A great success
Hi Friends,
Well, today was a success...the outing went very well, and we both enjoyed ourselves SO much. Picked mom up around 12:45pm or so, and when I got there, she changed into the outfit I'd brought her to wear...nothing too fancy or exciting, but real clothes...and she loved it. She kept exclaiming "I actually look like a human!" So perhaps I'll have to bring in a new wardrobe for her and nix all the "therapy" clothes she has been wearing for almost 5 months. She felt really good about herself. :)
We got her all bundled up, and went outside...she kept talking about how long it had been since sh'ed been outside or in a car, and she was having the best time...so much so that she said it would be okay with her if we just drove around, and that was enough! We headed downtown and went to the psychologist appointment...they all enjoyed meeting each other, and it was a good session.
When that was done, I made sure she was still doing okay which she was, and whether or not she still wanted to go over to RIC to visit...she was rarin' to go, so we did. We were able to see many important people...Laura her OT, Michelle her Speech Therapist, Joe her PT, Dinh her former Care Manager, her doctor and a few nurses and techs who were instrumental in her recovery while she was there. Though she still has no memory of being there, she was very interested to see her old room, the dining room, therapy room, etc. I thought maybe a walk around the unit would jog her memory, but so far not really, which I hear is not uncommon at all. The people there were so excited to see mom and how well she is doing...a few said they'd just been talking about mom the other day and were wondering how she was doing! So we had perfect timing, and we spent about an hour or so there...mom was chatting up a storm and dropping "Thank yous" left and right. The visit was enjoyed by all. :)
After we left there, we got back in the car (I rented a Zipcar for the occasion), and instead of driving directly back to the Imperial, we drove around and by IL Masonic Hospital so she could see that, and also drove by the intersection where the accident happened...she wanted to see it, and I obliged. She was not particularly emotional when we drove by, just more interested than anything...she said she'd be thinking about it later when she was alone, and might get sad then. :( I think she is still processing everything and she is hungry for information which will make it all real to her...that's my theory.
Got her back to the Imperial by dinnertime, and then returned the car downtown and ended up having dinner with Natalie, and Jennie joined us later. Am now home and glad to be out of the cold. Was a bit melancholy after I dropped mom off...we had such a good day, and it was so nice to be out in the world with her, I didn't want her to have to go back, nor did she want to. It wasn't like she was crying about going back or anything, but neither of us can wait until the time when she doesn't have to. I had been worried she'd get really tired out by all the activity, but when I asked her she said she wished she could stay out much longer! I hated that I had to bring her back. :( Natalie did a good job cheering me up, though.
Now that we have had an outing, I plan to make it a much more frequent activity...next time, she wants to tour where I work, and I told her maybe I'd take her to a restaurant for lunch or dinner. I can't wait.
Okay, even if mom wasn't tired out, I am, so off to bed. Thanks all for your comments...I love 'em so keep them coming! You're the best! Peace.
Well, today was a success...the outing went very well, and we both enjoyed ourselves SO much. Picked mom up around 12:45pm or so, and when I got there, she changed into the outfit I'd brought her to wear...nothing too fancy or exciting, but real clothes...and she loved it. She kept exclaiming "I actually look like a human!" So perhaps I'll have to bring in a new wardrobe for her and nix all the "therapy" clothes she has been wearing for almost 5 months. She felt really good about herself. :)
We got her all bundled up, and went outside...she kept talking about how long it had been since sh'ed been outside or in a car, and she was having the best time...so much so that she said it would be okay with her if we just drove around, and that was enough! We headed downtown and went to the psychologist appointment...they all enjoyed meeting each other, and it was a good session.
When that was done, I made sure she was still doing okay which she was, and whether or not she still wanted to go over to RIC to visit...she was rarin' to go, so we did. We were able to see many important people...Laura her OT, Michelle her Speech Therapist, Joe her PT, Dinh her former Care Manager, her doctor and a few nurses and techs who were instrumental in her recovery while she was there. Though she still has no memory of being there, she was very interested to see her old room, the dining room, therapy room, etc. I thought maybe a walk around the unit would jog her memory, but so far not really, which I hear is not uncommon at all. The people there were so excited to see mom and how well she is doing...a few said they'd just been talking about mom the other day and were wondering how she was doing! So we had perfect timing, and we spent about an hour or so there...mom was chatting up a storm and dropping "Thank yous" left and right. The visit was enjoyed by all. :)
After we left there, we got back in the car (I rented a Zipcar for the occasion), and instead of driving directly back to the Imperial, we drove around and by IL Masonic Hospital so she could see that, and also drove by the intersection where the accident happened...she wanted to see it, and I obliged. She was not particularly emotional when we drove by, just more interested than anything...she said she'd be thinking about it later when she was alone, and might get sad then. :( I think she is still processing everything and she is hungry for information which will make it all real to her...that's my theory.
Got her back to the Imperial by dinnertime, and then returned the car downtown and ended up having dinner with Natalie, and Jennie joined us later. Am now home and glad to be out of the cold. Was a bit melancholy after I dropped mom off...we had such a good day, and it was so nice to be out in the world with her, I didn't want her to have to go back, nor did she want to. It wasn't like she was crying about going back or anything, but neither of us can wait until the time when she doesn't have to. I had been worried she'd get really tired out by all the activity, but when I asked her she said she wished she could stay out much longer! I hated that I had to bring her back. :( Natalie did a good job cheering me up, though.
Now that we have had an outing, I plan to make it a much more frequent activity...next time, she wants to tour where I work, and I told her maybe I'd take her to a restaurant for lunch or dinner. I can't wait.
Okay, even if mom wasn't tired out, I am, so off to bed. Thanks all for your comments...I love 'em so keep them coming! You're the best! Peace.
Comments
xoxox
Lil
Sounds like you had a great outing. I am so excited for you and your Mom:) I hope you both get to do this again really soon!
Love, Jillian