SUNDAY, FEB. 16 & MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014

February 16, 2014, Sunday. I went to the NH about 7 PM, blinds half open and one window half open. It was a nice day today. Mom was in bed, awake, O2 on, teeth out, glasses off, watching DVD with sound down. Souhange was asleep on top of her covers.

I closed the window and discovered the blinds on that window weren’t working. Mom did not recognize me until I took off the mask. I brushed her hair, we put on Purell then hand cream. I changed the channel and channel surfed a bit. I muted the sound and we played patty cake. She had difficulty with that tonight but when I tried to get her to sing she moved her mouth and made expressions like she was imitating me. I changed the DVD to Easter Parade. I left about 7:30 PM. I went to the nurse station and spoke to Nurse Sandra about the window and the blinds. I filled out a yellow slip for the blinds and Nurse Sandra agreed that the window should not be open. I did not see that either Riley or Carl signed in today so our family didn’t open the window.

February 17, 2014, Monday. I spoke to Riley this morning about 11 AM before I left for work. He said that he would see Mom tonight. I spoke to Nurse Rose today about 6 PM confirming Mom’s Care Plan meeting for 3 PM, Wed., March 12, 2014.

FRI., FEB. 14 & SAT., FEB. 15, 2014

This is the pink Japanese Lantern that is hanging from Mom's mobile of fishes in her room.

February 14, 2014, Friday. Yesterday I telephoned and asked to talk to Sam, the social worker, about Mom’s care plan meeting scheduled for Wed., March 5. I was told that Sam no longer worked for RNC. I spoke Nurse Diana who suggested I talk to Rose, Unit manager. This morning I talked to Nurse Rose and she suggested that we schedule for the following week, during Spring Break, March 12. I emailed Regina from Hospice about changing the date, also. They have to clear all this with Medicaid. Regina emailed back about rescheduling for Thursday, March 6 at 3 PM. Either time is fine with me. I called Riley this morning and asked if he was able to go by last night. He said that Terri got the stomach virus that her father had and was very ill yesterday. He did not go by and take Mom’s teeth out. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM, blinds closed, feeders full. Mom was at the activity in the Great Room. I had on a mask and Mom did not seem to know me but was cooperative. She had her teeth in, glasses on. In Mom’s room I noticed that Carl signed in yesterday and today about 3 PM. There was a Valentine’s card from Brooks and Peggie, opened on the table. We looked at it together and I pinned it up. The DVD was playing and Souhange was resting on her bed. Souhange got up and went to supper. I got Mom set up for supper and the C.N.A. brought Mom’s tray. Mom ate all of her bread, less than half her cake, and some of her ziti. It was slow going. We channel surfed and played patty cake. I returned her tray to the dining room and came back and got Mom into bed. I cleaned her teeth, cleaned her glasses, put the O2 on and gave her a chocolate. I put the TV back on the DVD. Mom did not indicate any capacity to make a decision or a choice. Her current decline is difficult for me. I did not try to get her to sing today. I left about 6:40 PM.

February 15, 2014, Saturday. I called Riley about the clothes bag. He said he planned on visiting Mom today. He said that Terri’s Dad was due to be discharged to a new situation today, new facility. I said I would go later as I was feeling weak today. I sent an invoice to RNC for reimbursement for the TV/DVD player. I went to the NH about 7 PM. I have a backache now and feel very weak. When I got home tonight it occurred to me to use Tiger Balm and it is helping! The birdfeeders were full, blinds closed. I wore a mask and went to Mom’s room. Mom was sleeping, teeth out, glasses off, O2 on, DVD on, sound down. I put condiments and denture cleanser in the drawers and got the Purell for me and for Mom. I signed in. Souhange was resting on her bed, sound down on her TV. Mom awoke and did not know me until I removed my mask and spoke to her. She was sleepy. Her covers were all out of sorts. One cover had Souhange’s name so I folded that up and put on her table. There was a diaper on Mom’s table. It looked used so I discarded. I straightened Mom’s cover and called for assistance to get her straightened up on the bed. I turned up the sound on the TV and Mom & I clapped hands. A C.N.A. came and we scooted Mom higher on the bed. I adjusted all the covers and gave Mom a caramel. I picked up a dirty blouse and said goodnight to Mom. Souhange signaled that she wanted something. After wrong guesses I figured out she wanted her light turned out. I left about 7:30 P.M.

FEB. 11, FEB. 12 & THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2013

February 11, 2014, Tuesday. I didn’t go to the NH today because I am still sick. I talked to Carl and Riley on the phone. Carl said that he would go by and visit with Mom and Riley said that he would go by late around 9 PM, after his 7 PM class and check on her teeth, check on Mom. They said that they would talk to each other on the phone.

February 12, 2014, Wednesday. I didn’t go to the NH today. I talked to Riley. He went by earlier about 3 PM and found Mom sleeping. He plans to go by again later to check on Mom’s teeth. He said last night she was alert, speaking in sentences and her teeth still in about 9 PM. If she falls asleep with her teeth in she will often remove them and “hide” them. Sometimes they are found in her bed with her but sometimes they are just gone. My theory is that she throws them in the trash can by her bed for safe keeping then housekeeping comes through about 5 AM and empties all the trash cans.

February 13, 2014, Thursday. I went to the NH about 10:15 AM. I told Riley that I would be going to the NH early and he said that he would be able to check on her teeth later but I will double check about that.  The blinds were half open and the feeders were full. I took in the clean clothes and found Mom on her bed, teeth in, dressed, glasses on, O2 on, DVD playing, sound down . I got Mom up, gave her a scarf and a hat, brushed her hair and we went to Nail Spa. Souhange was also resting on her bed with her TV off. Souhange tends to expand her space subtly. I left a note for the beautician to do Mom’s hair. Tomorrow is Valentines Day so I hope they work Mom in. Mom was thirsty and I got her water to drink. I cleaned her nails and she got a bright pink today for her nails. I could Not coax her to choose, no matter what strategy so I tried. She enjoyed the manicure but there are no clippers in this activity and Mom’s nails needs some cutting. I filed. Mom was cooperative. A child was in the room and tried to interact with Mom and Mom did finally make some pleasant faces with the child but no speaking. As we left the activity Mom waved her hands about gracefully and showed Amy and others her nails, very pleased with her new color. We returned to her room and we hung up clothes. Mom demonstrated understanding of the task but was not able to accomplish any of the steps. I changed the DVD to a different Fred A. film. Mom showed interest in the film. We played patty cake successfully. I took Mom to the dining room for lunch. I returned to her room, got the dirty clothes and left about 11:30 PM. I wore a mask but everyone recognized me.

SAT., FEB. 8, SUN., FEB. 9 & MON., FEB. 10, 2014

Carl took this photo of Riley helping Mom eat on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014.

February 8, 2014, Saturday. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM. The bird feeders were full and the blinds open. Mom was resting on her bed watching Fred A., sound down, O2 on, glasses on, teeth in. Carl signed in earlier today and there was a banana peel on the bedside table. There was no trash can in Mom’s area. The C.N.A. came and changed Mom and got her up. She was very sweet with Mom and got us a trash can. I got Mom set-up for supper and changed the channel to TCM, Auntie Mame. Mom was really enjoying the film. She did not eat well tonight but I took ½ of a banana left there and chopped it with the pears and she ate all of that. I turned off the TV after supper and tried to play with Mom, coax her to sing. She asked me where I learned that game and I could not coax her to sing-a-long. I assisted her to bed, cleaned her glasses, put her O2 on, gave her a chocolate. Mom did not want to watch the Fred A. DVD so I changed it to Winged Migration which she indicated that she did want to watch. Mom was not responsive to cues and questions. I had a hard time getting her to give me her teeth and had to put my hand in her mouth to get the meaning across to her. Mom was happy to see me and was cooperative but had a great difficulty understanding. She was counting lights outdoors and distracted by things unrelated to what we were doing. I spoke with Nurse Steve before I left. He said that Mom had begun a 5 day treatment to clear her ears. I left about 7 PM.

February 9, 2014, Sunday. I didn’t go to NH. Sick. I called Riley and Carl. They went. Riley was there in time to help Mom eat and sit with Mom. Carl came by later, too. 

February 10, 2014, Monday. I’m home sick today instead of work. I talked to Riley on the phone. He said that Mom spoke in sentences last night. She seemed more responsive. Maybe the ear cleaning is having a positive effect. He planned on going by before supper then later after his class to see to her teeth, check on her.

FRIDAY, FEB. 7, 2013, DECLINE

February 7, 2014, Friday. I went to the NH about 3:40. The blinds were closed. Both Mom and Souhange were asleep on their beds. There was only one portable table in their room. The Med nurse got me another one for Mom’s use. I called for assistance to change Mom and get her up. I got her changed when the C.N.A. came and we got her into her chair. I got her a hat and scarf, brushed her hair, cleaned her glasses, turned off the O2, gave her a chocolate and pushed her to the Great Room for entertainment, muffins and a coke. We clapped our hands, ate our muffins then returned to her room. I set Mom up to color and Riley came by. We talked about Mom’s decline. I cannot coax her to sing. We also talked about volunteering for activities. Riley said he would. I changed the DVD to Top Hat. Mom and I went to the dining room and I left about 5:30 PM.  It is entirely possible that my insistence on Mom propelling herself in the wheelchair may have brought on her TIA on Tuesday. Maybe. Exercise is one of the things that can dislodge plaque and cause it to travel, cause blockage. Today she was in a very good humor, laughed easily but didn’t speak much, respond to cues easily. When she did speak it was mostly nonsensical and distracted. She was very happy and recognized me and Riley.  Some of the speech and response problem may be related to her hearing. We’ll see. She is scheduled for ear cleaning.  

WED., FEB. 5 & THUR., FEB. 6, 2014

February 5, 2014, Wednesday. I got an email this morning from Hospice Nurse Regina saying that she was aware of the situation from last night and asking if we should get a CT scan. I said no, I didn’t think so but that I would come by. I went to the NH about 10 AM. Mom was sleeping soundly, O2 on, teeth in and TV on. I changed the channel to news, put some Purell in the drawer and went to the Nurse station to talk to Regina and the Nurse. Mom showed no evidence this morning of the leaning to the left or weakness in her hands and greeted staff with “Good Morning”. The TIA has passed. I left about 10:30 AM. I called Riley last night to tell him about the stroke. He said that he planned on being with Mom this evening in addition to Carl.

February 6, 2014, Thursday. Riley called today and said that he was with Mom about 2 ½ hours last night and we discussed her poor eating. He said Carl also came by and brought fresh flowers. I went to the NH about 4:40 PM. and I fed the birds, blinds open.

The C.N.A. was changing Mom when I came in and she got Mom into her chair. The DVD Singing in the Rain was playing. I got Mom set-up, changed the DVD to birds and went and got her tray. She ate fairly well tonight; most of her noodles, the summer squash, a couple of bites of bread and the strawberry dessert. I saw Nurse Steve in the hallway. He told me that Mom had a thorough exam by doctors today and passed. From interactions it is obvious to me that Mom has had some decline since Tues. We played patty-cake but I could not coax her to sing. We looked at photos and she did okay, identifying her family and her children with some mixing up of names. We hung up some clean clothes I brought then I assisted her to bed. I cleaned her glasses, her teeth, and put her O2 on. I changed the DVD to a Fred A. movie. Her ability to focus on a task is reduced. I left her about 6:30 PM then went to the charge nurse and discussed Mom. She was very good at ‘reassuring the relative’ and told me all the tests done today. Mom does have blockage in one ear. I didn’t press about Mom’s decline but did report it.

SUN., FEB. 2, MON., FEB. 3 & TUES., FEB. 4, 2013, NEW TV AND A STROKE

February 2, 2014, Sunday. I called Riley and asked him to shop for a new TV/DVD player for Mom to be paid for from her personal account at the NH. I would pay for it then get reimbursed. He did it. I went to the NH about 4:40 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. Mom was on her bed and her new TV was on the floor. The trays were late. I got Mom into her chair and started opening the new TV and cleaning off the old TV and getting ready. I asked Roxanne for a cart to carry the old TV out. I got Mom’s tray and we got started on eating. Riley arrived and we worked on the TV exchange. Roxanne brought a cart and helped Riley. Mom ate pretty well; about half of the lasagna, some of the vegetables and most of the mixed fruit.  Riley put the empty box in my car and took the old TV and DVD player.  Souhange returned to the room. I called for assistance to change Mom and assisted Mom into her nightgown and got her onto the bed. Mom was very wet. A C.N.A. came. We got her changed and set up watching the opera on DVD. I left about 7:10 PM. Mom was alert tonight. Her cough continues.

February 3, 2014, Monday. I did not go to the NH today. I talked to Riley. He said he would be able to stay with Mom tonight for supper. I asked him to figure out the remote and put on closed captioning. He said he would.

February 4, 2014, Tuesday. I went to the NH about 4:45 PM. I fed the birds, blinds closed. I found Mom in the small dining room. She smiled when she saw me. We returned to her room. She propelled herself across the dining room and to the hall but she was exceptionally slow today. I pushed her to her room then got her tray. I put the DVD on the migrating birds and noted Mom’s minimal interest. When I gave her Purell for her hands, I noticed her left hand was exceptionally unresponsive. I tried to get her to clap, play patty-cake then looked at her very slumped to her left. She was hungry and started feeding herself. We got set-up to eat and then I went to find a nurse. I spoke to Nurse Steve about Mom’s weakness, slumping on her left and he contacted Hospice. Mom ate very well; most of her enchilada, half of her salad and most of her fruit cup. I got the TV set-up with closed captioning. I got her teeth out and cleaned them then gave Mom a caramel. We tried playing patty-cake and singing. I could not get her to sing along, not even Jingle Bells. Hospice nurse Leslie DesJardin arrived and she recognized me as her art teacher. Then I recognized her, remembered her name. She did an exam and said that Mom had definitely had a stroke but it is hard to say when or how serious it is without admitting her to ER for a catscan. I nixed that, imagining the terror Mom would experience going to ER. She is terrified of hospitals. She is fragile. Nurse Leslie advised watching her for leaning to the left, pressure sores. If Mom gets better in the next few days, that will indicate a TIA. Nurse Leslie left and talked to Nurse Steve. I called for assistance to change Mom. I changed the DVD to Singing in the Rain. I got a trash bag from Nurse Steve because I couldn’t remember where I hid Mom’s for the clothes hamper. Yvonne came and we changed Mom and got her to be with O2 on. I left with dirty clothes about 7:30 PM. Her cough continues.