Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Slightly Dopey Dowager Duchess

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on my blog reading ... or my blogging. I do read all your messages and comments on my smartphone, and I share all your kind words with my mother. She sends her gratitude and says she feels so loved.

The Dowager Duchess is still flat on her back in bed in hospital. She's being well looked after and, as soon her infection is under control, the Cardiac team will do a stress test (that she doesn't have to sit up for) and, with that team's OK, the Neurology team will then perform the surgery (vertebroplasty). It looks like the surgery won't be performed until Monday at the soonest. So the Duchess will continue to lounge around for the next several days.

I wish I could say my mother is lounging around eating bon-bons. But she doesn't have much of an appetite. I couldn't even get her to taste my chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie today. Clearly she's not feeling well! It doesn't help that her right hand is in a splint, making it difficult to do much of anything.

Did I mention my mother broke her hand when she fell? She said it hit the night table and was "a bit" bruised. Ten days later, when we were in the ER, she noticed it had swelled. It was X-rayed. It was broken. Nothing major. Her fingers work just fine, but it had to be splinted — covering up her lovely green nails and requiring her to do everything one-handed, and lefty at that.

I HAD TO REMOVE THE RING. HER FINGERS WERE A BIT PUFFY.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME SHE'S REMOVED THE ENAMEL HEART RING
SINCE MY SISTER GAVE IT TO HER IN 1970.

I've been encouraging my mother to eat and she's been doing her best. I even "cooked up" one of my specialties to make her food more palatable.

SHE ATE THE ENTIRE BANANA, ONE ARTFUL SLICE AT A TIME.

My mother is being treated for the pain, which makes her a bit dopey.

When San Geraldo and I were visiting Tuesday morning, she pointed to her "bed across the room." We both looked perplexed.

San Geraldo asked, "What bed are you in now?"

The Duchess responded, "I'm not in bed. I'm in my lounge chair."

I said, "But, Mom, how are you managing? You haven't sat up since Saturday night."

She looked around, rolled her eyes, and laughed. "I hope that's the codeine," she said.

"It is," I said. "And, by the way, you don't have a lounge chair."

18 comments:

  1. Glad your Mom has maintained her sense of humor. Hard to do under those circumstances. Please send her my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  2. Love the green nail polish. Glad she knows we're all thinking about her.

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  3. Codeine / wonder drugs can make you have anything you want ~ a lounge chair sounds perfectly fine especially when one's hand is all bound up. DD please take care of yourself and I know The Boys (winks) are doing a splendid job.
    PS: that's what we were always called The Boys! How about at least The men!?!
    Ron

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  4. So happy that things are 'falling' into place, Mitch. And soon your mother will be back to normal.
    Drugs are so important for recovery but they do make things a tad wacky initially.
    Wishing you all well.

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  5. Quite strange to be in the same city as yourselves. Best wishes to the DD for a quick recovery.

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  6. Infection? I must have missed something! The lovingly "cooked" therapeutic banana will do wonders for her. Tell her to watch out that the codeine doesn't make her "seize up", especially since she isn't moving around. She rocks that green nail polish!

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  7. I loved the ring when I saw the picture, and even more when I read the caption.

    You're a wonderful son!

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  8. Aww, I was thinking the same things that Michelle wrote.
    And, what Wilma said.
    Just so hoping for improvement and comfort soon. DD, you're well loved all around the world, you know... even all the way in the midwest, here in Saint Louis!
    Judy

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  9. poor Mum but I believe it recivers soon

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  10. Would the Dowager Duchess like some lovely silver nail polish for when she is recovered? I've been thinking of her quite a lot lately, and hope that infection clears up quickly. I've had the stress test she will be undergoing and it's not difficult at all. Still she, and you guys, are in my thoughts and I'm sending hugs from 'The Happy Lady' to all. Love the gourmet meal you served her!
    As a postscript: I know the day she can begin wearing your sister's ring again will be a VERY happy one.

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  11. It's tough seeing aging parents having health problems. Your mom seems like a real trooper, something that her generation is noted for. Hope we can endure as gracefully.

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  12. How awful that she broke her hand is well. she sure is one tough cookie!! Give her my best and tell her15 cats are purring get-well wishes!

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  13. The DD is, as my grandmother would say, "a pistol."

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  14. SO sorry Aunt Marion is going through all this.... I know we don't see each other ,, but she's never far from my thoughts..... Send Kisses please XXXXX

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  15. So sorry that your mother is suffering the pain. Hope all goes well with the surgery.

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  16. It's so good that you are there with her.... just that must make this a little bit easier on all of you. Give her my love and good thoughts....

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  17. All my good wishes to all of you!

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  18. reading blogs in batches (when I have the time) has its drawbacks. One of them is jumping into an ongoing saga like this one. I hope Mum heals soon.

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