OK because Shelly Mecum came at 2pm to help us with the next phase. We knew that Andy had an appointment to get to so she had to leave by 3:30, so we got started getting her ready to get into the chair. Peggy had to potty first, so Shelly and Andy got her up. Now, keep in mind that I have Sawyer with me and he's going through some intense separation anxiety and "clingy-ness" ever since he was sick. He doesn't want to be put down or held by anyone else for more than 2 minutes. Also keep in mind that the cab is scheduled to pick Peggy up at 4pm and the reception is at 5pm.

So, we get Peggy up to potty and I notice that her skin breakdown is red and exposed. The Duoderm patch is totally gone, so I look around and can't find any more Duoderm. I call Cathy the nurse and she says that Peggy really should cover it with Duoderm to protect it since it is an open would and we don't want it to worsen or get infected. She tells me that she has some Duoderm in the trunk of the car and she will bring it over and help us put it on. She's on Kalihi Street. So with Peggy hanging in the hoyer, we wait for Cathy.

By this time it is almost 3:15. Cathy shows up very fast and puts the Duoderm on and we're ready to go. We lower Peggy down, but it is 3:30 and Andy has to go. So Shelly and I are on our own. I've got Sawyer on my back in the backpack carrier and we're just about to attempt to roll Peggy to get the cloth chux in between the hoyer and her bottom. The clock is ticking and Shelly and I are feeling a bit in over our heads. But, what Shelly and I lack in skill, we make up for in Faith and Determination! So, we position Peggy to roll her and --- hooray!!!! --- in breezes our saviour of the day - old friend and registered RN Valerie Santiago! I think the whole neighborhood heard our cries of joy and relief to see her smiling face!

Needless to say, Valerie, who is the definition of "grace under pressure", slipped right in and took the lead getting Peggy in the chair. Soon after, the fabulous Kay Hoffman comes to our aid as well. We get Peggy ready to drop into the chair. Shelly gets behind her, pulls her up and we drop her in. And this, my friends, is a true miracle - we get her in the chair perfectly on the first try!

I had called the cab guys to see if we could push the cab back to 4:30, but they said that the driver had to be in Waimanalo by 5:30. It is 4:15 by the time we get her in the chair. The cab is waiting, but I can see that we are actually going to pull it off! Since I know that Peggy is in great hands and on her way, I go get ready (a big thank you by the way to Betsy for bringing over bobbie pins for my fashion emergency earlier in the day!). Then, Elroy, Sawyer, and I leave to go pick up Indy from school and go head down to the show.

We get there at just about 5:30 and just minutes later, Peggy, Kay, Shelly, and Valerie come rolling down Pauahi Street like a little parade! Just in time too, because they are just about to start the awards ceremony. They open the doors of the Arts at Mark's Garage for Queen Peggy and we all breath a huge sigh of relief - we did it!

Wanna know how the show was and what kind of excitement happened there? Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Krystal Kaper (and find out why we're calling it that too)...