A quick little story today, relayed to me by one of her caregivers (forgive me Mom, for sharing this one...;) )
"I was helping your Mother shower the other day, and I was whistling a little tune while I worked. Your Mom told me that I was a very good whistler-- I thanked her and continued to whistle. As she was washing up, she passed a little gas. 'Oops,' she said, 'I think I just whistled back at you!' "
Hee, hee, hee.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
A Weekend for "The Girls"
I took last Saturday off to bring Nana for a mammogram. The doctor and I are still a little concerned about Nana's weight loss, though it has now stabilized and she seems to be eating well (In fact, she has been asking the staff if she could choose from a menu now.... heehee.) So we thought we would just make sure that we weren't missing anything.
After bringing Nana to the car, I asked her if she remembered what a mammogram was. She said no.... I explained that it was a test for breast cancer, and it could be uncomfortable. "Ohhhh.... eww. Well, if it is important for my health, that's ok."
We arrived at the center, and we were the only patients. The techs looked a little nervous when they saw Nana arrive via a walker, but she smiled at everyone and made everyone feel at ease. She entered the mammography area and was readied for the test. After the first breast was imaged, Nana thanked the mammographer. "Hmm," she said, "I think that is the first time that anyone has thanked me for that." We laughed. Nana said, "Well, I know that you are doing your best. And this is an important test." I tried to "read" the mammography films, but of course, I didn't know what I was doing. But the films looked the same on each side, so I will take that as a positive.
After the appointment, we went to Lady Grace for a bra fitting-- the ones she was wearing these days looked about 25 years old, and she had mentioned that she needed some new ones. We went to the back and the salesperson brought her some bras that looked "familiar", as well as some that would be a little more comfortable (ones with less support but no hooks to reach in the back.) She chose the ones that looked more familiar, as expected.
After making our purchases, we headed back to the car.
"Where will I be going now?"
I told her that I was taking back to her home. She looked a bit concerned as she got into the car, but as we pulled into Compass' parking lot, she said, "I know this place-- I love it here!"
We entered the memory support area, and Nana settled into a chair in the dining area, where the residents were having birthday cake. I hung up Nana's coat and returned to say goodbye. She turned to me and said thank you for the day, and told me she loved me.
"And thank you, Nancy, for finding me such a wonderful, wonderful home." :)
After bringing Nana to the car, I asked her if she remembered what a mammogram was. She said no.... I explained that it was a test for breast cancer, and it could be uncomfortable. "Ohhhh.... eww. Well, if it is important for my health, that's ok."
We arrived at the center, and we were the only patients. The techs looked a little nervous when they saw Nana arrive via a walker, but she smiled at everyone and made everyone feel at ease. She entered the mammography area and was readied for the test. After the first breast was imaged, Nana thanked the mammographer. "Hmm," she said, "I think that is the first time that anyone has thanked me for that." We laughed. Nana said, "Well, I know that you are doing your best. And this is an important test." I tried to "read" the mammography films, but of course, I didn't know what I was doing. But the films looked the same on each side, so I will take that as a positive.
After the appointment, we went to Lady Grace for a bra fitting-- the ones she was wearing these days looked about 25 years old, and she had mentioned that she needed some new ones. We went to the back and the salesperson brought her some bras that looked "familiar", as well as some that would be a little more comfortable (ones with less support but no hooks to reach in the back.) She chose the ones that looked more familiar, as expected.
After making our purchases, we headed back to the car.
"Where will I be going now?"
I told her that I was taking back to her home. She looked a bit concerned as she got into the car, but as we pulled into Compass' parking lot, she said, "I know this place-- I love it here!"
We entered the memory support area, and Nana settled into a chair in the dining area, where the residents were having birthday cake. I hung up Nana's coat and returned to say goodbye. She turned to me and said thank you for the day, and told me she loved me.
"And thank you, Nancy, for finding me such a wonderful, wonderful home." :)
Friday, October 19, 2012
Updates
Boy, sometimes I am terrible about keeping up with my blogposts... I guess I have a harder time writing when Nana isn't doing as well. First off, don't worry-- she isn't fretful or in pain-- she just seems to be getting weaker, and it is hard to watch sometimes.
Nana has lost a total of 14 pounds since moving 7 months ago, despite a good appetite and great attention by her caregivers. (She is cute-- when I weigh her, she smiles and cheers when her weight has gone down-- I remind her that we don't want her to lose weight; but like most women, she still likes to see the scale go down..) We had the occupational therapist watch her eating habits and make sure that she wasn't losing any fine motor skills that would make eating more difficult-- she was fine with her eating utensils. But she did note that she was easily distracted, so she eats in a quieter environment to help her stay on task. The therapist also noticed that her gait was a bit unsteady, so we invited the physical therapist to take a look. She now goes to "exercise class" twice a week, and she is now using a walker.
Walkers in dementia units are pretty amusing. First off, most residents forget that they have walkers, so part of each day is spent finding everyone's walker. Secondly, residents frequently "borrow" each other's walkers-- this is particularly annoying to Nana ("My name is right on the FRONT. If this is not your name, it is not your walker. It is MINE.") heehee.
Yes, Nana is progressing in this disease called Alzheimers. But it still can't take away all the things that make her special. She is still witty and fun, and she is still very kind. And she still gives some of the greatest hugs in the world. And before I leave each visit, she says Thank You and I Love You. This is enough.
Nana has lost a total of 14 pounds since moving 7 months ago, despite a good appetite and great attention by her caregivers. (She is cute-- when I weigh her, she smiles and cheers when her weight has gone down-- I remind her that we don't want her to lose weight; but like most women, she still likes to see the scale go down..) We had the occupational therapist watch her eating habits and make sure that she wasn't losing any fine motor skills that would make eating more difficult-- she was fine with her eating utensils. But she did note that she was easily distracted, so she eats in a quieter environment to help her stay on task. The therapist also noticed that her gait was a bit unsteady, so we invited the physical therapist to take a look. She now goes to "exercise class" twice a week, and she is now using a walker.
Walkers in dementia units are pretty amusing. First off, most residents forget that they have walkers, so part of each day is spent finding everyone's walker. Secondly, residents frequently "borrow" each other's walkers-- this is particularly annoying to Nana ("My name is right on the FRONT. If this is not your name, it is not your walker. It is MINE.") heehee.
Yes, Nana is progressing in this disease called Alzheimers. But it still can't take away all the things that make her special. She is still witty and fun, and she is still very kind. And she still gives some of the greatest hugs in the world. And before I leave each visit, she says Thank You and I Love You. This is enough.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Another hospital visit
As we nurses know, never jinx yourself. We were having a great, "issue-less" day at work yesterday, when one of us uttered those words aloud. Two minutes later, one of our night nurses called out sick. Two minutes after that, my cell phone started ringing.....
Nana was complaining of chest pain. Not unusual, except this time she was also very shaky and weak, and she felt warm to the touch. The ambulance had been called and she was on her way to Milford Hospital. Thanks to my fabulous coworkers, I was out the door in 15 minutes and on my way.
Thanks to a good report from Nana's caregivers, everyone at the emergency room was aware of her strengths (a wonderful attitude) and her weaknesses (a terrible memory at baseline and chronic leukemia.) I was relieved to know that Nana was flirting with the EMT's when they put her on the stretcher...
As always, Nana was very happy to see me, announcing to the medical staff, "This is my daughter Nancy. Aren't I lucky to have her?" She smiled broadly, but her eyes were tired and she looked very weak. Her temp was 103, her heart rate was a little high for her, but she continued to entertain all of those around her. Chest xray negative, urine test negative, blood cultures negative. She sipped some ginger ale and held my hand.
The doctor came in and talked to us about her condition. "She seems to be doing ok now. Temp is down, and all the tests that we have done so far have come back negative. We could keep her overnite and order a few more tests that would be a little more invasive, or we could send her home and watch and wait from there." Since one of the worst things that one can do is take an Alzheimer's patient out of her familiar environment, we voted to watch and wait. We headed happily back to Compass, where Mom was greeted with hugs and squeezes.
I went back to check on her this morning. She slept through the nite, and she had no fever. I told her about our adventures the day before. " I was sick? I went to the HOSPITAL?"
All is well that ends well. And this ended well-- I got an extra hug as I walked out the door :)
Nana was complaining of chest pain. Not unusual, except this time she was also very shaky and weak, and she felt warm to the touch. The ambulance had been called and she was on her way to Milford Hospital. Thanks to my fabulous coworkers, I was out the door in 15 minutes and on my way.
Thanks to a good report from Nana's caregivers, everyone at the emergency room was aware of her strengths (a wonderful attitude) and her weaknesses (a terrible memory at baseline and chronic leukemia.) I was relieved to know that Nana was flirting with the EMT's when they put her on the stretcher...
As always, Nana was very happy to see me, announcing to the medical staff, "This is my daughter Nancy. Aren't I lucky to have her?" She smiled broadly, but her eyes were tired and she looked very weak. Her temp was 103, her heart rate was a little high for her, but she continued to entertain all of those around her. Chest xray negative, urine test negative, blood cultures negative. She sipped some ginger ale and held my hand.
The doctor came in and talked to us about her condition. "She seems to be doing ok now. Temp is down, and all the tests that we have done so far have come back negative. We could keep her overnite and order a few more tests that would be a little more invasive, or we could send her home and watch and wait from there." Since one of the worst things that one can do is take an Alzheimer's patient out of her familiar environment, we voted to watch and wait. We headed happily back to Compass, where Mom was greeted with hugs and squeezes.
I went back to check on her this morning. She slept through the nite, and she had no fever. I told her about our adventures the day before. " I was sick? I went to the HOSPITAL?"
All is well that ends well. And this ended well-- I got an extra hug as I walked out the door :)
Monday, July 9, 2012
A nice surprise
It has been a busy few weeks, and I haven't been in as often to see Nana. In fact, I needed to drop off some supplies and refill meds for the morning, so I needed to go over after work, at 8:30pm.
Nighttime is not a fun time to visit an Alzheimer's unit. People are especially confused at nite, and people tend to be more agitated. One time I went, and my mother wanted me to break up a fight between two gentlemen. Another time, Mom was so confused it made me cry. So I avoid going over after dark whenever I can.
I left work and prayed that Nana would be fast asleep when I arrived. I opened the door to the unit, and I saw that most residents were awake. Two were having a snack in the dining room. One woman was dressed in her raincoat, and she told me that she was just waiting for her ride. I said to one of the workers, "Is my Mom asleep?"
"Oh no," he answered, "She is down with the group in the sunroom." I braced myself for the sight.
She was sitting in a chair, in the group. I walked over and rubbed her head. She turned, smiled and said, "That feels good. Oh-- I knew that would be you!!!"
She mentioned that she hadn't seen me in awhile. "I knew you would be stopping by. I just said today- 'I wonder when I will see Nancy, and here you are!"
She knew my name! Even after 8pm! I was so excited.
She told me that she missed me. I told her where I had been-- at work, with my sister Anne and family at the beach, with a friend at the doctors. She said that she was happy that I was having fun with Anne, and said that she would be praying for my friend. I told her that I would be back on Monday to spend more time with her and she said that would be wonderful-- "But if something comes up, I understand-- you have a very busy life, and I don't want to be a burden."
I told her that I was leaving, but if she needed me there was always one place she could find me. I tapped her heart, then tapped mine.
"Oh honey, I know that you are always there. That must be why I smile so much."
Me too, Mom. Me too.
Nighttime is not a fun time to visit an Alzheimer's unit. People are especially confused at nite, and people tend to be more agitated. One time I went, and my mother wanted me to break up a fight between two gentlemen. Another time, Mom was so confused it made me cry. So I avoid going over after dark whenever I can.
I left work and prayed that Nana would be fast asleep when I arrived. I opened the door to the unit, and I saw that most residents were awake. Two were having a snack in the dining room. One woman was dressed in her raincoat, and she told me that she was just waiting for her ride. I said to one of the workers, "Is my Mom asleep?"
"Oh no," he answered, "She is down with the group in the sunroom." I braced myself for the sight.
She was sitting in a chair, in the group. I walked over and rubbed her head. She turned, smiled and said, "That feels good. Oh-- I knew that would be you!!!"
She mentioned that she hadn't seen me in awhile. "I knew you would be stopping by. I just said today- 'I wonder when I will see Nancy, and here you are!"
She knew my name! Even after 8pm! I was so excited.
She told me that she missed me. I told her where I had been-- at work, with my sister Anne and family at the beach, with a friend at the doctors. She said that she was happy that I was having fun with Anne, and said that she would be praying for my friend. I told her that I would be back on Monday to spend more time with her and she said that would be wonderful-- "But if something comes up, I understand-- you have a very busy life, and I don't want to be a burden."
I told her that I was leaving, but if she needed me there was always one place she could find me. I tapped her heart, then tapped mine.
"Oh honey, I know that you are always there. That must be why I smile so much."
Me too, Mom. Me too.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Quote of the Day
I got this doozy from Michelle, the Activities Director at Nana's home.
Michelle was having a discussion about God and spirituality with the residents. In order to solicit responses, Michelle asked, "If you could be God, what is the first thing you would do?"
Nana was the first to pipe up with a response.
"I'd resign!!!"
heeheehee
Michelle was having a discussion about God and spirituality with the residents. In order to solicit responses, Michelle asked, "If you could be God, what is the first thing you would do?"
Nana was the first to pipe up with a response.
"I'd resign!!!"
heeheehee
Monday, June 11, 2012
Church with Nana
Anyone who knows my Mom well knows that she is a devout Catholic. Not a holy roller, you're going to Hell and I 'm not because I'm Catholic kind of devout, but a never miss a Sunday Mass you know I'm a Christian by my Love kind of devout... She believes deeply in God and trusts that He will help her through whatever he has planned for her.
Alzheimers is an interesting disease. When one has worsening Alzheimer's, one tends to lose a timeline-- so she could go to Mass every day and never remember, or she could go once a month and think that she has gone every day. Taking her outside her "comfort zone", i.e. her home at Compass, is often quite confusing for her. So my philosophy was that if she asked to go to Mass, I would find a Catholic church closeby and I would take her to Mass. Last week, she told the CNA's that she missed Mass. So this past week, I investigated the local parish and found a daily 9am Mass.
We entered the chapel Friday morning, about 10 minutes prior to Mass. The priest, a quiet young man, was making copies at the copy machine outside the chapel. I walked over with Nana, quickly introduced myself and then introduced Nana. He seemed rather disinterested, looking at me fleetingly, shaking our hands and then grunting while walking away. Okaaayyyy.... I feel welcomed. Sigh.
We walked into the chapel and sat down in one of the pews. Others shuffled in and sat down in various pews around the altar. One woman walked in carrying a glass of water and a notebook, and proceeded to study the contents within while sipping from her cup in the front row. (Really, I thought, if you are going to multi-task and pay only half-attention, perhaps you should sit in the back row?)
The priest finished setting up the altar, put on his vestments and stood to the side of the altar. Everyone stood and read the entrance antiphon as he moved towards the pulpit. Once he had everyones attention, he started Mass. With the musical lifting of his hands and his quick gestures and expressions, I realized that the priest was deaf and the Mass would be in sign language. The woman in the front row? She was the interpreter, and she was reciting the Mass for those of us who couldn't understand sign language-- she had a cold, the priest explained, which was why she was sipping the water. I am a bad, bad person for making such quick judgments, in church of all places! Ha!
After Mass, I asked Nana if she noticed anything different about the priest.
"Oh, he seems very nice. And he is very expressive!"
"Did you notice that he was deaf, and the woman in the front row was interpreting for him?"
"No! Really?" She was silent for a moment, then continued, "I guess it is getting harder to find good priests nowadays." Oy... :)
And if you ever get the chance to go to a Mass for the deaf, please go. I have to say it was probably one of the best Masses that I have gone to in awhile....
Alzheimers is an interesting disease. When one has worsening Alzheimer's, one tends to lose a timeline-- so she could go to Mass every day and never remember, or she could go once a month and think that she has gone every day. Taking her outside her "comfort zone", i.e. her home at Compass, is often quite confusing for her. So my philosophy was that if she asked to go to Mass, I would find a Catholic church closeby and I would take her to Mass. Last week, she told the CNA's that she missed Mass. So this past week, I investigated the local parish and found a daily 9am Mass.
We entered the chapel Friday morning, about 10 minutes prior to Mass. The priest, a quiet young man, was making copies at the copy machine outside the chapel. I walked over with Nana, quickly introduced myself and then introduced Nana. He seemed rather disinterested, looking at me fleetingly, shaking our hands and then grunting while walking away. Okaaayyyy.... I feel welcomed. Sigh.
We walked into the chapel and sat down in one of the pews. Others shuffled in and sat down in various pews around the altar. One woman walked in carrying a glass of water and a notebook, and proceeded to study the contents within while sipping from her cup in the front row. (Really, I thought, if you are going to multi-task and pay only half-attention, perhaps you should sit in the back row?)
The priest finished setting up the altar, put on his vestments and stood to the side of the altar. Everyone stood and read the entrance antiphon as he moved towards the pulpit. Once he had everyones attention, he started Mass. With the musical lifting of his hands and his quick gestures and expressions, I realized that the priest was deaf and the Mass would be in sign language. The woman in the front row? She was the interpreter, and she was reciting the Mass for those of us who couldn't understand sign language-- she had a cold, the priest explained, which was why she was sipping the water. I am a bad, bad person for making such quick judgments, in church of all places! Ha!
After Mass, I asked Nana if she noticed anything different about the priest.
"Oh, he seems very nice. And he is very expressive!"
"Did you notice that he was deaf, and the woman in the front row was interpreting for him?"
"No! Really?" She was silent for a moment, then continued, "I guess it is getting harder to find good priests nowadays." Oy... :)
And if you ever get the chance to go to a Mass for the deaf, please go. I have to say it was probably one of the best Masses that I have gone to in awhile....
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