Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Update On My Sister


My sister had a stroke as I told you in a previous post. There were anxious moments as she underwent various treatments. Again I mentioned them in a previous post.

My daughter and her family stopped in to visit my sister on their way to a vacation destination. She called me and sounded a bit upset.

My daughter told me that one side of her aunt's head is still seriously swollen. The nurse told my daughter that my sister has a touch of dementia so not to be alarmed if she did not recognize people.

She did recognize her niece immediately and asked if my granddaughter was there. She was. They had a nice visit but my sister was weak and seemed to tire quickly.

Her conversation rambled a bit. There were times when my daughter was not certain if my sister was talking about our mother or my daughter's mother (me).

She was making motions like she was trying to wake someone up next to her. At times she thought it was her husband, other times her son, and sometimes nurses or aides. She said they needed somewhere to sleep because they got so tired.

My sister is still in the long term care facility. They do all sorts of therapy and testing. It seems as if they are taking good care of her.

My nephew visits every day. He has been telling me that she gets better every day. I am wondering how much of that is wishful thinking.

I cannot afford to visit her right now. I write her and my nephew reads the letters to her. Apparently she can have extremely short phone conversations. I need to figure out what I will say in a short amount of time. I also need to collect myself so I will not upset her.

Another nephew's wife made a collage of family photos. It is marvelous. They delivered it to her today.

This was partially an update and partially catharsis for me. Hope you don't mind.

13 comments:

  1. You will keep doing the best you can. The collage is excellent.

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    1. I thought it was an ingenious idea. She has pictures of all the members of our family to keep her company.

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  2. Collage will keep her remembering, verify places, names with familiar faces reawaken neural pathways. Your phone calls will be a great help --the sound of a sister's voice. All my best wishes, Emma.

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    1. Thank you for the good wishes. She is better than she was so I guess I will just have to be patient.

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  3. I am making a collage of photos for my mom-in-law too, my summer project, I am hoping the actions and act of care and touch would help relive their happy memories.

    Hope your sister gets better soon.

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    1. Thank you. And I am certain your mother-in-law will love the collage. A group of memories all in one frame.

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  4. Thanks for the update on your sister and I can imagine how you do miss her, Emma. It was nice that family members were able to visit and that she recognized them as well. And, when you do get a chance to call, you will find the right words to say, I am sure. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts.

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    1. Thank you for the support. I would just love to get a positive message about her.

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  5. Whatever you say to your sister, she will hear the love that comes through.
    The collage is a great idea.

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    1. I appreciate your confidence in me. I have to admit that I am afraid that I will not be able to handle it well when I hear her voice. I am a coward.

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  6. I am here visiting you to send your sister my best wishes.
    I shall come back here much often.

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    1. Thank you. And thank you from my sister. You are one of my favorite bloggers. Your ongoing relationship with mushrooms keeps me entertained.

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