It has been a long week. A longer week than normal. I scurry off to the hospital after work every day. Except today. Today I took a break. It has been totally worth it though. It’s amazing how fulfilling it is to help someone out. To re-teach them things like their name. To sneak a potato chip into their crappy mashed potatoes. Just to hang out and distract them from the knowledge that they can read a book, an ingredient’s list, or their hospital bracelet that says penicillin… but only know what a quarter of it actually means. It has to be insane to know that you can read an analogue clock perfectly… but can’t remember the number that comes after six, or the name of the country that you live in….. Newfoundland? no… Newfoundland… no that’s not it. I know, Newfoundland! Gah! I said Newfoundland again, didn’t I.”

So. I’ve been researching hospice care in our area. Even though it’s not my mom who is sick, I feel like my opinion is important and my research is appreciated. Plus, she’s my common-(not in-law)-mom and she’s such a ridiculously adorable little person despite 70% her body mass being cancerous. Seriously. Her smile is so cute, and even though a piece of her brain has essentially hemorrhaged into goop she’s still the detective she always has been. Last night I was trying to help her with her recall… First she remembered my boyfriend’s birthday. Sort of. She was off by 4 days, but had the right month then we moved on to hers, which is in the same month as his.

Me: I think I remember when your birthday is… Do you?
Her:My birthday? Do you know it?
Me:I’m pretty sure I do.
Her:When is it?
Me:It’s… Hey, wait a second! Nice try! I asked you first!

She just giggled and then got it right on her first try. It was pretty amazing. The crazy thing is that this time last week she was playing sudoku and watching the stock market like a hawk. This week she’s learning how to count again.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 8:07 pm and is filed under daily post.