I couldn't make Weight Watchers Thursday night so I went Friday morning instead. I had a goal for myself of losing 2 pounds this week but was pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale and they told me I had lost 4.2 pounds. That makes a grand total of 11.2 pounds. I can't say I see that much difference when I look in the mirror but my pants are starting to fit better now and that's a good thing.
Poor Mom. She's not doing so well these past few days. There's a flu bug going around in her wing at the nursing home and it's not pretty. All fifteen of them in that wing plus the staff who usually work on that side have been knocked to their knees. They had to call in different people to come in and do some shifts. One of the residents, the one everyone called Grandpa, was unable to fight it and passed away the other day. He will be missed around there I'm sure.
My sister and I have been going twice a day to help with Mom's care. We have to suit up before we enter the place with a gown, mask and gloves. The place looks so different with everyone confined to their rooms. There's no hustle and bustle anywhere and the dining room and living room sit empty making the place look abandoned and even a little bit eerie. I get a peek at other residents through their open doorways when I make my way to Mom's room and it's sad to see how everyone is lying in bed looking sickly.
We got Mom to hold down a little bit of chicken broth and Jello today but she's still very weak and disoriented. Poor thing gets so exhausted just from the effort of trying to get a few mouthfuls down and moving her around a little bit. We have to keep shifting her position in bed though so her skin doesn't start breaking down and she doesn't come down with bed sores. It happens really quickly when someone can't move their own weight around. Not that there's much weight there to move around anymore. She was 86 pounds about a month ago but she will have lost ground again wth this flu taking so much out of her.
When I finished helping Mom eat and she had drifted off to sleep again I made my way out and found myself wishing I had a magic wand I could wave and make them all better again. If only...........
2 comments:
Hi Annette,
It's a sad state of affairs for sure when a flu runs though a seniors home. I was just wondering the other day about my care when I can't do it for myself, will my children come to help with my care? If they are able I believe they will, infact I am sure of it, but if they are not able, I wonder what old age has in store for me. I hope I stay healthy and will be able to live on my own until that day when I get called for another assignment. If not, I will have to take the bad with the good, because I sure have had a lot of good in my life. You are a great daughter and even though your Mom can't tell you that or her humanness won't allow her to voice the words, I know that her spirit, who she really is, loves you very much and is grateful for all the efforts you put forth on her behalf, no matter what. Good job Annette. Good job on the weight loss too.
love always,
Phillis xoxoxoxoxo
Happy for your great news while feeling sad for your mom and the others suffering with the flu.
Sending prayers for everyone to be well soon. This is another battle surley none of them need to be fighting.
Barbara
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