Sunday, June 19, 2005
The day started off weird. Alesia cam into the bathroom when I was in the shower – she has never done that before. She wanted to tell me that Coco was barking a lot because the police were outside. Very startling to me. I finally ascertained that the police weren’t there for us.
I got on a robe and went downstairs and peeked out. There was a Subaru SUV across the street and 5 cop cars out there. They arrested a trashy looking white woman – presumably the SUV driver. My guess is that she was on the run and came into our neighborhood with the cops in pursuit, got down to the cul-de-sac at the end of the street, and they had her cornered. She went quietly.
Eventually all the cops left. Coco barked like mad the whole time. I had to hold her in my left arm and eat breakfast with my right hand only.
The rest of the day was anticlimactic after that.
I went to the rehab place this morning and again late this afternoon. Mom seemed OK. She wants to read and do crossword puzzles, but she’s still on too much pain medicine. She also is afraid to walk now, since the fall last night.
This afternoon’s visit was frustrating because Mom was so zonked on pain meds. She refused to eat any dinner – it did look pretty gross – so Alesia and I went to Wendy’s, and brought back dinner. Mom ate part of a hamburger and a little bit of a shake.
Alesia and I went to the mall this afternoon and got her some shorts and tee shirts at Old Navy. We also found her some cute white sandals to wear to the wedding next weekend in Augusta. Her pink Easter dress still fits, thank goodness.
Alesia said the funniest thing in the car this afternoon. I wasn’t looking at her and she said “Mom, I have boob on my leg.” I thought, surely I need to get my hearing checked… What she meant to say was “boo boo.” I must’ve used that expression at some point.
Another funny moment occurred when we were driving to the rehab place. Alesia pointed out the correct exit sign, for E Ponce de Leon, and I said “What does that say?” She shrugged and said “I dunno. I don’t speak Spanish.” I laughed out loud, which puzzled her. I had explained one night last week that it’s pronounced “pontz de LEE-ahn” here in Atlanta, or just “Pontz” more often. I told Mother about it and she laughed.
Alesia made a cake this afternoon. She was very proud of it. It tasted delicious. I let her choose – yellow cake with vanilla frosting. One day I will show her how to make a cake not from a mix.
In the afternoon visit today, Mother manages to dictate to me an e-mail to send out to her buddies. Took us quite a while to compose it because she kept falling asleep mid-sentence.
Dear Folks,
Elva here. I am in rehab. I call the therapists the “terrorists.”
My pain is controlled for the most part. It is not entirely gone.
I have a corner room with two glorious views – CVS Pharmacy next door, or a construction site across the street.
Since I have not been able to read, Bruce and Dee read my cards to me, over and over, to the extent that I have memorized them. They are very dear to me [she means the cards].
I spend most of the day being poked and prodded [by nurses].
Talking on the phone is so difficult that I simply cannot manage it. I am unable to hold the phone, and my attention span is nil because of pain meds. I am also still coughing frequently.
I feel that I am improving every day, however.
Please stay in touch and send me all your news.
Love You Tons and Tons,
Elva
