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Visited Julie in June after she got out of the hospital.
Julie, small and bent over, thin. Watching her walk is hard, her feet are so swollen. She sways from side to side, holding on to the wall. The hospital released her - she thinks she should still be there - she thinks they let her go because she is on medicaid. She can’t walk and is and has been shitting in her pants. Last night she tried to make it to the bathroom and fell on Charlie (Uncle Mike’s rottweiler) and ended up peeing on him. She struggles to walk, think and be taken care of. She does not like the fact that she can not care for herself or Elyssa. Walking is of great effort for Julie. She tries to make it to the toilet but usually misses and ends up going on herself. We were on our way to car’s a super market and she went on herself. She was so embarrassed. When we got back to Uncle Mike’s we sat in the yard. Julie started to cry upset at Jason. Saying how she did not want this baby - she didn’t want her - didn’t want her to have to see her Mom die. But, Jason just wanted a baby that he could bring home. Julie says Elyssa is not a pet. She is worried about who will take care of Elyssa. Alaska, 2010 |
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Elyssa, 2, bathes in a pot.
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Jason plays with Elyssa - Julie can barely hold her.
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Julie takes 35 pills a day.
Her AIDS is worse these days and even standing is a struggle. |
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It seems that Julie is worse at her place - coughing and
spitting. Not as bad at Uncle Mike’s. Not much has changed for Julie, Jason or Elyssa. They are still poor, very poor. Their home is still filthy and she still doesn’t shower often, neither does Elyssa or Jason. She has been home from the hospital for four days and has not showered. They usually go to a friend’s house or into town to shower. Their yard reminds me of the dumps on the side of the road. Littered with old refrigerators, trash all in the beautiful landscape of Alaska. Jason told me yesterday that Julie is going to stay at Uncle Mike & Rita’s. He is concerned about her breathing, the particles from the insolation that are exposed. Julie has agreed. She thought that Jason was trying to get rid of her. I talked with her. |
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Jason screams at Elyssa, “go to your room.”
He seems to yell alot at Elyssa and the dogs these days - shooting his plastic BB gun at the dogs and cats. |
Elyssa’s room.
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