I spent the day with Elegante Mother. I made it to her room very shortly after 8:30. Parking and weather and traffic were all on my side this morning. EM was really sleepy today. I have the sense that we wore her out yesterday, and that she may have not gotten enough sleep, due to a roommate, and a sitter who was willing to chat with her.
She had asked to sit in a chair. I see that as a very positive thing, but she kept trying to doze off. At first I was really upset, and then I realized she just needs more rest. I helped her with breakfast, and a midmorning snack. When I started on the lunch that was delivered, we got about ten bites into it before she said, “NO MORE!” I tried to sneak a bite past her a little later and got the evil eye!
The nursing home was supposed to take EM on Monday, but they had an opening, and she made the transfer today at 1:30. A friend had stopped by and graciously offered to help me carry some of EM’s loot down to my car. I thought I’d packed up everything. It didn’t look like anything could be left in the room, but I missed one thing that my siblings will never let me forget…..her bottom dentures. (sigh) I wondered why she was having so much trouble with the macaroni and cheese…..
My-Sister-The-Nurse made it to the nursing home just as EM was being delivered. We settled down to sign the paperwork, and then went back to check on Mother. She had snoozed for an hour, in the chair. She has a nice room that looks out partly into a tree, and partly over the lawn. She has two areas where we can take her to sit outside and enjoy beautiful patios with lovely landscaping.
We’re expecting EM to go through physical therapy for the next week, and then we will assess her for her ability to come home, with assistance. In the past five days, I’ve visited EM every day, and three of those days I was with her for at least eight hours. Office work is beginning to mount up. I’m going to take clothes over early in the morning, tomorrow, and then my second sister will care for Mother. I’ll go back to do Sunday morning and Monday afternoon. My biggest concern about EM returning home is that I won’t be able to find the time to do the work that can’t be farmed out. We’ll have to find good help that I can trust.
Tomorrow, I’m going to get errands done, work in the office, and make time for myself in the evening. Dear Husband is going sailing over the weekend, so I don’t have to worry about a meal for him on Saturday night. I may just go to bed early and SLEEP IN!
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Daily Archives: June 27, 2008
A Quickie…
…is all I have time for this morning. I need to head out to the hospital soon.
Yesterday, we had quite the roller coaster ride. I was astonished at Elegante Mother’s improvement! She looked healthier, more like the mother I know. She was more alert, and was conversing, and keeping up with what was happening around her.
EM, all by herself, got out of bed, and with the help of a walker, walked about ten feet, turned around and walked back and sat on the bed! That’s an incredible accomplishment for someone who had had a seizure three days earlier.
EM had a caller. MY-Sister-The-Nurse handed her the phone, and we listened to her side of the conversation, which was totally clear. She recognized her friend from exercise, and talked for several minutes. I might not have handed the phone to Mother. I’m learning not to underestimate her. EM has a steel will when it comes to getting out of the hospital!
Unfortunately, in addition to those highs for the day, we also had the results of a swallow test, and the results were not what we had hoped for. EM will have to have thickened liquids, to avoid aspirating liquid into her lungs. She will receive physical therapy to help re-develop those muscles that she needs to eat and drink. Right now she is on a soft diet, and raspberry yogurt is one of her favorites.
Elegante Mother will be moved to an absolutely beautiful nursing home on the hospital campus on Monday, and will continue to receive physical and occupational therapy. I believe that if we explain to her what she needs to accomplish to be able to come home, she will make every effort to achieve it.
Dear Husband is counseling me to take one day at a time. My fabulous friends have given me their love and support, and with all their help, I’m making it through the ups and downs of my days. I can not tell you how much it means to me to know that you are there, encouraging me to take care of myself, and praying for us all. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’ll be back, as soon as I can. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!