What a Tough Cookie

Mom fell in the living room Jan. 10th. She broke her neck at C2---way up by the brain stem. She had to go to Bangor, Maine to be operated on. No one thought she'd make it through surgery-----but today, just 10 days later----she is at rehab and doing really well. She was dressed, fed herself breakfast, and was sitting up during my visit with her today. She also had therapy in her room---leg exercises. This afternoon they were going to take her for a walk. We have a walker at home, but I need to get wheels for the front and tennis balls for the back. I wouldn't be surprised if she's home in a couple of weeks. She's amazing!!!!!!

Humor Once Again

I was writing out my grocery list for Christmas brunch, when Mom saw it.

Mom: "That's a lot of food. How many are we having?"
Me: "We're having ten. Won't that be fun?"
Mom: "I don't know. Are you doing everything?"
Me: "Yes."
Mom: "Then it will be fun!"
She's so funny.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Skin Cancer---Again

Today Mom had another skin cancer removed== this time it was from beside her left eye.
She seems to be doing fine and, of course, doesn't remember why the gauge is on her face.

Another New Thing

Today Mom didn't get dressed until 10:00. She has never waited any where near that late before. She still hasn't made her bed, which she still did every day until today.
She wouldn't hear of using fitted sheets (they didn't have them in her day), so her bed is still unmade until we make a run to the store this afternoon to get new sheets. If I'm going to make her bed it will be with fitted sheets.

Breakfast slip up again

Yesterday my mother forgot to eat breakfast. I reminder her a couple of times, but she never did get it. This morning she seemed lost about breakfast so I said, "You usually have an English muffin and a bowl of Corn Flakes." She answered, "Well, I know I use to, but I didn't know if I still did or not." I may have to take that over as well. She's done it for a long time so I am happy about that.

Invitation to Stay

Tonight, when it was time for bed, I got up to go upstairs and Mom said it was nice that I came out to visit and to come again. Then she said, you could stay you know. I just accepted her offer.

2 breakfasts

Mom fixed herself 2 breakfasts both before 9:00am. Guess I shouldn't take her dishes away quite so soon after she eats.

Brownie Bakery

I had read about a brownie bakery opening up in Kents Hill so yesterday Mom and I went to check it out. They had the most unusual brownies there. I picked out five different ones, since Mom couldn't decide on any one. When we got home we split the needhams brownie. It was delicious.
It rained off and on during our trip, a couple of times I could hardly see the road. Neither of us could remember ever seeing the rain so bad. Of course with Mom's memory, she wouldn't remember anyway! We had a nice trip. Mom commented on the hills and what good sliding they would be and, as usual, saw animal shapes in clouds and once in a pile of dirt we passed.

Shower

Mom went in to have a shower and shampoo yesterday. I just asked her if she was OK when the phone rang. I hadn't been on the phone for 2 minutes when I didn't hear the water any more. I excused myself and went to check. She was wiping off. I said something about I didn't think she's been in long enough to soap up and she said she probably hadn't. She hair was completely dry as well.
I guess the time has come when I'm going to have to walk her through the steps. I'm going to wash her hair today. I'll just have to do it as fast as possible because it bothers her back, bending over the sink.
Anyone with suggestions would be very welcome to share them.

Confusion

I don't know if it's because some things have changed (I added a bed to the computer room for when my sister comes) or not, but since last night Mom has been more confused than usual. Last night, when it was time to go to bed, she didn't know where she was to go to bed. She asked if she was going up stairs with me. Then this morning, when it was time to have a shower, she couldn't find the towels or the wash clothes. Those things haven't changed. I think it might be just that some things have changed. That's always hard for her and getting harder.

Such a Good Sport

Mom is such a good sport. We're waiting for her ride to her Thursday coffee date when she says "I don't seem to know where I'm going or what I'm doing." Good thing she says it calmly, for my sake. I just told her where and what and then her ride pulled in and off she went. I can't imagine what that must be like for her!

Something No One Wants to Talk About

This morning, when I came down stairs, there was urine all over the bathroom floor. These are things we don't usually talk about, but I feel I'm here to, not only help myself, but to also help others in the same situations. After I cleaned that all up, I found the toilet was plugged as well.

I had just said to one of my granddaughters that we've been lucky that she's sort of stayed in this same stage for so long. The very next day----was today. Hope this is a one time thing for awhile. Not sure how I'll be if it happens a lot.

Got to hold on to the fact that she was there for me when I was not toilet trained.

She Keeps Ahead of Me

While my granddaughter was changing into her bathing suit, in my mom's room, she saw 2 pills on her sewing machine. She called me in and they were actually MY night pills. Don't know how, when, or why Mom got them, but she did. Now I not only lock her pills up but I also lock mine as well.

Another Fall

Today Mom had her third fall in a relatively short period of time. We've been lucky so far with no damage. Today's fall happened when she was rushing out to tell me I had a phone call. I was putting the car in the garage for the night. I think she thought I was leaving and she was rushing to catch me before I left. Anyway, she fell down the two back steps and landed on her seat.
I'll see if she has any "hurts" tomorrow. Right now she has forgotten the fall but says she knows she did something because of a "few places here and there".

Breakfast Again

I came in from gardening and found Mom eating her second breakfast. I leave a note now when I'm outside working. I think I'll leave another note saying she's had breakfast already and leave her one snack for mid morning.

They Don't Understand

When Mom and I first got to her Rebekah meeting, several women came over to greet Mom. They each started out with "Do you remember me?" She would say something like "Your face is familiar, but I don't remember your name". Then they would tell her their names and give her a lot of facts to help her remember. She would smile and laugh and it looked "normal". Mom's so good at that!
They don't understand that she can't remember. The memories aren't there to retrieve. I found myself getting very teared up. I was worried that it would upset my mother and I was sad because these people were part of her life for the last 69 years.
At the end, a weekly coffee buddy said she'd see her Thursday. Mom asked me what was happening Thursday. I told her that was coffee day. Her reply was "I don't still go to coffee do I?"
Unless you live with someone with "Alzheimer's, I don't think most people understand.
You have to go where they are; you can't keep them in present time.

Frustration

I went upstairs to finish watching a movie while Mom watched the news. When I came down an hour later, she was very upset. When I inquired about it, she said she was very mad at herself for not going to the celebration.
I told her we did go. I showed her the flowers she got and the new pin she got.
She had found the letter and couldn't remember going. I've got to throw away that letter as soon as I can.

Mom Introduced Me

Today Mom and I went to a Rebekah meeting which honored all who had been there for over 60 years. Mom was the longest at 69 years. They asked each to introduce their family members in attendance. I held m y breath as they asked Mom.
She said, "This is my daughter, Pamela. She's a teacher and I'm very proud of her." I couldn't believe it! Not only did she know who I was, but she gave me a compliment that I'd never heard from her before. Wow, what a day!

Leaky Sink

This noon my mother said she'd do the dishes while I went upstairs. When I came down she had forgotten so I started them. When I went to get the dish detergent out from under the sink, I saw that the water was leaking. The sinks have separate pipes so I switched the way I do the dishes. Mom came out to help me by drying them. She couldn't figure out where anything went after it was dry and she called me "Mom".
So much for switching things around. I sure hope the repair man can come tomorrow!!!!! It could be a LONG time before they get fixed----if you know what I mean!

Visit to Hospital

Today my mother fell down two steps and landed on her head and backside. We took her to the hospital and had a cat scan. The cat scan was OK.
We were there for 3 hours. When we left I said, "I don't want to do that again."
Mom replied, "Not any time soon anyway!"
Still funny!