I've been awake for past 4 hours with my mother who is (I was told in April) in the finally stages of her illness. I realise that this could continue for weeks, months or longer and this makes me feel weary.
As my mother has been awake for so long today I assume that something is wrong. She's not in distress, but can not communicate so I'm finding it hard to understand what she needs. I've tried to adjust her pillows, massage her legs and she has had more to drink in the past few hours than she has in the past few days. I don't know what else to do for her. I keep thinking she might be hungry, but I'm told that as her condition worsens she will not want or need to eat. As mom has not really eaten much in the last week I'm not sure what to give her at this hour. Any ideas? She used to have cereal, but I'm assuming that milk may not be the best thing. She can not manage even soft foods so I make soup out of everything just in case there is a chance that she is awake long enough to swallow something.
It's a very difficult time and I'm not sure what to do for the best. I'm nearly running on empty at the moment and feel very alone as mom and I have been keeping each other company for such along time. Now the house is so silent as she sleeps most of time (this morning being the exception!).
I realise that my friends do not call. My family don't visit as often as I thought they would. Usually around school holidays so I have to wait months before I can get a break. It's a strange time. Sounds awful, but I'll be glad to return to some level of normality when this is over - not sure what normal is anymore.
As my mother has been awake for so long today I assume that something is wrong. She's not in distress, but can not communicate so I'm finding it hard to understand what she needs. I've tried to adjust her pillows, massage her legs and she has had more to drink in the past few hours than she has in the past few days. I don't know what else to do for her. I keep thinking she might be hungry, but I'm told that as her condition worsens she will not want or need to eat. As mom has not really eaten much in the last week I'm not sure what to give her at this hour. Any ideas? She used to have cereal, but I'm assuming that milk may not be the best thing. She can not manage even soft foods so I make soup out of everything just in case there is a chance that she is awake long enough to swallow something.
It's a very difficult time and I'm not sure what to do for the best. I'm nearly running on empty at the moment and feel very alone as mom and I have been keeping each other company for such along time. Now the house is so silent as she sleeps most of time (this morning being the exception!).
I realise that my friends do not call. My family don't visit as often as I thought they would. Usually around school holidays so I have to wait months before I can get a break. It's a strange time. Sounds awful, but I'll be glad to return to some level of normality when this is over - not sure what normal is anymore.