Monday night update

Hi friends,
It has been a surprising and challenging week. Mom is awake for the whole day these days, and while we are very glad to have her more engaged, it is another change which requires adjustments to her care. For more than three weeks, she had been sleeping most of the day...up to 18 hours a day, and getting weaker. For some reason she is no longer sleeping as much, but after all that time, her body is increasingly weak, and she remains bedridden. This is causing her a lot of frustration which is compounded by the cognitive problems. She often has trouble finding words and is at other times very confused. So...the team has been in entertainment mode for the past couple of days. We had a relatively impromptu 'tea party' and brought in some classic movies (Notting Hill was a hit!). Yesterday, the Murphys and I gathered in Mom's room for dad to open his fathers' day gifts. Can you believe that he actually asked for a 'basics' cooking book?!! Christie came through for him. What an amazing guy! He has changed a lot and is opening up to things he never thought of previously. He certainly deserved to be wished a heartfelt happy fathers' day!
Kath brought with her the movie of Grace's musical theatre class's stage production from last month. Seeing Grace on the TV doing choreography, saying lines, and singing and dancing her heart out touched Mom deeply and brought her to tears. She was so proud of Grace who beamed as everyone watched her on the screen. It was so sweet. Mom watched it again tonight with Aunt Janie.
None of us saw this change in Mom coming. We had become accustomed to her really slowing down and being asleep most of the time. We are all aware of and accepting of the fact of her palliative stage and that the tumour cannot be stopped. We're doing our best to keep her company and entertained. She is enjoying food and her afternoon caramel frappuccino with Young and the Restless is a favourite ritual of mine. What would we do without the Newmans and the Abbots and all their shenanigans!?
Thanks everyone for all your caring, concern and interest. We appreciate it more than you could ever know.
:) Karen