Happy 4th of July.  We had an amazing time watching fireworks with friends and family in San Diego bay!!  Thank you to all who joined us!

– xoxo Victoria

Duane turned 44 years old on the 29th.  We had such a great night.  We took the boat to our wedding restaurant ordered a bunch of food togo and then ate on the boat as the sun went down.  We cruised back to the marina where we have carrot cake and tons of laughs!  It was a great day surrounded by Duane’s family!

– xoxo Victoria

Here are a few random for photos from 4th of July week in San Diego.  

Duane’s dad sent us a bunch of bright orange Insatiable (the yacht’s name) hats.  

My sister made a surprise visit.  Donny helping us get settled in our new “bedroom”, we now sleep in the “salon” area on the yacht making it much easier to stay on the boat.  

Donny trying to figure out to buckle Duane’s seatbelt.  Duane laughing because he forgot to take his arms out! hahahaha

– xoxo Victoria

Our normal is changing daily.  When I took this photo two weeks ago this was our new normal, so much has changed.  

Two weeks ago we started hospice.  We now have weekly nurse visits, 10 daily  medications, in home aides available and stricter time schedules.  We are trying to keep him comfortable – hence the neck brace…it didn’t work, we’re back to using a rolled towel.  

The pain is increasing in Duane’s body but as you can see he is still laughing at himself.  As we get closer to our move date I am more and more grateful that we are making the move back to family, more help and cooler temps.  

– xoxo Victoria

Last time we were in San Diego we stopped off at Duane’s sister’s house to use her pool.  Duane loves getting in the pool and floating.  It’s a bit harder now and takes some planning because I can’t get him out by myself.  This was definitely an afternoon well spent!

– xoxo Victoria

Well the time has come for us to move again…it’s been six months! HAHAHAHA!  We will be moving back to San Diego, Del Mar to be specific at the end of July.  There were many factors that contributed to the move, the main ones being the 122 degree weather with a broken pool and no way to get on the boat alone anymore.  It’s also time to have more help and be closer to family.  We found a cute little one bedroom house a block from the beach.  

For everyone that would like to come visit us in San Diego you are all welcome.  The boat is always available for people to stay on and you all Duane loves to go out fishing!  Hope to see you all soon in San Diego.

– xoxo Victoria

I didn’t get around to posting these photos from last month.  Three of Duane’s favorite people came to visit;  Bini, York and Jody.  He was so happy to see them and even happier that when he asked to get in the lake they made it happen for him.  

I love that these guys come to town and just make his little wishes come true.  There are so many things that I can’t do alone with/for him and I love that these guys helped him “swim” again!  They take all the pressure off of me – they carry him to and from the car and boat and into and out of the water.  It is such and amazing this to be apart of.  This not only means a lot to Duane, but to me as well!  

We love you all!

– xoxo Victoria

Buddy uses his duck as a place holder when he needs a midnight snack.  I walked into the bedroom and just turned around and walked out…seriously Buddy?!?!?!

– xoxo Victoria

I went to check the lock on the boat door and when I came back this is what I found.  They slept like this almost all night.  Buddy looks after Duane so much that he will officially be a service dog in two weeks. 

– xoxo Victoria

Let’s just say Duane is not too happy with me.  This morning I had to call 911.  I needed help getting him off the floor.  As his shower was finishing he began to slip of his chair, I tried to push him back on, pull him up …nothing worked.  The only thing that happened was I got pinned between the shower wall and his chair.  He kept sliding so I lowered him to the shower floor and he laid down.  Unable to pick him up by myself (he was slippery and could not assist in anyway) I was forced to call 911.  He immediately made me grab some shorts and try to put them on him.  He cried hysterically dreading the help that was coming. 

The paramedics arrived first and it took two of them, with some help from me to get him to the couch.  Then the fire department got here.  CRAP!!  He really lost it as that point.  I walked them out and told them we were ok and explained the situation.  I told them it wouldn’t happen again because I ordered a shower slider chair I just couldn’t put it together by myself and that I would have help tonight.  They didn’t like that answer…they came back in and put the whole thing together.  

As they were leaving the captain talked to Duane and told him we’ll always come help you, your our brother.  That only made him cry more. 

I walked them out and they told me to stop picking him up myself, call them, they will help!!  They were so nice and such a great group of firemen.  

Tonight I am in the room watching basketball and Duane is on the couch watching basketball.  He is done talking to me – blaming me for calling them.  I think it’s pride and ego and embarrassment  more than anything though.  

– xoxo Victoria