Sunday 24 February 2008

disoriented

I'm in Mum's room, sitting in a chair in the window alcove, looking out over the garden. We're going out to have lunch in 10 minutes or so. Mum, being Mum, needs the toilet first. She decides against using her own bathroom, and says that she'll use the toilet down the hallway.

A couple of minutes later, I hear one of the staff members directing her, as she has evidently lost her way and doesn't know her way to the bathroom, though she's been living here for 2 months now.

A few minutes later, I hear the astonished exclamatory noises that Mum is prone to making on entering a room, only I can tell she's at the other end of the corridor and has obviously walked down to the lounge. I hear the same staff member gently reminding Mum that her Son is visiting her and is waiting in her bedroom. Mum sounds genuinely surprised.

Last year, little things like this would have worried the hell out of me. Now, I just feel a wisp of sadness pass over me and then I feel relieved that Mum is being cared for here.

6 comments:

Matt said...

I'm glad your Mom is somewhere she's being well-cared for, so you don't have to worry about every move she makes. I can't imagine what it feels like when she can't remember things ... but I think you just being around and caring for her must make her life better. I'd love to have the chance to go back and be a better son when my parents were ill. You have that chance now, and you'll never regret what you're doing.

Another hug to you.

Anonymous said...

GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGGG!!!!! HOW ARE YOU???

I really should do this over an email, but I thought leaving a comment will mean it'll stay in your blog forever, HAHAHAHA *evil grin*

Glad to hear your Mum is still doing good, despite getting disoriented. But you're right, at least she's getting the care she deserves.

PS: you should update more often. You know, they said when you don't know what to type, a photo of yourself should do the trick. :D

Greg said...

Hey Matt. There are things I'd like to go back and say to my Dad, who died about 9 years ago, so I do understand what you're talking about. It's like I finally woke up last year and did what needed to be done. Mum's suddenly settling in a lot more, which I will get around to posting about soon. Thanks for your support and the hugs! Coming back atcha!

Greg said...

Hey Sorata! Welcome home. Looks like we were commenting on each other's blogs at the same time - synchronicity! Thanks for the encouragement to blog a bit more but there isn't as much material these days as there was before Christmas - I'm no longer seeing Mum every day and I've sorted out so many of the issues we faced. I did warn you that posts would be less frequent after she moved into her new home. There's actually more to be said than I was expecting, but it's more a weekly thing now, and I hope it stays that way. As for posting photos of me... I don't want to repel new visitors!

LSL said...

Hey, I'm so glad that there is relief in the mix of feelings. It still sounds difficult, but I'm glad she is getting the care she needs. Good to hear from you.

Greg said...

Thanks, LSL (typing that always makes me want to call you "Liesl" and then a song from The Sound of Music starts playing in my head...)

Yes, she's settling in nicely and has found a friend or two. Plus, some relatives have visited her (see how much I've got to catch up on?) and both parties were very impressed with the accommodations, so I'm quite reassured.