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Good As I Am

Posted by eph21920 on September 16, 2016 in Answer, Family, Healing

Today a nurse came to the house to get my mom set up for home health care. She asked a barrage of questions and went through my mom’s medical history. As she talked to her, she would say that my mom was lucky that she didn’t have to wear oxygen, or how wonderful it was that she wasn’t diabetic, or that it was great she didn’t have to take certain kinds of medications. Even with all the issues that my mom has, or things that she has gone through, there were still things to be grateful for. As the nurse said, “I’m doing pretty good for as good as I am.”

I  Found God today in a reminder of how good my mom is doing.

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Not Going Back

Posted by eph21920 on September 15, 2016 in Answer, Connected, Present

Yesterday as we were headed to pick up my mom from the rehab facility, a song came on that was about leaving the past behind and not having to go there again. I laughed. Then I saw a brief quote, “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.” Loved it. These touched my heart and helped me to stay focused on today – the moment at hand.

I Found God today in a reminder to keep my mind in the present.

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Home Again, Home Again

Posted by eph21920 on September 14, 2016 in Family, Grateful, Healing, Home

Yesterday was my mom’s last day of therapy as she was due for discharge today. We talked with one of the therapists about how far my mom has come and all got teary eyed. To think that when she arrived, she couldn’t even stand by herself and now she was cruising down the hallways with her walker on her own. We thanked her for all her patience and work and shared hugs all around. We also talked with one of the CNA’s who has been with my mom for quite a bit of the time. He reminded us that he told us early on that he knew my mom would get better. It was good to hear then as I was very concerned, and good to hear now. We thanked him for taking such good care of my mom and shared more hugs. A while ago, my dad decided that my mom needed a comfortable multi-positional bed when she would come back home, so he ordered a twin size that would fit in their room along with their double bed. The bed arrived yesterday evening and we got it all set up. When we went back to see my mom, she told us about all the people who stopped in to tell her good-bye. After 10 days in the hospital and almost 4 weeks in the rehabilitation facility, my mom finally came home this morning. We thanked everyone we could on the way out. It felt strange, but wonderful to drive away from the rehab facility with mom in tote. After a little walk around the house, she tried out the new bed. She had fun raising and lowering the head and feet and playing with the different massage settings. After lunch she laid down for a nap and slept long and sound. She was pretty active this evening and more than ready to turn in tonight as she settled into the new bed. We prayed out loud several times today, thanking God for my mom’s return.

I Found God today in another amazing recovery by my mom.

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Caregivers Group

Posted by eph21920 on September 13, 2016 in Answer, Begin, Connected, Friends, New, Relationship, Struggles

Last week I connected with a man who works for an agency involved with elder care. I found that he helps support caregivers, so I met with him at his suggestion to see what kind of things are available. He gave me a lot of information about different classes and groups and assistance such as respite care. A new caregivers group/class was beginning soon and I took some time deciding if I would join for the 8 weeks. I felt like this might not be a good time with things being hectic. Then I remembered that if I wait for a “good time”, it would never happen – kind of like waiting to have kids until you can afford it. As I was contemplating, I thought about a friend I have re-connected with who is living with her aging mother. I decided to go and told my friend about it. She was able to join as well. We went to the first session today. There were 9 people in the group and each of them had their own unique story of caring for another – wives caring for husbands, husband caring for a wife, and others caring for parents or parent-in-laws. While each one had a different situation, collectively we all seemed to have the same struggles, emotions, and desire to do the best we can. It was uplifting just listening to others and realizing that I am not alone in my experience. I was so glad that my friend went too as our lives have taken very similar paths. It was so good to be able to talk with someone I have known for years and to renew our relationship.

I Found God today in a more than helpful group of people who all desire to do their best as they care for another.

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Mom the Evangelist

Posted by eph21920 on September 11, 2016 in Faith, Family

A couple of days after my mom was admitted to the rehab center, I brought in a statue of Mary – Our Lady of Lourdes – and a small bottle of holy water. Usually before my dad and I leave for the night from visiting, we bless ourselves and say a prayer together. There are a couple different women who come to clean my mom’s room on a daily basis. One of them is oriental and speaks just enough English to get by. Today my mom said the woman was in to clean her room and asked about the religious items. My mom told her about the statue of Mary – Our Lady of Lourdes. And she told her that the water was blessed – holy water. The woman then opened the bottle and blessed herself with the water.

I Found God today in my mom the evangelist.

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Perfectly Timed Call

Posted by eph21920 on September 10, 2016 in Answer, Family, Grateful, Problem

Yesterday, we got some confusing paperwork from the rehab facility where my mom is recovering. It came late in the afternoon and when my dad went to ask questions about it, the people who could help us had already gone home. According to the paperwork, action needed to be taken before Monday. My dad followed up best he could with the information he had. We spoke to one of the nurses before we left. She assured us that she would be back in the morning to follow up and give us a call. We did receive one call this morning from the manager on duty that resulted in a bit of back and forth. She was going to look into the matter further and call us back. The whole thing was stressful and frustrating. My dad and I headed to the mountains as we had planned on doing today, knowing that at some point I would not be able to get cell phone service. About half way to our destination, we stopped for a little break. While we were there, we received the call back from the manager. She apologized for the confusion and the mistakes that were made. She said she would make sure everything would be straightened out and we would not have to follow up any more. The call came to my cell phone at just the right time so it could be received. My dad and I were very happy that we got it, heard good news, and could get on with enjoying the day.

I Found God today in a perfectly timed call with reassuring news.

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Uplifting Affirmation

Posted by eph21920 on September 9, 2016 in Family, Grateful, Healing, Hope, Joy

Today when I went to visit my mom, I was met in the hall by her CNA of the day. She told me that my mom was doing great. This particular woman was the one who greeted us when we arrived. My mom was in a much different state at that time. The CNA talked about how far my mom has come, saying that she is a different woman than she was when she first came to the facility. At that time, my mom couldn’t even get out of bed on her own. Now she is walking all around with her walker and doing things by herself. As the CNA spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, as did mine at that point. I thanked her for her work and for taking such good care of my mom. She said my mom is so gracious and appreciative that she makes her job easy and joyful. She literally carried on and on as we held back the tears and hugged it out. During the day, my mom’s physical, occupational and speech therapists echoed the sentiments of the CNA. I know my mom has made amazing progress – especially recently – but to hear it from those who have worked with her in this way was so hopeful and uplifting.

I Found God today in affirmation about my mom’s continuing recovery.

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Washing Feet

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2016 in Answer, Joy, Service

There are a few amenities at my mom’s rehab facility. One of them is the opportunity to receive a manicure and a pedicure. I asked my mom if she wanted to get an appointment and she said that sounded very nice, so I got it set up for her. When my dad and I arrived for a visit this afternoon, my mom was sitting in the recliner. At her feet was a woman kneeling on the floor working on her toenails. We chatted a little as the woman worked. After a while, she filled a small tub with water for my mom to put her feet in. Then she started gently washing my mom’s feet. I was suddenly transported to the scene in the Bible when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He was serving them and teaching them (and us) that we should be in service of one another. If we love one another, we show it by taking care of each other. During our chat, I learned that the woman had another job, but started doing manicures and pedicures to people in facilities to “give back”. She found that she loved doing it. In serving, she found her own joy.

I Found God today in a woman serving my mother.

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Recovery Turning Point

Posted by eph21920 on September 6, 2016 in Family, Healing

My mom had a fairly quiet long weekend at the rehab center, only having a bit of therapy yesterday. Evidently, the rest did her well. Today everything was back in full force. When I went to visit her this morning, she walked with her walker further than she has before. She was taking good long steps and very sturdy on her feet. The therapist gave her the ok to walk with me instead of having to call for assistance every time she wants to move about. That was a huge milestone. Later tonight my dad and I joined my mom for dinner. She talked about how much work she did during the day and how tired she was. But it was too early to go to bed. Down at the end of the hall is a room with games and puzzles. I noticed one of our favorite games Sorry was in there, so I asked if she wanted to go down and play a game. I offered to take her down in the wheelchair, but was surprised to hear her say she wanted to walk. I wasn’t sure how the game would go, but given enough time, she played along just fine. The whole day felt like an amazing turning point in her recovery.

I Found God today in a day full of promise in my mom’s recovery.

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Serenade

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2016 in Family, Love, Music

Tonight my dad, a good friend of my mom’s, and I joined my mom for dinner at the rehab facility. A violinist came and played while we ate. My parents knew most of the songs and sang along to a few. When my dad leaned over to my mom and sang to her, it was just a beautiful sight.

I Found God today in the love my parents express and share with one another.

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