I am finding myself very behind these days. It’s likely that my being away every weekend so far this month has much to do with it. Sometimes when I am home during the week and just come in the back door from doing laundry Grandma will ask me how my weekend was and how many people we had. I always answer her according to the last weekend I had.

This last weekend was evidently eventful for my Awesome Hubby and Nursey Sister. I left Friday morning after work for camp like usual. My AH was at a conference for work on Wednesday and Thursday nights and returned home Friday evening. So, Grandma was alone for lunch and dinner on Friday night.

Saturday morning, AH went to Farmer’s Market to pick up veggies and a watermelon that I suggested he get as per Grandma’s request for some veggies. Grandma baked cinnamon rolls and wore herself out doing that and realized she should’ve made bread with half the dough (not rational-wrong kind of dough).

Grandma’s niece, her hubby & Grandma’s bro-in-law was to drop by in the afternoon and AH offered a suggestion to have dinner (already made meatloaf, pots and veggies) for the family. Grandma said there was nothing left, translation..she was pooped. So my AH left to attend a wedding knowing the family wouldn’t impose.

Sometime during that afternoon Grandma’s leg tingled and she thought she was having a stroke but didn’t say anything. Grandma’s niece is a Nurse Practitioner and would have recognized the signs. So, Sunday morning, Grandma calls Nursey Sister next door and reveals this concern and asks for aspirin for the “stroke” and some Ibuprofen for her leg pain. Nursey Sister elevates Grandma’s legs since they were all bruised, swollen and ugly, checks her for stroke signs – none, and made her comfy.

Sunday at lunch the family celebrated Grandma’s 92nd birthday with cake and cards. She didn’t want anything big. During lunch, Grandma got up and kept moving – didn’t settle down and interact with the family prayer/sharing time. My AH calls this her “nesting” mode; it happens every so often. But, by the time I arrived home at 5 p.m., Grandma’s legs and feet were so swollen that I was wondering what happened.

We had a wedding shower to attend (obligated) and Grandma was just resting in her chair like normal so we left. This morning AH tells me I need to check with Nursey Sister about “the incident” so when I get home from work I found out what went on as I just explained. I was checking the pill box that I had carefully set up before I left so that she would have no reason to try to fill herself.

Nursey Sister and I saw that she hadn’t taken her water pill in the afternoons on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, the blood pressure was taken and explained to Grandma that her legs were “congested” and she needs the water pill at lunch every day. She agreed but we’ll see how it goes.

I have to take her to get some lab work done tomorrow a week before her kidney doctor appointment. I am scheduled to leave again on Wednesday after work to go back up to Camp as planned. AH will be home in the evenings so he’ll keep me updated and hopefully Grandma will get back on track.

My AH and I have had such different schedules the past two weeks that I am sure Grandma is a bit confused. She likes schedule and the same one specifically. I recently had cataract surgery on both eyes two weeks apart. My new lens is part of a study for it to get approved. I am young and have a slight astigmatism so they were excited to get me in. The surgeries went perfectly and doctor is happy with my progress. I am very pleased so far with my vision. I have more appointments due to the lens study which is confusing for her as I am coming and going with camp and eye appointments.

Now, I am going to find some kind of wonderful frozen dinners for Grandma to enjoy while I am gone. I have left food in the refrigerator with notes but she still doesn’t seem them and still thinks there is nothing in the refrigerator or freezer. I can see how some of those complaints about family caregivers from carees have come about sounding like abuse. You would think there is absolutely nothing for my Grandma to fix for herself until you actually looked and saw how well cared for she really is.

I don’t even begin to feel guilty, just sad that maybe I should’ve retired from camp managing this season; we never know when those changes in care may come or what they look like or if they will even be permanent. Grandma usually has a good attitude around me but has been grumpier lately when I’ve been gone. We’ll see what the kidney doctor says about her health next week and I will ask about the timing for Hospice. I have always been one to want to know worst case. I can be stronger through it even if I know a little ahead. We’ve got my son’s wedding coming up in November so family will be gone – out of state. I have some ideas that will need to be worked on October 1st.