It was one year ago today than I had to call the ambulance when Mom arrived home from church and said her “head felt funny”. She sat in the living room, her speech became slurred and she had the first of three mini-strokes in two days. She was in hospital for almost two weeks and just before being released, the doctors told me her heart was only working 40-45% and she had two leaky valves. Overall, her heart could stop at any time. They sent her some with a wheeled walker. They didn’t even want her to pick up and move an aluminum one. We were sure she wasn’t going to live more than a week… two tops! She didn’t have enough strength to digest food, she felt dizzy and would almost pass out when she would try to get up, and she had no strength or energy at all. Mom is a strong woman and was determined that she HAD to get herself back on her feet and going again.

We had caregivers with her around the clock for over a month who took excellent care of her. Jason and I would go up on Friday night and look after her until Sunday night to give the care givers time off and to save some money. It was a LOT of work taking care of an 89 year old woman. Luckily she could still do some things such as bathroom duties, but someone had to be with her constantly to make sure she didn’t fall or pass out. It was a long session, but she slowly began to make progress. Her 90th Birthday was July 31st and I had planned a big party at the church hall and had invited family and friends to wish her well. I had to cancel the party because we didn’t think she would make it that far. As time passed, she got stronger and stronger progressing from the walker to a cane. Her care giver would take her for a short daily walk out the driveway. When her Birthday did arrive, we had a family party for her, BUT her Seniors Group invited her to their monthly noon hour pot luck. She felt strong enough to attend and was very surprised to find it was a Birthday Party for her. All her friends were there, including several MLA’s. She received certificates and greetings from the Governor General, Prime Minister, Premier and a ton of others. But she just enjoyed seeing everyone again.

At the end of September, we asked her to move down with us. My Uncle who shared the big duplex with her, had to go to a Special Care home which left her all alone and she was terrified to be in the house at night. Happily she agreed it was the best thing for her, and us. Now we didn’t have to worry about her being almost an hour away in a big empty house, 90 years old, and still not in the best health. Since she moved down, her blood work has been extremely stable and her health great. She eats good healthy food (no salt!) and gets a fair amount of exercise. She always likes to go with me to the mall or store and if she takes my arm, can walk at my pace very well. I’m amazed at how well she has done.

mothersday2010Today, I had a flashback of that terrible day, one year ago, when we almost lost her. She was so sick. So I was determined to make this day a special one for both of us. Jason and I bought her a beautiful necklace and a HUGE card. When she woke this morning, I had breakfast all ready for her. Then she got to open her gift. When she got home from church, I made her a lunch and we told her we were going on a “road trip”. Last weekend we took her to St. Andrews for a drive and dinner and she loved it. Today, we went to Saint John, had a coffee and Tim’s in McAllister Place, looked around and toured her around the city. During the war, she lived and worked there. She saw some landmarks that she remembered, but it has changed so much. When we came back to Fredericton, we took her out for supper.

Mom had a full day and she enjoyed it so much. She keeps saying how lucky she is to have a son who wants to have her around and take care of her. We have a lot of fun together and I don’t have to worry about her so much as I did when she was in her own home. By the way… the sale of her house closed last Friday. That has been a big load off her mind. She now considers our home, hers, and I’m so thankful she is happy and doing so well. I know sometime it has to end, but she’s a tough one and will be 91 in July. I hope we can continue to enjoy what time we have left together.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!