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| Mom resting this morning after the "traumatic" chair change attempt |
This was a week of highs and lows. A week of opposites, I suppose. I’ll let you read and you can decide for yourself.
Monday and Tuesday, Mom wasn’t getting out of bed. She was quite comfortable and saw no reason - or rather was in her space and didn’t want to change it. She ate little - about 20-30% of one meal, her shake, and then that was it.
She was alert, charming, and very happy. She simply didn’t wish to get up.
Wednesday, she was given a bath in bed. Yes, it has come to this. It has become very difficult to manage to move her into the shower, and she really didn’t want to get up! Also, Connie and Jean came to visit, and I’ll allow them to recount their tale:
Hi, Tony,
We signed in at 11:30 today. Norma's door was open, so we went in and found her either asleep or just resting her eyes. Jean said, "Mrs. Hunt! Mrs.Manning and Mrs.Mitchell are here to see you." Eyes opened, a soft greeting given. From then until after 1 pm, when we left, we had her attention--most of the time. She was not interested in getting up, but when we asked about it, she said she could get up by herself--the unspoken message was that there was no need to ask the caregivers to help.
The Hoyer lift was in the bathroom, standing at attention, ready to be used. I remember from my mom's time in St. Joseph that the rule is: two people help when using a Hoyer lift; one is not safe.
Connie brought a brightly-colored catalog of books, some with beautiful bindings, told us about many of the authors she knew in that collection, knowing that Norma would recognize some of them. Surely Norma had read books by James Fenimore Cooper,one of which Connie is reading now. She marveled at the scope of Cooper's knowledge, as he wrote "Two Admirals" about seagoing life,and "The Deerslayer" about Indian life in early America.
Using cords for the blinds, Jean tied up the curtain on the right side. Lovely day outside,with grape hyacinths in bloom. The garden looked inviting, and grass needed to be cut.
While Connie continued visiting with Norma, Jean went out to ask Danny how Norma was that day. He said she'd been in bed all day, not interested in eating. He said he and Rosa would use the lift to get her up after he finished cutting up chicken on residents' plates.
Elsa came in with eye drops, which Norma accepted without protest.
Change of plans: Nurse Beth came in, said she did not want Norma to get up. They would raise the head of the bed so Norma could drink the protein drink that you bring her.
Jennifer, the shower/bath lady, said she will give Norma a sponge bath, which she now accepts, at first, did not.
Norma did not speak much but listened as we spoke. When she spoke about something, we saw a little smile. We asked her to give us a big smile, and she flashed one of her famous fake smiles. No lack of humor there.
When we realized Jennifer and someone else (?) were ready to give Norma the sponge bath, we said our goodbyes, promising to be back "in a few days." Seems sooner than a week, we think.
We gathered our things, almost out the door, when the gracious Norma said quietly, but clearly, "Thank you for your hospitality." We told each other we could not wait to tell Tony that.
It was another good visit. Our friend is quieter with time but seems content with her life. How many would envy that?
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| Mom having her shake but disregarding the other food - a common routine |
Mom never did get up that day. Nor the next. But she did begin eating a little of her food - along with the shake. It’s amazing how much energy she’s had on so little fuel, wouldn’t you agree?!
Friday, Mom was at the ready when they came in to wake her. She helped them get her up, dressed and changed, and was out in the dining room quickly. She was alert and perky. She was able to eat about 30-40% of her meal and then began to slip into slumber.
She spent the whole of Friday out with the rest of the residents, which should have stimulated her - but she’s in her own world, now, not paying much attention to her former nemesis (I state the former as this doesn’t seem to be an issue any longer), nor anyone else.
Saturday, she was wanting to go out and eat early. They got her up and ready, and then she went out, eating very little. She did have her shake, but soon after she demanded to be put back to bed. And there she remained until this morning.
Today, she arose before the day shift arrived. She went out, nibbled on some breakfast, and then went to sleep. That was how I found her this morning (I raced over before noon to catch her in her “perky” state, but was greeted with a sleeping beauty). She wasn’t much for conversation and seemed so very weak. I spoke with the staff and we decided to try to move her to the Geri chair so she could still be moved, but would also be comfortable enough to sleep. You see, Mom hates the footplates on the wheelchair, and this makes it quite difficult to move her about (she keeps her feet planted on the floor and can’t lift them for easier mobility).
We moved her into the bathroom where the lift was, as well as the handles. She said she would like to move to the Geri chair, but wouldn’t give any help, nor even use the handles or the Hoyer. So, I told her I would help lift her up and then we’d move her. She gave me the “look”, which dared me to try.
I reached in and told her to give me a big hug, which she stated was nothing she really cared to do, in her wee weak voice. As I lifted her she pushed her face into my shoulder and bit down - not hard, but enough to signal she wasn’t having it. So, I let go. In retrospect, her bite signifies a loss of strength, insofar that it was really nothing, not even like a nip - just pressure. A few weeks ago, she would have done damage, but no longer, it would seem.
And so, I tried to engage her in her room as I continued the visit with her in the wheelchair and the Geri chair behind us. She decided it was time for sleep.
I kissed her on the forehead and told her I loved her. She responded, “I love you too!” In that small voice, she had.
So, what does this mean? I cannot begin to tell you or even guess. Could she pop up tomorrow ravenous? Yes. Might she? Who knows. But the rallies are growing weaker and weaker. Only God knows where we’ll be in the next week or two.
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