Life has gotten a good bit less complicated in the last couple of days but it's feeling very strange right now. Just being alone in the house is weird, for me. Well, Lola is here and she's good company and pure sweetness, but we can't talk, unfortunately.
Lola has spent a lot of time curled up asleep on Mother's bed downstairs. I'm sure it's puzzling to her that Mother is not here right now. We moved Mom from the hospital to the rehab place on Friday. All the tests they did came back negative, except she had a polyp on her colon, which was removed. We are still trying to figure out what has caused the loss of appetite.
I went to see Mom twice yesterday at the rehab place. She is doing fine physically, but still a bit spacey because of the pain medication. This type of confusion is not uncommon in older people, the nurse said, when taken out of their normal environment and routine.
I like that the rehab place doesn't have "visiting hours" -- family and friends can visit whenever. I also like that it's decorated with photos of historic events and entertainers like George Burns and Audrey Hepburn. They have activities -- yesterday I saw them playing Bingo. There is a piano in the activity room and I told Mom she should get in a wheelchair and get to the piano. She can play beautifully, by ear. The thought didn't galvanize her like I hoped it would but we will keep trying.
Mother's mobility is severely limited right now. She has to have lots of help to stand and walk, for instance. The big goal will be to get her stronger so she can stand and walk, get in and out of bed, get to the bathroom, etc. on her own, without help. She may need a walker and that's fine. We have one but it doesn't roll so perhaps we can get her a rolling walker. I want her to come home, asap.
The day to day of running this house is all on me now but that's okay. I have been doing all the cooking, bill paying, Lola walking, etc. for a long time now.
Keep praying for us. I just want Mom to be strong and healthy again.
