MY MOMMA – I haven’t really written in detail about my Momma and her living situation on the Anishinaabe Blog. Perhaps I’ll writing something more though-provoking in the future. But illness is a private thing, and some conditions are more private than others. You see, my Mom is in a fairly advanced state of dementia. Although at 79, her small, frail body still isn’t failing her. She hasn’t been sick in years. No more strokes and no issues with diabetes whatsoever. She can still walk, albeit she’ll insist that she needs her walker. I’ve seen her do fine without it.
We had a nice lunch visit yesterday, although she doesn’t like the fish at Swiss Chalet. She didn’t have much of an appetite either. I’m guessing she gorged on a few of the candies that Phyllis brought her earlier that morning.
Here’s my observation. Residents of nursing homes rarely get visitors. When I look at the sign-out chart at the nursing station, it seems that our Momma is the only one who gets regular visits away from the home. Sure, they are all well taken care of and have plenty of interaction with people in the home. But nothing lights up my Momma’s face than having a visitor. See, we’re not just visiting, we are a part of her life.
If you visit her, you’ll find that she is pleasant. She only has her immediate memory, and memory of those who interact with her regularly. But for the casual visitor, she will likely not remember you. That being said, familiarity and interaction may trigger a memory or story. Be prepared – you will hear the same story, over and over again. Sometimes repeatedly. She also has little rituals (i.e. she’ll ask you if the time on her wristwatch is right). But other than that, you’ll have a great visit. She’ll even walk you to the elevator.
March Break is a great time to visit with our Elders. If you want to go visit my mom, here are the details:
Dwyla Goulais
3rd floor, Room 306
Cassellhome, 400 Olive Street, North Bay.
MARCH BREAK NOSTALGIA – Do you remember March Break? I sure do. It meant time off school. Some outdoor fun with friends and cousins. It meant snowmobiling (the old 1976 Skidoo Citation) or four-wheeling across the ice one last time before the surface becomes too mushy. It is also time for the Little NHL hockey tournament, where hundred of teams (tyke to midget) from across Ontario descend into the host community to play each other for native hockey superiority. It’s a time to show your community spirit, re-connect with friends and foes from across the territory, and spend time with our larger Anishinaabeg family. But I never did get to play in the Little NHL. I only have one full year of organized hockey under my belt, albeit with a wicked single-axel. They never did get to creating an March break competition for full-contact figure skating.
IT’S MY CLEANSE DAY – As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve taken up a regimen called Isagenix. It’s a combination of meal replacement program with a cleanse program. Today happens to be a “cleanse day”, which happens once-per-week. So four times a day I drink 16 ounces of water, plus the “Cleanse For Life” product. I get a small snack in between to regulate my blood sugar if necessary. It is the hardest part of the Isagenix weight loss program. But today I have motivation. Following my last cleanse, (just after an eating binge-heavy trip to Arizona), I miraculously lost eight pounds. I’m motivated to see more results. I’m also working out everyday.
And how is your day?
