When you're living a distance & all is going well, you plan the next visit or family get-together. There's anticipation mixed with excitement... you're making plans & memories, it's fun. But... when things go wrong... when health fails, you listen to symptoms, aches & pains. You google meds to better understand dosages & side effects. You listen to aches & pains... better today/or not... & questions: should I come? you come? what's best to do... & when? All the while you realize that you're not all here or there.... you burn the soup wondering if mom's ok &/or turning off her stove burners? Then you're told, she's losing weight. Is she remembering to eat? I need to go. So, 2 planes & 43 sudokus later, I arrive & find she's already feeling better. Maybe anticipation is still a good remedy, the meds are beginning to work or there's comfort in knowing that someone is coming... or maybe it's a combination of all three.
Eight days... let's use it wisely. Day 1 we purchase some items to make her home more user-friendly: lift chair... walker... tub chair... new batteries placed in the many smoke detecters. She seems to enjoy being out & about... K-Mart & then out for supper. Day 2 living room is re-arranged... while she helps or suggests better ways to do things, laundry done, shower happens with that new chair & then we head out once again. Today it's Wal-mart to try out one of those motorized carts... again fun & Red Lobster is our meal of the day... watching all those adds on tv has made her hungry. Day 3... she's tired, a bit more sore, weather has changed... she stays home & takes a nap. Day 4... visiting with relatives; so good to re-connect. Mom's being mom... does that mean she's feeling better?
As our days together continue, some days she's better than others. She enjoys my company, but the questions continue... she's doing ok with me here, but alone? How will that be? Will she remember the meds... the meals... on a tough day? She'd rather not return with me now & wants to get stronger first. But will that be what happens? Questions... praying for wisdom & sensitivity... & that we might agree on our course of action... We've had many opportunities to talk about health & healing. She's working hard to demonstrate her independence & prove to me that she can "do it". We both want her to succeed. She can be determined... strong willed... or stubborn, depending on the moment; maybe that's what keeps her going. A purchased notebook seems a good thing... to record meals, weight, meds & questions for the doctor. It will help her to look back & check... we very much appreciate your prayer support for us both... being a mom or daughter isn't always easy... especially as roles change a bit. Four weeks later... Mom & I are pleased to report... she's feeling better, getting stronger... some days are better than others, but encouraged we are & thank God for His care!
No comments:
Post a Comment