We've discontinued the patch that was apparently the culprit at the root of Mom's recent bouts of dizziness, confusion, and hallucinations (none of them fun!). She is feeling much better and I'm thankful that this episode had a relatively easy resolution.
Needless to say, we won't be writing any testimonials for that particular medication--
Essays, photos and miscellaneous snippets centered around my current life as my mother's caregiver. All comments welcome. Please feel free to share this blog with anyone who might enjoy it!
About Me
- Sandy M
- I live with a roommate, 2 cats, a dog, and my mom, who turned 91 on Valentine's day '08 and is the inspiration for this blog. Motherhood has brought me boundless joy--thank you, Alison. And be prepared--someday you may be the one writing posts about me.
Notes from Linda
April 28, 2008
My job is assisting Sandy in the care of her beloved Mother, Ms. Isabelle. So many memories these years, and I am now deciding to record just a few. Her humor is the highlight of my day. This is my fifth year of cutting her hair. I had a conversation with her about getting a professional haircut,explaining to her that I really don't know what I'm doing. She said "Now you tell me!"
May 1, 2008
Ms. Isabelle was sitting in her recliner when I arrived. I leaned over to give her a hug, noting how frail she has become, and my heart caught in my throat. She said that I give good hugs and we laughed. So, our afternoon begins. I ask,"what do you want for lunch", she said, "make me an offer." She is my patient, but also my friend........I love her....
June, 24, 2008My best compliment ever, from my patient and friend, Ms. Isabelle was, "I like you better than chocolate". An hour later she is wondering where the chocolate is. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. She is an angel with chocolate on her breath....Linda
Aug. 9, 2008 Ms. Isabelle points to the photo lined bookcase and says, "That is a picture of my husband, he lost his legs in the war." She then told me how some spouses didn't want their husbands anymore because of their disability. She began to weep, saying how much she still loved him and stood by him. I comforted her by saying " what a good wife, good mother, good grandmother and wonderful friend that you are." She replied, "I'm cute too!"
My job is assisting Sandy in the care of her beloved Mother, Ms. Isabelle. So many memories these years, and I am now deciding to record just a few. Her humor is the highlight of my day. This is my fifth year of cutting her hair. I had a conversation with her about getting a professional haircut,explaining to her that I really don't know what I'm doing. She said "Now you tell me!"
May 1, 2008
Ms. Isabelle was sitting in her recliner when I arrived. I leaned over to give her a hug, noting how frail she has become, and my heart caught in my throat. She said that I give good hugs and we laughed. So, our afternoon begins. I ask,"what do you want for lunch", she said, "make me an offer." She is my patient, but also my friend........I love her....
June, 24, 2008My best compliment ever, from my patient and friend, Ms. Isabelle was, "I like you better than chocolate". An hour later she is wondering where the chocolate is. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. She is an angel with chocolate on her breath....Linda
Aug. 9, 2008 Ms. Isabelle points to the photo lined bookcase and says, "That is a picture of my husband, he lost his legs in the war." She then told me how some spouses didn't want their husbands anymore because of their disability. She began to weep, saying how much she still loved him and stood by him. I comforted her by saying " what a good wife, good mother, good grandmother and wonderful friend that you are." She replied, "I'm cute too!"
Notable Mom-isms
Mom and I were watching a classic John Wayne movie one afternoon. She always comments on how good-looking he is (was) as she does with some of her other favorite stars, like Harrison Ford and James Garner. During a scene in this particular movie, when the sheriff said, "we're going to have to move these men out of here," Mom said (pointing to her bed) "Tell 'em we have room for John Wayne right over there."
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After watching an awards show with my Mom, I tucked her into bed for the night. She smiled and said, "You deserve an award for being the world's best Mother-tucker."As we both laughed, she clarified, "The kind spelled with a 't'"
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Mom, thanking me for giving her dinner on Easter night: "You’re the best egg I ever laid."
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Pointing to a flowering tree on the side of the road, Mom comments, "So that’s a Dogwood? Does that mean a dog would pee on it if he got the chance?"
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Me, exhausted after moving the living room furniture:
"Oh, man . . ."
Mom: "I haven’t seen any around here lately."
Me: "There haven’t been any."
Mom: "Well, they’d be sad to see how well we get along without them."
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I hear Mom singing scales in her bedroom and ask, "What are you singing?"
Her reply, “I’m just checking out my voice. . . it’s still there.”
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"How come nobody ever gets any ice cream around here?"
"We do, Mom, I give you some nearly every day."
"Really? Well, next time you give me some, remind me that I'm getting it so I won't go around thinking that you never do."
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After watching an awards show with my Mom, I tucked her into bed for the night. She smiled and said, "You deserve an award for being the world's best Mother-tucker."As we both laughed, she clarified, "The kind spelled with a 't'"
--------------------------------
Mom, thanking me for giving her dinner on Easter night: "You’re the best egg I ever laid."
---------------------------------
Pointing to a flowering tree on the side of the road, Mom comments, "So that’s a Dogwood? Does that mean a dog would pee on it if he got the chance?"
---------------------------------
Me, exhausted after moving the living room furniture:
"Oh, man . . ."
Mom: "I haven’t seen any around here lately."
Me: "There haven’t been any."
Mom: "Well, they’d be sad to see how well we get along without them."
----------------------------------
I hear Mom singing scales in her bedroom and ask, "What are you singing?"
Her reply, “I’m just checking out my voice. . . it’s still there.”
---------------------------------
"How come nobody ever gets any ice cream around here?"
"We do, Mom, I give you some nearly every day."
"Really? Well, next time you give me some, remind me that I'm getting it so I won't go around thinking that you never do."
Mom
