finally she's home

 2:00 pm Wednesday… I’m back to the keyboard again and back to the hospital after a quick dash to Mom & Dad’s for a shower. Graham brought Dad to the hospital late this morning so I’d left Mom in Dad’s capable hands but unfortunately my timing was off so I missed the doctor’s second visit by 1 minute. Darn.

Last night and this morning were not the greatest for Mom… she was in a lot of pain and had to be encouraged to take her pain meds and to make it worse, the nurse didn’t wake Mom early for her scheduled dose so the pain got ahead of her. Note to self: keep on top of that! It took hours to ‘catch up’... She is getting out for a walk up and down the hall which shows that her strength is returning, alibi slowly.

I had an okay night but had terrible leg cramps so had to walk the deserted halls in the middle of the night a few times. Honestly I’m feeling done but luckily I have an amazing sister to step in so that I can go home tonight for a sleep in my own bed. Mom will be in good, capable hands so I won’t worry about her too much. 

I had a tiny breakdown this morning after a nurse came and got the sleeping chair 😥. Hopefully tonight’s nurse will be able to track one down for Kirsten. Fingers crossed that Mom will be able to go home tomorrow but there are a few things that have to fall into place first.

Thursday 7pm

After a lot of back and forth with the doctors and dietician we finally brought Mom home around 4pm. The dietician was concerned that Mom was getting enough fluids so we’ll have to work hard on that now that she’s home. I’ll build a database! ha ha… but I will keep notes on a white board ;-)

Last night I made it home by 7:30 - I probably shouldn’t have driven as my brain was fried but I was desperate for my own bed. I slept like I’ve never slept before! I felt much better after getting a bit of sleep.

—-----------------------

It’s all consuming, leaving few brain cycles for anything else, and certainly no creative thinking ;-)

The hospital is showing signs of neglect… the visitor bathroom, (which are few and far between), is shabby and looks dirty. The paper towel and hand soap dispensers are often empty. The hospital room bathroom isn’t faring much better and actually ran out of toilet paper :-( What the actual heck! Shameful…

Awesome!

“a hot and then cold shower"

"getting Mom home"

Baby steps

 2:30 pm Tuesday… I’m back to the keyboard again… Kirsten just took Dad home so now it’s me and a very sleepy mom… and I feel a bit chatty so feel free to skip over my babbling :-)

Last night the nurse rustled up a fantastic sleeping chair - it goes almost flat and with a blanket and a few pillows is reasonably comfortable so I was able to get some sleep which was great. I’d be in a very different state without that chair! The nurses have been very sweet and helpful which eases a difficult situation.

Mom has been steadily improving through the day (it’s now 2:30) and is quickly becoming more mobile. She’s off oxygen so is no longer tethered to the wall with only enough slack to get into the bathroom which means she can start to walk up and down the halls a bit. Each time out she’s a bit stronger on her feet. She’s also able to drink more than a spoonful of water - she had a whole carton of milk a few minutes ago :-)

The doctors did their rounds at 7am - a whole entourage of students, residents, and doctors crowded into the room with rolling carts that had giant monitors - the hospital is finally becoming more integrated and automated. They were able to address some of Mom’s concerns and give her a road map to getting out of the hospital.

Kirsten came with Dad around 11, leaving him with Mom, taking me to their place for a shower while she hit up the grocery store for some more frozen meals for Dad. She’s had a busy 2 days running back and forth while I just sit around like a lump - she’s good at that sort of thing though - it’s right in her wheelhouse (sitting around is my strength!). It’s great how our strengths mesh.

Olaf and Graham have been visiting via video chat which is perfect at the moment - yay for modern technology. Video chats have been a Godsend the last few years with COVID but now have a new importance - a whole slew of visitors is not the best for her at the moment but she does enjoy the contact and support. 

After supper Graham brought Dad over for another visit. Mom ate a bunch of soup, pudding and ice cream to fortify herself - eating is a step to freedom! The food is horrible… they brought Mom oatmeal for breakfast… she is on fluids… so I thought I could eat it. NOT! It was sickly sweet and inedible. Gag!

Awesome!

“comfy chair”

"The nurses"

"Kirsten again"

"Mom's carry on outlook"

"My hubby for holding down the fort

s-day

 I’ve written this on and off throughout the day - it’s my therapy so forgive me for oversharing…

Monday morning: 9am… Kirsten and I stayed overnight at Mom & Dad’s as it was an early start this morning. Mom was up at 4am so she could do all her pre-op drinking… I got up at 4:45 to get ready for a long day at the hospital. 

Mom said she got some sleep, and I got a bit too - after Kirsten and I stopped giggling in our room! We had a good belly laugh when I tried to swallow my meds (which is a big dramatic affair) - I think the stress added to the hysteria but maybe not - it’s almost guaranteed that she’ll make me choke with laughter whenever we are together! Kirsten may not have been so lucky in the sleep department - she had to put in noise cancelling headphones as I was snoring so loudly!

It was 5:30 when we headed to the hospital - Kirsten dropped us at the door and we got checked in quickly. I was able to stay with Mom until they wheeled her into the OR. I’m sure she was scared, but Mom would never let on and I tried to keep an upbeat demeanour as well. Full disclosure - I did have a bit of a cry as I walked away from her!

Yesterday was a beautiful August day, a bit cool but sunny. I should have pulled the cover off the outdoor seating but I was distracted and couldn’t settle well. There wasn’t much to distract me so I made a cake and some roasted zucchini to bring to Mom’s for supper…

I made the cinnamon roll cake but added some cocoa powder in with the cinnamon stuff… it was okay but I won't do that experiment again! That's what happens when you try to gild the lily!

Saturday was cooler and somewhat overcast but I did force myself into the pool! Maybe for the last time this summer (already!). Carm’s last day will be later than mine as he’ll likely go for a swim today. He’s even more hardcore than I am - for an Italian, he seems to have lots of viking blood! 

I took advantage of the overcast day Saturday to do a few more things with tomatoes (which are turning red faster than we can use them)... a few days ago I made a fresh salsa that had roasted tomatoes, onion, and peppers, as well as fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and lime. It was so good that I made 2 more batches for the freezer. I’ve been making tortillas with cheese, black beans, salsa, and avocado - an easy supper; and roasted mushrooms with black-eye peas, spinach, and salsa for breakfast - the breakfast of champions!

Friday we picked up Mom’s obturator (Kirsten drove to save me from the dreaded parking garage!), then the 4 of us (Nissa as well), had a little picnic of scones, jam, & clotted cream - a nice treat! 

It’s been a weird few weeks - I’ve been in some sort of suspended state, with reality pushed aside when I could. I’d like to say that I’ve been cool and collected through the last few months but I’d be lying. Most importantly though, never around Mom. I'm trying to model her outstanding approach to life and the problems that arise - I struggle but it seems second nature to her.

At 10:30 the doctor came to the waiting room to let me know she was done and in the recovery room. He said the surgery went as well as could be expected and he commented on her amazing constitution and outlook. Kirsten picked me up at that point and took us for lunch at Tim’s and a bit of retail therapy.

Back at the hospital, Kirsten and I stayed in the waiting room until the sign said ‘All Done’. It seemed to take ages, but finally at 2:30 she was out of recovery and on her way to her room. Still pretty groggy/asleep. Sleep is probably a blessing at this point! It’s hard to see my mom who has always been the rock of the family looking so small and vulnerable…

It’s been a long day for all of us… I’m hoping that the nurse brings me one of those sleeper chairs…

Awesome!

“friends praying for Mom”

“my Mom”

“Kirsten”