Friday through Tuesday
On Friday my mom called me a couple of times on the phone...I was surprised how her voice changed - she sounds more and more like herself. I can still hear a little something in her voice and she still gets a little unclear about memories of events of the day but overall is sounding like Lis. She forgets little things like what someone said...and it seems like she hears and retains certain parts, not all parts. Other than the canula in her nose she looks like herself too.
The weekend was pretty uneventful.....although my mom seems a bit short tempered and very frustrated that she has to have "helpers" around all day...she believes that she should be able to be alone. When I try to talk to her about this she just gets angry. The physical therapist told her that she wouldn't be able to be alone until she could be safe in the way she moves around the house. But my mom sometimes thinks that she gets to decide when she can be alone and I tell her that it is up to her doctor. She also needs to do her exercises at least 2x a day....she has not done them once unless the therapist is there. I asked her today about doing them when she is home alone and she said that she probably wouldn't. She did walk to the mailbox today.
She still gets a little confused about all kinds of different things...she would disagree but it happens...like not be able to feel the canula and forgetting who is coming when or things that were talked about and the reality of some things. She argues very easily but thinks that I am the one....I have learned this week why they have support groups for care givers..it is not easy and a lot of times the patient takes it out on the care giver. I do give it back to her though as I get frustrated too.
It is also crowded at my mom's there are 4 of us and 1 of her...her house is not kid safe........so I am usually running around trying to keep it all rolling....
Yesterday (Monday) I took my mom down to talk to the respiratory therapist about her mask....she really hates it and does not want to wear it. The gal tried them on her and she settled on one...the RT fixed the mask to fit her so that she could put it on by herself and we decided to leave the canula in so that when she did take the mask off she would still have the oxygen. My mom asked her "how long do I have to wear it?" and the RT told her a minimum of 4 hours BUT all night would be best. I know my mom only heard the 4 hours....last night she took it off at some point and the canula too...so much for that idea.
Monday evening she attended her pow-wow at the pool with all the women in her condo complex and there I left her sitting with her friends until Sonia arrived awhile later.
Today (Tuesday) we went to see my 99 year old grandmother (my dad's mom). My mom used the walker only - no wheelchair. My grandmother took a minute but then recognized us...we sat with her during her music sing-a-long, I love just observing all the patients. We stayed about 45 minutes and then it was home again for Macelita who was coming at 3 and I had to get going to get my kids.
I found out today that my mom has told our main help, Evie that Friday will be her last day....um let's see what the medical people say. I am not going to lie that I feel very frustrated with her attitude and am trying to be patient but it is hard. On my way home I called her and told her to make a list of all of her concerns - the mask, the oxygen, home alone, medication, etc. I will be going there when Virginia (nurse) is there just to help her get the information that she wants.
Until next time...........good night
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