Hi everyone.
I started the day with mom. She was asleep when I arrived but she woke up as I was setting up the room. Her breakfast came but I had gotten her eggs and a slice of low sodium ham and potatoes with onions and peppers. I also brought her decaf french vanilla latte. She ate all of her breakfast. I sat with mom after breakfast and played solitaire with her. It was the best she has ever done to date. I had to prompt her but she was able to follow directions of touching the correct card and dragging it to the correct place. She enjoyed playing the game. We have been noticing that she doesn't see many things on the left side and at times she couldn't focus on a card if it was on the left side of the screen. The CNA came in and got her ready for the day. Anthony, COn, Anthony Michael and Sam came and they brought mom an iced decaf coffee. Mom sipped it and kept in on her tray to keep sipping it throughout the day. Anthony wanted to show me how he practices standing with mom. He places her hands on the arms of the chair and shows her where to push to stand. She tried a few times but could only lift her bottom off the chair. Anthony kept working with her. I left but they mentioned going outside with mom so I think that is what they did. Dad came while Anthony and Con were with mom.
Dad stayed with mom all day.I came back in the evening to put mom to bed. When I got there I saw the wipe off board on the bed with a clock drawn on it. Dad said he was working on time with mom. Dad left and I stayed with mom. Mom was eating dinner when I arrived and she ate all of her dinner. During dinner mom said, "I didn't do well with daddy today." I didn't know what she meant so she clarified by saying, "with the time." OH! She didn't do well with telling time. I showed her the clock dad drew and asked if that was it and she said yes I can't remember. I took out the foam clock that she has and worked only on telling time to the hour. She had a difficult time focusing on the hands and numbers. Kathy and JoAnn came and JoAnn brought her a new pig! It is the LOL. Rollover pig. You turn it on and when you move past the sensor it laughs hysterically and rolls over and over. Mom loved it. She kept saying where do you turn it off, so we showed her and then she would say where do you turn it on, let's see it. We all laughed and talked and had a great time. Mom said she needed to use the bathroom and looked as if she were going to get up out of the wheel chair so Kathy said ok stand up. I went on one side of mom and Kathy on the other and we placed her hands where they needed to be like Anthony does and I put my foot in front of hers like Con does and she boosted herself up to a standing position but quickly sat down again. We praised her for her efforts. She kept saying but I didn't stand long or I didn't do anything. We kept telling her that we were leaving for Boston tomorrow. She said she will miss us. When mom was being put into bed tonight she gave the CNA a kiss and thanked her for all she does for mom. I heard the CNA's voice crack when she spoke to mom (she was touched by the gesture).
Kathy and JoAnn left and I stayed with mom. We had a great time together holding hands and talking. Mom asked to call Ava. Ava has been on mom's mind since she moved to Brooklyn. We called Ava and mom was able to follow a conversation and ask appropriate questions. Mom even made a joke when Ava listed all the kids she has met, mom said, "so you don't have any friends huh?" and then laughed. She said goodbye and told Ava she loved her and missed her. Then we turned on the TV and there was a cooking show where they baked dinosaur cakes so we called Anthony Michael. I told Anthony that mom stood up. He also praised her and said to keep trying but only if there is someone there. Mom talked to Con and asked her how she was feeling and how was her back. She told Con, "I am thinking of you everyday and I pray for you." (How ironic - we all think of her everyday and pray for her!) I set up mom for the night and sat with her a little while longer and she said, "I don't know how I will ever repay you kids, I love you all so much." I started to cry and told her that we are only giving back all the love she gave us. She also said, "so I am going to be here a long time huh?" I told her no and that every day she is making progress and she is closer and closer to going home. We said our prayers, I put the mitts on her (which is now a joke - she tells us all the minute we leave she is taking them off!). I kissed her and left. (I hope I remembered everything - my mind is on packing for Boston).
Peace and Love to all,
~Claud
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