Surprise! I didn’t drag myself to Adair yesterday. I found a million other things to do. Laundry, paying bills, phone calls, wedding details, you name it. Anything but that. I got a phone call this morning from Jenna’s old friend and former college roommate, Heidi Adair. Her husband offered to come to the house or even Handmaker to get the arrangements in place without having to go to that creepy room with all the caskets and urns everywhere. Thank god. We just went through that last year with Mickey and I was totally dreading it.
It was a beautiful day. For the first time this year, we could feel fall in the air. Mom had her ups and downs. She went between okay and sad, sometimes you could understand her, sometimes you couldn’t. Sometimes she was awake, other times she was totally out. She ate a little more, but still not much. When Tyler and I got back in the evening, Dan, the night aid, was sitting by her bedside feeding her. I relieved him and took over, but it was very sweet. She has won over the hearts of her caregivers.
I had another meeting with the hospice nurse and the hospice social worker. What a caring couple of people. We all decided that if something happens while we are in Texas, no one will contact us between Thursday and Sunday at noon. This will give us the opportunity to enjoy the wedding and Jenna can leave on her honeymoon without being totally sad. So even if you have my mobile number and you know-DO NOT CALL ME if she passes away at that time. It won’t change anything. We all get a few days break and Jenna can enjoy her wedding and honeymoon without grief.
Tyler’s old friend, Germaine, who used to work at the bank where mom and Mickeys accounts are, called her former manager who will help us release a CD to pay for mom’s very expensive care and the upkeep of the house. Another wonderful person who has helped us when we need it. It makes a huge difference at this rough time.
In the meanwhile mom made a few more goodbye Skype and FaceTime calls. She still didn’t get to talk to her closest sister, Alice. And we will keep trying-it’s very important to her.
Connie-you’re very sweet! Thanks for everything!
M-
Steve, so sorry to hear about Christine. I don’t mind hearing from you at all! I just hate repeating the same answers to the same questions that people ask when they don’t read the blog. That gets too repetitive and painful. My email address is mrogers268@aol.com
M-
Hi Marion. Please give your mom a big hug for Christine and me. We’ve been faithfully reading your blog, but otherwise trying to stay out of the way per your requests. We’ve been dealing with a serious cognitive problem that Christine has developed recently, so some days I feel like you and I are going down parallel paths, except so far your path is much more serious than ours. Christine sees a new neurologist next week, and we’re hoping for a new perspective, and a fresh view….and maybe a new treatment plan.
We wish you and your family….and of course your mom, the very best, and please give our best to the bride and groom. We just wish we were closer to Tucson, and Christine’s health was better, so we could have helped you with your mom’s caregiver duties.
We have somehow lost track of your email address, so if you have a minute (oh sure) can you please drop me an email with the address?….we don’t want to lose contact with you for the future. I promise….no spam.
Please keep up the good work on the blog….have a good wedding week. XO. Steve & Christine.
Penny,
I will call you on Friday. We are leaving Monday morning the 12th and will return Sunday night, the 18th late. I will get you some names and numbers and I think 10-7 will do, she takes a lot of naps in between, and is fine with some alone time. Lunch and dinner are kind of important since she can’t feed herself.
We’ll talk.
Thank you!
Marion
Hi Marion, I don’t want to bother you, but perhaps we need to talk about some of the people that you
might know, along with the ones that I know, to participate in spending time with your Mom while
you are away. I know you said you are leaving Tuesday, so we can begin covering the days on Tuesday
until your return. I also wonder what you feel the time frame should be 9-8, 8-8. I’m sure you know best. Please call me at your convenience. Thanks, Penny
I am not surprised that she won over the hearts of her caregivers at Handmakers. I know she won over mine! I am so glad that friends are stepping up to help you through all of this. HUGS to all of you! XOXOX