Small Victories

Max and I have just returned to Canmore from a visit with Mom, Dad and the gang in Toronto. It seems like an appropriate time to give an update here. We know how many of you are wondering how Mom is doing (and how the rest of us are too...).

We may have tuckered her out this past weekend with our own energy - although it's tough to see us go, I know it's good for Mom to get 'back to normal'.

We spent quite a bit of time chatting, sharing meals, watching the Leafs loose and resting together. Mom, Dad, Max and I and joined Karen, Kath, Dan and the girls at Aunt Janie's place on Sunday night. Some of us went to the pool, others enjoyed the view of a lovely sunset and we all gobbled down take-out Chinese food, just like we used to in the 'old days' on Sunday nights with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a great outing for Mom. It was great to be all together!

Last night, Grace and Maeve (plus their parents) dropped by again to chase Grandpa around the house in squealing games of hide and seek. They steal the show every time, Dad says.

Mom's routine has taken on some structure thanks to Blanca, her personal support worker who provides excellent and professional care, companionship, and affection for Mom. A few excitements here and there (visits from any and sometimes all of us, for example) are highlights in what I'd say is a quiet and peaceful life for Mom.

Her strength is very low, her legs weak and she is tired. She spends most of her day cozied up in a blanket in the family room, resting, visiting or watching television. She is also sometimes confused. But she is generally happy and tranquila, resting often and sleeping well at night. Although her appetite is low recently, she gets in three meals a day.

Regular tests by Dad have shown that Mom's blood sugar is now stable. This is great news as it has been a real struggle for Mom to get down those darned pills, especially in the morning. Her endrocrynologist today officially said she could go off them. That is a major relief! For the first time in three months, Mom no longer has to take neither diabetes medicine nor steroids.

"A victory of sorts," Dad says.

Dad's getting in swims, meetings both at BLG and elsewhere, hide and seek games, airport pickups/dropoff, snow shovelling and is more at home in the kitchen than any of us can believe. He's moved beyond making tea to preparing pasta and rice, and staying on top of grocery needs, for example. How's that for personal growth?

The rest of us are doing just fine! Like everybody, we are looking forward to spring. The chirping birds in the morning, and our resident cardinal in the backyard at 69 Airdrie Rd, bring promises of warmer days to come.