I'm Going Away

This weekend is my daughter's birthday so I am going to visit her. My granddaughters will be taking care of Mom and one will spend the night. Hope all goes well. I'm sure it will. Don't really know how Mom will be, but they can handle it, I'm sure.
My daughter and I are both very excited about this visit. I've only seen her once in the past 3 years.

Lunch or No Lunch, That is the Question

I went to a play where I use to teach. Before I left I made lunch for my mother and left it in the fridge covered with clear wrap. I've done this several times with no problem. When I got back today her lunch was right where I left it. I asked her about it and she said she ate something, but couldn't remember what. As long as she's not hungry I guess it's all right.
I left my grandson-in-law here. He was outside painting a fence for me. I was a little worried about her forgetting and being worried about a man here, but that seemed to go OK. She thought he just got here (when I called in to check).
One never knows!

Something Mom Loves

I stopped at a local store and got a peanut butter cappuccino for Mom. She drank it all (she never does that with regular coffee) before we got to our destination. A couple days later, we were out for a ride and I stopped and got her another one---same thing. Yesterday I got her a third one on our way to shop an hour's drive away. Not only did she finish it, but she picked it up several times after it was done to drink some more and she remembered for that time spell that she liked it.
This is the first time I've seen her really enjoy something that much. So glad it's located in our town. I hope it's not a short term item.

Remembrence

Today Mom and I were introduced to a friend of my granddaughters. She had a baby son with her. Mom said, "Oh, you have a boy. I had 3 girls." Kelsey and I looked at each other and thought how great is that....she remembers today that she had 3 girls.

Beleive it or not!

After enduring Mom's asking every 2 minutes about her appointment today, I just said it's time we left and she said, "We're going somewhere?" Go figure!!!

Praying for Bedtime

The doctor's office called while I was out Friday and confirmed an appointment for Mom for tomorrow. (I haven't been telling her ahead of time.) I stopped counting this morning at 17--the number of times she's asked me the date and if she has an appointment tomorrow. It's been pretty steady all day. The only relief I've had was when we were outside in the sun.
Now I can hardly wait to go upstairs so I won't have to answer that question one more time.

Great Day

Today is beautiful, warm and sunny. Mom and I took two walks out back through the paths in the woods. We checked out the what flowers were poking their heads out. In the woods we found trillium coming along, in the gardens there are daffodils and crocus. The tulips have started as well. We sat out on the deck and watched people launching their boats. What a nice day we've had.

Living Alone

I was upstairs working on scrapbooking when I heard the phone ring. I listened and Mom seemed to be talking OK so I waited.
Mom finally opened the door and said I had a phone call. It was my younger granddaughter. She said Mom had no idea anyone else lived here. She had asked to speak to Gram and Mom said she was gram. When Kasey said, the other gram, she said no one else lived here. Kasey said to check upstairs.

Where is Mom now?

Saturday evening, when I said I'd go start supper, Mom asked, "Is it just the two of us tonight for supper?" I answered, "Yep, it's just us." Her reply, "Well, for Heaven's sake!"
I wanted to ask who she thought should be here, but I'm always leery of that approach. I don't want to agitate her in any way, but I was very curious to know if she was thinking, my father and sisters or her parents and brother??????

Sense of Humor Shows Again

A neighbor brought over some homemade peanut butter fudge today for my birthday. I just explained that to Mom and offered her a piece. After taking a taste she said, "I'm awfully glad she remembered it was your birthday!"
Thank you Sue, the fudge is terrific (and I'm going to hide the container).

Not Only

Not only did Mom eat all those cookies yesterday, but she also ate a Cadbury Egg--I thought I had hidden. Cadbury Eggs are Mom's favorite so I bought some for her and put them on the enclosed stairway to my bedroom. I had been doling them out one a day. Well, I went to get the last day to give to her and it was gone--just the empty box. Boy, she may not remember anything, but she sure looks around for sweets!
I have a locked box for her pills. I guess I'll have to get another one for sweets.

A Cookie Monster (title came from a friend)

This morning I went shopping with one of my granddaughters. We brought pizza home for lunch. After coming in I noticed that the package of Girl Scout Cookies, which I mistakenly left on the table, was gone. She ate the whole package (except the 4 Mom and I had last night). The empty package was NOT in the rubbish. It's funny how she will think to hide the evidence! She didn't seem to be too hungry for lunch.
Hope she doesn't get sick! !!!

Beautiful Days

Yesterday and the day before have been the most beautiful spring days I can ever remember----AND it's not spring for 3 more days. Mom and I sat outside for an hour each day after lunch and got some much needed sun. Boy did that feel great! On March 11, 2010 I took pictures of the crocus that were up. A great sign of spring.

Dentist

Mom went to the dentist yesterday and had a tooth pulled. She did really great at the office. By the time I turned the corner, she didn't know why she had the gauze in her mouth. Today I'll have to get her to rinse her mouth a lot and, again, she won't remember why. Sometimes I'd like to totally forget the dentist myself!

Date Frustration

Today, for some unknown reason, we didn't receive a newspaper. I can't count how many times Mom has asked what the date is. I know she checks the paper often, I just didn't realize how often.
I think I'll go buy one at the store.

My apology to commentor

Someone asked a question while I was on vacation. I thought I published it so I could read it all, but now I can't find it. PLEASE try again as I'm very interested in connecting with others in this same situation. (I'm new at blogging.)

To answer the part of your comment I did see, my Mom is 88. She'll be 89 in August.

Now for some background that might help: She started this when she was 62 so we've been very lucky to have it go as slowly as it has. She had a doctor who was really into preventive methods of health and I'm convinced that made a difference.

Vacation

I had a very relaxing time on my vacation. It was great having my sister there so I didn't have to worry about anything. I drank fresh orange juice every day, read 2 1/2 books and just visited. I got a sunburn (which turned tan almost the next day).
My sister didn't have any problems really, but saw that the role reversal part is really difficult.
Mom didn't even know I was gone. She seemed to interchange my sister and myself with no hesitation. Because of that, I'm not at all sure she really knows who I am. She may just know that I'm Pam who takes care of her.

Total Confusion

I don't know if I can go to Florida. My sister's here, but Mom is so confused. She keeps repeating when I'm leaving, after looking at her calendar. She then asks if she's staying here and how will she get her stuff. She doesn't know she's at home. She is so upset by this!

Sister's Visit

I picked my sister up at the airport yesterday. Kelsey stayed home with Mom. After we arrived home we had a great visit. Around 5:00 Joyce and Mom were talking about skating on the lake and Mom asked, "Did you grow up around here?" It made me so sad. Joyce says she's not taking it personally---which is good. I wonder what will happen when I'm not here and she doesn't know who Joyce is!!!!!!!

bowling???

Right after my mother and I finished bowling, I said, "Isn't it fun bowling?" She answered," It use to be. It's been a long time since I bowled." I have to remember to just live in the moment and then let it go.