After we returned home from dinner last night, I received a phone call from a private nurse hired by Transamerica, our long-term care insurer. She wanted to set up an appointment with Kate in connection with my application for her care. I knew that someone would be calling and happy that it had occurred so quickly after my initiating the claim on Tuesday. We scheduled a meeting for 2:30 this afternoon. I told the nurse that I had not told Kate about my application for care or that she would be receiving a visit from a nurse. I also told her that I believe Kate does not feel that she needs someone to stay with her right now. In addition, I gave her a little information about Kate. More specifically, I told her that she can get along pretty well in short social encounters and that many people never suspect her diagnosis.
This is one of those big moments for me. The other will be when the sitter comes for her first visit next Wednesday. I spoke with the agency providing the service yesterday and explained to her that Kate does not know that I have made these arrangements. I wanted to make sure that the companion made the transition a smooth one. The Wednesday meeting should be shorter than the normal 4-hour time period that I have requested. I thought that might make it easier for Kate. Something else that may help is that our son arrives a week from tomorrow (Saturday). For that reason, I have asked that the agency not send anyone while he is here since his main purpose for coming is to be with his mother. That means that Kate will have about a 1 ½ – 2-hour get acquainted period with the sitter on Wednesday and a 4-hour one on Friday. Then she will not have the sitter again until the following Friday. I hope that will make for a gentle smooth transition. I’ll be a bit nervous until I see Kate’s response. Kate has become so accepting of many things that I think it is possible that this may be a bigger event for me than for Kate. I have my fingers crossed.
