Spent a stressful few days visiting the family. We took a trip out into the desert with my grandmother, who is, according to her doctor, capable of keeling over dead at any moment…he’s not saying it’s going to happen, just that we should be prepared for the eventuality. All of her sons and daughters had come into town for one last visit, having all been avoiding coming to visit her as she fades. Meanwhile my dad’s been taking care of her, with appropriate (expensive!!!) professional help. From the way they talked about her, I expected something out of a lifetime special, but it was much more … sedated?… than that. She isn’t very vocal, but seemed mostly cheerful. She didn’t make any obvious failures of memory in terms of who people were, or where we were. Not that that didn’t stop my mom and dad from treating her like a 3 year old with a head wound, and talking at her with a, to me, exceptionally grating sing-song voice. More than a couple of times, when one of her kids would do that, she’d glance over at me and we’d roll our eyes together. She did have problems expressing herself though, getting some sentences started, but never being able to finish them. Yet she still did manage to get in her customary dig for me not being married yet, without having to say a word, just by feeling my fingers for a wedding ring.
I can’t imagine it’s much fun for my dad, having to help her go to the bathroom now, and changing her diapers when they don’t quite make it. She’s started gaining back some of her excess weight, lots of retained water seemed to be sloshing around in her skin, so it’s not just an emotional chore.
Between grandma’s deteriorating condition, and my mom’s heart scare, I think the family is a little moribund as of late. Mom was telling me that my two sisters announced to her the other day that C would get the big diamond ring, and M would get the multi-stone band. Apperantly mum pointed out that she has three children, and if they were taking those two items, I am to get the mickey broach. You may laugh, but from the way my mom talks about it, it has more financial value, which is just as well, since I’ve never seen her wear it, to give it any emotional attachment.
Oh yeah…if you ever go jet-skiing on one of the sit down guys, when you’re applying sunscreen, don’t forget the part of the thigh that’s going to be exposed when you sit down, and the tops of your feet. I didn’t and am now paying for a mere two hours exposure.