Mom likes the Game Show Network. If she insists on having the TV on, and most nights in the middle of the night she does not want the TV on, but if she does, I try to find a channel that does not feed into 4am infomercials. Game Show Network is one of these channels along with Nick at Night, or Law and Order, right now we have all the bells and whistles of new service, so I will check the movie channels too. Lately, if I change the channel, the next time I come in the room the channel has been changed back to Game Show Network, which makes me laugh, and really, who doesn't love a good Family Feud Marathon with Steve Harvey hosting. On the DVR list there were lots of episodes of a show called Baggage. I had no idea what it was, I figured it was something Willie recorded. Last night went I went in the TV was still on GSN with this game show hosted by Jerry Springer. There are lots of game shows I don't know so I wasn't really paying attention except to notice it was Jerry Springer on the TV until I heard him say Baggage will be right back, and I realized Mom had recorded the game show while working the remote. I checked with Willie and Mom is adding to the DVR library quite a bit, I'll have to get in there and delete the stuff like Baggage.
While I am on the subject of TV and the remote...Mom manages her way around that remote better than you might expect. Sometimes she gets stuck on a menu she can't get out of, or gets the volume to zero and either can't or just hasn't yet figured it out when I come in the room. I do not know this remote very well myself, so sometimes me helping Mom is a moment for laughter. This morning I was showing her to put it on the bed where she could see it and push the buttons with her fingers, rather than hold it and try to get the left thumb to reach everything correctly. We shall see. Luckily, it does not seem to get her overly frustrated. Occasionally, I will walk in the room and she will hold the remote out to me and roll her eyes, with the techno stress face, but she still finds humor in it...oh wait, maybe that's me.
On the ever important poop report, sorry, no photos, lol, Mom is pooping an appropriate amount in acceptable textures. However, she did have a night time expression last week after the night person left and before I got home. So now we've faced my second worst fear after a bed sore, Mom sitting hours in shit. She released around 11:30p and I got home around 1:30a. Willie was a wreck because he wanted to change her, but was afraid to freak her out. I grabbed a bucket of warm water and towels and went right in. Bless her heart, the relief on her face when she saw me tore me up. She had really worked hard to get her britches off by herself. She made a decent mess, but all I could think of as I cleaned her up was how much of her body she had to use to accomplish the level of disrobe she had achieved. These moments give me hope and heartbreak all at the same time. Mom was exhausted by the time we finished and I waited till morning to talk to her about the whole thing. She agreed that Willie could assist her in these matters if absolutely necessary. I showed him how, and he already helps move her several times a day, so it's not like he's never touched her. We are all greatly relieved. Fear two: addressed. resolved. nice.
And while we are talking about Mom's butt, I am happy to report all the love and good wishes must have contributed to the healing of Fear Number One: Mom's bedsore. It was completely gone by last Wednesday, barely a speck of red on her white skin. I have to give Mom huge credit for moving around so much and also allowing the pillow propping that eases the pressure. Unfortunately, the Tuesday night poop fiasco ignited a nasty rash, that is further irritated by the elastic on her britches right at the crease of her leg. The rash is much worse on her left side, which I am sure is because that's the leg she moves back and forth. Last night I put a soft clean cloth between the elastic and her leg creases, plus I added Foille to the treatment plan. Since I am home today, I will leave her commando all day on the waterproof mats. She is in heaven without her britches.
It has been an action packed revolving door of visitors since Monday, so Mom is enjoying a sleepy Sunday and so am I. Hope your Sunday is filled with love too.
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