Triumphant Tuesday

Well, today (((knock on wood))) was another good one. I ended up working late, so I didn’t get to Eason House, but received several messages and photos throughout the day. Emily visited and said mom was in very good spirits! Like the rest of us, I think she is blown away by these latest changes.

In summary, great mood, bright eyes, no clapping, hitting, or yelling. Didn’t eat as much as yesterday, but she did eat.

It’s so funny, I have a friend in the UK whose mother is the same age as mine, and her progression with the disease has been eerily similar. Seemed like when one would move to the next stage, the other was never far behind.

Well, when Mom stopped eating and took such a dive, Sue wrote and said she didn’t want to give me false hope, but wanted to share what had happened with her mum several months ago. She had also stopped eating and drinking, was sleeping for hours on end, and otherwise either unresponsive or screaming. Like me, Sue thought it was the end and even told her mother it was okay to go (I had done the same at one point).

She said this lasted for weeks rather than months, and then all of a sudden… her mum started responding, talking, and laughing again. I didn’t dare hope the same would be the case for Mom. It sounded absolutely impossible. But, here we are about five weeks out, and it certainly sounds like once again, these two ladies are almost in sync. Two complete strangers with over 4,000 miles and an ocean between them, walking a nearly identical path… Two daughters sometimes just hanging on by a thread, but still being amazed every day by the most important women in their lives.

I am so grateful. Every day is a gift. ♥

Let’s not upset the apple cart…

So I returned Friday’s call to the neurologist’s office today. He wanted to bump up her Buspar, and I decided against it. Right now, I see no reason to change anything. Yes, she has had some horrible nights, but since we know there will never be a perfect balance, I have to go with the lesser of two evils. I’d rather a few nights than 24×7. Not taking that risk. We’ll re-evaluate next Monday.

That being said, I got a text from Susie tonight that blew my mind. Mom was on her second plate of meatloaf, potatoes, and carrots. Yes, REAL FOOD. I just told someone today that I doubted she would ever eat “normally” again, and whad’ya know – she proved me wrong! We’ll see if it’s a trend or a fluke, but I am stunned! Who would have ever thought…

The pictures below were texted to me at various times throughout the day. Enjoy!

(And, check out today’s piece on Caregivers – some tips on the dreaded search for long-term care. Major key to success: trust your gut.)

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More Days Like Today!

I got a text from the girls around lunchtime saying Mom was having an incredible day – ah, but the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question… would I get there in time to see it?!

Happy to say that the answer is a resounding YES! I haven’t seen her like this since before the last horrible crisis period that had me thinking we were nearing the end. I can’t even believe this is the same person! When I walked in, she was sitting at the table eating a cookie – and she looked – dare I say it, (((like her old self))).

She greeted me with a big smile, big eyes, and big “Hi!!!!” but that was just the beginning of an afternoon filled with laughs! I shot some priceless video. Can’t find the words to say how good it is to see her so happy, and making everyone around her so happy!

She did a lot of walking around today, too, and that is somewhat surprising since she’s still barely eating solid food (crackers, grapes, ice cream). I guess the Ensure has everything she needs and she’s getting enough of it to keep her going.

I’ll be calling the doc in the morning to see what med changes he has in mind, but I am very hesitant about making any changes just yet. Right now, her worst times seem to be at night, just two or three nights per week, but very severe, horrible several hour long screaming fits. (Note the bruise on her hand and eye – she fell the other night.) It’s so difficult to know what to do – the slightest change can turn things upside down.

I just want to enjoy more moments like the ones we experienced today… ♥