10.02.09
It’s a Whole New World
I’m so sorry I haven’t blogged in a while. After I got Mama moved in to her new place, I was out of town for 3 weeks, except for two 24-hour stopovers back home. That’s why it felt so urgent for me to get her in and get her settled before I left. AND, the dementia care people told me it would be best if I wasn’t around much for the first month, anyway…so that Mama would get used to calling on THEM for her needs.
Mama has begun to feel somewhat at home over there. It’s SO different having a staff who understands dementia. Is it Abe’s Garden….NO, it’s not. And for now, it’s a much better alternative.
I have much more peace now…physically and emotionally.
I got my Mama phone service in her room over there, which lasted for 2 days. It seems that my phone number (which Mama used to call every 5 minutes) is dangerously close to 911….if you miss the first digit, that’s what you get. I had some very sweet calls from a 911 operator those first few days. “Your Mom told me she’s on a train, and there’s a man chasing her”. Oh dear.
Then I was told that none of the other residents have phones in their rooms…that we can all call the main number and the phone will be brought to them, or they can ask for help in calling out. SO much better.
I got pretty badly “beat up” by some family members for these blogs. Shocked the crap out of me! “But, I was ASKED to do the blogs….to SHARE the experience….to help people understand it, and to commiserate with others going through it.”
Nope….they saw it as “airing my family’s dirty laundry”…and how Molly Berke, in her right mind, would be appalled at me sharing these stories about her. Oh….AND, that my precious Daddy is basically mortified and ashamed and turning over in his grave.
Wow.
I’ve heard about other families falling apart from these changes, these experiences….but I NEVER, EVER thought it would be MY family.
I’m very sad…and I will continue to care for my Mama to the very best of my ability, and I will continue to share our story….and I will continue to do whatever I can to draw awareness and FUNDS to Alzheimer’s and Dementia research and care in general, and to Abe’s Garden in particular.
So…a new chapter begins…and it feels like a whole, new world.