Breakfast

Sometimes it's good to have breakfast in the bedroom, if not in bed.

And Life Goes On...

Mom slept all through the night, and was bright and aware when I got her up for a late breakfast. She was shaky walking at first, but soon was doing better than she has for days. She ate and drank well - not surprising after a day of virtual fasting. Fortunately, she did not ask about Santi, or miss him. For once I am grateful for her memory loss.

These little strokes are interesting. Mom always seems to feel worse just before they happen, and much better afterward (after a long sleep). Last night she had the classic garbled language. This morning she is talking normally. She's in a good mood.

She is back in bed for an afternoon nap. I'll go out and bury our beloved friend Santi, and say our final goodbyes. Life goes on.

Ups and Downs, and Very Sad Happenings

After a few days of being more awake and aware, last night Mom had another little stroke after dinner. She had a hard time moving to the walker to go to bed, and had an uneasy night. She slept all day. I finally got her up about 5PM for dinner.

Again she was having trouble eating, and then obviously had another stroke. After a few minutes she became unconscious. Fortunately I had left her in the walker (which is also a chair) so I could easily get her back to the bedroom, but I still had to move her from that onto the bed.

Santi, the cockatoo, was very upset when she had the stroke, and was very much in the way as I was getting her into bed. I picked him up and put him outside the door, so I could get Mom settled in.

Mom regained consciousness after I got her into bed, but was not aware and I left her to sleep. When I opened the bedroom door, Santi was still on the floor, having his own seizure.

I swept him up in my arms, and felt him go limp. His heart beat for awhile, but he did not regain consciousness, did not come back into life.

This lovely cockatoo who has been my mothers constant companion for 44 years has died in my arms.

I bought a mostly featherless chic in a pet store in Sydney in 1970. I hand-fed him until he was feathered and eating on his own. He was my constant companion for a year, as I traveled around Australia, and after I settled for a while in Canberra. His friendship made up for the friends I couldn't seem to make in a country I considered my own. When I wanted to travel again, I sent him home to my parents. When I returned a year later, they had claimed him as their own.

Santi has been my mother's best friend, and seen her through the death of two partners. His big personality and steadfast love and devotion have filled the losses in her life.

This beautiful bundle of white feathers and huge energy, devoted friend and tremendous presence will be sorely missed. I can't believe his soul has left the body lying there, that I will never interact with him again. I'm so sorry that I made him leave Joy when he was so concerned about her, and left him alone. Forgive me, dear one. Fly far, pure soul.

Nutrients!

A pretty amazing thing has happened here. After reading an article on magnesium and how most US adults are low on it, I decided to start giving Mom magnesium citrate. Mom gets multiple vitamins that contain magnesium, but it is magnesium oxide, which the article said is not absorbed well. After the first day, Mom was more awake and aware during the days. That has improved daily - and we started with a very low dose. I'm taking it myself, and am feeling the same thing.

 We eat well, including most of the high-magnesium foods daily, and yet adding this well-absorbed form of the mineral has made a huge difference. Anyone taking care of their elderly parents may want to consider trying this. Do start small, as this is also a powerful laxative.

Bunny Love

My lovely mother enjoying one of my adorable bunnies.

Settling In

Birthday Girls

Joy Gustafson (on right) and her sister Mary Mann on Joy's 90th birthday. Mary's birthday is 3 days later.