As many of you know, Mum is currently in hospital. She had a fall on Wednesday evening while having a walk, was okay on Thursday but after discussion my younger brother and I thought it would be a good idea if I checked up on her on Friday and if necessary took her to the doctors. I was starting work at 8 and figured Mum would still be asleep so I'd go round on my break at 10 am. I get there and no dirty dishes in sink, so realised she must still be in bed. Go into her room to find her half in and half out of the bed unable to move (except for the uncontrollable shaking) as she couldn't get up, cause of the pain. I did try and lift her, but couldn't manage it, so had to call an ambulance for her.
Hours later she is finally given a bed, and I've explained for the millionth time that she has Alzheimers and no she has no allergies. I was told that she would be moved to a ward during the night. She is in the old farts ward with all the others who have lost their minds LOL, they have a sign on the door requesting the door be kept locked at all times as many of their patients wander. I have to say I love the security but at the same time, every time I've gone in, no one is up and about, most of them are in their beds, some in chairs, but none walking LOL.
As I had to work yesterday, I didn't get down until after my shift finished and she was telling me some truly wonderful stories about all the visitors she'd had, including people who I never knew existed LOL. She has been having a lovely time talking to her mum (she died years ago) in the bed opposite. The woman in the bed opposite is actually very badly affected by either dementia or alzheimers, she talks to herself and is constantly removing her hospital gown LOL. Can't remember Nana doing any of that hehehehe. It's fine if she talks to her, but when the lady talks she isn't actually talking to Mum, just that Mum thinks she is LOL.
I came to the conclusion after thinking about what she had said during our visit that she doesn't realise she's in the hospital (although if you ask her where she is she will say the hospital), but rather on holidays somewhere. Apparently she had a lovely visit with my younger daughter who is staying in the room next door, with her sister who is upstairs, and with my cousins Peter and Paul. I don't have cousins called Peter and Paul, well I have a cousin Peter on my fathers side, but when questioned Mum said they were her cousin Chris's boys and they were lovely. Her cousin Chris, has one child, called Ben LOL. He is lovely though. She also told the woman in the bed next to her that I was her sister, pretty insulting considering Mum is 81 and I'm 57 LOL.
Every meal time she tries to wrap up her leftovers and get someone to put them in the fridge for her so she can have them tomorrow, apparently the nurses told her she could do this, somehow I doubt that LOL. She is also giving away the hospitals things, wanted me to take the hand sanitiser and some towels when I left, and it wouldn't surprise me if she suggests the TV or bed next LOL. Whenever I tell her that she can't do that, she gets all frustrated and tells me that she was told she could, and then she gets this look on her face like I'm taking away a favorite toy.
Her washing machine has been broken for a couple of months now and the only way to start it is by pressing delay start, it's inconvenient and a right pain in the arse, but it was working. Since I've been looking after her finances I managed to save enough to get her a new machine on Sunday. I mentioned to her that I'd gotten her a new washing machine, and she goes, "That reminds me, please make sure I don't forget to put on a load of washing before we leave. I want to make sure to pay them back for having us." Sure Mum I'll do that LOL. And that one statement is the one that played in my mind and made me come to the realisation she thinks she's on holiday LOL.
The best thing to do with Mum at this point is to let her just talk and talk. You don't have to understand what she's saying, which is good cause I sure don't, but just listen. I do correct her though regarding the food, cause yeh that can't keep happening. I keep thinking I'll open the bedside cupboard and find a stash of food in there LOL.
Still not sure when she'll be allowed home, I know it won't be until she is more stable as she will need to manage on her own while my brother and I are working. I'm confident that she will be able to before to long, or maybe that's wishful thinking LOL.
Catch yas
Cathy
