Sunday, February 7, 2010

Back Home



It's good to be back in my own bed. I went up to the Phoenix area to visit my mother and to go with her to her doctor's appointment. I knew she had been having trouble eating, and breathing was extra hard (she has COPD), and that she had been really tired. When she answered my knock on her door, I was shocked. She was a hunched over, walking bone.


Why didn't I go up there a week earlier! Her doctor's appointment was troubling, and she was squeezed in to see the head doctor two days later, the one that only sees critical patients. The first doc had given her a shot to open up her lungs, and put her on prednisone. By the time she went to see the top doc, she was feeling better. He was in and out of there in no time. Whew!


I made her eat 3 times a day, and she seemed to eat better when she didn't have to figure out what to eat. She lives in a place that has a dining room and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But you have to go down there to eat, or to bring the food back to your apartment. Her breathing was so bad that it was too much effort to go eat.


We made a big pot of chicken soup together, ate some, and froze some. She's doing much better, thankfully. She spent the week telling me stories of her life, something she did not often do before. It was probably the best time we've shared in a very long time, just sitting, talking, and being together.
I'll probably spend the next few days trying to get caught up with work and catching up on all of my bloggy friends posts! Oh, and I have a whole lot of doggie belly rubbing to catch up on as well. Have a wonderful day!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

what wonderful memories you created;)
have a wonderful day my delightful friend.

DawnTreader said...

It's hard to see your parents ageing. (Been to see my own father today.) I'm sure it meant a lot to her that you were able to spend some time with her.

GB said...

I wish you and your Mum well. Age cometh not alone - unfortunately.

GingerV said...

sorry she was ill, and am glad she is feeling better. I thought she was now in a place that looks after her. she couldn't call someone in house to bring her food? or to keep track and call you if she needs more help? Saying 'I wish I had' is useless you know. we all just do the best we can and take our cues from them - not wanting to take over for them. My mother basically eats if the food is put in front of her - but if my sister leaves her food and goes out with friends when she comes back the food is still there.... I reassured my sister that she wont starve if she goes without one meal.... but we still have to keep an eye out.
maybe a trip into phoenix every 7 days (or 14) if you are now going once a month....
I am sending you positive vibes.

septembermom said...

I wish you and your Mom all the best. Hugs my friend.

Flora & Fauna

Books I have known & loved

  • Life of Pi
  • A Hundred Years of Solitude
  • Kite Runner
  • The Way the Crow Flies
  • Fall on Your Knees
  • Poisonwood Bible
  • East of Eden
  • Shantaram
  • I Know This Much is True

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