This was an odd week. A bittersweet week. You’ll see as you read.
Monday morning, I received a call that Mom had fallen as she got out of bed. The alarm had gone off, and the aide rushed to her room, only to find Mom, who has the ability to swing her legs and commence walking all at once, crumpled in a heap on the floor, whimpering in pain.
It took four aides to liftt her back to bed while she complained that she was in immense pain.
This was alarming, as we couldn’t be sure if she’d fractured her hip or pelvis as she eats so little her bones may be at risk.
She spent the day in bed, and they began giving her more medication for the pain, which seemed to alleviate it. She ate little, except for the shake.
Tuesday, Mom was still bed-ridden. She stated that moving was too excruciating (her word) for her to move or do much else. This made changing and cleaning her a very delicate and lengthy process. She still ate only the shake and a few bites of food.
Wednesday, the hospice aide came and was able to get her into the shower! After which, they put her in the Geri-chair and brought her out to breakfast. I’d been hoping she’d only bruised her hip, but when I arrived and attempted to move her a little, she cried out that the pain was too much.
She didn’t want her lunch, and barely touched her breakfast, but when her shake arrived, it was ingested - bit by bit. Whether she actually finished it, I have no idea, but she did drink 80% of it while I was present.
While she and I were chatting, we heard voices. Could they be? Yes! It was Nadya and Sharon, from Port Angeles, who had just only arrived and were there to spend time with Mom.
Although Mom was on her pain medications, you could see the recognition in her eyes as they entered. She was quite gladdened to host them.
After a short visit, I led them on a tour of the facility, and then they went out to lunch, not having eaten since they began their journey earlier that morning. They came back not long after, and visited. Nadya fed Mom about 20% of her dinner, and then, eventually, they left with the promise to come back in the morning.
That night, Mom began shifting about in her bed quite often - why? You’d need to ask her. But the alarm kept going off, keeping her awake. So, when the ladies arrived the following morning, replete with cards, flowers, and candies, Mom was unwakeable, she was fast asleep. How unfortunate, as this would, most likely, be the last time they would see her. The aides put the flowers (lovely roses) where Mom could see them as she lay in bed, or when she awoke.
Sharon spoke of how vital and vigorous Mom was, and how they began to notice a decline a few years back. Nadya, too, had noticed, but when the realization of what it all meant came, it was difficult to believe.
How quickly time changes us!
Thursday, I received word that Mom’s injury was but a bruise, and that she was able to move all parts, again. What a great relief. There had been the suggestion of surgery, but that was nixed, as it made no sense, and with someone in her condition it could only make things worse.
She was out with the others, but ate little, again, but more than usual.
Friday was very similar to Thursday. Mom was out, dabbling in her food, and participating in activities with her presence.
Saturday, Mom slept well, and then she ate some breakfast, but not much. She is beginning to take her pills without question, now (she used to demand to know what each was, what it was for, and whether or not the aide was a doctor/nurse - otherwise, she could refuse!).
Sunday found Mother nursing her juice after she’d finished her coffee. She was peacefully asleep at the table as I walked in. She was not at her usual table, no, she was across from where her arch nemesis usually sits. I found this odd, but realized there must be a reason - but never heard one. I brought in three new nightgowns for her, as the one she has seems to be too tight in the chest, even though she’s lost so much weight - go figure!
I had brought the family photo album and we went through it - pictures of Mom, her siblings, parents, and other relatives, then came those of us as a family. She knew just about everyone in there - even most of the places they were taken! There was one, though, I wasn’t sure who it was and I asked. Her response? “Look in the mirror”. Well, that snagged that.
She was quite dopey and had no need for any more coffee. She wasn’t impressed enough to feed herself lunch, so I tried - but she refused after the first bite of chicken, which she told me she liked.
We worked on a jigsaw, but she moved with far less vigor than I. At lunch time, her arch nemesis came out, cautiously eyeing Mom, then sitting across from her. Not a word was spoken, not even through the eyes! This is not my mother.
There is now talk of bringing in a Hoyer as it takes so much effort to lift her out of bed, and the staff cannot be stricken with back problems. Their worry is how Mom will accept it. I suggested they make it into something great, fun, and necessary. We’ll see how that goes - they’ll call hospice for the order.
a Hoyer lift.
Mom is now complaining of back problems and isn’t able to accommodate them with the changes, etc. So, another change is that we will be switching to diapers, rather than the Depends undergarments - apparently Mom doesn’t have an issue with this, so it’s just a matter of locating them.
Her eating habits match those of another resident who just passed, but this lasted for but one week; Mom, I believe can go for a little while longer - she’s a fighter, that one is!
So, we’ll see how the upcoming week blossoms!
Monday morning, I received a call that Mom had fallen as she got out of bed. The alarm had gone off, and the aide rushed to her room, only to find Mom, who has the ability to swing her legs and commence walking all at once, crumpled in a heap on the floor, whimpering in pain.
It took four aides to liftt her back to bed while she complained that she was in immense pain.
This was alarming, as we couldn’t be sure if she’d fractured her hip or pelvis as she eats so little her bones may be at risk.
She spent the day in bed, and they began giving her more medication for the pain, which seemed to alleviate it. She ate little, except for the shake.
Tuesday, Mom was still bed-ridden. She stated that moving was too excruciating (her word) for her to move or do much else. This made changing and cleaning her a very delicate and lengthy process. She still ate only the shake and a few bites of food.
Wednesday, the hospice aide came and was able to get her into the shower! After which, they put her in the Geri-chair and brought her out to breakfast. I’d been hoping she’d only bruised her hip, but when I arrived and attempted to move her a little, she cried out that the pain was too much.
She didn’t want her lunch, and barely touched her breakfast, but when her shake arrived, it was ingested - bit by bit. Whether she actually finished it, I have no idea, but she did drink 80% of it while I was present.
While she and I were chatting, we heard voices. Could they be? Yes! It was Nadya and Sharon, from Port Angeles, who had just only arrived and were there to spend time with Mom.
 |
| Nadya, Mom, Sharon |
Although Mom was on her pain medications, you could see the recognition in her eyes as they entered. She was quite gladdened to host them.
After a short visit, I led them on a tour of the facility, and then they went out to lunch, not having eaten since they began their journey earlier that morning. They came back not long after, and visited. Nadya fed Mom about 20% of her dinner, and then, eventually, they left with the promise to come back in the morning.
 |
| Nadya and Mom |
That night, Mom began shifting about in her bed quite often - why? You’d need to ask her. But the alarm kept going off, keeping her awake. So, when the ladies arrived the following morning, replete with cards, flowers, and candies, Mom was unwakeable, she was fast asleep. How unfortunate, as this would, most likely, be the last time they would see her. The aides put the flowers (lovely roses) where Mom could see them as she lay in bed, or when she awoke.
Sharon spoke of how vital and vigorous Mom was, and how they began to notice a decline a few years back. Nadya, too, had noticed, but when the realization of what it all meant came, it was difficult to believe.
How quickly time changes us!
Thursday, I received word that Mom’s injury was but a bruise, and that she was able to move all parts, again. What a great relief. There had been the suggestion of surgery, but that was nixed, as it made no sense, and with someone in her condition it could only make things worse.
She was out with the others, but ate little, again, but more than usual.
Friday was very similar to Thursday. Mom was out, dabbling in her food, and participating in activities with her presence.
Saturday, Mom slept well, and then she ate some breakfast, but not much. She is beginning to take her pills without question, now (she used to demand to know what each was, what it was for, and whether or not the aide was a doctor/nurse - otherwise, she could refuse!).
Sunday found Mother nursing her juice after she’d finished her coffee. She was peacefully asleep at the table as I walked in. She was not at her usual table, no, she was across from where her arch nemesis usually sits. I found this odd, but realized there must be a reason - but never heard one. I brought in three new nightgowns for her, as the one she has seems to be too tight in the chest, even though she’s lost so much weight - go figure!
I had brought the family photo album and we went through it - pictures of Mom, her siblings, parents, and other relatives, then came those of us as a family. She knew just about everyone in there - even most of the places they were taken! There was one, though, I wasn’t sure who it was and I asked. Her response? “Look in the mirror”. Well, that snagged that.
She was quite dopey and had no need for any more coffee. She wasn’t impressed enough to feed herself lunch, so I tried - but she refused after the first bite of chicken, which she told me she liked.
We worked on a jigsaw, but she moved with far less vigor than I. At lunch time, her arch nemesis came out, cautiously eyeing Mom, then sitting across from her. Not a word was spoken, not even through the eyes! This is not my mother.
There is now talk of bringing in a Hoyer as it takes so much effort to lift her out of bed, and the staff cannot be stricken with back problems. Their worry is how Mom will accept it. I suggested they make it into something great, fun, and necessary. We’ll see how that goes - they’ll call hospice for the order.
a Hoyer lift.
Mom is now complaining of back problems and isn’t able to accommodate them with the changes, etc. So, another change is that we will be switching to diapers, rather than the Depends undergarments - apparently Mom doesn’t have an issue with this, so it’s just a matter of locating them.
Her eating habits match those of another resident who just passed, but this lasted for but one week; Mom, I believe can go for a little while longer - she’s a fighter, that one is!
So, we’ll see how the upcoming week blossoms!
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