Battlefields

Ever since Mom became a resident of the nursing home in Battle Ground, I've had a fight on my hands.
And about stupid, silly, meaningless things, but important to my Mom.
I requested Mom have Ensure, a dietary supplement added to her meals. After requesting this three or four times or maybe even more, even having the dietician making note of my requests, I still had to fight the aides and the nurse on duty about giving Mom an Ensure with her lunch and dinner. Finally, they granted my numerous requests.
Then they couldn't figure out why Mom wasn't eating a very good lunch. I requested a sandwich and soup for Mom's lunch and after numerous requests, they began giving her what she wanted and she began eating very well.
Then it was getting Mom's fingernails trimmed and cleaned. They were so awful, I just barely could bring myself to touch her hands.
Mom grew attached to a stuffed bunny that I had given her years before. She took that bunny everywhere, talked to it, petting it, letting it rest on her lap. Then one day, the bunny disappeared. The staff said they looked high and low and could not locate the bunny. My sister finally bought Mom a new one and Mom seems satisfied with it.
The next battle was about Mom getting bathed. Their normal schedule is twice a week, so I asked Hospice to come in to give Mom an additional bath. The nursing home staff stopped bathing Mom, saying Hospice took over. What a bunch of BS.
I met with three of the nursing home staff yesterday, and, through my tears, after trying to explain to them how difficult it is just coming to see Mom, how emotionally draining it is to see her now, that I was just plain tired of fighting them about stupid things. They brought in her chart and said they would fix things.
But, when lunch was served, just a few minutes later, the cook fixed Mom a full meal. Again, I requested soup and a sandwich, after the cook explained she was new and didn't know. Ya, right. If I hadn't been there, Mom wouldn't have eaten. How many times had that happened?
As I walked out of the nursing home, after helping feed Mom her lunch, I felt so defeated and discouraged. How many people in that place suffer because no one advocates for them? What would happen if I didn't see Mom.
I shudder to think. But I know my God is watching her and will keep her safe. And He will give me the courage and strength to take care of my Mom.