Sweet Jackie, Marcie and Kat,

You all are such dears! Thank you SO much for your kind and heartfelt words! I can't tell you how much they mean to me and bring comfort to me knowing you are there for me. It's just very hard doing this alone without any syblings to share in the burden. It's not so much the physical burden, as the emotional one.

I just got back from taking Mom to the wound care clinic. Her foot is healing. . .and her wound is getting smaller! YAY! I haven't heard about her test results from the CT scan yet. .. .But she seems like she has recovered. But I saw that with cautious optimism. . .

Jackie. . . .I always have admired and been a bit jealous of you that can care for your loved ones at home. I just wish that there was a better alternative than a NH! Although. . . I must admitt, that this NH is much better than I thought. The nurses and the CNA's all know me now and always greet me with smiles for me and my Mom. She is fortunate that her room is right in front of the nurses station so they keep an eye on her. Also, I was REALLY impressed when I arrived early today and they told me that Mom's nurse was keeping Mom beside her all day as she did her rounds to keep a very close watch on her! She pushed her from room to room (waiting outside the door, of course) and she stayed with her! You can't ask for better attention than that! So, I feel better about where she is. As for her thinking she is in jail. . . .I keep telling her over and over again that she is in a medical rehab center and will be moved back to her retirement village (ALF) when her heel is better. She seems OK with that. If my mother argues with me (which she rarely does), I just calmly tell her that I'm taking care of her and to trust me. I want only the best for her and will make sure she is well taken care of! She keeps trying to pay for things I buy her saying she forgot her check book but will write me a check once we get back home. I told her that I never paid her back for all the food, clothes and candy bars she bought me, so now it's MY turn to do the same for her. . .NO ARGUMENTS! She smiled and said what a good daughter I am! lol! She's sweet!

So, I am grateful that the nursing homes are there to take good care of our loved ones when we aren't able to. The best way to get good care, I think is to be constantly "visible" and make friends with everyone who cares for your loved ones. Seems to work! But I must confess, I have to nearly put blinders on each time I walk the halls and see all those poor people sitting in wheel chairs in far worse condition than my mother! It's so sad! Staying close. . .if you can is the best gift we can give our loved ones! I just hope my daughter will do the same for me one day. . .

Connie

I'm glad for the good news on your Mom!

Kat