Hi Gals, well it has been a long day. I got over to Mum's place to go through Mum's wardrobe with Jewls to select clothes for Mum whilst she is living in the Nursing home. It took us a couple of hours and we've chosen lots of lovely clothes for her. I was lucky and scored quite a few pieces of hers that will not fit her anymore. Jewls got some things too, so we are both happy.
About 10.30 I rang the hospital to see how things were going and they said that Pat was down in the waiting area to be transported.
At 11.45 there was a knock on the door and it was the Patient Transport driver asking if this is where Pat was coming. I couldn't believe it and said No, the place where you want is up the road and the hospital knew that Mum wasn't coming home - talk about miscommunication! That would have been stressful for Mum seeing my car in the driveway.
Anyway 15 minutes later I got a call from the Director at The Opal centre saying Mum was in her room. So Jewls and I packed the car up with the clothes and toiletries and took Miss Lily with us. When we got to the Nursing home we had to do a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) for Covid. We were both negative.
We got up to her room and Lily went berserk, lots of cuddles and kisses. I took all the clothes that we wanted to be kept in Mum's room downstairs where it was all to be labelled. I came back and we talked and talked. About 2.30 Amy and Steve came in and stayed for an hour or so.
Mum had the Physio and nurses popping in through out the afternoon to see how she was. Tomorrow the next change of staff will learn how to put on Mum's neck-brace. Another 4 weeks to go.
Dinner came round and as Mum wasn't dressed yet, she ate her meal in her room. It was delicious mashed vegetables and a beautiful Chick broth soup. It's the first decent go at eating I've seen Mum do in the past 17 days.
I left Jewls, Miss Lily and Mum about 6.00 and came home to find Trev in bed. He has had a very busy day marking trying to get students' assessments marked and signed off for the end of the year.
I'm nearly asleep and it's only 8.30. Thankyou to everyone of you who have prayed, sent good wishes, cuddles, flowers etc. Mum is in her own room, with her own shower/toilet and a room with a view. God has certainly heard my (your) prayers, love Chris
The only bad thing is, they have misplaced my beautiful heart patterned Quilt that was on her bed in Bed 21. I made it for her years ago. I don't have a picture of it either, so I hope the hospital can find it.
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Hope the quilt appears. Good to hear that your mum is settling in to her new home and you can relax knowing she is safe. Hopefully you and your sister can get the sorting out that has to be done in the next few weeks.
1 comment
by pennifold
10 Dec 2022
Hi Caroline, yes, we had fun sorting through all her clothes on Friday, I've got quite a few articles of hers, cause we were the same size.
Now that she's only 59kgs, we have taken in things that will be more comfortable for her. I've always been a 16-18 - in my youth I would have been a 12-14, but those days are gone, ha ha ha!!.
I think the house sorting etc. will have to wait till she comes back. She can't take anything back home with her as her car is full of animals and their belongings etc. Mum's house looks a mess, cause Jewls has got towels down on the floor in the kitchen, dog beds, cat litter trays etc. etc. etc. I had it perfect before she arrived, but she's not as anal as me! Love Chris
115775Chris, what a wonderful update! So happy your Mum is getting settled in and that you and your sister were able to get her organized and set! I do hope you find your quilt. Certainly, I would believe the hospital should find it for you! Hugs and continued prayers, Laura
1 comment
by pennifold
10 Dec 2022
Thanks Laura, I certainly hope the hospital finds the quilt too. Mum is still confused, but at least she's got her own room and is comfortable. Love Chris
96283I'm just adding a picture of the style of quilt that is missing. If you can imagine this in soft pinks and greens rose fabrics with a soft green bias binding on the outside edges. I just took a picture from the internet of what the style is. Love Chri
1 comment
by asterixsew
09 Dec 2022
Chris currently the picture is missing, when it appears can you add to this and say it’s showing. Thanks
234505Good start. I'm praying for that quilt.
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Thanks Jerrilyn, I hope it can be found. It's sentimental more than anything and so pretty. The quilt looks like a heart from the way you place the squares. I'[m attaching a picture of what it looks like, but Mum's is in pretty pink and pale green florals, with a soft green binding. Love Chris (it's about 4ft x 4ft)
158718good to read mum is in a good place with her own wardrobe and surrounded by people who can and will help her. Now it's your turn to take some rest and do the things you like to do. Prayers will continue and love and hugs are coming your way !!
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Gerry, yes, it's wonderful that she has full time care. I won't know what to do with all my spare time, he he he!!
I'll have to get back to finding funny responses to your beautiful posts. Thanks for the prayers and hugs. Love Chris
743324What a relieve it must be to know your mom is settled and in good hands. I am so glad that everything worked out for the best. Now take a breather and take a little time for yourself
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Angie, it seems so funny, for months I've been trying to get her Nursing home care and it's all fallen into place. I've put my life on hold so to speak, have hardly done any sewing, but have done a little bit at night. I didn't have my annual Ladies Christmas Luncheon and all the women agreed that we could leave it till next year. I've stopped going to my Italian ladies group (until the new year) because I've been constantly caring for Mum. So thank God this has happened and Mum can be looked after professionally, it's taken a huge burden off my shoulders and yes, I hope to have some time for me. We'll see!!
Love Chris
109774I am so glad Mum is in the best place for her. Hopefully your life will be less complicated. Sometimes in nursing homes things get lost. I hope you recover the quilt. I am glad your sister is there for you. Love, hugs, prayers, Suzanna
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Suzanna, we are all so happy too for Mum. She has 24 hour care and it's so much better than being in a hospital where the staff changes so often. The quilt was lost in the hospital, not the Nursing home. I'm really peeved about that. I'm going to chase it up!! Yes, it's been great catching up with Jewls and her menagerie!
Her new rescue dog is gorgeous - a big German Shepherd called Asta, she's 10 and a long haired Shepherd, so gentle. Her cat just sleeps all day and the little bird is a yellow Budgie. Jewls is a sucker for animals. Love Chris
18140It sounds like you had a very busy day. I’m happy to know you and Jewels were there to settle Mum in with at least two familiar faces to her. I imagine she lit up seeing Lily. I know how my sister feels about her dogs. Poor Trevor must have been exhausted. I hate paperwork and with all the paperwork he helped with your mum and students, must have really worn him out. Sounds like you both could use another vacation-😉😄
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Toogie, Mum's face was lovely to see when Lily walked in the room. Of course every time someone knocked on her door she would bark. She's a good little watchdog, very bossy!
Trev's been wonderful with his helping me emotionally as well as physically and helping me with form filling!!! The whole family have been wonderful, but as you know as daughters, we do all the work. I've been Mum's carer for the past 12 years since Dad died, but these past 3 years I've been her constant companion. It's so hard watching her diminishing, and now only weighiing 59kgs - she's lost 11kg since the beginning of this year and 7 of those 11 she's lost in the last month. We need to try and keep her eating, but I'm afraid it's not going to happen. It's so sad. Love Chris
109780Hi Chris I am so glad things went well with the transfer and the mix up got fixed right away. Nice to have the reunion with Miss Lilly too. So happy Mum is doing better. God is good. Thank you for the update. You are all our family too. Hope the hospital finds your quilt. That is a lot of work and love that went into the quilt . Now you can get some rest knowing mum is well taken care of. HUGS Suzanne
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Suznne, yes, we are all very happy that the transition went well. We'll go up again today to see her. Hopefully Lily can come again too.
Jewls will stay till Christmas and once her holiday here is over, she will have to drive back down to South Australia back home.
My cousin who lives in Queensland said to buy a white dog toy that looks like Lily and use it as a substitute for her to cuddle. She worked with children for years and it seemed to help them. Love Chris
111388I'm so delighted that your mum is now settled in her new home and has already had lots of visitors. I'm sure the reunion with Lily had you in tears too. Now get some rest and know that id the missing quilt remains missing, it is probably being loved wherever it may be. But I'm still sorry to hear it is missing in the first place.
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Karen, we are so much more relieved. We just now have to get Mum to eat more. With Dysphagia it's not east, apparently a lot of Dementia patients suffer from it. It's the act of swallowing 'lumpy' food. She may have to live on pureed food for a while, soups etc.
I'm hoping that the quilt appears soon. Love Chris
169064Glad you have your mum settled in. Been praying for you all and her for a smooth transition. I hope they find your quilt!! Around here the odds would be nil, as someone probably has it, so sorry. Maybe you can breathe a bit easier as your mom is in great hands and much safer.
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Thanks so much Tonya, it all went well. I'm hoping that the hospital finds the quilt too! I don't know how something like a quilt can go missing. Love Chris
20088Such good news, Chris...so happy that your Mum is finally settled in. Hopefully you and all can finally get some rest yourselves...love and hugs..
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Kim, yes it's great news. I had a restful sleep last night. It's now 7.30am Saturday and we are going to go to Bunnings (a hardware store) to meet up with Ben our son, to get some things for Mum's garden. We are also going to surprise Ben and buy him a new BBQ for Christmas, his old one died 2 weeks ago. He doesn't know we are going to do this, Trev wants me to come to see the look on his face! Love Chris
318516Glad to hear all is going smoothly so far. You mentioned 4 weeks to go- will she be able to go back home after that? Hugs. Nan
2 comments
by toogie
09 Dec 2022
Nan, I could be wrong, but I think Chris meant her mum has to wear the brace 4 more weeks. Because of her Mum’s dementia, I am assuming this is her ‘new’ home from now on. Chris will clarify once she sees your comment though, but this is my understanding. Like I said I may be wrong to assume.
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Nan, Toogie is right. Mum is in her 'forever' home, the neck-brace has to stay on for another 4 weeks.
We will have to see the Doctor who was associated with her original care when she was admitted to hospital. "T"hanks for your concern. Love
11927Chris thanks for the update. Take care and it sounds to be going very well
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Thanks Caroline, yes, first impression of the nursing home is fabulous. Love Chris
115775Glad your mum has been settled in, this will make yours and hers life easier ad better. Hope the hospital finds her quilt. Marian
1 comment
by pennifold
09 Dec 2022
Hi Marian, I hope the hospital finds it too. I may have to go up there and chase it up. Love Chris
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