And Grandma is out of the hospital so I kind of wonder why I'm here. I mean one day I get a call that Grandma is in intensive care, and I fly here and I find she's left the hospital already! Certainly not the way things would go in Japan! If one gets put in the hospital they usually stay a couple weeks or a month or two. I remember telling my mother when I first came to Japan that if I ever ended up in the hospital she wasn't to think I was on my death bed just because I was in for a couple months, that's just the way it is done in Japan.
Marcy didn't tell Grandma that I was flying in early and wanted to surprise her. Is a surprise such a good idea for someone her age who isn't in such great health? But Marcy felt an extra jolt would perk things up a bit so when we trooped into Grandma's bedroom Marcy says,
"Grandma~~ Look at the new cleaning lady I picked up for you."
Grandma took one look at me looked back at Marcy and said,
"Am I awake?"
It has been nice having the computer and all the pictures in it with the wide screen so that Grandma's failing eyesight can see them. We've gone through quite a few of the picture folders in here and always she wants to stop and look at the kitties. That's nice.
Mostly Grandma sleeps. And she needs help to get up, to move from bed to bathroom. To eat. She doesn't want to be left alone so I stay sitting beside her and I took a nap on the floor in the next room. Even that panics her to think that she is alone. I can see how Marcy will be very happy to have me take over nursing duties but I don't know how things are going to go once I have to leave again. No, Tanya, that is thinking way too far ahead. You just got here.
Some humor... I helped Grandma to the bathroom with the use of the walker and making sure her legs held her. She wobbles from side to side and sometimes falls backwards."I don't know how I can get so wobbly so suddenly like this. I feel like an old woman."
"Um... You ARE an old woman at 87."
"Am I 87? No wonder I feel like I am 80!"
"If you feel like you are 80 then you are doing good. That's 7 years younger than you really are!"
We'll see what the first night brings and hope we can slip into a routine.
"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
12 comments:
Glad you got there safe! I think you were wise to go, even if she is home. Especially if she's having trouble being alone.
Praying for her, and for you!
Amazing how quickly you arrived. I hope you had a good flight, nothing too stressful. Enjoy your visit. I wish CA was closer to IN than it is.
Thinking of your Mom and all of the family. Life is so fragile and must be handled with care. Certainly your presence and loving care will help her each day. Glad you made the trip o.k. and hope you can get some hand work done while having a visit with your family. Sending prayers to you and Tetsu while being apart from each other.
Love,
Liz
Hi Tanya, so glad you are in California all safe and sound.
Enjoy your time with family and treasure the moments.
Hugs
HI!!Tanya-san
I felt relieved to read your blog.
Your visit brought big happiness and ease to your mother ! I hope you have a great time with your mother.
LoveXXX
Just your presence will do her good. It dismays me that they hustle older people up and out of the hospital so quickly. Everyone would feel better with a few more days' skilled care to be sure everything was OK.
The idea of someone I know (OK, blog-know counts) flying nowadays always makes me worried. Glad to hear you are there and safe.
I am glad you decided to go early. Your mom will enjoy having you around and you will have quality time with her. Also you are giving some time off to Marcy which I am sure she appreciates it. You are a wonderful person. God bless you.
I'm so glad you had an uneventful trip and that Grandma's doing so well. The sooner she gets up & moving more the sooner she'll get some strength back....the humor will help a lot too. As she feels stronger she probably won't worry so much about being alone for a little while either. It all just takes a little time.
Glad you got there safely. Enjoy your time with your mom.
our mothers are close in age ... my sister and i just placed our mom in assisted living because we could not (physically) give her the care that she needs, and it just wasn't safe for her to be alone ...... i think that you are gonna be okay - you still have your sense of humor - take care of yourself, too
My MIL, who turned 90, sometimes says to me, "I'm getting old" and I tell her "You passed old a long time ago--now you're DAM-OLD". She's in good health though and nearby so no flying would be necessary if she should need to go into the hospital. Glad you came to CA too, you're 60 miles away from where I live!
Tanya: Glad to hear your trip and quick and safe. Now you will have a month to visit with your mother. I'm sure she was quite surprised to see you in her bedroom. I can only imagine. I hope you brought some stitching to do while you sit with her. Will look forward to reports as the months moves on. Rae Ann
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