Uncle Tom

Saturday, August 27, 2016
Went to visit Uncle Tom at the hospice.  I entered St. Michael's on the main floor and took the elevator to the hospice one floor below.  He seemed rather thin, but fine.  He said that he had tried to visit my mom, but she wouldn't even look at him.
I went back upstairs to get mom.  Donna and mom had left the television room and had returned to their room to use the washroom.  I explained to Donna that we were going to visit an old friend at the hospice downstairs. 
We walked together back towards the television room where Donna went to continue watching the news.  I told her we would be back for cocoa in 20 minutes.  Mom was a little apprehensive about going into the elevator, but I told her not to worry.
I don't know if she remembered Uncle Tom, but she was all smiles.  Uncle Tom chatted in Japanese to her and offered her a Japanese ginger-flavoured cracker.  Mom put the whole thing in her mouth.  I told her to chew.  I forget that she is just like a 3 year old child sometimes.  I should have watched her so that I could have told her to bite off a piece.
Mom looks so robust compared to poor Uncle Tom.  
Mom was conversing a little and it seemed she was almost a regular person, but that didn't last long.  She can't carry on a conversation.  We sang a few songs together and mom and Uncle Tom sang and we enjoyed ourselves for a few minutes.
Before we knew it, the 20 minutes was up.  Actually, mom reminded me.  I told mom to give Uncle Tom a hug.  He was surprised.  It was probably the first time they embraced.  I gave him a hug too.  I felt kind of emotional because I thought he was probably going to die soon.  We told him we would come again.
Mom was a little worried about the elevator again.  It took a long time to come.   I held her hand.
When we got off the elevator, I tried to get her to run, but she just walked really fast.  Donna was already waiting at the regular table for cocoa when we joined her.
There was nothing again in the laundry basket.  I found one pair of soiled underpants in the drawer and possibly two pairs of worn socks. 
Mom's toothbrush was missing.  I informed the nurse, but I don't know if she will get one.
I'll try and go tomorrow and bring a toothbrush.