Arts and crafts
Hi Friends,
Well, my day today ended way better than it did yesterday, and I couldn't be more glad because I don't think I could have handled another night like last night. This morning, I was still fairly despondent, a lot of which had to do with the fact that I wasn't able to fall asleep until close to 3:30am and started waking up every 30 minutes or so starting around 6am. So needless to say I was exhausted by the late morning. I also wasn't feeling that well, so I ended up sitting listlessly on the couch until about 3pm, and didn't answer any phone calls. I just wasn't up for it. But I had made tentative plans with Kim D to do something today, and that was what ultimately got me into the shower and out the door. I met up with her and we walked some downtown before meeting up with Candy and Maddie, and just hung out and chatted for a bit. Then Kim and I headed over to see mom.
When we walked through the sliding doors onto the unit, mom was up in her wheelchair parked near the front desk watching the world go by. As soon as she saw us (and Kim can attest to this), she fairly lit up...I haven't seen her light up in I don't know how long. She seemed genuinely happy to see us, and immediately asked to go back to the room. When we got into the room, I gave her a kiss, and she told me "You're such a good girl," and "I'm glad you're here." Oh my gosh...there are few words sweeter than those to me these days. She was smiling, and in such a good mood, I couldn't believe it...I was flabbergasted. I had brought some new pictures I'd printed out this morning with me, and when I was showing them to her, she was definitely paying attention and reacting positively to them!! I had also brought colored construction paper, glitter, markers, ribbon, sequins and beads with me, and when Kim and I told mom we were planning to spiff the pictures up a bit with some colored, decorated "frames," she seemed genuinely excited and smiled and said "Oh, that'll be so nice!" She was completely lucid and aware for an extended period of time!!! We started in on our art project, and then Annette came for a visit and brought some beautiful roses...she's got lots of nice flowers in her room now, with the sunflowers Betty and I brought, the gorgeous bouquet sent by her friends at Coyne American Institute, and now the roses...it's so cheery and uplifting! She greeted Annette warmly, though I can't be sure she remembers meeting her when she's visited me at work before, but nonetheless was happy to have a visitor (when poor Dave McConnell, a friend of mom's from when she worked at a clinic in West St. Paul, MN, visited yesterday, he didn't get such a warm reception because she was very agitated at that point...it's hard to tell when she will be like that, unfortunately). Jillian stopped over during her break from work, and again mom was very glad to see her. For most of the evening while we were there chatting and working on our art project (art therapy for me!), she wasn't so agitated and seemed to know what was going on around her for the most part. I can't tell you how wonderful that was for me to see, especially because I had been feeling SOOO down last night and earlier today.
Around 8pm, mom's friend Esther whom she met in Mankato, MN when she was in grad school arrived in Chicago for the night...she lives in Bowling Green, OH now but had spent earlier this week in MN visiting her family and since Chicago is sort of the halfway point in the drive between the two cities, decided it was the perfect opportunity to visit mom! So we decided that because of the Chicago marathon tomorrow and the therefore likely lack of lodging and difficulty parking/driving around the city, that she should just leave her car parked in a garage downtown and stay overnight with me. We plan to go see mom tomorrow morning before Esther has to make the rest of the trek back to Ohio, and I'm only hoping mom will maintain that lucidity and ability to appreciate visitors until then. I'm sure either way she will so enjoy a visit from such a good friend, even if she isn't able to express it, but it would be even better if she could.
Wish me luck being able to sleep better tonight...I need it. Hope everyone is doing well, and having a good weekend. Good luck to everyone running tomorrow! Stay cool! I love you all...and as for my entry last night, I hope no one took offense when I said I was "ultimately doing this alone"...as you may have been able to tell, I was having a rough night and was despairing...I know that you all are helping me and supporting me, and I would NEVER want to diminish what each and every one of you is doing to help me. I couldn't have made it this far without any of you...friends or family...and I know you will be there no matter what. Sometimes I just need reminding because it can get very overwhelming. Thank you, all of you. Never forget that I appreciate you.
Well, my day today ended way better than it did yesterday, and I couldn't be more glad because I don't think I could have handled another night like last night. This morning, I was still fairly despondent, a lot of which had to do with the fact that I wasn't able to fall asleep until close to 3:30am and started waking up every 30 minutes or so starting around 6am. So needless to say I was exhausted by the late morning. I also wasn't feeling that well, so I ended up sitting listlessly on the couch until about 3pm, and didn't answer any phone calls. I just wasn't up for it. But I had made tentative plans with Kim D to do something today, and that was what ultimately got me into the shower and out the door. I met up with her and we walked some downtown before meeting up with Candy and Maddie, and just hung out and chatted for a bit. Then Kim and I headed over to see mom.
When we walked through the sliding doors onto the unit, mom was up in her wheelchair parked near the front desk watching the world go by. As soon as she saw us (and Kim can attest to this), she fairly lit up...I haven't seen her light up in I don't know how long. She seemed genuinely happy to see us, and immediately asked to go back to the room. When we got into the room, I gave her a kiss, and she told me "You're such a good girl," and "I'm glad you're here." Oh my gosh...there are few words sweeter than those to me these days. She was smiling, and in such a good mood, I couldn't believe it...I was flabbergasted. I had brought some new pictures I'd printed out this morning with me, and when I was showing them to her, she was definitely paying attention and reacting positively to them!! I had also brought colored construction paper, glitter, markers, ribbon, sequins and beads with me, and when Kim and I told mom we were planning to spiff the pictures up a bit with some colored, decorated "frames," she seemed genuinely excited and smiled and said "Oh, that'll be so nice!" She was completely lucid and aware for an extended period of time!!! We started in on our art project, and then Annette came for a visit and brought some beautiful roses...she's got lots of nice flowers in her room now, with the sunflowers Betty and I brought, the gorgeous bouquet sent by her friends at Coyne American Institute, and now the roses...it's so cheery and uplifting! She greeted Annette warmly, though I can't be sure she remembers meeting her when she's visited me at work before, but nonetheless was happy to have a visitor (when poor Dave McConnell, a friend of mom's from when she worked at a clinic in West St. Paul, MN, visited yesterday, he didn't get such a warm reception because she was very agitated at that point...it's hard to tell when she will be like that, unfortunately). Jillian stopped over during her break from work, and again mom was very glad to see her. For most of the evening while we were there chatting and working on our art project (art therapy for me!), she wasn't so agitated and seemed to know what was going on around her for the most part. I can't tell you how wonderful that was for me to see, especially because I had been feeling SOOO down last night and earlier today.
Around 8pm, mom's friend Esther whom she met in Mankato, MN when she was in grad school arrived in Chicago for the night...she lives in Bowling Green, OH now but had spent earlier this week in MN visiting her family and since Chicago is sort of the halfway point in the drive between the two cities, decided it was the perfect opportunity to visit mom! So we decided that because of the Chicago marathon tomorrow and the therefore likely lack of lodging and difficulty parking/driving around the city, that she should just leave her car parked in a garage downtown and stay overnight with me. We plan to go see mom tomorrow morning before Esther has to make the rest of the trek back to Ohio, and I'm only hoping mom will maintain that lucidity and ability to appreciate visitors until then. I'm sure either way she will so enjoy a visit from such a good friend, even if she isn't able to express it, but it would be even better if she could.
Wish me luck being able to sleep better tonight...I need it. Hope everyone is doing well, and having a good weekend. Good luck to everyone running tomorrow! Stay cool! I love you all...and as for my entry last night, I hope no one took offense when I said I was "ultimately doing this alone"...as you may have been able to tell, I was having a rough night and was despairing...I know that you all are helping me and supporting me, and I would NEVER want to diminish what each and every one of you is doing to help me. I couldn't have made it this far without any of you...friends or family...and I know you will be there no matter what. Sometimes I just need reminding because it can get very overwhelming. Thank you, all of you. Never forget that I appreciate you.
Comments
Love you!
i'm so glad that you had a better day!! i was thinking about you all nite and it's ok to have those rotten days and to feel that this is all on your shoulders...i was thinking about what you said when your mom goes home that she will need a caregiver..i've heard of adult day care centers at least by me you would have to look around by you and also she may qualify for a home health aide or something to that effect...the social worker/case manager at RIC should be able to help you out in finding those things and what insurance will cover...one last thing you are the strongest person i know..many people would have crawled in that hole and not come out..you will get through this...God doesn't give you more then you can handle (sorry that's a little religious!) and you are handling this wonderfully.. keep the faith like your blog says and it's ok to take a day to yourself you need it and deserve it!! as always i'm praying for you and your mom!!
katie p
I am so glad that you had a better day:)It was so nice to visit with all of you girls on my lunch break. I hope today is another good day and I will talk to you soon!
Love, Jillian
love-stef xoxoxo