Cat with Nine Lives

January 8, 2012

I write this on my little iPhone as we drive home from Colorado after celebrating a late Christmas with Jerry's son Chris and Minou and our 4-month old grandson Carson. Our 18-year-old granddaughter Amber took care of her great grandma Dorothy while we were gone. 

Truly, the week before Christmas, Mother was bedfast and we thought she wouldn't make it to Christmas, then one morning Dorothy was back. 

I said, "Mom, you're like a cat with nine lives, and amazingly she chuckled and said, "Well, there aren't too many left!"

Since Christmas, she's been about the same--well enough for us to push her into the livingroom for coffee, strong enough to feed herself at the table again, strong enough to get out of bed, sit on her potty, and climb back into bed at night by herself.  Physically doing OK, mentally not so well. 

We wonder if she has little strokes that kick her down, then she recuperates a bit.  It's like one step forward and two steps back because even though she gets better, she never makes it back to the level she was before. 

Anyway, Sue, the hospice nurse, after meeting Amber and answering all her questions, urged us to go see Carson. Some people were surprised that we left Amber and Chloe with Mother, but I had all the faith in Amber.  She is mature for her age.  She is strong but gentle, always kind, always giving.  I kept in touch a lot on the phone.  Slade stayed with them one night and Cord stayed two.  

Mother hadn't gone to the bathroom for a few days before we left, and wouldn't you know that as soon as we did, the dam broke.  Amber got to wipe her bottom seven times in two days.  I couldn't help but laugh, even though I knew what she was going through.  Thank goodness for those little blue gloves Charlene keeps for us!

Amber said Grandma did ask, "Where are they?" every day, but she was obviously satisfied with her caretaker.  She called Amber "Honey," the whole time and told her constantly how sweet she was.  I think it was good for Chloe, too, who chipped in with the housework, the meals, and a little bit of Grandma care taking.  I know it was five days Amber will never forget nor regret.  Neither will I.

When I got home, Mother looked me closely in the face then said, "Well, why don't you ever come to see me anymore?"