Refresh your heart today.

Hoping there’s a moment or two that leave you speechless as you view the beauty around you.

Celebrate all that you are today! You are worthy of it.

Be open to great things. Your heart knows everything.

Rather than closing the door on our chapter of caring for Mom, it’s time to expand it a bit. Not for the purpose of reliving the experiences, but our growth from them.

I think we’ll begin with a bit of nurturing again. Posting something positive a couple of times a week – whether it will benefit others I don’t know, but I do know it helps me get through each and every day more easily. So here goes:

Make some “magic” happen today.

May 22nd – Mom suffered a devastating intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. She was awake and lucid when the EMTs transported her to the ER. The doctor explained what had happened and that there were two options, transport to another hospital for care in a neuro ICU or hospice. Mom chose hospice and we knew that would be what she would have wanted us to choose if she hadn’t been able to convey that message to the medical staff in charge of her care. She was so happy when the EMTs brought her home again and placed her back in her room and comfy bed.

We celebrated each and every day after that. And on June 3rd at 4:32 am, Mom’s journey was complete. She passed away peacefully. I was grateful to be there when she took that last breath.

We are forever grateful for the Intermountain Homecare & Hospice team that helped us in Mom’s final days. Their support was wonderful and while Mom surprised us all by ‘extending’ her stay nearly a week beyond what anyone thought. We admire what you do and the compassionate care you provided not only Mom but our family and continue to do for other families in similar circumstances.

While this part of our journey with Mom is now complete… we’re looking at how we can help others in similar circumstances navigate their journey with Alzheimer’s – or as caregivers and know that they aren’t alone.

Our hearts and lives have been forever altered through this experience.

We have so much to be grateful for. Another night, another day, fond memories, laughter, smiles and a flicker or recognition now and then. Family, friends, hospice and many other Angels in disguise.

Yesterday didn’t quite follow the “plan” of the day. Mom had a stroke and it’s a bad one. She’s resting comfortably at home under hospice care. We imagine that the time left is pretty short. And as always, she surprised everyone! Doctors, nurses, techs and more. She shouldn’t even be awake, but she is. She shouldn’t be able to smile, but she can.

She’ll fade a lot faster now. I’m sure we only have a few days left as the bleed continues in her brain.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last several months — the laughter, smiles and quirky things she’s shared with us. We’ve listened to music until we know every song and intro by heart. Every performer’s actions and maybe even a background story or two. Watched her favorite movies, wearing out a few DVDs and even having to replace a DVD player. 🙂

Shared more good than bad. Learned lots of new ways to reframe things to get around her stubborn streak at times. Dealt with more intense sundowning moments… Late nights and early mornings, when all we would like to do is catch up on a couple of hours of sleep.

Yesterday threw a real ringer in the works. I’m not ready for her to leave, but I do know there are those on the other side of the veil anxious to greet her and she’s growing more anxious to be there with them. Last night’s pucker up of the lips and reaching out for a hug was a demonstration that the veil is very thin.

We love you Mom — We cherish the last 5 years of being able to care for you and have you in our home. To be around your sweet spirit every day, rain or shine. There are so many things I’ll miss — and a few I miss already.

I love you unconditionally. With all my heart!

2021 has rolled in and thankfully, uneventfully as far as Mom is concerned. She’s doing very well and is still hanging in there and seems content with the “status quo” for the time being.

We’re still practicing social distancing and infrequent visits from family and friends. It’s difficult when you have a large family and gatherings are just not feasible… sure hoping that things will shift a bit and we’ll be able to gather together sooner rather than later. And we’re grateful that thus far, COVID hasn’t passed through the door.

We thought that we would have to implement more care by this time into our term of supporting Mom, but we’re grateful that she’s still able to converse with us, feed herself and make some of the more simple choices about her day. She’s broadened her eating choices and we’re back to a near full menu of choices again. She shares her thoughts with us on occasion, but getting her to dance has become a very rare occurrence… She will still tap her toes and snap her fingers to the rhythm of the music that is playing. Her smile is broad and there’s a twinkle in her eye throughout the day and the customary “thank you” rings out as we close out the evening and tuck her into bed.

Favorite things this month –
Andre Reiu
Musicals on DVD
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Raspberries
Pecan Sandies
Diet Coke
Red PowerAde
Lunch in bed (more days than not)
Late night TV watching – thankfully there is a sleep timer!)
Fresh flowers
Zoom calls with family
Snail mail

We’re hoping for a great rest of the month… wishing the same for you too.

Everyday offers a fresh start and new beginnings. Take advantage of what the day holds for you.