Lazy Daze of Summer

Every evening after dinner we go out to the garden for some fresh air.  We usually stop at the turtle pond to meditate or catnap.    The turtles don't have much to say.  The only sound is from the water trickling into the pond. It is very peaceful.

Fay is not as responsive as she has been.  She is sleeping a lot.  Her appetite is fair. In spite of all that. she is still kind and loving.    

Carol has a great suggestion for Mother's day.  Fay needs new things for summer.  The industrial washer and dryer wreak havoc with her clothing.  Aside from that, the nursing home is a bit on the warm side.  Carol has suggested "Buck and Buck."  They are an online business.  They make clothing especially for people in nursing homes- clothing that can withstand murderous laundry conditions.  She has a list of things  Fay needs.  Carol suggests that instead of flowers or candy, etc. we all chose from the list she has made and order some things your mom really needs.  Fay is about a size 16.  The shipping is only $7 no matter how much is ordered.  Please send her things to our house, since the nursing home may not get it to her in a timely manner, if at all.  Our address is:  11901 Cedar Crest Cove, Austin, Tx. 78750.

Here is Carol's list:

Dusters:  25F, 25J, 25K, 25L
 
Dresses:  26C, 26HP, 26P
 
Nightgowns:   28B, 28C, 28J
 
Camisole:   22N
 

A Family Affair

Fay had a wonderful time visiting with her children, a bevy of grandchildren (Bethany, Sarah, Brighton and husband,  Ryan, Ty and wife, Diane), and even a trio of lovely great grandchildren (Shilo, Spencer, and Hannah).

We took some pictures which will be posted.  We also found some interesting photos among the boxes in the storage unit.  I will try to post those as well.

Last night when I arrived for dinner, I found an older gentleman, Terrell, had been placed opposite  Fay at her  table.  His wife, Evelyn, was also there with him.  He seems to have alzheimers. (and unlike the other residents, he does not require a wheelchair.)  Fay picked up on his behavior immediately.  She was very alert, watching his every move like a cat.  I haven't seen her this intensely focused on anyone or anything for a while.  She finally relaxed after he left the table.  I took her to her room to get things ready for bed, etc.  This is usually when we will chat.  I sat down on her bed and began asking her the normal questions, waiting for her to answer.  I finally realized, after lifting her sunglasses, that she was sleeping.  I waited a while, because this does happen on occasion, but she continued sleeping.  I  left when Ashley, the aide, started to get her ready for bed. 

  I am not sure why she was so fixated on Terrell.  It could have been something else -5 residents were quite ill after having the fish for lunch.  Perhaps her stomach was upset.... I will try to talk to her about this tonight.  

"Use your own judgement"

Tonight Fay was alert and on top of things.  She ate well, however she did not care for the 'roast beef.'  (Remember, everything is pureed.)  

We read from her journal, I asked if she wanted to continue reading.  She said, very clearly, "use your own judgement." I did.  We read on.  She said she remembered the events we read about.  I really think she did.  There are many lessons to be learned from that journal.

It has been very cold in Austin recently.  Fay has been warmly dressed everyday. 

I hate to leave when she is having a good day as they are not as frequent as they used to be.  

She is looking forward to the big family visit next weekend!  We will take lots of pictures.

Beautiful Dreamer

I have been reluctant to post recently in hopes that things would improve.  The last few weeks Fay has been dozing, nodding off, just plain snoozing a lot.  At dinner she drifts off between bites.    

She had her nails done last night and lightly snored through the entire process.  

This evening I asked the nurses if her meds had changed.  I told them she was sleeping excessively.

I was told that this is part of the dementia process, first swallowing problems, then increasing weakness and  a lot more sleep.  So that's where we are.

When alert, she loves to hear about the upcoming visit.  She is thrilled that her children and Brighton and Ryan are coming to see her! 

Minor Miracles

Last night Fay wasn't feeling well (headache and eye pain) so she took some tylenol and went to bed right after dinner.  We put a cool washcloth on her eyes.  She fell asleep before I could even open her journal.

Tonight, was different.  Fay had a fun dinner.  Pureed Pizza!  She was a very good sport and ate it all.

We went to her room to clean her glasses and put out her night clothes.  Then we headed to the elevator to see the blog.  She was excited since it had been a couple of days since she had been up there.  I turned on the computer and pulled up the blog after only three tries!  Then I wheeled her chair into position so she could see everything.  We went through all the comments, old and new.  She smiled as I read them.

I asked if she wanted me to write anything special for her.  She said yes.  Then she said very clearly and without hesitation,  "I think about you all the time and I can't wait to see you."  She said, "There's a lot I'd like to write."  Then, "I love you all!"  Now this may not seem unusual to many of you, but it is very rare that Fay can utter even one word.  A sentence, much less several in a row, is an amazing feat for her.  Her ability to articulate has dwindled significantly, however, she can understand everything being said. This was a minor miracle.

We went back to her room.  I finally got to pull out her journal and read to her.  Tonight she said she could not remember the events I read about.  They weren't important things so the fact that she didn't remember them wasn't something that worries me.  She remembers when we read the really interesting parts.

As I was gathering my things to leave, I took her into the foyer (where the nurses station is, she likes to be where she can see what's going on, and they can make sure she is alright).  I bent down to say good-bye and said "Be good," then thought again and said, "You don't have to be good, you can even be bad tonight if you want."  She looked at me, caught my arms and said, "I'll be good!"  We both laughed.  It's been awhile since I've heard her laugh.  It was lovely.

Puree of the day

Tonight at dinner we did not do so well. Of course if you could see the contents of the dinner plate  you might have a better understanding of why Fay would possibly lose interest.  Tonight I was informed (because one can never tell by the appearance of the puree what the source might be) that dinner was sausage, three bean salad, and vegetable soup.  Apparently this appetizing combination  was not as tantalizing as  it sounds.  Fay usually rallies for ice cream with chocolate sauce, but tonight she only wanted a few bites.  

We went upstairs to see her blog.  She was excited to see Reed's comment and Maren's picture on the follower section (we enlarged it a lot so she could see Maren better).  Fay always lingers on the pictures of a certain man.  

We read a bit from her journal.  I realized she was dozing off, so I reluctantly stopped reading.  (I know I promised not to reveal the contents of the journal, but in this reading she wrote of Aaron entering the MTC and how very proud she was of him.)

Gold Fingers

Tonight Fay was in high spirits, I could tell the moment I walked in the dining room.  She loved her cheese soup.  She ate most of her dinner, then took the spoon, already laden with delicious vanilla ice  cream,  from me and fed herself!  Incidentally Carol, we opened the ensure, but did not partake.

After dinner, we went upstairs to look at her blog. She recognized the pictures, and was especially taken with a particularly handsome man....  She was quite excited to hear from Brighton, Anna, Carol and Aunt Janice.   I told her about the upcoming trip many of you are planning.  She was especially glad to hear it.  We'll make a countdown chart in her room tomorrow.

Afterwards, we went downstairs where they were having a "nail party".  I asked Fay if she'd like to have her nails done.  She said yes.   We then went about choosing a color.  She ruled out all the more colorful shades. I put a couple of polishes on my nails to show her what they'd look like.  She chose a golden shimmer.  It looks lovely.  She was thrilled.  I took a couple of pictures, one of her nails drying.  Her hands are still so nice.  She has lovely slender fingers; the gold polish is sort of translucent with a shimmer, not at all garish.

In her room, we turned to her journal and finished  1989.  I know you will all enjoy reading the journal yourselves so I will try to abstain from blurting out the parts I love.  But, I will say that tonight was a good read!

I put out her warm pjs and called it a night.  It was after 7:30, past her bedtime.  She was admiring her golden fingers when I left.