Monday is always a draggy day for me, because I've been so busy on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon with my music. I sensed Dad probably wouldn't need me until later in the day, so I got cracking on my chores in the morning, unloading the equipment and doing the dishes, showering and dressing for my day. Around 11:30 a.m., Don answered the phone and it was Mom. She told him she was going down town with Dad to accompany him on his shopping, so I didn't need to go over until later. Great, I thought, I'll get a chance to run down town and do my shopping and errands, then I could go over in the afternoon and give Dad some time to do his thing.
So, I took off around noon, and didn't get back until a little before three. When I got back, Don told me Dad had called about half and hour earlier to say that they had to cut their trip short, because Mom just got too restless and wanted to go home. So, he would have to go back out so he could do his grocery shopping.
When I got over there about three p.m., Mom was clearly feeling some anxiety. Her face showed worry.. I held her hands and sat with her while Dad talked on the phone with the Dr. N.'s assistant about one his issues (vitamin thing) and about Mom's lessening back pain. He and I tried to make plans for tomorrow, and this was not easy with Mom's anxiety and questions. Once Dad left with a grocery list in hand, Mom asked if I would like to watch a program with her (the t.v. was off when I got there.) I agreed to that, being a little worn myself, so we moved over to the t.v. chair and then I asked her if she would like some tea. She liked that idea, so I went to the kitchen to heat up the water and prepare the teapot. I decided to empty the kitchen trash, and Mom offered to help by opening up the door to the garage. I feel like when ever she wants to do something, it's therapeutic to say yes (within reason.) So, she opened up the door, and this makes her feel useful.
We sat for a bit and had tea. I told her a little about my gigs over the weekend, and we chatted lightly about the next few days plans.. though, you just can't go too much into anything.. it stresses her out too much. I told her I thought I'd like to do a little dusting around their bed tomorrow.
When Dad got back, we helped him unpack the groceries, then we went back to the living room while Dad did a little business at his computer. Around four p.m., I had Mom come into the kitchen and help prep dinner. She wanted to peel the yam, but it was too hard, so I had her peel and chop the garlic. She decided she wanted a little glass of wine.. then she wanted her radio program on. I thought this was great.. like old times. Of course, once the garlic was chopped, things got too much for her again, so she went back to her chair and her book while I helped Dad get their dinner of mashed yams, steamed summer squash and slow-sauteed hake fish going. Dad was very gracious with my cooking tips and ideas.
Tomorrow, Dad needs to go get his monthly blood test done, and he has set up a meeting with his minister. He was going to attend a political meeting being held in his church basement from 4:30-6:00 p.m. that evening, but he called me a little while ago and has decided to skip that, realizing that they'd probably want him to volunteer for more work. I assured him it's okay if he skips out on this, as much as it kills him, because he's done a lot over the years, and he deserves a break, especially considering what we are going through with caring for Mom.
Plus, this way, he'll be able to come home and have dinner with Mom. I hope to get Mom back in the kitchen tomorrow afternoon before he comes home so together we can prep their dinner meal.
Weather was overcast and drizzly all day. Her anxiety level was mild to moderate. I'm seeing a pattern here.
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