COMING TOGETHER--49

This morning, everything went well. We went to the dentist for me and it was not painful--until we got the $815 bill! Mom and I paid for it. Now I am taking her to her surgeon.

Actually I have to say Mom is doing all right. She has been easier to get along with than she has for some time. Her dementia is gradual, little by little. She sees very little. I think maybe something might happen in the next few weeks to change our routine, although I don't know what it might be.

Her surgeon says she is deteriorating at a slow rate. Her main aorta should be 3 inches wide on the inside but it is about 1/2 inch and shrinking. He has surgery options but they all are open heart options which he doesn't want to do right now. He did recommend calcium.

I think Mom has been lying to me about taking her nasal spray, so I will see what the truth is tonight. I got us dinner at Subway, which she ate well. I gave her the nose spray. I don't think she ever does the spray if I'm not there. I'm not sure she'd ever do a good dinner without me to get it.

She walked around the apartments twice today. I know this wears her out, so when she said she was sleeping in, I realized how little exercise she can get.

Now it is Wednesday morning. She has slept all night and I don't expect her up till around 10am. I'm going to have to make her take her allergy pill at that time. I've been up since 7, getting dry cleaning and laundry to the right places. It is cold and raining.

　

COMING TOGETHER--50

This is Thursday morning. Mom didn't want to get out of bed. I was afraid this might mean something, so maybe my urgency against her lying in bed made an impression on her to get up. She always says she's 'all right,' even if that isn't always the case.

So I got the laundry, tossing it down on her bed while she was still in it. I went away to do some work on the internet at a bookstore's open wifi, and when I came back Mom was up. She was dressed and had eaten a pear and had some milk.

I brough a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds with her favorite coffee. She was up and in positive spirits. So I tried to be positive with her at the breakfast table.

My fears were probably false. I have to respect the fact she is 92 years old. I have to accept the fact that she likes lying in bed all day, whereas I don't. It was probably good that I got her up, but I need to not panic. The trouble is I have no experience at knowing when my mother is in trouble and when she isn't.

Now as I write this, she is in the other room, in her easy chair reading one of her magazines. I know she will fall asleep soon, but that doesn't bother me as much as her laying in bed so long.

This afternoon, before I drive to work, the apartments is having a $5 pizza offer. That's what I will have for dinner.