Tuesday January 4, 2011 Some of modern medicine is great

For any of you who daily follow my blog, you'll notice I didn't have one yesterday  Let me preface this by saying that I hate this disease and it was created in the pits of hell by the devil hiself.  Yesterday I had a good day with Mom.  I got time to take Levi to Sidney with me (and yes we lunched at his favorite restaurant-Subway) and we had a good time.  He is such a gentleman.  He pumped my gas for me, carried all the heavy bags, and stood patiently as I looked at sweaters.  I guess Mom gave the aid a hard time about her bath and the removal of clothing.  Stacie and Amie stayed at the house to be with Mom after the aid left.  I'll never forget the sight I saw when I left.  Both Amie and Stacie were standing around Mom's bed and holding her hands and talking with her.  My heart welled up with love and pride for my girls and for Mom because she is a good part of the reason my three girls are so kind and compassionate.  The things that God keeps showing me through this hard time!!  I am truly coming to understand that whatever Satan means for evil God always, always turns into something good.  So onto what caused me to go silent last night.  Everyone left and Mom was real good and in her own world.  She ate a really good dinner (thanks for the sauce Amie it was great) and then it came time for her sleeping aid.  I don't want to go into all the details because  we all  have beautiful memories of Mom and I want it to remain that way for all of us.  As I stated in the beginning of this blog, I hate this horrible disease.  It turns people into something they never really were.  It got nasty and I was in such a tizzy all I wanted to do was crawl under a blanket and not come out.  Poor Dolly called for our, almost every night call, and I text her back telling her I couldn't talk.  Glad she is my sister and best friend because I don't think most people would have accepted that.  Thanks Dolly-I love you!  Well after a broken sleep and alot of time spent praying for wisdom and guidance and patience, I got up this morning ready to try a new angle, I just didn't know what it was.  Playing by the moment sometimes works.  Mom was in bed when the Hospice nurse called to say she was coming on her weekly visit and she had to draw blood to check Mom's dilantin levels.  Oh great, blood work!!  And she asked me to hold Mom's arms so she wouldn't belt her or pull the needle. I wasn't feeling to sure of that one.  But, onward and upward.  Then my friend Charity came to see  us and finally exchange Christmas gifts.  Yup, I'll bet I got the last Christmas present!!  That was nice because we haven't seen each other since before the stroke.  I found out today that she interacts very well with Mom and Mom with her.  She even offered to come and sit with Mom if I need her.  See hidden blessings all over the place.  So along comes Audrey the nurse with blood drawing bag in hand.  We sat and talked about the changes in Mom and what to expect.  I made an appointment with a lady from the Alzhiemer"s Assoc. to talk with her about what to expect in the future and ways to cope with violence, decreased appetite and such. Dolly is coming to the meeting.  She has a real good memory.  Mom has lost weight (sorry Patty I've tried really to not lose those 11 lbs. you put on her) and lost alot of her appetite.  She isn't even keen on sweets.  Can you believe that?  We decided to try a different med at night.  It calms her down and she is less violent.  Let me tell you, tonight I gave it to her and WOW!!  She got real calm and stress free.  She kept coming up and hugging me and kissing me.  Just like having the pre-dementia Martha back. She didn't go to sleep as quickly as usual but, thanks to the baby monitor I could listen to her.  I have got to share this with all of you. I was on the phone with Shannon and went to listen to the monitor.  Well you have to move the phone away from the monitor or you get an unusual amount of static.  I was listening to Mom and it sounded like she has having a conversation with someone.  Believe this, I heard another voice speaking.  Mom spoke and then this very clear, sweet voice said something.  I couldn't make out words but I knew it was another voice and it was not Mom's.  After the other"person" spoke then Mom proceeded to speak again!  I pray angels around this house and Mom all the time and I know He answers my prayers.  God is so awesome!!  So it is late and I need my sleep.  I'd say beauty sleep but, even though I believe in miracles that sure isn't one I see happening.  So all in all today is good here in Unadilla.  Thanks for all your encouragement, it helps more than any of you will ever know.  So Tom, are you and Uncle Jimmy gonna make it up here?  Heather I haven't seen you in years but, I look forward to getting to know you.  It appears you have turned out to an awesome woman.  Goodnight to all.  I love you.