Status Quo at the Circus

Not much of anything new to report from the circus, but I know how y'all get when you don't hear anything. I would be the same way!

I called late Thanksgiving Day to check on Mom. They told me that they were moving her to the Special Care Unit. It is a unit that can care for patients on ventilators, but they don't do a lot of changes in the vent settings. Since Mom's vent is maxed out, and they are just keeping her comfortable for the most part, she is okay to be on this unit. She has a very large room and it's on a nice quiet hall.

Deb and Pete left Friday morning. It was hard to see them go, but Deb had been away from her daughter (my adorable godchild, Caroline) for 12 days!! Deb helped out so much during her week here with us. Pete had come up Tuesday which was a great distraction for Gary. Individually, they are spectacular in the kitchen. But together, they are a force to be reckoned with. They whipped up a phenomenal Thanksgiving feast. I also think it was good for Gary to have an extra male in the house. Being surrounded for so long by all these females (both human and K-9) he says that the smell of testosterone, which smells like diesel fuel, has been ever so faint.

After Pete and Deb left, Sandra and I went to visit with Mom. I told her all about Thanksgiving and how it just wasn't the same without her smiling face there at the table with us. Though she never opened her eyes, she seemed to smile and raise her eyebrows as I told her what Gary and Pete had fixed for dinner. I updated her on all of the emails and calls we'd received. She continued to react with her facial expressions. It was the most expressive I'd seen her in over a week. I told her that we'd connected with some old friends in her address book and passed on messages they wanted us to tell her. I remembered to call her childhood friend Judy who had wanted to just say a few words to her. I held the phone up to Mom's ear and when she heard Judy's voice, she was visibly startled! After the jolt, she raised her eyebrows and smiled! It was wonderful to see her reactions as Judy spoke to her. I spoke to Judy shortly before the nurse came in. They had to change Mom's ventilator out for a different model, so we moved our chairs back out of the way. We ended up staying about two and a half hours; much longer than I should have, but it was just so good to see her being responsive.

This morning I woke up exhausted. Visits with Mom just take it out of me, both emotionally and physically. I couldn't muster the energy to go for a visit today which just kills me. I called several times to check on Mom; no changes; status quo.

Aunt Nell returned today also. It is so good to have her back. I'm hoping I'll feel good enough to go tomorrow for a visit. If not, I know Aunt Nell will want to go. It is so much more comforting to have family there with her. I wish it were me.