Visit

Monday, December 23, 2019
I visited St. Michael's for the first time since November 29th.  I was okay.  I met a Chinese lady who sold Charlene a light up umbrella.  She was there with her family.  She was wearing a black fur coat and fancy glasses.  She had just received her husbands ashes and they had just returned from a burial ceremony at Woodlawn.  She was also there to deliver sweets.  I brought cookies and chocolates.
I went to mom's room.  I didn't check if anyone was in mom's space.
I saw Donna, Jackie, Zorka and Joan.  I sat with Jackie for Bingo.  Then, I sat with Donna.  Mom had $30 in winnings which I donated to the Bingo jackpot.
Donna looked good.  She was sitting upright and seemed coherent.
Zorka was sitting in her wheelchair as was Joan.
Michael won the big jackpot in Bingo.  $13.00.
I had coffee and a cookie with Donna, Norman and another woman.  I remember she liked mom.
I didn't see the Chinese lady.  I will have to visit again.
I saw Ming.  I gave him a large deck of cards.

Dream

Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019
I dreamed about mom last night.  We were at an event.  We were standing on the bus.  Mom started humming a tune.  I recognized the tune. I thought that mom's short-term memory was functioning.  Then, I realized it was a dream.  I cried.

Picking up mom's stuff

Friday, November 29, 2019
I took the day off.  I wrote an e-mail to Japan.  I wrote e-mails to friends.  I talked to someone at the funeral home regarding details of the cremation.  Chris came over around 9:40 and we picked out an urn for mom and a backup.  Chris treated me to breakfast.  We went to St. Michael's to clean out mom's room.  The adaptive clothing, St. Michael's was happy to take.  I left other stuff on the counter as well.  We had 2 large garbage bags and two smaller bags of stuff.
I gave the Chinese lady mom's pink giraffe. We cried together.   I left mom's lap blanket for Jackie.  A lot of the staff gave me a hug and I thanked them for looking after mom.
I went to Finance to check and see if there was anything I had to do.
I saw Ming and I gave him and hug and thanked him and burst into tears.  Embarrassing.  Chris put his arm around me.  Chris dropped me off.
Ethel came over with cookies.  She read over the contract from the funeral home.  Everything looked in order.  I signed it electronically and sent it off.  I mentioned the part in the contract about not receiving the ashes and Certificate of Death for 10-14 days.  It seemed long.  I thought the Gotos had their funeral about a week later.  Ethel said she didn't remember an urn so I thought maybe a photo would be sufficient.
Ethel talked about how she thought an MC was a good idea.  Choices for MC: Frank Seki, Steve Kamachi, Colleen Goto? Ethel volunteered to be a greeter and collect envelopes.  I thought Steve would be a good person to make a speech about mom. Charlene could do a speech about mom's history with Sumi and Aunti Reiko.  Sumi could sing a song.  Ethel thought maybe Carol could pick up sushi.
Charlene came over after dinner.  She suggested places to hold the Celebration of Life.  She strongly preferred the Queensborough Community Centre.  I felt it would take more work to organize something there.  We would need audio-visual equipment for karaoke, speeches and a slide show.
The other place we considered was Kearny.  Charlene helped me to sort through the bags of mom's belongings.  She took some away to go to thrift stores and for a toy drive. 

Mom passed away

Thursday, November 28, 2019
I got a phone call from St. Michael's in the morning.  The nurse said that mom's condition was declining and that I should call the doctor.  Then, she said that she would ask the doctor to call me.  I went about my day at work.  While I was in Tai Chi, the doctor called to say that mom appeared to be going into death mode.  However, she had done this before.  In fact, he said mom had had two teaspoons of apple sauce earlier.  He assured me that she was not in pain and was not suffering.
After Tai Chi, Charlene took me to St. Michael's to visit mom. Chris was already there.  Mom was wide awake.  She looked at us unblinking.  Her feet were cold so I massaged them.  The physiotherapist had been there and had adjusted mom's legs.  After Chris left, Charlene and I stayed a little longer.  Usually, mom falls asleep, but today she stayed awake.  Charlene mentioned that mom's breath became odd, but that it became steady again.  We said good-bye to mom.  I told her I would be back tomorrow and we left.
At around 8:30 p.m. Charlene got a call from Chris.  I had turned my phone off because the battery was low and my phone was beeping.  Chris was frantic because he had gotten a call from St. Michael's that mom had passed away and he couldn't get in touch with me.
Charlene took me to St. Michael's and we said good-bye to mom's dead body.  She still felt warm.  Her eyes were open and they looked so small.  Her mouth was open and I could see her tongue inside.  It wasn't a good memory to have. 
The nurse gave me a list of funeral homes and told me to St. Michael's.  I went home and called the funeral home that I had selected previously.  It was on the list.  I called St. Michael's to make sure the funeral home had called.
Charlene was with me.  She called her mom.  Her mom said to call Ethel.  Ethel called the relatives and Sumi called friends. I started writing a list of people I had to notify.

Mom doesn't drink anything

Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Mom is lying in bed at a strange angle.  She seems to be sleeping more peacefully.  Her mouth is more relaxed than yesterday.  She doesn't take any apple juice or Boost.  It dribbles down from the side of her mouth.  I have to wipe it up quickly.  She tries to wipe it herself.  Sometimes she opens her eyes and looks at me.  She can lift her arm and scratch her head.  She is so thin.
Chris came to visit today.  He had to wear a mask because he has a cold.

Mom is breathing laboriously

Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Mom was lying in bed.  She was breathing with her mouth open.  The wrinkles in her forehead were gone, but her eyes were weird so I could tell that she was drugged.  At some point, she seemed wide awake so I gave her a teaspoon of apple juice.  I didn't see her swallow it.  She opened and closed her mouth.  Her body was still warm.  Her legs were cool, but not cold.  Eventually, she seemed to be sleeping.  There was an odour.
The aide said that she would be given a sponge bath later tonight.
The nurse said that mom had blood from her bowel and a piece of poo had been dislodged.  She had been given an enema.
I cried.  But maybe mom will look better tomorrow.

Mom is in her wheelchair

Monday, November 25th, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  Donna, Edward and Jackie were there. 
Mom was mostly dozing.  I was able to put food in her mouth, but it would trickle out.  Heartbreaking.  Mom's mouth went slack and I was worried that she had had a stroke.  I think she is just heavily medicated.  Sometimes she opens her eyes wide.  She has wrinkles in her forehead.
Sometimes she seems to wake up and looks like she wants to scream.  She moves her arms and her body, writhing and then falls back.  Disturbing.  Poor mom.  I feel as if the end is near.

No Shanta

Sunday, November 24, 2019
Shanta passed away on Friday.
Donna was at the dinner table with Edward.  Jackie arrived late.  Mom was in bed.
Zorka was attached to her oxygen machine and none too happy.
She tried to escape, but was brought back.
Mom ate and drank about a quarter cup.
I know someone is trying to feed her because I have to pick off food that is in the hollows of her neck. 
An aide said that mom scratched her so I put mom's white gloves on her before I left.
Zorka was confused so I opened her closet and showed her her clothing and pointed out the photographs of her husband.  Zorka's closet is so neat compared to mom's.

Mom ate less than usual

Saturday, November 23, 2019
Mom was in bed and so were Donna and Zorka.  Donna and Zorka were both on breathing machines.  Donna was throwing up her food.  She didn't look good.  She was pale.
Mom was angry and feisty. 
She drank some Boost, ate some pureed food, drank some apple juice etc.  I would say she consumed about 1/2 a cup of food and drink.  I gave her a tiny piece of banana.
She had the thigh cushion strapped on correctly for a change.
Both her legs were warm.
I put the headset on her.
At one point she grabbed one of the earbud cords and wouldn't give it up.

Comfort care

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Mom was in bed again.  Jackie told me to ask the nurse why mom was in bed.  The nurse said that mom is now in comfort care.  I guess it is like death protocol.  But, Jackie said that I could ask for mom to be put in her wheelchair.  I'm supposed to talk to the nurse tomorrow.
Zorka looked pretty bad today.  One of the aides came and helped her eat.  Zorka was so weak, she couldn't even hold the cup to her mouth.  I helped her with a few sips of milk and apple juice.
Mom was watching.  I think they both look at each other and think the other is dying.
Mom was really thirsty.  She even grabbed the cup and tried to feed herself.  Her movements are jerky.  Poor mom.  She drank most of her Boost and apple juice.  She ate a little of the pureed peas.  She ate a Cheetos.  I massaged her legs.
I asked about mom's bowel movement.  Diane said she had a small bowel movement last night.
I put the headset on mom and she seemed to enjoy it.

Diane

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Mom was in bed.  She wasn't propped up or turned on her side.  I will have to ask about that since one of the aides said it would be good to get a body pillow. 
Mom was wearing her thigh brace. 
She was thirsty and hungry but had trouble drinking.  She had about half her Boost, half her apple juice and some products that would induce a bowel movement.  She had been given a suppository, but there might be some kind of blockage further up.
She had about a half a teaspoon of pureed carrot. 
Poor mom.  I moved her legs and massaged them.
I filed her nails.  She was okay with that.
An aide asked if she could be of assistance.  Maybe I should have asked her to change mom's diaper.

Mom is calmer

Monday, November 18, 2019
Mom was in bed.  She opened her eyes when I arrived.  I was able to feed her more or less.  She drank her beverages and ate very little of her pureed food.  She said "gomen." 
Zorka's daughter came to visit.  Zorka was in bed.  I wonder if Zorka thinks she is going to die because she is beside mom.
Mom wasn't interested in bubble wrap today, but she did try to eat her earbud.
I gave mom the tamagoboro with a milk chaser.  She liked that.
I cleaned out some things from mom's closet.
An aide put the clothes in the lost and found.
I cut mom's nails.  I showed Zorka's daughter where to get the nail clippers.

Mom is violent

Sunday, November 17, 2019
Mom was in bed still.  She drank her Boost.  She said "nice."  She must have been thirsty.  She ate some of her pureed veggies and some of her pudding.  She drank most of her second Boost and fortified Boost.
I adjusted her leg brace.
I put the headset on her.
I had to keep adjusting her bib because she kept pulling it off.
Mom became violent.  I don't know if I did something wrong.
I gave her some bubble wrap and then she started tearing it and trying to put her arm through.  I thought she was cold so I tried to put her sweater on, but she fought me.
When I tried to give her more Boost she made as if to shove me.  When I put the cup near her, she grabbed it spilling some.
She said that she was sorry.  I wonder if she couldn't control herself.
Poor mom.

Suppository

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019
Mom was still in bed.  Her food had not been served.  I went to investigate.  By the time I had returned, an aide was feeding her.  Mom was hungry, but she didn't open her mouth wide.  I gave her apple juice first to quench her thirst, then followed with pureed food and soup.  She ate most of her pureed peach.  When I fed mom, I was coming into contact with her teeth. There was no Boost.
After lunch, I got mom to toss her hedgehog back and forth with me.  She laughed.  I wish I could have taped it.  She was so cute. 
An aide and a nurse came by to change mom's diaper and wound.  I helped secure mom's arms.  Mom has a very strong grip.  She was in pain.  I fear she is in constant pain.
Her diaper was soaked through and her pink anti-strip jumpsuit was also soiled.  They had given her a suppository.  The nurse said that mom needed to eat more protein.  Poor mom.  They put her into her blue anti-strip jumpsuit.
I put a sweater on mom.  It was difficult.  She tried to bite me. 
For afternoon tea, I gave mom some prune juice.  She drank some apple juice as well.  She ate some minced ham sandwich, but she had trouble with the bread.  I should probably just scrape off the ham and spoon feed her.  She was biting into the sandwich.  Eventually, she fell asleep.

Still in bed

Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Mom is still in bed.  She seemed to be in good spirits.  She was alert and calm.  She drank and ate, but very slowly.  She was not listing to one side.  I think she might be getting better care.
Chris remarked that mom looked better than last week.
She doesn't want to hold the cup.
I massaged her legs.  Her left foot felt very cold.
She was wearing her anti-strip suit.
This week while mom was in bed and not in the dining room, residents and staff expressed concern: Andrew, the Chinese lady, Ming, etc.

Still in bed, rookie nurses attending to mom's wound

Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Mom was in bed when I arrived shortly after 11 am.  I took the day off work.  The nurse trainees had just given my mom a sedative.  They said they would be back in 20 minutes.  I quickly went to work to get mom to drink her beverages.  They were probably left over from the morning  She drank most of her Boost and her apple juice.  She told me that the apple juice was "nice." I was happy to see that she was wearing her blue onesie.  Come to think of it, I haven't seen her cranberry onesie.  I cleaned her up because she had dried up Boost in the hollows of her neck.
A trainee came back and said that they would see to my mom's bum sore after the break.  I was concerned that the sedative would wear off, but the aide said it would last for 4 hours.
I went to heat up my lunch.  When I got back, I was told that they were working on the sore on my mom's bum and they would finish in half an hour.  Larry told me that he had collected mom's lunch and left it in the room.
When I came back half an hour later, they were still not finished.  I was concerned.  Another ten minutes later, someone told me that they were done.  Mom looked uncomfortable and was puffing air.
Mom slept for half an hour and was snoring.
Zorka's son came to see her.  I suspect it was because she wouldn't get out of bed.  I suspect she has Alzheimer's.  She always asks about mom and if she will get better.  Maybe mom and Zorka shouldn't be in the same room.
I managed to get some lunch into mom.  Mostly she was cooperative, but had trouble holding the cup.

Mom is still in bed

Monday, November 11, 2019
Mom was in bed again.  She was alert and calm.  She drank most of her Boost and fortified Boost.  She ate some of her dinner (pureed broccoli) and some of her vanilla pudding.  She drank some milk and some apple juice.  She hardly opened her mouth.  I showed her by opening my mouth wide and she laughed.  She did copy me a couple of times, but went back to little fish mouth.
At some points, she held the drinking cup.  I was pleased to see that she was wearing her red anti-strip suit.  It was cute. 
I massaged her feet and calves.  They were cold.
I put the earbud in her ear and let her listen to some Japanese music.
Donna was left in her wheelchair and she was getting kind of antsy.  I put a quilt over her legs and helped her with a sweater.  I just got her arms through because she couldn't bend forward so that I could pull the sweater down her back.

Ethel visited and left a card

Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019
Mom was in bed when I arrived.  She was alert and engaged.  She was thirsty.  I gave her apple juice that was probably there from the afternoon. There was leftover cheese and a banana from last night; and leftover sandwiches from the afternoon.  I should have the extra food cancelled.
Mom complained that her right leg hurt.  I saw that the leg brace had been put on so I took it off.  She was visibly relieved.  I was surprised by how much she was able to communicate verbally.
I noticed a card from Ethel on mom's nightstand.  I guess she must have visited earlier in the day.
Mom was leaning way over to the left so it was difficult to prop her up even with the head of the bed lifted.  I tried to push her over to the right.  Sometimes I was successful, other times not so much and of course, she started drifted to the left. 
Mom ate dinner, dessert, and a small piece of banana.  She is having difficulty with solid food.  I gave her a small piece of banana and some cheddar cheese. I put the food in her left hand and she used her right hand to pick up the pieces and put them in her mouth. I gave her beverages to help her break down the food.  At some points, she was able to hold her cup and drink by herself.
I put the earbuds in and let her listen to music.  I have to remember to get the earbuds from work.
She tried to put her hands down her pants and I distracted her.  It took several attempts, but she stopped.  I let her hold the Christmas hedgehog.  She looked so cute.  She fell asleep.
The Boost that was spilled yesterday, was not well-cleaned so it was still sticky there.
Donna and Edward were at the dinner table today.

Mom is in bed

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
Mom was in bed again today.  Charlene saw her yesterday and said she was at the dinner table.  She was dopey, but did eat and drink.
Mom was not wearing her anti-strip jumpsuit.  She was in bed, but mostly alert.  She drank all of her Boost.  She ate very little of her dinner and most of her pureed peach.  She drank some milk and some apple juice.  I gave her a few of my peas, but she wasn't chewing well.
She was in bed and listing to one side.  The aide helped me pull her up by pulling the sheet up.
The floor was sticky with maybe Boost.  Her shirt had some crusted Boost.  She even had dried up stuff in the hollows of her neck.  Poor mom.
Mom seemed pretty mellow.  She was alert and even held the cup and took a sip or two.  Mostly I had to hold the cup for her.
I put the one earbud in her ear so she could listen to music and she seemed content.

Death protocol

Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Mom was in bed again.  Everyone tells me that mom doesn't eat now.  Just yesterday, they said mom drank her Boost.  Now the nurse tells me that mom has death protocol written in her file.  She is getting pain medication every hour as required.
I got a bill today for $590 for the physiotherapist.  It cost $65 for half an hour, not $45 like I thought.  Poor mom.  I bought a thigh separator for just under $100.  I bought the special nightgowns, the anti-strip jumpsuits, etc. 
Mom drank most of her fortified Boost, her Boost some milk and apple juice.  She ate a Cheeto and some rice pudding.
Donna was in bed too.

Mom is in bed

Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Mom is in bed.  Not because she is sick, but because they don't want to put her in the wheelchair again.  She had a visit from the physiotherapist.  The new thigh separator is between her legs.
Mom's left arm wasn't even in her sleeve.  I put it in her sleeve.
She was kind of dopey, but I was able to feed her some food.  She ate most of her apple sauce and a small piece of banana.  She drank most of the fortified Boost which I think is medication.
She was rather dopey.
Apparently, Dr. Nathoo came yesterday and maybe saw mom.
Mom has 4 anti-strip jumpsuits and I have only seen her wearing the blue outfit once.
Mom has a bad sore on her bum.
Poor mom.
Donna kept asking me to take her home with me.  Poor Donna.

Mom's wearing the same clothes

Monday, November 4, 2019
I arrived a little late today.  Mom had consumed most of her Boost.  I was able to feed her very little.  I moved her to the fish tank room at 5:30.
I ate my dinner and shared some of it with mom.  I gave her a piece of chicken skin and a section of bean.  Later, I extracted the fibrous bits of the bean. 
She drank some prune juice and coughed.
I noticed mom's shirt sleeve had some Boost that had hardened and there was some on her socks as well so I changed her socks and her top.  Also, mom did not have the pillow between her legs.
Her left leg felt cold.
Mom was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and maybe since Friday.

Mom's birthday lunch

Sunday, November 3, 2019
Mom was sitting at the table with Edward and Donna.  Edward really enjoyed his pancakes and bacon.  Donna is having trouble feeding herself. 
Mom ate okay.  She was engaged and in a good mood.    She had a pillow between her legs.  I really should pay attention to her clothes.
I saw her two red jumpsuits hanging in the closet.  They look garish.  I can't send them back because they are already labeled.  Poor mom.  I wonder if I should shorten the legs.
I ordered Chinese food from On On.  It was really good.  It wasn't too salty.
Auntie Sumi enjoyed the green beans.  We all enjoyed the food.
I also bought a Tiramisu cake which was okay.
We had a nice visit.
Yuki came as we were cleaning up so we offered her a piece of cake.
I left the rest of the cake in the staff room.

Mom is grabby

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Donna when I arrived.  Mom was engaged and talking and smiling.  She drank her Boost when I put the cup to her lips.  She grabbed onto her cutlery and was about to eat the napkin wrapped around.  I tried to restrain her.  Eventually, I was able to trade her for the Cheeto.  When her dinner arrived, she dipped her Cheeto in her pureed food.  It was messy.  I fed her with a spoon, but she did attempt to eat with her fingers again.  She ate very little.
I took her to the fish tank room and she continued to eat.  She ate about a cup of ice cream and 1/3 of a banana.  She ate more of her pureed food and her apple juice.
When I tried to wipe her hands, she tried to grab me.  She has good reflexes and her grip is strong.

Mom is dopey

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Mom was very dopey.  Chris remarked on this when he arrived after 6:00 p.m. for dinner.
Mom was dressed warmly today.  I was glad to see that she was wearing her gray sweat pants.
I'll have to weed out clothes from her closet.
Even though her head was bent forward and her eyes were closed, I was able to feed her.  I fed her for an hour and a half.  She eats so slowly.  She drank her beverages and ate her food.
I talked to Larry and asked why mom wasn't wearing her new red rompers.  He said that they would put them on tonight when her soft blue rompers are in the wash.  I asked him to put an undershirt on mom since the fabric seemed stiff.
I pulled mom back in the wheelchair when we were leaving.  Her left leg felt cold, but her right leg was warm.  There was a pillow placed between her legs.

Foam stick and balloon activity

Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Mom was kind of dopey.  I was able to feed her.  She ate very little, but she did drink her beverages.  Her head was bent forward so it was hard to get her drink.  I had to tip her head back a bit.
She was wearing her capris.  I should get rid of them.  I guess they are easy to dress her in.
There was a foam stick and balloon activity going on.
When she opened her eyes, I wheeled over and she participated a bit.  She was furious when someone hit the balloon when she thought it was her turn.  Eventually, she fell asleep.
She ate a bit more.  I gave her a little bit of azuki bean from a manju that Alexandra gave me.
Mom was very tired. 
I think she had a poopy diaper.
She had physio today.  Ming was asking about the treatment.

Mom is wearing her new anti-strip jumpsuit

Monday, October 28, 2019
Mom looked okay.  She was wearing her new blue anti-strip jumpsuit.  She was frustrated because she couldn't touch her privates.  She ate some food, but then she became very tired.  I gave her some of my peas and carrots.  She likes to poke her mashed potatoes and taste it with her finger.  She seems disappointed.  I wonder what she is expecting.  Ice cream?
At 5:30, I moved her to the fish tank room.  She ate some more food and some banana and drank her Boost and milk.  She drank apple juice too.  Around 6:30 she fell asleep.
I massaged her legs and adjusted her seat.  Today she had a pillow between her legs.
She played with her bubble wrap a bit.

Mom's Birthday

Sunday, October 27, 2019
Today is mom's birthday.  She received two cards: one from Yuki from Tonarigumi (I think) and one from St. Michael's.  The nurse and aides were happy with mom's anti-strip suit and want me to purchase another for daytime.  Poor mom.
I cleaned her hands and put rolled up bibs between her legs.
She ate some of her dinner and most of her beverages.
I took her to the fish tank room at 5:30.  I couldn't believe that someone had taken my half-drunk coffee and mom's vanilla pudding.  They leave abandoned food and dishes all day and I leave mine for a few seconds and it is gone!
Luckily the other foods I carted over were untouched.
Mom was trying to put her left hand down her pants so I had to distract her.  Finally, I rigged some bibs around her left arm and tied a bib to her left arm.
She was quite dopey, but I was able to get her to eat some banana, more dinner, a Cheeto and more beverages.
She played with the bubble wrap briefly. 
I moved her to the nurses' station before I left.

Mom is in bed

Saturday, October 26, 2019
Mom was in bed when I arrived.  The nurse said that mom's carrier was in the wash so they couldn't take her out of the bed.  I hope mom gets out for dinner.
Because mom was kind of dopey, I decided to wash her hands and cut her nails.  There was blood and poop.  I know where they keep the extra clippers now.  I accidentally cut one of mom's fingers the ring finger on her right hand.  There was blood.  I felt so bad.  Mom seemed okay.
I was able to feed mom all of her mushroom soup, most of her fortified Boost, Boost, and apple juice and some of her milk.  She ate a few small pieces of cheese, cracker, green beans and carrots.
She laughed a bit. 
I could hear her tummy rumbling.
I put the white gloves on mom, but she took them off.  I put them on again and she took them off.
I let her hold the hedgehog.  She was so cute. 
She tried to put her left hand under the covers, but I tried to discourage her.
I checked her legs.  They were lifted and there was no pillow between her knees.  I put a pillow between her knees.
The nurse said that there was more blood this morning and that she had had a bowel movement.
Mom seemed fine.
Mom's wheelchair pillow was in the washroom.  The same aide that showed me where the nail clippers were,  complained about the pee-soaked pillow in the bathroom.  It was removed.
Mom's sandwich pieces and apple juice arrived, but mom was dozing off.
Mom seemed sad when I left.

Mom is bleeding from her bum

Friday, October 25, 2019
Charlene phoned me from St. Michael's at 7:00 to let me know that mom had been put to bed.  She had been bleeding from her bum.  The doctor phoned me a few minutes later.  She said that it might be hemorrhoids.  Mom's vital signs were good.  They are going to check again in half an hour.  Mom seems restful.  Maybe they gave her a sedative.
Poor Charlene.  Something always happens when she is there.
She said that mom's pillow smelt strongly of pee.

Mom has something in her mouth

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Mom was mostly cooperative.  She ate very little.
After dinner, I put a towel between her knees.
She ate all of her chocolate pudding.
She drank some of her beverages.
It looked like something was in her mouth, but I couldn't get it.
She kept dozing off.
The nurse wrote in the book to make sure mom gets dinner tomorrow.
I was worried that they would forget her.

Physiotherapist

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Mom was sitting in the fish tank room by the television.
I gave her some prune juice and Cheetos.  She ate and drank very little.
I massaged her legs.
The physiotherapist, Gary, was running overtime.
He was working with Norman.
We got a care aide to get a lifter for mom and they lifted mom into the bed so that he could work on her.
Mom complained most of the time.  Gary had to pay attention to mom so that he knew if the pain was too much.  He is trying to stretch her hip abductors so that her legs are not stuck together.  Mom was really upset, but she was okay after the ordeal.  She had a good appetite.
Unfortunately, dinner was almost over by the time we finished with Gary.  I didn't even have a dinner.  The new telephone system is not working properly.

Mom's baby toe nail is ripped off

Monday, October 21, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  Edward was enjoyed his fried fish.  No sign of Jackie or Donna.  Mom ate a little of her dinner.  She drank some of her beverages.  Dessert was ice cream.  She had a little of that.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  She was dozing off.
I tipped her chair back.  I cut her toenails.  The baby toe on her left foot was ripped off.  It probably happened long ago.  It looked like it was probably infected and getting better.  It was black.  With the help of one of the aides, I cut her toenail off.  This is the first time that anyone offered me a nail clipper.  I asked if mom was on the list to see the podiatrist.  She is now. 
Mom was digging last night.  They put the onesie on her the right way.  They are going to try the onesie backwards. 
I massaged mom's legs.
I put a cushion between mom's legs.
I poured the ice cream into mom's Boost
Mom ate a few Cheetos and drank a bit of the ice cream concoction.

White gloves

Sunday, October 20, 2019
I got a call at 8:40 a.m. telling me that mom had been eating poop again, but they had managed to get most of it.  I bought 2 anti-strip jumpsuits for mom.  I brought the new onesie that I bought at Walmart.
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Donna when I arrived.  Jackie joined later and Edward came at the end of the meal.  He announced that he had taken a nap and woken up at the right time.
Mom was mostly cooperative.  I put a pair of white gloves on her.  At first she was unsure of how to put them on, but eventually, I got her fingers in the right places.  She seemed to like them.
She ate about 1/3 of her lunch.  She drank about half of her soup.  She drank most of her Boost.
After lunch, I tipped her back in her seat and put a rolled-up towel between her legs.
I fed mom her pureed peach dessert.  She drank and ate very little.  I gave her some white cheddar cheese and Cheetos.
She was kind of drowsy.
At one point she folded her gloved hands in front of her and dozed.  She was so cute so I wanted to take a photo, but by the time I got my tablet turned on, she was awake.
I left her milk, apple juice and some prune juice.

Mom ate poop

Saturday, October 19, 2019
I got a call at 6:00 a.m. this morning.  It was not an emergency.  In fact,  I ignored it thinking it was an election call.  The nurse left a message that mom was eating poop.  I called back at 8:00 am and was told that mom had been eating poop.  I sent an e-mail to Charlene and she went to check.
She spent 45 minutes trying to get the poop out of mom's mouth with a toothbrush.  She said most of it was stuck to the room of her mouth.  Poor mom.  Charlene made a heroic effort.
Turns out eating poop is very rare.

On Friday when Charlene went to visit mom, she said that mom was already put to sleep and put on her side because she has a sore on her bum.

Today, they are going to mostly sedate mom.  Poor mom.

I went to have dinner with mom.  Edward and Donna were there, but not Jackie.  Mom was better than what I was expecting.  She was alert.  She mostly cooperated with dinner.  She was talkative.  Later, we moved to the fish tank room.  She drank her beverages, ate some banana and some jello.  Mark chatted with us a bit about his dad.
I played with the balloon.  She didn't throw very far, but she laughed and enjoyed the activity.
Mom continued to drink her beverages and ate some cheetos, jello and banana.
She played with the bubble wrap a bit.
She seemed sad when I left.  She said something as I went out the door, but I couldn't understand.

I got mom a onesie from Walmart.

Mom is mostly engaged and happy

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  She was wearing capris and a wool cardigan.  She was in a good mood.  She ate a little.  She drank a little.  She was mostly cooperative.
Donna ate very little.  Jackie and Edward were there.
I took mom to the fish tank room.  I massaged her legs and put two towels between her knees.  Maybe the physiotherapy is working.  Her legs were cold so later I put the lap blanket on her legs, but she took it off and started to fold it.  I put it back again.
She ate all of her apple sauce and a little more of her dinner.   She ate some cheetos and drank some milk. 
I didn't clip her toenails.  She is frightened when I touch her legs.
The nurse said mom weighed 35 kilos.  Hurray!  She also said that mom is on the list to see the dentist in November.
I tipped her back in her chair a bit.

Bakayaro

Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Mom had her physiotherapy appointment today.  She had had a bath and she was wearing her flannel nightgown.  She seemed to be in a good mood.  She ate a little.
I took her to the fish tank room and she ate a bit more.
I tossed a red balloon back and forth with her.  She laughed a little.
I tried feeding her again.
She took a large piece of banana and took several bites from it.
I gave her some bubble wrap.  I tried to take it back from her before I left, but she refused to give it up.  She even yelled "bakayaro"!  She was quite angry.
I forgot to cut her toenails.
I have to get a triangular pillow for her knees.
Donna was in bed.  She was awake.  She was looking at her jello, but did not eat it.
The nurse told me mom had sores on her bum and that they are taking care of it.
Poor mom.
Took the same bus as Sabra.  She said that her foot felt like something was pulling.

Thanksgiving Monday

Monday, October 14, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  I adjusted her wheelchair and checked her legs.  She ate a little.  At some point, she removed the rolled-up bib that I had placed between her legs and I had to put it back.  I didn't see Donna today, but it looked like she was back on normal food.
Edward was fine.  He ate by himself with no help.  Jackie ate very little.
A tall white man complained to Jackie about Angela.  He complained about the little British guy too.
At 5:30 I took mom to the fish tank room.  I continued to try and feed her.  I gave her a break and cut and filed her fingernails.  One nail is cracked.
She drank some of her beverages and ate a few bites.  When she became bored again, I took her by the fish tank.  I threw the red balloon to her.  She didn't react immediately, but soon she was throwing it back and forth.  She laughed once.  She apologized when she thought she didn't throw the ballon far enough or straight enough.
When I took her back to our table, she drank some milk and ate her vanilla pudding.  She ate a few pieces of banana.
I massaged her legs a bit.  It was easy to create a gap between her knees.
I let her play with some bubble wrap.
I tipped her chair back when I was leaving.
I'll try and do her toenails this week or next.
Took the bus with Sabra.  She said that the aides are responsible for 8 people.

Mom takes the arm off her chair

Sunday, October 13, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table by herself when I arrived at 11:20 a.m.  I took her to her room and cleaned her nails.  I trimmed her bangs. She was not so cooperative today.    I took a bib and rolled it up and put it between her knees.
She ate very little for lunch.  Donna was in bed.  Edward seemed to enjoy his lunch today.  Jackie was there for lunch.  She was dressed to go out.
At 12:30, I took mom to the fish tank room. She ate very little.  I gave her about a teaspoon of rice and natto.  She was nodding off a bit.  I massaged her legs. 
Sometimes she drank by herself.  Other times, I had to help her. 
At one point she lifted her wheelchair arm up.  I took it from her and put it back.  She had probably turned the screw and then lifted the arm.
I left her with her wheelchair tilted back.

Physiotherapy

Saturday, October 12, 2019
Mom had physiotherapy today at 1:30p.m.  Charlene met with the physiotherapist as I had a prior engagement at the Burnaby Art Gallery. 
Mom was sitting up and seemed uncomfortable so I raised the back of her wheelchair and got her to sit back.  This is really hard because she resists.  I have to push her forwards and backward until she settles in.  Mom ate very little.  She likes her peas.  She ate some of my peas.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  I fed her all of her peach puree.  She drank all of her milk and Boost.  She ate a few tamagoboro and I left her a peanut butter wafer cookie.
Mom was not too interested in the bubble wrap.
We passed a red balloon back and forth.  Mom liked that.  She even laughed a bit.
I just talked to Charlene.  She said mom screamed a lot.  Poor mom.  In the end, mom put her hand down her pants and pulled out a poop and tried to eat it.  Charlene was panicked.  Charlene was wondering if mom could have a sedative before her treatment. 

Worried about mom

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Mom was being fed by Remy when I arrived.  Mom looked so pained.  I felt awful.  Remy got an aide to help and we pulled her up in the wheelchair.  After that, she looked better or so I told myself.  The aide pulled mom up by her pants because we didn't want to touch her legs.  I would have.  Poor mom.  I cried.  Tears were running.  I felt so bad for mom.  I wonder if I am doing the right thing.  Maybe I shouldn't be interfering.  Maybe I am just prolonging her agony.
Remy offered to give mom pain medication, but then she wouldn't be able to eat.
Mom ate a bit.
Donna was really her enjoying her tapioca pudding.  Jackie gave Donna her tapioca pudding as well.  I hope Donna will be okay.  Donna is not supposed to have dairy products.
Francesco flagged me down and asked me to make sure they kept his dinner for later.  I assured him that I would take care of it.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room and our usual place.  I tipped the wheelchair back to raise her legs and touched them, which she did not appreciate.  I put a towel between her knees. 
She ate all of my rice pudding and some banana.
The aide that is looking after the 104-year-old woman came by to let us know that her charge was going to Kiwanis in New Westminster.  I wonder if Kiwanis is any better than St. Michael's?  I wonder how I move mom to St. Michael's.

Donna is back

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Mom was being fed by one of the aides when I arrived.  She ate about 1/4 of her food.  She ate a bean off my plate.  She drank her beverages.  She didn't drink all of her milk and her medication.  I hope she will be okay with her bath tonight.
She enjoyed the foam stick and balloon activity.  She was joking with Frank, the truck driver.  She hit his foam stick with her foam stick. 
I went to mom's room to check up on things.  Donna was back.  I asked Donna if she was cold.  I put a quilt around her shoulders.  She said she felt 200 times better.  I felt good.
Shanta's socks were in mom's drawer so I returned them to Shanta's room. 
I spelled Ming for a bit.  I'm not very good with the balloon, but the residents appreciate it.
Mom gave up her stick, but she wanted to go back to the action.  I took her back where some of the residents were waiting to be taken away.  One woman (Florence?) was singing.  Mom did not seem to be too impressed.  She let me take her back to our regular table.  I massaged her legs very lightly.  I tipped her back in her wheelchair.  I put her legs up slightly and tipped her back up slightly.  She drank some apple juice and ate some banana.

Physiotherapist

Monday, October 7, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Edward when I arrived.  Jackie soon joined us.
Edward was sleeping.  The aide said that maybe he had his bath today.  What the hell does that mean?  Is having a bath so strenuous?  Do they have to drug him?
In the end, an aide got him to eat some of his hamburger and his dessert.
Mom ate most of her potato and leek soup.  She ate some of her pureed food - maybe a 1/3.  She actually ate quite well.  She had a few teaspoons of her pureed pear.  She drank all of her apple juice.
The physiotherapist came around 1:00.  She wanted to get access to mom's file.  Information was not forthcoming.  She did do an assessment and said that they may be able to stretch out mom's legs.  She said that it would good to tip mom back so that her legs could drain back.  Also, try to create a gap between mom's legs with a towel. 
The physiotherapy did cause mom pain.  She complained a lot.  I hope it's worth it. 
After the assessment, I gave mom the Boost and milk she had not finished at lunch.  She drank it all. 
She ate about 1/8 of an egg sandwich.  She ate 2 small pieces of apple and some Cheetos.  She then sloshed her apple juice on the floor.  I had to get the janitor for a mop-up. 

Mom likes bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Sunday, October 6, 2019
Mom was sitting with Edward at the dining table when I arrived.  Jackie arrived shortly after.
Mom wanted to take Edward's apple juice, but I thwarted her efforts.  She was mad.  She was still angry when I gave her her own juice.  She drank some but said it stank. 
She ate very little of her meal.  At one point, she got her spoon and fed herself one mouthful and that was it.  She was interested in the Jello but wanted to eat it with her fingers.  Jackie gave me her bread because noticed that mom was eyeing Edward's.  She ate a little.
The big guy sitting beside Lorne said that Lorne had taken his dessert.  Another guy asked me for a straw.  I was waiting to ask one of the aides, but they just ignored me.  I saw Robyn come out from the kitchen and told him what needed to be done.
I took my stuff to the fish tank room.  I almost got my spot taken by Angela's son and grandson, but I claimed it. 
I broke the bread into small pieces and put some of the leftover olive oil and balsamic vinegar from my salad on it and mom liked it.  She ate a few pieces.  I also put some of the pureed ham and peas on the bread and she ate that too.  She drank most of her Boost and milk and all of her juice.
I gave her Cheetos and a manju.  She liked that.
I gave her some bubble wrap to play with.  I went over her photo album with her.  At first she was angry and confused, but eventually she came around.
I told Mark about the youtube video that I saw of the women who had a stroke: Jill Boite Taylor.  And her book:  My Stroke of Insight.

Saturday

Saturday, October 5, 2019
Mom was being fed by a new aide when I arrived.  She ate a bit and then was uncooperative.  Edward ate well.  Jackie arrived late.  No Donna.  She is in the hospital again.
Mom ate very little.  She liked the ice cream.  She drank most of her Boost.
She ate a small piece of green bean.
She ate some tamago boro. 
She did bubble wrap.  I tried to get her to do some sword fighting with the foam stick, but she said she had a tummy ache.
She wants to dip her fingers in her beverages sometimes.  Sometimes she tastes, sometimes she likes to rub on something.  Maybe she thinks she is making sushi.
I asked about mom's weight, but I think I have to wait until next Tuesday.  I wonder if it has gone down again.

Mom is tired.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Mom was tired and grouchy.  She didn't eat much.  She ate a couple of pieces of garlic toast.
She drank all of her apple juice.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  She ate very little.
She drank all of my apple juice, her Boost and milk.  She ate some clementine sections.  She stuffed the pieces into her mouth so I had to move them away from her.  She chewed and chewed, but she did not swallow the membranes.  I hope she spits it out later.
She ate some Cheetos.  She seemed grouchy.

Foam stick and balloon activity

Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Mom ate very little dinner.  Jackie offered her curry and mom ate some of that.  She ate a little bit of her pureed strawberry shortcake and some of my strawberry shortcake.  She drank a couple of cups of apple juice and some milk.
She played hit the balloon with a foam stick.  I tidied up her nightstand and closet.  I removed some empty hangers.  I wiped down her nightstand and cleaned her stacking toy.  It was sticky and dirty.
I sat with Michael for a while and chatted.
After the activity, I got mom, Irma and Donna to play catch with the balloon.
Mom drank her leftover Boost from dinner and ate some Cheetos.
I contacted the Physiotherapy company.

Mom chokes

Monday, September 30, 2019
Mom was in a relatively good mood.  Everyone was at dinner today.  Edward ate some of his beef stroganoff, but he didn't eat his dessert or drink his coffee.  Donna didn't eat much either.  Jackie ordered some curry in addition to her meal.
Mom ate very little.  She drank lots of apple juice.  I took her to her room and tidied a bit.  I put her headset on and pushed her around for a while. 
Eventually, we sat in the fish tank room.  It was sing-along night.  I looked at a newspaper and she looked at the flyer for Nestor's.  We snacked on Cheetos, a clementine and one peanut butter sandwich cookie. Mom started making those strange strangled noises, but she was okay.  I ate the last two pieces of clementine.  Earlier she had spit out some orange membranes. 
I gave her some bubble wrap to play with.
When I was leaving, I sat her with Donna and that little mischievious Chinese lady. 

Mom eats dinner by herself

Sunday, September 29, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dinner table with Donna.  No Edward and no Jackie.
The pork roast was very dry and Donna was having trouble eating it so the aide poured more gravy on it for her.  Mom was digging right into her dinner.  I was amazed.  She even ate some of her apple sauce by herself.
After dinner, I took her for a walk.  I went to her room and tidied her closet.  Then we played with the giant blue balloon.  She was having a good time.  She was laughing and talking a lot.
Then we went back to her room and I showed her my purchases.  I gave her a newspaper thinking that she was going to rip it, but she licked her finger and started turning the pages like she was reading it.  I gave her her caterpillar toy to play with.  She pulled on the little black legs.  She reached out for a different toy and she tried to eat it so I took it away from her.  We ate a peanut butter wafer square and some Cheetos.  Mom seemed content.

Mom is asleep

Saturday, September 28, 2019
Mom was sleeping when I arrived.  Snoring with her mouth open.  I was worried she had been drugged.  She probably was for her diaper change.  She's very strong.
I cleaned under her nails and cut them.  She likes that.
Her left hand was stinky.  I wiped both her hands with a washcloth.  I would have liked to have dipped them in warm soapy water, but she would have none of that.
I met Mark, Norman's son.  He confirmed that Norman had an assistant physiotherapist named Gary.  He said he would give me Gary's supervisor's number, but he never did.
Mom drank two apple juices.  She was very interested in her sandwiches, but she actually only ate maybe half of a quarter.  She had one egg and one ham.  She ate a few Cheetos, some tamago boro and a peanut butter sandwich cookie.
We threw a balloon back and forth for a bit.  She was very interested in my newspaper.  She wanted to rip it apart.

Chris visits.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Mom was being fed by one of the aides when I arrived.  She had had a bath last night.
She wouldn't eat any of her pureed food.  I gave her my garlic toast.  I broke it into pieces.  I put some spaghetti sauce on a piece.  She ate the bread.  Some she put into her pureed food.  I gave her a couple of small pieces of lettuce. 
I took her to the fish tank room.  She ate some of her spaghetti sauce and peas.  She ate some chocolate pudding and a teaspoon of my chocolate cream pie.  I also gave her a teaspoon of kabocha.
I put some cheddar cheese in her mouth and a small piece of banana.
She drank all of her apple juice.
Chris thought she looked better than last week.
I sent an e-mail to Brock asking about a volunteer for my mom.

Mom was wearing her new blue slippers.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Mom was being fed when I arrived.  She ate a little of her pureed food.  She drank her apple juice.
I fed her a small piece of mushroom, about a teaspoon of beets and carrots.
She drank her milk and Boost.
She played hit the balloon with a foam stick.
I checked her closet and drawers.  There was a yellow toothbrush in her drawer with a dark stain.  I threw it in the garbage and labeled a new toothbrush for her.
After the activity, mom drank more milk and Boost.  She had a small piece of pumpkin.  She had half a teaspoon of my fruit cocktail and a half a teaspoon of pureed peach.

No diaper change

Monday, September 23, 2019
Mom was sitting with the whole gang when I arrived.  Edward got chicken strips.  I didn't see if he ate them.  I forgot.  Jackie got a bowl of curry.  Mom ate some of her food.  She ate some of ice cream.  She drank all of her apple juice and most of her Boost and fortified Boost.  She had a bowel movement around 6:00 p.m.  I as able to flag down an aide, but in the end she just washed mom's face and armpits and put a nightgown on her.  She shouldn't have bothered.
There was no point unless she changed her diaper.  I was mad.
Everyone goes for a break at 6:30 and tries to be scarce between 6:00 and 6:30.
Happy's mom stole our table today.  So I sat with mom in the television room.
It was inconvenient.
Mom ate one piece of pumpkin.

Mom has a wound on her finger

Sunday, September 22, 2019
We arrived around 4:30.  Charlene was surprised that everyone was seated already.  I said they start seating everyone at 4:00.  We checked mom's legs.  They were stretched, but the left leg was extended.  We tipped her wheelchair back and pulled her up.  She screamed, but then was fine.  I forgot about the seatbelt.
Mom's dinner came early.  I was able to feed her a little of her food.  I tried putting the spoon in her hand.  She even took the spoon, loaded it up and put a huge spoonful in her mouth.  She drank all of her Boost and fortified Boost and apple juice.  She was eyeing Edward's apple juice as well.  Edward ate very little.  She was very engaged and chatty.
Mom has a wound on her finger.  The nurse said that they were aware of it.  They put iodine on it, but no bandage because she could eat it.

Coffee time

Saturday, September 21, 2019
Mom was sitting in the fish tank room with Donna and Irma when I arrived.  She had an empty plastic cup of apple juice.  I washed it and refilled it for mom.  I took Donna to do an activity.  Mom ate a plum and two small pieces of green pepper.  She participated in a hit the balloon activity. 
I checked mom's closet.  Her shoes and lap blanket were in the closet.  I borrowed scissors from the nurses' station.  Remy told me that she had fed mom all her food for lunch.  Jackie said the same thing.
For coffee time, mom got a ham sandwich and an apple juice.  I got half a tea for her as well.  Mom ate about half a sandwich and I also gave her half a manju.  She was talkative. 
Norman's physiotherapist never showed up. 

Mom gags

Thursday, September 19, 2019
Mom was sitting at her usual table in the fish tank room in front of the bibs.
Her snack came for her:  cheese, banana and an apple juice.
Larry brought the banana.  I went to go and find the cheese and apple juice.
I suspect mom usually doesn't get her cheese.
We fed mom the cheese, apple juice and banana.  I also gave her one of the Korean seaweed snacks.
At one point mom gagged.  I was frightened.  She made scary gagging noises.  Then, she was fine.  I put her wheelchair more upright.
Mom seemed fine and ate more food.
I removed some sleep from her right eye with much difficulty.
Charlene distracted her while I went in with the tissue.

Mom is eating

Wednesday, September 18, 2019
When I arrived, an aide was feeding her.  Mom ate some of her pureed dinner.  She gave me some attitude.  She drank all of her Boost.  Donna didn't eat much.  Edward ate nothing.
After I took her to the fish tank room, mom ate some of her banana, half a plum, some of pureed peach, a small piece of brownie, etc.  She drank all of her milk.  I gave her Chris' milk too.
I asked at the nursing station about mom's lap blanket and slippers.  They had been received and were being labeled.

Mom eats a lemon wedge

Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Mom was sitting with the whole gang when I arrived.  She was being fed and eating.  Hurray!  My bus did not show up and I took the second bus.  Last night on the way home, my bus did not show up.
Mom ate a little of her food.  I gave her some of my food.  She stole a lemon section off my plate.  I thought it was potato, but it was lemon.  She would not give it up.  She ate it all. 
She ate some fish and potato from my plate.  She ate her cream cheese dessert and drank all of her Boost, apple juice and milk.
It was sing-along night.
Donna was not at dinner with us.  I did not check in on her.

Balloon activity

Monday, September 16, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dinner table with Donna when I arrived.  No Edward and no Jackie.  Mom was kind of grouchy.  She had her afghan with her.  I took it back to her room.  I gave her her beverages and she drank her apple juice.  She was hungry.  She ate about 1/3 of her dinner.  She ate some of her banana and drank all of her Boost.
I took her to play the foam and stick and balloon activity.
There was no volunteer today so I volunteered.  It is quite tiring; however, two of the gentlemen in wheelchairs told me that I had done a great job.  I felt good.
Mom was tired so she didn't need to play anymore.
She came back to the table and drank her milk and apple juice.  She finished off her banana and ate half of her vanilla pudding.  Donna wanted to go back to the room.
I'm glad mom is eating "real" food again.

Mom is eating

Sunday, September 15, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dinner table with Edward and Donna when I arrived.  Coffee was not yet served and Jackie was not there.
Mom's legs looked pretty straight today.  Her right leg was down and her left leg was sticking up a bit.  I moved the wheelchair so her left foot touched the table leg and mom moved her foot.
Mom ate about a third of her pureed meal.  She drank all of her beverages.  At one point she spilled some of her apple juice.
Jackie came in late because she had fallen asleep.  I told her that I didn't enjoy Giggledam so much.  I also told her about Emily and Warigami.
Mom ate half a cherry tomato, a half a slice of cucumber, half a plum, and a very small cube of Turkish delight.  She also had some Cheetos and some vanilla pudding.  I felt she ate quite well.
I gave her some bubble wrap to play with.
I talked to Norman's wife and she said that Norman got botox treatment for his muscles.  He also had a physio-therapist come in 3x a week.  Andrew also had a physiotherapist.  He comes in once a week?
Gary, Norman's physiotherapist, comes in on Saturdays at 1:00.  I will try and talk to him.
Mom was wearing her blue adaptive dress today.  She pulled it up to wipe her mouth and I could see her diaper.

wheelchair information

Saturday, September 14, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  Everyone was there.  An aide was helping to feed Donna. 
Ailene(?) had mixed mom's milk and Boost in a coffee mug.  I thought mom had done it.
I poured it back into a clear cup later.
Mom ate a little of her pureed food.  She drank some of her soup.
I took her to the fish tank room.  I let her play with bubble wrap, but she tried to eat it.
I massaged her legs.
I gave her the new Korean seaweed snack I bought from Costco.  She liked it.  However, the second piece she put in her pureed soup.  She did eat an additional piece later.
She ate all of her vanilla pudding!
There was a balloon activity but she didn't seem to be participating too much.  Whether the facilitator was skipping her or mom was asleep, I don't know.  I know when the facilitator saw I was watching, she included mom. 
I tidied up mom's closet.  There were a lot of hangers.  Also, I found Joan's nightgown in mom's closet.  There was another nightgown which was huge which was hanging in mom's closet.  I took it back to the nurses' station. 
Mom had a lot of single socks.
At coffee time, I noticed mom was sliding down in her wheelchair.  I asked an aide to help me lift her, but I think she didn't know what to do.  Anyways, she got a recreation aide to help me.  I learned that the left lever moves the back of the chair up and down and the right lever moves the whole wheelchair back.  Then we each grabbed a leg and an arm and pulled mom up.
Mom's legs were kind of crossed. 
Andrew and another guy, have physiotherapists I think.  I asked that guy, but I'm not sure he understands what I am talking about.

Mom's legs are still and crooked

Thursday, September 12, 2019
Poor mom.  We arrived around 7:35 p.m.  She was sitting by herself facing away from the nurses' station.  Her legs were bent with the right leg bent over the left knee.  She looked stiff and crooked.  First, we tried to massage and straighten out mom's legs.  I gave mom a small piece of Turkish delight to occupy her.  I also got her some water.  Then I went to the nurses' station to see if they could show us how to get mom higher in her seat. 
I fed mom her cheese and her apple juice.  I forgot to check for her banana.
She ate all her cheese and drank all her apple juice.
Today she was wearing her pink and black dress.

Mom eats curry

Wednesday, September 11, 2019
I arrived late because my bus didn't show up.
Mom looked really grouchy.
I moved her beverages closer to her.
I gave her a piece of sweet and sour pork.  She ate it.
Baljit, the cook, brought some curry for Jackie, but she had already left.
I said that I would take it.
I started carting our stuff to the fish tank room.
When I came back, I saw mom spooning some of the curry into her mouth.
Baljit had just come out of the kitchen.  I told her that mom was eating the curry.
I took mom to the fish tank room.  I massaged her legs and they straightened.
Mom started eating the curry.  First I put it in her hand.  Then I fed her with the spoon.  At one point she started eating with her hands and then she started to make a giant curry ball.  She was going to dunk it in her milk so I had to take it away from her.  She was pissed.
She continued to eat more curry.  It was mostly peas and potato.  She ate about half.
Then, she wanted to eat her banana.  I ate about a third of it, but she was eating the rest.  Usually she barely eats half.
I noticed her stomach looked quite distended again.  It told the nurse, Cecile.
Mom was really in a happy jokey mood.

Nails clipped and filed by moi

Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Mom ate some of my baked potato, my squash, Salisbury steak, mushroom etc.  She ate very little.  She ate bite-size pieces with her fingers. 
After 5:30, I moved mom to the fish tank room, but she was uncooperative.  I took her to another room and cut and filed her nails.
I tried to feed her again.  This time she drank apple juice.  She continued to eat various bits of food that I put on her plate.  At one point, she took a spoonful of her pureed meat and ate it.  I was flabbergasted.  She ate some apple sauce and half a grape. 
Before I left, I put out some Cheetos, karinto and tamago boro.
Zorka said that I was spoiling mom.
Mom was dressed in a hospital gown today. 
I massaged her legs a bit.

Mom had a quarter in her mouth

Monday, Sept. 9, 2019
Mom was in a good mood.  She was chatting and joking with the aides.  Everyone was there. 
I could see mom had something in her mouth.  I fished it out and it turned out to be a quarter.
Mom ate very little of her food.  Maybe a teaspoon of pureed peas and a teaspoon of pureed peach.  She had a teaspoon of Jackie's curry.  I gave her a piece of chicken.  She drank her beverages.
After dinner I let her pop some bubble wrap and straightened out her legs.
I was able to feed her a couple of green beans.  She ate about 1/3 of a soft boiled egg, about a tbsp of squash, and a couple of tbsp of tapioca pudding.  She ate a karinto.  I left some tamago boro and Cheetos.
Her tummy was flat.

Mom's belly is bloated

Sunday, September 8, 2019
Mom looked happy today.  She was engaged and chatting with the aides.  She drank most of her beverages,  When Edward arrived at the table, he immediately claimed his apple juice and drank it.  Mom looked miffed.  No Jackie today.
She ate a little bit of her pureed food.  Maybe half a teaspoon.  She ate very little of the onigiri I made for her.  After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  I let her pop some bubble wrap.  She did try to put it in her mouth.  I cleaned under her nails.  Yuck.
She ate a few pieces of banana, kabocha and some onigiri.  She didn't eat any of the Jello.  I gave her some tamago boro, Cheetos and a karinto before I left.
Her stomach looked distended.  The aide said she would ask the nurse.
I just called.  Mom only weighs 33.8 kilos.  Mom had a bowel movement.

Kabocha

Saturday, September 7, 2019
Mom's shirt was dirty.  It had what I think is hardened Ensure spilled down the front.  I changed her top.  She was fighting me, but somehow I managed to remove the long-sleeved tee, put an undershirt on and a clean long-sleeved T.  She screamed.  Her pants were dirty as well, but I left them.
She was dopey today.  She ate a little of her dinner.  Some spaghetti sauce, some banana, and some ice cream.  After dinner, I gave her some bubble wrap to play with.
She ate some banana, some Cheetos, some tamago boro and a few pieces of kabocha.
Around 7:00 she ate some cheese.
She drank all of her apple juice, most of her enriched Boost and some of her regular Boost.
I suspect that she might have pooped during dinner.
She was in a good mood although she kept nodding off.
That Chinese lady took a bunch of towels and was trying to hand them off to people.  She gave me two.  She tried to give them to another Chinese lady but was kind of aggressive and that Chinese lady yelled at her.  But there was no physical altercation.

Mom is dozing

Thursday, September 5, 2019
Mom was dozing when we arrived.  She seemed to be in good spirits.  She ate very little.  She had about a teaspoon of applesauce, a small piece of cheese and a Cheeto.  She drank some Boost and some apple juice.
I'm having second thoughts about the massage place.

The Chinese lady takes mom's banana

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Edward, Jackie, and Donna.  Donna looked very pale.  Her appetite was still good.  Apparently, she had a fall. 
I stretched out mom's legs and she screamed.  But later her legs were hanging down in a more natural way.
Mom ate a little of her pureed lasagne.  I gave her a few pieces of my garlic toast and put the pureed lasagne on it.  Mom ate it.  She drank most of her fortified Boost.  She drank most of her apple juice.
I took her to the fish tank room.  I gave her some Cheetos, some tamago boro, some karinto, etc.  She ate them all. 
The little Chinese lady with the strange growths had stolen mom's banana.  I figured it out later.  She gave it back eventually.  Maybe she was teasing us. 
Mom was wearing her regular clothes today.

Mom is sitting up

Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Edward.  Jackie showed up later.  Donna is in the hospital today it seems.
Mom was sitting up straight and her legs looked good.  Wow! 
She ate some of her pureed peas and some of her pureed strawberry shortcake.  She drank most of her fortified Boost.
They had the balloon game today.  She didn't get to hit the balloon as much as she wanted and refused to let go of her foam stick.  I let her play with the balloon for a bit.  She used both arms.  She likes to keep one arm behind her back.
Mom ate half an egg.  She ate most of the egg yolk.  She ate a few bites of banana.  She ate some pumpkin. She ate some Cheetos.  I left her with some pieces of cheddar cheese.  I hope she ate it.

Mom eats dessert by herself

Monday, Sept. 2, 2019
Mom was at the dining table with Edward and Jackie.  Donna and Zorka were in bed.
Mom had a special seatbelt that went between her legs so she wouldn't slide out of her wheelchair.  It doesn't really work with her dress. 
Mom drank most of her beverages.  She ate her dessert apparently by herself.
She ate a cookie from Hiroko and arare.
She also ate some Cheetos.
She ate some tapioca pudding.

Mom is finally in her wheelchair

Sunday, September 1, 2019
Mom is finally at the dinner table with Edward, Jackie and Donna.  She is wearing her new adaptive blue dress.  She drank most of her Boost and all of her apple juice.  She ate about a teaspoon of pureed peas.  She ate a few teaspoons of her apple sauce.
She ate one of the chocolate wafer cookies that Hiroko gave me and most of the arare.
At one point she was sliding out of her wheelchair so I tipped her back and tried to pull her up.  She screamed and scared me, but she seemed better afterward.  Her legs seemed straighter.  Poor mom.

Mom is in bed again

Saturday, August 31, 2019
When I arrived, mom was not there at the dining table.  This time she was in bed because she was sliding down in her wheelchair.  Poor mom.
I gave her half of a baked manju and half of the dorayaki manju.  I forced her to eat some pudding and some pureed green veggie.  She drank all of her Boost, her fortified Boost, her apple juice and a little of her milk.  She ate a karinto and a few Cheetos.  She ate a couple of bites of fresh tomato, banana and cheddar cheese.  She eats so slowly.  It took her about 2 1/2 hours to eat and drink.
I didn't get home until 8:40 p.m.
Mom resisted when I tried to stretch her legs out. 
I have to remember to get a balloon.

Mom has a laxative

Friday, August 30, 2019
Mom is not at the dining table when I arrive.  She is in bed.  This is because they have given her a laxative.  They don't want to put her in the wheelchair until after she has pooped.
Mom is in a good mood.  She is talkative.  She is protective of her right leg.
She eats Alex's potato salad.  She has a piece of kabocha.  She eats a few bites of her custard.  She has a karinto, and a couple of Cheetos.  She drinks all of her Boost, her milk and her apple juice.  I am happy.
I think she did a poop.
Donna is brought into the room and they induce her to poop.  We are just across from Donna.  Luckily neither of us is particularly sensitive about the smell.

Zorka is pestering mom

Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Mom was sitting at the table with Donna and Edward.  Jackie was at another table.
Mom was quite animated.  She was pointing at Donna because she had spaghetti noodles down her bib.  I gave mom some of my garlic toast and she ate it.  I put some spaghetti sauce on pieces of garlic and toast and she ate that too.  I was happy.  She ate some banana and some butterscotch pudding that I put in the palm of her hand.
I moved her to the fish tank room.  She ate some banana bread with butterscotch pudding. 
Zorka came to talk to mom.  Zorka is trying to get mom to respond to her.  Mom is getting upset.  Mom especially hates it when Zorka touches her face.  Mom is not violent.  She hasn't punched Zorka yet. 
Mom ate some Cheetos.  I left her some tamagoboro and a karinto as well.

Mom is back

Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Mom was sitting at the table with Donna and Edward when I arrived.  No sign of Jackie.  Mom ate a little of her food.  Maybe a teaspoon.  She fed herself.  She ate almost all of her pureed peach.  She fed herself and I helped her.  She drank all of her fortified Boost.  She was sitting up straight for a change.  She was talkative and mostly cooperative.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  I massaged her legs.  They seemed to be planted firmly on the footrest. 
She continued to sip on her Boost and apple juice.
She ate a karinto, some tamagoboro and some Cheetos.
I felt happy.
They had the sing-along again.  The music seems to be the same every week.
I left early today (6:35 p.m.) because mom was eating well.
Mom was wearing a t-shirt and slacks today.

Mom throws the die

Monday, August 26, 2019
Jackie gave mom a small piece of nectarine and she ate it.
She ate about a tsp of pureed carrot.  She even took a spoonful herself.
She ate some ice cream and half a banana.  She ate half a plum.
She joined in the horse racing game.  She threw the die once with much coaxing.
I left her some karinto, cheetos, tamagoboro.
I cleaned up her closet a bit.  It's full of clothes.  I took another jacket home.
Poor Donna.  She's not allowed to have dessert or dairy products.

Mom is in bed

Sunday, August 26, 2019
When I arrived at 2:00, mom was still in bed.  She had soiled herself several times and her harness was being cleaned. She was quite dopey too.  She kept nodding off.  I was able to get her to drink one 1/2 cup of apple juice and another 1/2 cup of cranberry juice.  She ate a couple of small bites of ham sandwich and some pumpkin.
Around 4:00, I overheard a nurse ask why mom was still in bed.  I think she told the aide to get a different harness, which he did.  Meanwhile, I found mom's harness in the closet.  The aide came back at 4:30 and dressed mom and put her in the harness and lifted her into the wheelchair.
Jackie got some tomatoes from a neighbour.  She chopped them up and shared them.  Mom ate two pieces.  Mom ate some squash and some vanilla pudding.  She drank most of her beverages.
I gave her some karinto, Cheetos, nectarine and those little Japanese baby cookies (tamagoboro).
Mom was in a pretty good mood.
She likes her new dress.
Mom was sliding out of her wheelchair so Larry showed me how to tip the back of the seat and slide her up.

Kabocha

Saturday, August 24, 2019
Mom was sitting by herself in the fish tank room when I arrived.  I moved her to our regular table.  Her legs were propped by a pillow.  she was wearing her dress on top of a long-sleeved t-shirt, but her legs were bare.  She seemed to like the dress.
Her snack was three pieces of ham sandwich and apple juice.  She ate about two bites of the sandwich.  I ate a sandwich.  She drank all of her apple juice so I had to get some cranberry juice from the fridge. I was able to feed her about 1/4 cup of pumpkin and zucchini.  I was ecstatic!  She ate two small pieces of peach, some Cheetos and a karinto. 
She played with bubble wrap and we watched The Social together.  She was indignant when I touched her legs.  I massaged them a bit anyways.
I cut her fingernails and her bangs.
There was a toddler.  All the older women, including mom,  were engaged by the child.

Zorka

Thursday, August 22, 2019
Mom was sitting in her usual place when we arrived.  I gave mom some bubble wrap, but she wasn't interested.  She was slumped forward.  I started to massage her legs and Charlene did reiki on her upper body.  Soon mom came to life.  She sat up and grabbed the bubble wrap and began to pop it.  After a while, I took the bubble wrap away and gave her some cheese, juice and banana.  I also gave her some Cheetos.  Mom ate a couple of pieces of cheese and a piece of banana and drank most of her apple juice.  I got another apple juice for her.
Zorka gave mom one of her cookies.  Mom ate a piece that I broke off for her.
She doesn't like Zorka because Zorka is insistent.  Zorka wants mom to wave to her or respond to her in some way.  Mom doesn't want Zorka to touch her.  Zorka thinks that if we teach mom, she will get better. 

Occupational Therapist

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Mom was sitting with Donna and Edward.  Jackie was talking to someone outside.  I pushed Donna closer to the table so that she could reach her coffee cup.
I adjusted mom's feet. 
I had talked to Lisa, the occupational therapist, earlier in the day.  She said mom was fine.  If I wanted mom to have some massage therapy, I would have to hire someone on my own. 
She mentioned spasticity. Poor mom. 
Mom ate about a teaspoon of chocolate pudding and a teaspoon of her dinner.  She didn't eat her banana.  She ate a few Cheetos, some blueberries and a small piece of egg.
Mom enjoyed playing with bubble wrap.
She keeps her left hand behind her back.  She leans to the left.  Her right knee rests against her left knee.  Her left leg is cold, but her right knee is warm.  Her right ankle is swollen.
Chris says mom looks worse than a month ago.
I showed mom her photo album today.  She lost interest quickly.

Sing-along

Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Mom was wearing a t-shirt and pants.  She had had a bath.
I moved her wheelchair seat and adjusted her legs.
She ate almost none of her dinner.
She ate a peanut butter cream square, blueberries, Cheetos.
She drank her beverages.  She ate some of her cream cheese dessert.
It was sing-along night.  I sang-along to the Sound of Music.
I massaged mom's legs.
I talked to a recreation therapist and she gave me Lisa's contact info.  She is the Occupational Therapist.

Mom is still wearing the same dress

Monday, August 19, 2019
Mom is still wearing the same dress.  Donna ate in bed today.  Jackie and Edward were there.
I adjusted mom's wheelchair and her feet.  She cried out when and touched her leg, but she was okay.
Mom ate none of her food.  She ate a piece of pork cutlet that I gave her.  She chewed on it for a very long time. 
After dinner, I measured her feet.  8 1/2"long, 3 1/2" wide and circumference of 8".  My foot is shorter and fatter.  I massaged her legs.
Mom wanted to participate in the horse race activity.  She threw the die once.  The other times she was just confused.  She didn't even want to eat her chocolate, so I ate it.
She drank some of her Boost, some of her apple juice and some of her milk.  She ate the peanut butter cream square, a blueberry, a Cheetos, and that's about it.  She chewed for a very long time.  I left some Chinese bean cake for her.
She keeps her left hand behind her back.  Weird.

Mom is wearing the same dress again

Sunday, August 18, 2019
Mom was sitting in the dining room with Donna and Edward when I arrived.  She was wearing the same dress again.  Today I saw her fortified Boost, Boost, milk and apple juice.
As soon as I turned my back, mom was into my coffee.  She spilled it.  She took my apple juice.  I wiped up the table.  She was hungry.  I gave her some Cheetos.
She ate very little of her meal.  It was spaghetti sauce.  She actually likes it. 
I took her to the fish tank room after dinner.  I massaged her legs.  She was more chatty and cheerful today.  Although she has a permanent crease in her forehead. 
She ate some blueberries, some of my lemon meringue pie, about half of the soft-boiled egg, Cheetos.  At one point, she grabbed the vanilla pudding and tried to drink it.  She did drink all of her fortified Boost, some of her Boost and most of her apple juice.
I forgot to trim her bangs and measure her foot.
She asked who was leaving, when I told her "good-bye."

Mom is not eating

Saturday, August 17, 2019
Mom is wearing the same dress again.  She is sitting in the fish tank room. The apple juice has been drunk, but the sandwich is sitting there, dry.
I take mom to her room so I can check that things are okay.  Her skirt is hiked up.  She has a pillow behind her legs.  I don't know why.  I put the pillow between her legs and put a sheet under her left leg because it doesn't seem to touch the footrest. 
Mom has a knitted brow.  She always seems serious. 
Mom ate about a half teaspoon of dinner.  It didn't taste bad.
She drank some apple juice and ate a few Cheetos.
She ate none of her egg.
She ate some cheese.
She ate very little.
She enjoyed playing with the bubble wrap.

Charlene visits

Thursday, August 15, 2019
Mom was sitting in the fish tank room when we arrived.  She was sleeping.  Charlene woke her up.
The aide gave me half a banana and some cheese to give to mom.  Mom ate a Cheeto and finished off her Boost.  She ate most of her cheese and drank most of her apple juice.  She had a karinto and another Cheeto left.
Her chair was bent right back so I made it more upright.  I realigned her dress.  It was the same as yesterday.  I massaged her legs a bit.
She did a bit of bubble wrap.
She was okay.

Mom ate most of an egg

Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Mom was sitting at the table with Donna and Edward.  Jackie arrived later.  She said she had fallen asleep.  Mom ate half a teaspoon of pureed squash.  She ate some blueberries.  I did not see any Boost on the table or a banana.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  She ate most of a soft-boiled egg, blueberries, Cheetos, and Karinto.  She drank all of her apple juice. 
She got cheese and crackers. She ate half of the cracker while we were there.
Mom was friendly and talkative.
She was finally wearing her new dress.

Mom is more perky today

Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Mom was sitting with Donna and Edward.  An aide was helping mom.  Mom had drunk most of her Boost.  Mom ate none of her dinner or dessert.
I brought 2 peanut butter cream wafer cookies.  She ate both of them.  She didn't eat much else.  She drank some apple juice.  I gave her a piece of carrot and ate one and she copied me. 
After dinner, we went to the fish tank room.  Ming had set up for music night.  He played a lot of Dean Martin and the Sound of Music. 
Mom ate karinto, Cheetos, blueberries.  She drank all of my apple juice and some of her milk.
She still doesn't it like it when I try to bend her legs, but she seems better than before.
Her new dresses were in the closet.
A lady came to take mom away for a shower, but one of the aides asked her to wait.
Mom was more cheerful today.

She lives

Monday, August 12, 2019.
Mom was back to her old self today.
She refused to eat her dinner and dessert.
She did eat some blueberries and half a grape.
After dinner, she drank all of her Boost.
She ate a couple of karintos and cheetos.  I was able to feed her some tapioca pudding.
Laurence came by and told me that he did not want to be force-fed.  I don't know where this came from.  Has he been watching mom?
Mom was chatty and friendly.  She talked to people as they went by.  They didn't understand what she was saying.
Cecile found mom's dresses.  They were never sent to the laundry.
Cecile said that she was able to get mom to drink some Boost at lunch.
Mom's legs seemed less mangled and stiff today.
Mom was sad when I was leaving.  I told her that I was leaving and she asked me "Why?"

Mom is in bed

Sunday, August 11, 2019
I saw that Yuki had visited my mom at 2:30, but mom was fast asleep.
She was probably in bed all day.
She was still in bed when I arrived at 4:30 p.m.  She was lying on her side with her legs bent.
I cleaned out her closet a bit to make way for her new dresses which are MIA.  The nightgowns and socks are there, but not her three new dresses.
She eventually woke up around 5:00.
I moved the head part of her bed up so she could eat and drink.
I put the headset on her.  I gave her some bubble wrap.  She tried to bite it a couple of times and also used it to wipe her mouth.
I got her to eat 5 blueberries by singing the pidgeon song.
She drank some Boost through a straw.  She ate a Cheeto and a karinto.
I was able to feed her most of my Jello dessert.
She took a few sips of apple juice.
She laughed a few times about nothing in particular and the frown almost went away, but it's still there. 
The nurse said that she had had a huge bowel movement after 3 days.
Mom probably had nothing to eat all day.

Mom and Donna together again

Saturday, August 10, 2019
Mom was sitting in the dining room with Donna.  She shrieked when I moved her wheelchair seat into a more upright position.  Also, she didn't like it when I touched her right leg.  It was very warm, but her left leg was cold.  I massaged them.
James called me over to open up his creamers.  The loud Chinese lady asked me to face the black lady away from her.  She said she didn't like her staring. 
Mom was talkative.  She ate almost nothing at dinner.  She drank most of her apple juice.
I helped Donna with her dinner.  Her hands were shaky as she tried to put the spoon in her mouth.  I peeled her banana for her.  She ate about half of the lime sherbert by herself.
After dinner, I moved mom to the fish tank room.  I used the plate that her egg salad sandwich from snack time.  Mom didn't eat the sandwiches.  They still had the plastic wrap.
I put the Sony walkman on for mom.  She was social.  She smiled at other residents as they passed by and was offended if they didn't respond.
She took a couple of bites of the boiled egg, ate some Cheetos and blueberries.  I was able to put one piece of banana in her mouth.  Around 6:30 she fell asleep and didn't wake up until after 7:00 p.m.
She ate some Cheetos.  The Chinese lady with blond hair who has a pomeranian talked to me.  I gave her the catalogue from Silvert's where I bought mom's dresses from.  The nightgowns were in the closet, but not the dresses.  Maybe tomorrow.  I ran out at 7:25.

Mom's new dresses have arrived and Donna is back

Friday, August 9, 2019
Mom was sitting in the dining room in front of dried up sandwiches and an apple juice.  I took her to her room to look at her new dresses that just arrived.  She seemed to like the pink one.  She was happy although her brows were still knit.  It seems to be a permanent wrinkle in her brow.  I put the dresses on her lap to take to the nursing station to be labeled.  Cecile told me that mom's nightgowns had also arrived. 
Mom and I looked at the catalogue in the dining room.  Mom did not have any of her dinner.  Edward did not touch his meatballs.  He said he wanted chicken.
Mom ate some Cheetos and a seaweed cracker.  She ate some of the creamed corn korokke.
She reached for the banana, but ate none of it.
I put some food on a plastic container (creamed corn korokke, banana, karinto) and took her vanilla pudding and her beverages and placed them on the table in the fish tank room.  I left earlier than usual so was unable to watch to see if she ate anything.
I also talked to Cecile about physio or massage therapy for mom's legs.  She said I needed to talk to the OT.
Donna is back.  She was sleeping when I first arrived and did not take dinner with us.  She was awake later when I went to mom's room.  She looks like she has lost some weight.

Mom likes karinto

Thursday, August 8, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table with Jackie and Edward when I arrived.  Mom had eaten nothing.  The aide had cut up banana for her, but mom just pushed it into her pureed dinner with her spoon.
Charlene took me to Fujiya and I bought cream corn korokke, edamame, saba cooked with teriyaki sauce and ginger and brown sugar karinto.  Mom ate 3 karintos.  She ate a couple of bites of the korokke and ate several edamame.  She liked the Cheetos and blueberries too.
She drank some apple juice.
She gathered up Cheetos and blueberries in her hand and ate them from her hand.
I put the headset on her and she enjoyed that.
I also rubbed her calves and feet.  She still grimaces when I touch her right leg. Her knees look awfully big, but maybe because she has no meat on her.

Mom is getting a little less serious

Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Mom was sitting in the fish tank room with another lady.  I took her back to her room.  Today she wasn't wearing any shoes.  Her hair looked like it may have been washed.  She had a pillow tucked behind her head.
I clipped her finger and toenails.  She liked it mostly.  I did it outside.  She didn't complain.  She was in a good mood.
She still favours her right leg.  I talked to the nurse and she said that the OT would be calling me.
Mom hardly touched her dinner, but she did eat some of my garlic toast.  I put some pureed meat sauce on it.  She ate a seaweed cracker, some blueberries, Cheetos, a chestnut manju, etc. 
I put the headset on her and she seemed to enjoy that.
She looked mostly serious, but she talked a bit and said something disparaging about Angela and smiled. 
Angela's son thinks that I should feed mom cannabis oil to increase her appetite.

Mom weighs 34.8 kilos

Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Mom was sitting at the dining table when I arrived.  There were 3 pieces of dried up egg sandwich and an apple juice placed in front of her.  I put the apple juice in her hand and she drank it.
Sabra fed mom with a spoon.  Mom ate a little.
Mom ate almost nothing at dinner.  She did eat a seaweed snack that I gave her.
After dinner, I was able to feed her most of her dessert, a Cheeto, a little bit of inagisushi.  First I put a large piece in her hand, but she put it back on the plate.  Then I broke it up into little balls.  I put one of the balls in her mouth.  She ate 3 little balls.  I asked her if she liked it and she said, "not bad."  It made me laugh.  Mom also ate half a kuri manju that I bought at H Mart.
She still has a pained expression on her face.
Zorka came by and tried to shake mom's hand.  I tried to explain that mom did not understand.  And beside mom had food in her hands.  Zorka touched mom's face.  Poor mom.  She was not happy.
Mom was wearing the new house dress  I bought her.
Mom only weighs 34.8 kilos.  I was heartbroken. 

Mom looks serious

Monday, August 5, 2019
Mom was sitting in the fish tank room with a dried out egg sandwich and some untouched apple juice.  Mom took a sip when I put the cup in her hand.  She may have taken a couple of bites out of the egg sandwich.
I changed her shirt because it had something spilled all over it.  I wiped her neck too. 
She didn't have her butterfly needle.
I'll have to remember to ask about her swollen ankle.  She says her leg hurts when I touch it.
Mom ate very little at dinner.  She ate a Cheeto, a small piece of prune, etc.
After dinner, she ate about a teaspoon of her dinner, a tsp of vanilla pudding and a tsp of tapioca pudding. I was able to feed her a bit using the spoon and she also drank from a cup when I held it to her mouth. She drank all of her Boost.  She ate two blueberries.
At 7:00 p.m. I got her cheese and some banana. 
I put the headset on her and she seemed to enjoy it.
In general, she ate very slowly, was not so talkative and had a serious look on her face most of the time.  At least she doesn't seem so stiff and is not slumped forward.

Call from nurse to say mom is not eating

Sunday, August 4, 2019
I got a call from the nurse after lunch to say that mom was not eating.  I said that I would be there in the evening.
Mom was sitting at the dining room table by herself when I arrived.  She was leaning back in the chair.  She drank most of her Boost.  She ate some banana, a half of a cherry, 3 blueberries, a half of a Cheeto, etc.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  She was restless so I gave her some bubble wrap.  When she tired of the bubble wrap, I tried to get her to eat again.  She started to eat the apple sauce by herself.  At first, she tried to drink it.  Eventually, she started to use the spoon.  I tried to give her some yogurt as well.  She only ate about a spoonful.
She was mostly engaged, but not too smiley.
I noticed her ankle looked swollen.  I called and the nurse said that she would ask the care aide about it.  Mom can stretch out her left leg, but she seems to have stiffness in her right leg.  Also, they haven't weighed her this month.

Saturday dinner

Saturday, July 3, 2019
Mom was in the fish tank room sitting with the black woman when I arrived.  Mom was lying back sleeping.  I woke her and she fell back to sleep.  I pushed her to her room and check on things.  The closet door was open so I checked for mouse poop.  It was clean.
I took her to the dining room and plied her with food.  She drank most of her Boost.  She ate a cherry, a couple of blueberries and half a Cheetos.  She ate a few pieces of banana.  She ate a couple of the Japanese baby cookies.  They are quite crunchy.  She ate a quarter teaspoon of her pureed food and a quarter teaspoon of the pudding. 
Mom seemed relatively alert, happy and talkative.

Mom ate 1/3 of her dinner

Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Mom seemed much better today.  She was more awake and talkative.
She ate 1/3 of her meal by herself.  It was a miracle!
Jackie gave mom her garlic toast and mom ate it.  She did have to chew it for a long time.
After dinner, I took her to the fish tank room.  She was no longer interested in eating so I let her play with the bubble wrap.  She became catatonic.  I gave her a massage.  She seemed very tired.
Just before 7 p.m. she woke up again and ate some Cheetos and drank some juice.  I was also able to feed her a little bit of her chocolate pudding.

Mom is stiff and slumping forward

Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Mom was sitting alone at the table when Charlene and I arrived.  Jackie and Edward arrived shortly afterward.  Mom ate none of her dinner.  We took her to the fish tank room. 

Mom was not eating today.  She was hunched over much of the time with her head hung low.

She ate a deep-fried chicken skin, half a cherry, a Cheeto and drank some of her beverages.  

She did some bubble wrap and hit a balloon back and forth.  

She seemed kind of constricted, leaning on her right arm, leaning forward, her head hung down almost touching the table.

We gave her a full body massage.  

I left out some food for her and some beverages.

Mom is slumping forward

Monday, July 29, 2019
Donna is still in the hospital.  Edward and Jackie were at the table.  We had salmon.  Not my favourite.  Apparently, Robyn was the chef.  Mom may have eaten a little of her food.  She certainly played with it a bit.  Mom was slumped forward in her chair when I arrived.  I was concerned.  It looked like she had drunk most of her fortified Boost.  I poured the rest into her milk.
She ate a little of her ice-cream.  I put some on a spoon and she fed herself.  I tried it again and she tried to put the wrong end of the spoon in her mouth.  I fed her a little of the ice-cream. I think she had taken Edward's juice.  I gave Edward my juice.
After dinner, I took mom to the fish tank room.  I gave her blueberries, cherries, sweet potato, Cheetos and banana.  She ate a little of everything. 
I gave her a massage all over her body.  I think she may have had a dirty diaper. I could smell urine.
I put the headset on her for a bit. 
She didn't seem as cheerful as usual today.