Visits from friends and family

Today Mom had the pleasure of some special visits. Dear friends Doug and Nan came in the morning. Nan actually comes to see Mom nearly every Wednesday, but this week Doug came along, hobbling though he was, with an injured knee. Nan commented that the difference between last week and this week was the greatest difference she has seen yet in Mom's condition. Mom's decline is going quite rapidly now. Mom is becoming less and less engaging in thoughtful conversation and interchange. Up until just this week, Mom has had the mental faculties to inquire about events and about how people are doing. Today Mom just sat and stared, even though she felt compassion for Doug's knee injury and pain.
Mom was dressed and in her wheelchair when Doug and Nan arrived, and she was eager to go outdoors to enjoy the fresh air after the rains.

One big problem for Mom is that she is not too interested in the Ensure beverage now, since the nursing home is thickening it for her safety, to guard against choking. The other pureed food items on her tray are largely untouched, even though caregivers attempt to help her eat. Mom is mainly interested in the ice cream. Yay for ice cream! At least there are some calories there.

Brian was able to see Mom this afternoon/evening and commented that he also was struck by the big change in Mom's condition. She is so very thin. Brian had a great idea, one which Mom loved: Starbucks strawberry frappuccino! He went and got her one, and she sipped it with interest. How thankful we were, that she found pleasure and some needed calories in that drink. Later this evening when our friend Keith stopped by to see Mom, he called and said there was only an inch and a half of drink left in the Starbucks cup. So, he encouraged her to finish it, and she enjoyed that.

Today when I talked with Kathy, she shared that just a few days ago she had the pleasure of sitting with Mom outdoors for quite a while, and she was able to just read and read Scripture after Scripture that the Lord gave her, to comfort Mom at this time. She said Mom seemed to just drink it in. What a wonderful gift!!!