This blog was supposed to be about Lewy Body and comparing it to PDD and AD...but for some reason I was moved by a conversation I had earlier at the residence with the RN, and my day with Mammy.
Wow.
To think it's been a year since Mom was diagnosed. It doesn't feel that long - but then there hasn't been a great deal of down time - even though I'm not the caretaker for her 24/7.
Where she was when she first came in from Highline Hospital to now, in retrospect, is great.
She was shuffling, had pains in her sides and shoulders, and was a real grumpus!
Now, she's moving much better, albeit still a little lighter on her shuffling, but still shuffling, and her attitude has become rosier and, as a friend of her stated, kind.
She is relaxed (not only due to the medications, but also to the staff and the routine she can rely on,) without the worries of a house, car, yard, etc. She receives letters, she can do her crossword without having to be someplace; in a sense, she is luxuriating.
However, this comes at a cost.
Yesterday a woman she has known throughout the ages and was re-connected with - more so a friend to another up in Port Angeles, died yesterday. Another patient died last month, and this brought Mother down. Yet, either she doesn't realize this other one has passed, or has forgotten.
She still writes her parents (I'm looking at an Xmas/birthday card at this moment for her mum), cannot remember much - for instance where we've resided (towns, etc), years, that she's been to Europe, especially England many times (she cannot believe I think she went to Wales and Ireland with Dad - and Scotland after, then Paris)she told me I had a vivid imagination!
When things befuddle her she discounts them, now. She's not reading much, but says it's the book's fault (which it well may be).
She loves Physical Therapy and her massages! This morning she was kicking the stability ball with great force, they tell me. She laughed! She really likes that stuff. And the balloon batting - that's so much fun (great for mobility!).
I've not seen her so content ever. She wants to go back home, but I can sense, strongly, she isn't all that eager. Here she's safe, cared for, and enjoys many of the workers (she says the other residence are just kooks and out of their minds!).
Today we went back to the dentist with 2 crowns. Well, Dr. Brad, the saint that he is, dealt with them. He even spoke to her about her eye drops! I had asked if he could "consult" with her about them, as she was quite concerned that she wasn't putting them in the correct portion of her eyes. He explained it didn't matter as the fluid would find its way (same thing her eye doctor told her earlier this year!). This pleased her greatly!
We then went to the Golden Crown for lunch. We'd been there many times as a family over the years, but she didn't recall being there ever. She didn't even remember having lunch with her cousin, Alice, and Alice's daughter, Kip, at the same restaurant a few months back. Well, I guess she gets to relive the adventures over and over and over! Lucky gal!
We went to Gabriel Park and took a short walk - by this time she was tired. She'd had an active day, and was in great spirits! So she said, "I guess it's time to go back to St. Anthony's!" and so we did.
Mom's moodiness has diminished greatly. She does need to be a part of conversations else she feels left out and insignificant - hence she wants to leave, do something else, or whatever.
She no longer seems to pick fights with that other patient mentioned several posts ago. They keep their distance.
She helps some of the other patients, much to the chagrin of the staff (liability, etc), but it gives her spirits a lift knowing she's giving succor or aid to someone who needs it when no other is around.
As she declines, Mom is becoming a wonderful and very charming lady. Bittersweet, really.
Wow.
To think it's been a year since Mom was diagnosed. It doesn't feel that long - but then there hasn't been a great deal of down time - even though I'm not the caretaker for her 24/7.
Where she was when she first came in from Highline Hospital to now, in retrospect, is great.
She was shuffling, had pains in her sides and shoulders, and was a real grumpus!
Now, she's moving much better, albeit still a little lighter on her shuffling, but still shuffling, and her attitude has become rosier and, as a friend of her stated, kind.
She is relaxed (not only due to the medications, but also to the staff and the routine she can rely on,) without the worries of a house, car, yard, etc. She receives letters, she can do her crossword without having to be someplace; in a sense, she is luxuriating.
However, this comes at a cost.
Yesterday a woman she has known throughout the ages and was re-connected with - more so a friend to another up in Port Angeles, died yesterday. Another patient died last month, and this brought Mother down. Yet, either she doesn't realize this other one has passed, or has forgotten.
She still writes her parents (I'm looking at an Xmas/birthday card at this moment for her mum), cannot remember much - for instance where we've resided (towns, etc), years, that she's been to Europe, especially England many times (she cannot believe I think she went to Wales and Ireland with Dad - and Scotland after, then Paris)she told me I had a vivid imagination!
When things befuddle her she discounts them, now. She's not reading much, but says it's the book's fault (which it well may be).
She loves Physical Therapy and her massages! This morning she was kicking the stability ball with great force, they tell me. She laughed! She really likes that stuff. And the balloon batting - that's so much fun (great for mobility!).
I've not seen her so content ever. She wants to go back home, but I can sense, strongly, she isn't all that eager. Here she's safe, cared for, and enjoys many of the workers (she says the other residence are just kooks and out of their minds!).
Today we went back to the dentist with 2 crowns. Well, Dr. Brad, the saint that he is, dealt with them. He even spoke to her about her eye drops! I had asked if he could "consult" with her about them, as she was quite concerned that she wasn't putting them in the correct portion of her eyes. He explained it didn't matter as the fluid would find its way (same thing her eye doctor told her earlier this year!). This pleased her greatly!
We then went to the Golden Crown for lunch. We'd been there many times as a family over the years, but she didn't recall being there ever. She didn't even remember having lunch with her cousin, Alice, and Alice's daughter, Kip, at the same restaurant a few months back. Well, I guess she gets to relive the adventures over and over and over! Lucky gal!
We went to Gabriel Park and took a short walk - by this time she was tired. She'd had an active day, and was in great spirits! So she said, "I guess it's time to go back to St. Anthony's!" and so we did.
Mom's moodiness has diminished greatly. She does need to be a part of conversations else she feels left out and insignificant - hence she wants to leave, do something else, or whatever.
She no longer seems to pick fights with that other patient mentioned several posts ago. They keep their distance.
She helps some of the other patients, much to the chagrin of the staff (liability, etc), but it gives her spirits a lift knowing she's giving succor or aid to someone who needs it when no other is around.
As she declines, Mom is becoming a wonderful and very charming lady. Bittersweet, really.
No comments:
Post a Comment