The first full week of my LOA is over. The week was busy and changeful. Mom still had a few remaining events on her social calendar that we helped her get to. She did a lot of energy conservation leading up to each event (Relay for Life, a friend's son's wedding, a retirement party in her honor and 2 doctor appointments) and seemed energized during each. A nap isn't cutting it anymore, however. Sunday was the first big noticeable dip in her energy level. Everything else has been slow in progression - we've become accustomed to much of it, but yesterday was different. I slept over because she'd had a high fever the night before and I'd had to run out to the drugstore for antibiotics. She was up at 2:30 feeling nauseous - so I was up at 2:30 making her tea, warming her bed buddies and searching my brain for what might settle her belly. All else I could come up with was a wet washcloth to put on her forehead, which she graciously said took her mind off the thought of vomiting. She was awake for only 8 of yesterday's 24 hours. Her appetite has been decreasing a lot, but was very little most of yesterday. We had plans to go to my sister's for a memorial day BBQ with Terry's family and we were a little worried she'd not make it.
But of course she rallied. I had to wake her up, but once up she was determined to go. She has had a consistent goal of making it down and back up the stairs to her condo (she lives in a 3rd floor walk-up). She knows, we all know, that once she is unable to do this she will not leave her condo again. And I think she believes that as long as she keeps trying to do this she may put off the inevitable. The stairs are getting harder to do, and we take an awfully long time to do them, but she's still getting back up. She is at home now with Megan and Emmett. Mom told Sarah today that I am Emmett's "favorite non-parent" and it makes my heart swell. I had no idea what it would mean to have a nephew. Especially one so damn charming.
