Yesterday, Loretta and I visited Mum at the Rehab hospital until 11 am. We then took to the highways and byways of South East Gippsland - Warragul, Trafalgar and Yarragon. What a glorious drive through the hills. We ended up visiting every quilt shop throughout the area. What can I say? Seventh Heaven!
Today mum and the occupational therapist (OT) from the rehabilitation hospital came home and went through all the changes that needed to happen within the house to ensure Mum’s safety.
Today mum and the occupational therapist (OT) from the rehabilitation hospital came home and went through all the changes that needed to happen within the house to ensure Mum’s safety.
We cheekily put down a red carpet mat to welcome mum home for her home visit, and of course the Occupational therapist said, “That’s a bit dangerous,” to which we replied in unison, “We know...and we knew that you were going to say that.” Laughter all round........
After measuring everything and watching mum get around her house, the OT made some simple suggestions to make it safer and easier for mum to return home. When it was time for mum to go back to the hospital, we tried to bribe the OT to leave her at home, but the OT wasn’t going to be persuaded. So we have to wait another 2 days.
As they were leaving, mum had to negotiate the 16 steps from the front door down to the street level. The OT was walking backwards ahead of mum to catch her if she fell. Mum in her inimitable humorous way said, ”Get out of the way, I’m ok”. Then she proceeded to literally skip down the stairs. You could never tell she has had 4 operations on her hip!!
As you can see, mum is still in good spirits and in good health. She is very grateful that there has been NO pain or discomfort. The only thing is that she has lost 5 kilos, and that’s 10% of her weight.
We’ve whizzed around to buy all the provisions we will need to entice mum’s appetite, as well as to cope with the number of people who we anticipate will start visiting her from next week. Our house, as many of you know, has a "running" kitchen operating any hour that there are guests. We are expecting to have to work out a schedule of visiting hours to cope with the onslought of loving family and friends.
Mum will be turning 85 on the 25th of May. She doesn’t want a party, but I’m sure she will be inundated with visitors. Hopefully they won’t bring any more chocolates, because we feel obliged to relieve her of the temptations by devouring them ourselves (ha ha ha).... Mum especially likes Bacci chocolates – but she is more reluctant to share those ones. (Drats, we love them too!)
Instead of presents, which she doesn’t not need or really appreciate at this stage in life, we have suggested to all her friends and family to write a letter which contains how they met, what mum has meant to them and any special memories. We have already received quite a few and they are a lovely tribute to a lovely lady.
We’ve whizzed around to buy all the provisions we will need to entice mum’s appetite, as well as to cope with the number of people who we anticipate will start visiting her from next week. Our house, as many of you know, has a "running" kitchen operating any hour that there are guests. We are expecting to have to work out a schedule of visiting hours to cope with the onslought of loving family and friends.
Mum will be turning 85 on the 25th of May. She doesn’t want a party, but I’m sure she will be inundated with visitors. Hopefully they won’t bring any more chocolates, because we feel obliged to relieve her of the temptations by devouring them ourselves (ha ha ha).... Mum especially likes Bacci chocolates – but she is more reluctant to share those ones. (Drats, we love them too!)
Instead of presents, which she doesn’t not need or really appreciate at this stage in life, we have suggested to all her friends and family to write a letter which contains how they met, what mum has meant to them and any special memories. We have already received quite a few and they are a lovely tribute to a lovely lady.
This is Switzerland calling (Pam), I had been thinking of you just last week thinking I MUST ring to catch up, dont ask me where time has gone since NZ but I guess you must have been winging your way to Melbourne. I want to convey to you Miranda and all the family, that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Words can never say what we feel, but I hope that you will enjoy Yaya and her stories, they are really important, her stories, her recipes and her smile. I couldnt read this at work, they block things like blogs so thanks to kind neighbours I send you all my love and courage.
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