Finally after two weeks I got a break today. It was a beautiful fall afternoon and I enjoyed every minute. But my enjoyment didn't come without a price.
Mom is getting worse. Last night she came into the living room and said she couldn't find her toothpaste. I tried to tell her where it was, but she just couldn't find it and came back with a tube of Vaseline.
When she began not finding her things she needs daily, I got a little basket and put it on her counter in her bathroom. I made sure all of her necessities were in there, but now it's not helping. When we "found" the toothpaste, I asked her if she could read the label and she said no. Other than directly supervising what she's doing, which she absolutely hates, I don't know what else I can do.
She also said that someone had come into her bedroom and completely messed up her bed. I went into her bedroom and the only "mess" I could see was that her comforter wasn't on the bed. So together, we made her bed. She had just forgotten how.
Today when my sister came over to let me have my break, Mom and I were in the middle of Mom's morning ritual. At least my sister can now see how bad Mom is. My sister also got to see how Mom "makes" her breakfast with me giving her step-by-step instructions. My sister had never seen that and I don't believe she knew what goes on every morning. Now she does.
It's kind of frustrating for me because my sister never talks to me about Mom, so I don't know what she's feeling or how she is coping and I can't even guess. She and I are so different and handle things very differently.
I think Mom and my sister had a good afternoon because they tried to do a jigsaw puzzle. At least that was a little entertainment for Mom, rather than just sitting or watching TV. I hope they can share more afternoons like this.
While I was on my break, I went to a restaurant Mom and I always liked. I went by myself, which I hate to do, but I also realized this might be my new normal. Doing things by myself. Alone. Things Mom and I used to do. I really don't want to think about that.
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