The last update on my Jeff was a downer, so I thought I’d share something that tickles me.
Jeff is already thinking about Christmas and has started to shop. Granted his shopping is done online, but he has started to accumulate a few gifts for our children and our son’s girlfriend, Brittany.
Since dx in December 2020, Jeff has endured a slew of various scans, radiation, and tests. CT scans, bone scans, MRIs, PET scan, and repeat ad nauseam.
As Jeff continues to struggle with leg weakness it impacts his mobility and balance. As a result, dressing himself has become a laborious chore. Simply putting on socks/shoes can sometimes prove to be impossible and, while it makes him grossly uncomfortable, he has allowed our daughter and myself to help him get his socks and shoes on.
For every single scan and some radiation and tests, Jeff is required to disrobe and don a gown and the grippy hospital socks.
Although the hospital requires patients to wear the grippy socks, Jeff ignores them. He can’t easily put them on and he’s certainly not going to ask a nurse/tech for help.
After Jeff’s last scan we were in the car and leaving the hospital. Although he was sitting, Jeff managed to rummage around in his pocket and he pulled out an unopened packet of grippy socks.
He waved the socks in the air. As they flapped back and forth Jeff enthusiastically stated, “I got me some more socks!!!”
I questioned, “I see that … are you going to add them to your collection?”
Jeff proudly exclaims, “Nope! Stocking stuffers!!! I should have enough by now that the kids and Brittany can all get 2 pair each!”
The really funny thing to me is that I have no doubt everyone will get at least 1 pair.
Although Jeff intends the gesture to be funny, I think later on down the road, the socks will become a treasured remembrance of Jeff making the best of things during a really crummy time.
I secretly hope I get a pair too.
~ Stephanie
#teamjeffgallagher