Not a very interesting week, but there is still information to spread.
This week, Mom was able to consume her shakes more rapidly, but she didn’t quite finish them. She also began eating a tad more than usual, bringing her caloric intake closer to 500 calories on some days, rather than 200-300, which has brought on great weight loss.
She has also been much clearer in her mind - compared to a few weeks ago - and seems more able to communicate; however, this lasts for only a few minutes, as she’ll forget everything just as quickly.
On Wednesday, Connie and Jean came to pay their homage:
Dear Tony,
We arrived just about 11:30 today. Norma was at "her" table, her head down--maybe asleep. When Jean spoke to her, "Mrs. Hunt!" she looked at us and was from then on (nearly two hours) at all times, at least, awake, at times semi-alert, always with a calm expression on her face. She was wearing navy blue pants with a nice navy blue pullover shirt.
The Oregonian was open in front of her, with untouched breakfast plate next to it. Jean heated it up a bit in the microwave, but she showed not a bit of interest. We did not nag but encouraged eating a few times, then let it rest.
Connie brought the latest Wall St. Journal and the latest Catholic Sentinel for Norma to read. She mentioned some interesting articles she had read, opening the paper to show those. JeanI did not see any interest from Mater then...but who knows? Maybe when she was alone she might have picked up a story that caught her interest.
Soon lunch was served. Norma did accept the four tiny bites of meat Jean offered; that was it for the soup. A toasted tuna sandwich looked good--to us--but not to Norma. Miguel cut it up into small pieces after we asked him to cut it in half.
Again, nada. But the sweet potato French fries were gradually eaten, six of the eight, that is.
Then the piece de resistance--the protein drink! Gradually it was sipped up and evidently enjoyed. Half a cookie satisfied any hunger she had. Lunch plate was taken away--and thrown away, I know. A necessary waste.
We talked about the more than usual rain, looking outside to the garden for an example...bits of sunshine, then more rain. Connie and Jean always have something to talk about; Norma is a good listener--we think. Hard to tell. She did not have much to say, now and then a beginning of a sentence which is not completed. We know that means she is involved as much as she can be these days.
We called it a good visit, all things considered. Actually, all our visits have been worthwhile for us, and we hope for Norma, too.
And so the week went. Mom went to the Music program, participated, when asked, in other activities.
Her waking varied - sometimes very early and other times just before lunch. It was difficult to gauge.
Today, she seemed in a mood of wanting to be alone. She read her paper, ate some breakfast, and enjoyed the company of my brother before she arose, then a little afterward.
When I arrived she was full, looking very thin compared to what had been herself for some time.
She didn’t finish her shake, nor the rest of her meal, but gladly accepted more coffee. She was alert but didn’t seem very keen about much of anything. It was rather a sad visit, but I tried to keep it upbeat.
At this rate, though, it’s difficult to know if her eating is going to do her in - or lack thereof. She is very excited that her old friend, Nadya, might visit her this week, but that thought is also gone into the ether. Yet, if it happens, it will be a significant event that will be a highlight for her.
And so it goes...
 |
| What a difference a week makes. |
This week, Mom was able to consume her shakes more rapidly, but she didn’t quite finish them. She also began eating a tad more than usual, bringing her caloric intake closer to 500 calories on some days, rather than 200-300, which has brought on great weight loss.
She has also been much clearer in her mind - compared to a few weeks ago - and seems more able to communicate; however, this lasts for only a few minutes, as she’ll forget everything just as quickly.
On Wednesday, Connie and Jean came to pay their homage:
Dear Tony,
We arrived just about 11:30 today. Norma was at "her" table, her head down--maybe asleep. When Jean spoke to her, "Mrs. Hunt!" she looked at us and was from then on (nearly two hours) at all times, at least, awake, at times semi-alert, always with a calm expression on her face. She was wearing navy blue pants with a nice navy blue pullover shirt.
The Oregonian was open in front of her, with untouched breakfast plate next to it. Jean heated it up a bit in the microwave, but she showed not a bit of interest. We did not nag but encouraged eating a few times, then let it rest.
Connie brought the latest Wall St. Journal and the latest Catholic Sentinel for Norma to read. She mentioned some interesting articles she had read, opening the paper to show those. JeanI did not see any interest from Mater then...but who knows? Maybe when she was alone she might have picked up a story that caught her interest.
Soon lunch was served. Norma did accept the four tiny bites of meat Jean offered; that was it for the soup. A toasted tuna sandwich looked good--to us--but not to Norma. Miguel cut it up into small pieces after we asked him to cut it in half.
Again, nada. But the sweet potato French fries were gradually eaten, six of the eight, that is.
Then the piece de resistance--the protein drink! Gradually it was sipped up and evidently enjoyed. Half a cookie satisfied any hunger she had. Lunch plate was taken away--and thrown away, I know. A necessary waste.
We talked about the more than usual rain, looking outside to the garden for an example...bits of sunshine, then more rain. Connie and Jean always have something to talk about; Norma is a good listener--we think. Hard to tell. She did not have much to say, now and then a beginning of a sentence which is not completed. We know that means she is involved as much as she can be these days.
We called it a good visit, all things considered. Actually, all our visits have been worthwhile for us, and we hope for Norma, too.
And so the week went. Mom went to the Music program, participated, when asked, in other activities.
Her waking varied - sometimes very early and other times just before lunch. It was difficult to gauge.
Today, she seemed in a mood of wanting to be alone. She read her paper, ate some breakfast, and enjoyed the company of my brother before she arose, then a little afterward.
When I arrived she was full, looking very thin compared to what had been herself for some time.
She didn’t finish her shake, nor the rest of her meal, but gladly accepted more coffee. She was alert but didn’t seem very keen about much of anything. It was rather a sad visit, but I tried to keep it upbeat.
At this rate, though, it’s difficult to know if her eating is going to do her in - or lack thereof. She is very excited that her old friend, Nadya, might visit her this week, but that thought is also gone into the ether. Yet, if it happens, it will be a significant event that will be a highlight for her.
And so it goes...
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