discussion title:
Thankful for a nice visit
I just returned from another visit with my Nana. This time, I traveled by myself. I took the train so I didn't have the stress of driving. I left Connor home with DH. My mom and dad had traveled down separately. My best friend picked me up and took me out to dinner when I first arrived, then dropped me off. Another friend paid me a visit after I'd been there a couple of days and we went out for coffee. So, I got a bit of a reprieve from things, too. But, the best part is that my Nana was doing better than she had been any of the previous visits. I think some of it is due to my dad doing most of the cooking and making sure she had good meals. I helped out with dinner each night I was there and we made some of Nana's favorites and she ate good dinners every night. I was so impressed and excited. She and I had a couple of really good conversations and one day she did amazingly well with some of her therapy. She still fights taking her pills quite a a bit, but one morning I helped her out and she took almost all of them. For the first time, I left without thinking that it might be last the time I see her. I realize that is always a possibility. Even without the PD and remaining effects of her stroke, she's in her 80s. Plus, none of us is promised tomorrow. But it was so nice to not have that awful dread on my heart as I left. It was nice to leave having had some good conversations and a little bit of fun with her. I am so thankful for the time I had with her and although it was hard on my son (and boy did I pay for it when I got home), I don't think I would have done it any differently. I left Thursday morning and my aunt arrived Thursday afternoon. My parents stayed through the end of the weekend.
My only concern was that the first night I was there, she fell out of bed. My granddad has been lining her bedside with chairs and her wheelchair. She woke up thinking she needed to go to the bathroom and feeling trapped, so she tried to get out of bed and maneuvered the chairs around and such. I discussed bedrails with my grandfather and I eventually said I wanted to go with him to go get one. He refused. He said, "I'm not ready for that yet." The rest of my stay and frankly, still now, I fear what will happen the next time she feels trapped by his array of chairs and tries to get out of bed. That was my only concern. It was an incredible few days and I will cherish the visit.
Here's one funny thing that happened. We were playing a game with a ball as part of her therapy and I started asking her about what sports she participated in when she was in high school. My mom also participated in the conversation and we compared experiences. At one point, my mom reminded Nana about going to my volleyball games when I was a freshman. A few minutes later, my Nana said, "my granddaughter wasn't very good, but she sure loved playing." I am, of course, that granddaughter. But you know...mom and I talked about it later and the bottom line of what Nana said was that she loved me and that was cool.
I just wanted to share with everyone. I finally have a positive story to share, so I wanted to be sure I shared it. I know I don't come around often, but I do greatly appreciate the support I receive here when I do come around and post. Thank you, ladies!
