This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Mom Had A Fall...

The nursing home had sent me paperwork to sign.  Apparently my note to call me first, made some one think I should also get the paperwork.  I had to call and let the new guy in the business office know, he should be sending it to Mom, but the previous woman who had his job, would simply call Mom.  Mom would go in and sign, then visit Dad afterward.

I called Mom and told her I was forwarding the paperwork to her.  She is still very sore from her fall.  While I was visiting Mom in California, she told me she had fallen after returning from her Retreat.  She had gotten some thongs as part of a gift bag from the retreat.  They decorated the thongs, but Mom was not into decorating and much more interested in chatting and visiting than crafts. 

She does not wear thongs, but it was hot when they traveled back home, so everyone was wearing their thongs.  Mom was very careful when she walked when they went to lunch and very careful when she brought her luggage into the house.  She put her purse down and started for the kitchen to get a drink.... the cat ran out in front of her and she moved to miss stepping on her, but unsteady in the thongs, down she went!

Nothing broken, but sore as all heck.  I put some of that menthol stuff on her lower back and behind, where she took the brunt of the fall.  She braced herself with her hands, so her arms and shoulders were also sore.
She finally went to the doctor earlier in the week, and he told gave her anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers.  She sounded like she had two glasses of Sherry, so I know those muscle relaxers are doing their job.  She had been resting and napping a lot, which is the best thing for her.

Today she went to visit Dad since she had signed the paperwork, and was returning it to the business office.
Doctor-Doctor had just given Dad a shower.  His hair was cut, combed and all his facial hair trimmed.  Mom said he looked real spiffy.  He was wearing his foam booties and in good spirits.

There were workers in the dining/TV room and the hallway was real crowded, so Dad asked Doctor-Doctor to wheel him into his room.  Dad wanted to lay on his bed and watch the TV.  The volume was really loud, but Doctor-Doctor had left before Mom could ask where the remote was...

Her shoulder was really bothering her, so she told Dad she was not feeling well and would not be staying very long.  He offered his bed to her, so she could rest.  She thanked him, but told him she needed to go home so she could take her medication.  Out of the blue, Dad asked her what car she was driving.  Mom used to drive her old Camry, the one she had when Dad lived with her.  She now has a new Toyota Camry, but rather than confuse Dad, she told him she was still driving the Camry...

Dad laughed and told her what a great bargain that car was...

Mom had brought him some pictures of my grand sons, which my oldest daughter had sent for Dad.  My daughter wrote every one's names on the back so Dad could remember.  He was thrilled and asked Mom to put them up on his wall of love...

Dad was rambling on about something, but it was difficult to understand with the TV blaring...she was getting a headache, in addition to her sore back and shoulder.  She saw the staff wheeling the food carts to deliver every one's lunch, so she took the opportunity to kiss Dad good bye and hobbled down the hallway...

Several of the "regulars" stopped her to say hi and ask why she was limping...everyone wished her well and told her they would take care of Dad...

I just talked to Mom a few minutes ago and she is doing a little better.  She was visiting with her future grand son in law.... my newly engaged niece's fiance.  They are waiting for my niece to come home.  Both of them are so good about including Mom quite often when they go out for food or bring her something back...

I am so glad she was not more seriously hurt!

10 comments:

Mari said...

I'm so glad that she wasn't seriously hurt too, and I hope that the pain is gone soon.

Jeanie said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's fall. It sounds like she was lucky she wasn't hurt any worse. I hope she heals and is feeling better quickly. I also hope your blister has healed and that you are no longer hobbling around.

Chatty Crone said...

I didn't know your mom had fallen - I'm so sorry - hope she heals quickly.

betty said...

your poor mom! will pray for her healing; falls when we get older are hard to deal with. My sister-in-law's mom accidentally tripped over her dog a few years back and broke her hip.

I'm glad your mom went in to the doctor's to get checked out and got meds to help her feel a bit better.

let us know how she is doing!

betty

Gutsy Living said...

Donna, So great to hear she didn't break a hip like many elderly women. Thongs or flip-flops are not for everyone. They took me a while to get used to.

CiCi said...

Darn thongs! You can't make a quick side step when wearing them. It's a wonder we don't all have twisted ankles. One of my daughters wears the thongs with two inch thick soles. Gads. Glad your mom is recovering from the soreness.

Linda O'Connell said...

hope your mom has a speedy recovery.

Betty W said...

Glad your mom is ok! That could have ended so much worse. And over a thong! I hope she threw those things out! :)

Lisa Jacques Elam said...

Hope your mom is 100% soon!

Pat said...

I'm so glad your Mom was not seriously hurt and that she is feeling better. A simple fall can be so dangerous as you get older!