Oops! Pressed the wrong button or something - hadn't finished what I was typing. I'll continue - it'll be a long one
Mum: 'Oh yes'
Me: 'So what did you have?'
Mum: 'Oh, you know. One of those pies. Fish pie'
No signs of empty plate, packaging or anything - but she does tend to wash up immediately so I give her the benefit of the doubt. That's until I noticed there's no packaging in the bin and I discover a 'pie' in the fridge minus the cardboard wrapper and the wrapper is in the porch with the recycling. Clearly the pie didn't end up in the microwave as she thought. She then gets annoyed with me because I'm basically calling her a liar ("I can't stand liars" is a favourite phrase). I point to the evidence and ask if she's taken her tablet which "I always have with my main meal".
I seem to have spent the past couple of days lurching from one 'Where's my handbag' crisis to another. In between that I try to tidy up. This time I tackled the photos - one large carrier bag + 3 large boxes stashed behind a chair. I thought her long term memory was supposed to be ok and it was the short term that was the problem. Alas this wasn't true. I was horrified that photos of our old neighbours of more than 20 years standing were not recognised, "I know the face but I can't think of his name" or "Who's that?" "It's you mum". If I'd had the time I would have left it and done it later and as it was I was up to 1.30 one morning. They are now stashed in a cupboard where they will now doubt be forgotten, though I did sort out some to add to the photo album we compiled for her for Xmas.
On Friday she had an appointment with her consultant. Her OT happened to walk through while we were waiting so we had a chat with her. Turns out they haven't been in for a couple of weeks and have referred her for someone to come in every evening to prompt her to take her tablet and do a safety check (and possibly suppervise her meal) - this may take a while as they are short staffed at present.
The consultant was quite happy with her even though she couldn't tell him why she was there: "Well I had a letter telling me to come so I did". He doesn't want to see her for 6 months and then he'll assess if the tablets have done any good. He's not increasing the dose which mum is pleased about.
Today I washed her hair and did her feet. That was after we'd had to go out in search of a new sheet for her bed (thank you Homebase). I'd finally persuaded her to let me change the bed (she always says she'll do it later and I'm not to worry). This time I'd discoved a slightly soiled sheet in a plastic bag in her wardrobe - "Oh that's got to go out" - "Why don't we just wash it mum!" Having shoved it and the rest of the bedding (including 3 pieces of old ripped sheet and an old teatowel she'd put over the fitted sheet) in the machine I discovered she had no more sheets. I wonder if she's thrown any away. Surely she had more than 2 sheets!
Eventually I got home after a 3 hour drive and phoned to let her know I'd arrived safely. "Have you had your dinner yet mum?" "Well no, we're going out thismorning" (she's going out tomorrow morning on a trip) I remind her that it's actually 7 pm and she really ought to eat and have her tablet. I've been gone 3 hours and it appears she doesn't even know what time of day it is. Oh ***t! And I can't get up there again for another 4-5 weeks.
Enough of my rambling. There was one amusing event - or at least it's best to see the funny side or I'd probably cry.
Mum went to a 'do' on Wednesday with her friend. It was an 'Inner Wheel' thing - Rotary Club or something. Everyone was done up to the nines. Mum apparently wore 3 blouses and took her orange plastic shopping bag. I'd wish I could have seen some of their faces!!
Her friend did tell her it was a posh 'do' but it obviously hadn't registered. Pity the friend couldn't have got her to change into something more suitable
And mum does so love her orange plastic bag
Like I said, 3 days and I'm knackered and tearing my hair out. I know there is no way I could be around her 24/7 and I do so admire those of you who do (with your loved ones that is, not my mum, though your welcome to try - honestly
)
Chris