This has been, fortunately, a week of no great incident, no great decline, nothing novel to report on; just a nice autumn piece of time that can be enjoyed in the warmth of the October sun. So, I write you to give you a brief synopsis of Mom's doings this week:
Monday: Mom was up and about. She wasn’t really wanting to do a great deal, but her activity level has certainly perked up, as has her mood (well, to most of us who know her, that is)!
Tuesday: Mom had her shower (Thanks to the hospice nurse) and then went outdoors with Morina. They even took a walk! As you can see in the photos, she is feeling spry and much better. She has been eating quite well, for the most part, and it shows! She even went to BINGO and enjoyed herself.
Wednesday: Because life does happen, even with the best intentions, the RLC was unable to venture over to St. A’s because of some health complications with the driving member (the one who carries the car keys). We’d rather she take care of her health than make the journey, disappointing as it may be.
But, she did participate in the activities presented in the cottages, even if it was for a very brief (a few minutes) time, but - Hey! - she did it!
Thursday: More activity dabbling and eating well. Her perky and pert self was even in the mood for going outdoors more lately!
Friday: As with the other days - but she ate only two meals (breakfast and lunch) and refused her dinner - she said she just wasn’t hungry enough! She had another shower!
Saturday: BINGO and a little more activity.
Sunday: Mother was in a bit of a mood when Leddy came to help her. She refused her medications and simply wouldn’t cooperate! She came out later for breakfast and just took her lovely time enjoying every morsel.
I arrived when she was nearing completion of her meal. She seemed rather alert. One woman was sauntering behind us, and Mom quickly stated that some of the women who lived there “aren’t right in the head!” I choked back a guffaw.
It would appear that when Mom has a strong opinion on something the words come out well. Otherwise, she searches high and low for what she’s going to say which then becomes a complete other thought - or two - or three - oh, the possibilities and outcomes are endless. Needless to say, she’s not quite so articulate in most cases.
So, after a brief visit, I was off to do some necessity shopping for her (but first, as I had the dogs in the car, we ran out to the Sandy River Delta and hiked for a bit. The dogs - actually just Simon, the lab, Samson the peke-a-poo just went for the tan - went to the water and played with an impromptu pack of dogs in the water).
Upon my return, I discovered my brother had been with Mom. She had finished her yogurt from breakfast when he had arrived, giving him the perception she had eaten lunch - nope! she hadn’t. They had a most lovely visit in the gazebo for some time, then wandered about the garden. I arrived as they were about to head inside; we spent more time in the garden, though. Finally, Lawrence took his leave (he brought Mom some chocolate chip cookies his wife had baked for her) and, as Mom wanted to leave with him, told us to meet him around the front. So, Mom and I toddled to the television room of the cottage and the idea of a front door vanished.
We then walked back outside and had a very nice chat gazing at the birds and the tree (which were swarming with birds). She was quite content.
Finally, we went to her room where she began feasting on the cookies with a glass of juice, and I put on some soothing music for her. She was in greater bliss. She was beginning to nod off, so I took my leave.
“I love you!” I said as I kissed her forehead.
“I know,” she replied.
“Um, you’re supposed to say you love me back!”
“I suppose so,” she replied giving me the evil eye. This made me laugh.
Now, remember, the doctor said she might rebound once in hospice and this might last a couple or three months - but then there may be a big slide. Fortunately, that adventure doesn’t seem to be winking in the wings, just yet.
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