Monday 12/23

It's 2:30 a.m. and Dad and I are still up.  I'll explain what has transpired the last two days.

Last I wrote, mom was doing a little better emotionally but confused.  On Saturday afternoon, she went to the bathroom and right before she was coming out the door she just collapsed.  She's been very good at using her walker wherever she goes and it was in there with her.  Dad and I heard a "thud" at the same time and both went running.  She was flat on her back.  She wanted to try to get up but because her bones are so brittle (due to the cancer), her hitting her head on the linoleum and complaining of lower back pain I called 911.  We weren't going to take any chances.  Mom said she didn't trip on anything (there wasn't anything for her to trip on), she said she "just went down".  The EMTs were great and were at our home within a few minutes.  Once at the hospital they did bloodwork, a CT Scan and X-Rays.  Thank God nothing was broken.  The doctor came in and told us she had a urinary tract infection and that's what caused the dizziness.  It also explains her anger the past few days.  They watched her for awhile and sent her home with meds.

Sunday she rested all day but was still very confused.  She didn't know why she had a port in her chest, we explained it was for when she starts chemo and she didn't remember that either.  We explained everything back to when she broke her hip and she remembered bits and pieces but didn't remember her brain biopsy, the port or the cancer.  She became more agitated because she thought we had been keeping it a secret.  We didn't argue, we just let her talk.  She remained agitated all day, especially because we're making sure she didn't go anywhere by herself at all...if dad wasn't with her in the kitchen, family room or bathroom, I'd be there...we can't take the chance of her falling again as she hasn't been on the medication long enough to clear up her dizziness (or calm her down).  I know she feels like she's losing more of her independence, and that's understandable, but we need to keep her safe.

It's early Monday morning now and she has been sleeping off and on in the recliner since early evening.  Dad tried several times to get her up to go to bed but she kept saying, "in a minute".  Finally about twenty minutes ago she acquiesced and got into bed but is sleeping fitfully.  Dad and I are keeping an eye on her breathing and making sure she doesn't try to get out of bed unaided.

Once the medication kicks in I'm sure things will improve....we're all exhausted.

All of our initials after the cement was poured on
mom and dad's patio.....will bring back
great memories for years.