It's Been A Difficult Day

It's Been A Difficult Day

There are certain days when we jog along merrily; others when things go really well; and then there are the days when you feel you have taken at least one step backwards.

When Mum couldn't manage to bear her weight on her right leg, and "twiddle" herself around to sit on the chair/glider/bed, and we realised she would have to be hoisted most of the time, was one such day; today has been equally difficult, from the point of view of Mum not understanding what she was doing.

Before I went to bed at about 2.00 a.m., I checked on Mum, and she was sleeping gently; I left her a few more tissues in a box on the table, and felt happy she was just fine.

At some point before the carers arrived, Mum managed to take down her knickers and remove two pads - there is a small No 6, that fits inside the night pad, which is much bigger, and also comes with (very) sticky tabs - two each side - to make sure everything stays in place.  She must have been very determined to take everything off, but take everything off she did, which meant the carers found her "in a bit of a pickle." They dealt with it all magnificently, and got her clean and changed; we took control of all the bedding, which had to be pre-washed, and then washed at a high temperature. As a final hurrah, as the carers were getting Mum ready to be hoisted into the chair, Mum then spent a penny, which involved another complete change of bedclothes.

There are times when I think I shall never keep up with the washing.  I know we have a machine, and it is efficient, but it is the sheer volume of it, that gets me down. Another problem is getting the sheets/blankets/plastic sheets dry. It's not too difficult in the summer time, when the weather is warm, but it's a different story in the winter. Airers and radiators end up being festooned with bedlinen. And I do get a bit despondent.

Today has been what we a call a "fiddling day" - no sooner had I made the bed, than Mum pulled the blanket off; in the end, I left the blanket off altogether, and didn't replace it until she was ready to go back to bed for a nap. If I put a table cover on the table, ready for her dinner, Mum pulled it off and started to tear it into little strips; she had a catalogue to read through, which suffered the same fate. It was one of those days when you needed eyes in the back of your head.....

And Mum couldn't understand why it was better to leave things where they were and how, if she doesn't, it means doing the same job twice, or three times, over.

I expect in another 24 hours, it will be better. Mum will be more communicative, and more helpful as we try to help her; and I shall feel more hopeful!