This appeared to be a pretty good week for Mom. She seemed very upbeat, and she even laughed a bit when I saw her on Tuesday.
We hopped in the car, after her lunch, and drove to see her doctor at Providence Family Medical Clinic. We were actually right on time! Hallelujah!
We were taken through the halls, and Mom was weighed in (don't ask - I've no idea, and that is how she wants it!) and then we went to our "room".
Mom is quite sensitive to the blood pressure sleeve, and Victor, the nurse, was unable to procure the numbers as Mom cried out from the tightness. So, through the technological advances of texting, I was able to obtain the information from the morning and gave it to them. It looked pretty swell! Even her heart rate.
One the purposes of the meeting was a check-up, but also to evaluate the medications, and to finish the POLST (End-of-Life plan determinations). I had Mom's orders from before she was admitted, originally, and the doctor and I were able to get those, as well, from St. A's, where I had them put in place soon after Mom's admittance. So, now, there's more co-ordination.
Dr. S. engaged Mom in conversation, and it was delightful, as she put it. Mom spoke of moving back to Port Angeles, getting a new home, and making sure her mother had a place, there, as well, for when she drove up to visit. I questioned the idea of her (now dead, but we don't say that) 109 year old mother having to go so far.
"Well, she's sturdy. She has strong legs," replied Mom.
"So you expect her to walk those 250 miles to visit you? Don't you think she's a bit too old?"
"You're full of prunes! She'll drive. She's a very good driver," she responded.
Doctor S sat there marvelling. Then she and Mom spoke on other topics normal for polite conversation.
After all was said and done, the doc stated that Mom get a flu shot at a pharmacy (older folks need a stronger dose than we mere mortals, and they don't have that there), and put her vicodin on an "as needed". The rest was all well.
So, Mom and I left, talking about going to a pharmacy, when we passed one not a block away. So, we stopped and went in. Shot done! No charge with her insurance! Whoo Hoo!
When we returned to St. A's Mom requested I return for dinner and then to spend the evening with her, but that wasn't going to be. I reminded her she had Bingo that afternoon, and that seemed to keep the spark in her eyes.
The next day, the RLC (Connie and Jean) came to play Scrabble. They engaged in wonderful conversation and had a delightful time, as is typical of that little group.
This morning I came in to take Mom to Mass a little later than I'd have liked - around 940. She was moving about in the kitchen, but pleased I had brought oranges and some candy bars for her. I unloaded those in her room fridge, then joined her. She had just arisen, I discovered, but showered. WE got some coffee, and then the aides brought her breakfast. We had a nice chat as we did the crossword - you know, she's really not half bad at it, and I corrected only 3 of her clues that were wrong!
By the time she'd finished, it was well after 1030 (Mass began at 10), and she went in to have her stockings put on by the med-aide. Next, she wanted to chat some more. Her friend Sharon had written her about the book group, and Mom wanted to call her to see if she could drop by (now, Sharon lives in Sequim or Port Angeles, so this was not going to work!). She also wanted to discuss the book list.
Then, she explained how the Pope had her great grandfather migrate from Italy to France, then to the US, where he travelled to the West Coast (Washington) to find his wife and children to import them back to Canada. I questioned this, but Mom stated it was quite natural for people to do this at the wish of the Pope (NB: Never happened this way!).
ON the way there, though, Mom stated that she smelled smoke. This was a first. She'd never commented on a smell in months! The air was thick, though, from the old Toyota Tercel in front of us with bad exhaust.
We had a very pleasant lunch and then Mom needed a nap. So, Jean took her out and gave her a nice spot to catch a few. After her nap, though, Mom decided to be a little snippy. Jean's son, Terry, and her granddaughter, Jada, came by for a visit, as well. This was very nice. Jada, a freshman in high school, loves her iPhone! She couldn't put it down.
Generations certainly view humor differently - and no, I only took the pic - I had nothing to do with their expressions!
When the time came to leave, Mom wasn't at all ready to go. Trying to motivate her was like removing a tooth attached to a bungee cord with no slack! Finally, I threatened to throw her over my shoulders (we'd been there 3 hours or more, so it was polite for us to leave). Her Royal Highness, with the attitude of Dame Wendy Hiller was quite indignant, indeed.
So, after a very long day I dropped her back off to her room where she could arrange the beautiful dahlias Jean had picked for her....
She was in a great space today...full of spit and vinegar, but some sweetness in there, as well...so all is normal.
We hopped in the car, after her lunch, and drove to see her doctor at Providence Family Medical Clinic. We were actually right on time! Hallelujah!
We were taken through the halls, and Mom was weighed in (don't ask - I've no idea, and that is how she wants it!) and then we went to our "room".
Mom is quite sensitive to the blood pressure sleeve, and Victor, the nurse, was unable to procure the numbers as Mom cried out from the tightness. So, through the technological advances of texting, I was able to obtain the information from the morning and gave it to them. It looked pretty swell! Even her heart rate.
One the purposes of the meeting was a check-up, but also to evaluate the medications, and to finish the POLST (End-of-Life plan determinations). I had Mom's orders from before she was admitted, originally, and the doctor and I were able to get those, as well, from St. A's, where I had them put in place soon after Mom's admittance. So, now, there's more co-ordination.
Dr. S. engaged Mom in conversation, and it was delightful, as she put it. Mom spoke of moving back to Port Angeles, getting a new home, and making sure her mother had a place, there, as well, for when she drove up to visit. I questioned the idea of her (now dead, but we don't say that) 109 year old mother having to go so far.
"Well, she's sturdy. She has strong legs," replied Mom.
"So you expect her to walk those 250 miles to visit you? Don't you think she's a bit too old?"
"You're full of prunes! She'll drive. She's a very good driver," she responded.
Doctor S sat there marvelling. Then she and Mom spoke on other topics normal for polite conversation.
After all was said and done, the doc stated that Mom get a flu shot at a pharmacy (older folks need a stronger dose than we mere mortals, and they don't have that there), and put her vicodin on an "as needed". The rest was all well.
So, Mom and I left, talking about going to a pharmacy, when we passed one not a block away. So, we stopped and went in. Shot done! No charge with her insurance! Whoo Hoo!
When we returned to St. A's Mom requested I return for dinner and then to spend the evening with her, but that wasn't going to be. I reminded her she had Bingo that afternoon, and that seemed to keep the spark in her eyes.
The next day, the RLC (Connie and Jean) came to play Scrabble. They engaged in wonderful conversation and had a delightful time, as is typical of that little group.
This morning I came in to take Mom to Mass a little later than I'd have liked - around 940. She was moving about in the kitchen, but pleased I had brought oranges and some candy bars for her. I unloaded those in her room fridge, then joined her. She had just arisen, I discovered, but showered. WE got some coffee, and then the aides brought her breakfast. We had a nice chat as we did the crossword - you know, she's really not half bad at it, and I corrected only 3 of her clues that were wrong!
Getting up late and grabbing a cup o' joe in the kitchen before being served breakfast!
By the time she'd finished, it was well after 1030 (Mass began at 10), and she went in to have her stockings put on by the med-aide. Next, she wanted to chat some more. Her friend Sharon had written her about the book group, and Mom wanted to call her to see if she could drop by (now, Sharon lives in Sequim or Port Angeles, so this was not going to work!). She also wanted to discuss the book list.
Then, she explained how the Pope had her great grandfather migrate from Italy to France, then to the US, where he travelled to the West Coast (Washington) to find his wife and children to import them back to Canada. I questioned this, but Mom stated it was quite natural for people to do this at the wish of the Pope (NB: Never happened this way!).
Mom is quite comfortable chatting away rather than readying herself for an actual outing!
I tried to get her to brush her teeth, but she stated that her teeth were just fine and didn't need brushing (she brushed them later, though). Finally, around 11:10 she decided she needed to change for us to leave and have lunch at Jean's house. WE were able to leave around 11:30. Whew!
ON the way there, though, Mom stated that she smelled smoke. This was a first. She'd never commented on a smell in months! The air was thick, though, from the old Toyota Tercel in front of us with bad exhaust.
We had a very pleasant lunch and then Mom needed a nap. So, Jean took her out and gave her a nice spot to catch a few. After her nap, though, Mom decided to be a little snippy. Jean's son, Terry, and her granddaughter, Jada, came by for a visit, as well. This was very nice. Jada, a freshman in high school, loves her iPhone! She couldn't put it down.
When the time came to leave, Mom wasn't at all ready to go. Trying to motivate her was like removing a tooth attached to a bungee cord with no slack! Finally, I threatened to throw her over my shoulders (we'd been there 3 hours or more, so it was polite for us to leave). Her Royal Highness, with the attitude of Dame Wendy Hiller was quite indignant, indeed.
Mom shares her opinion
She was in a great space today...full of spit and vinegar, but some sweetness in there, as well...so all is normal.
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