When you think it's all good something comes along and messes it up. I found out yesterday morning that Mom and Dad were in quarantine... according to Mom. It took me a while to figure out that there was a stomach virus going around and they had closed the dining room and suspended activities to see if they could stop the spread. Knowing Mom was "stuck in the room" I called her several times yesterday. Each time she was in great humor and we had some good belly laughs over the phone.... especially when Dad said I was married to my sister's hubby.
I was not home most of the day so I decided to call as soon as I finished supper. Mom was in a panic. Dad was so very sick. He had been sick for TWO days. She was worried and had gone to alert the staff but nobody would come. There is a pull cord by the bed but she refuses to use it. I ask when the last time staff had been in to check on him and she said they had not be in at all. I ask what Dad was doing and she said he was asleep. So I encouraged her to walk down the hall and find the caregiver. She did, with the phone in her hand, talking until it lost connection and cut off.
I waited a few minutes and caller her back. She swore she had not found a soul. I was just before hanging up and calling wellness. It was not two minutes until I heard the door open. It was my favorite caregiver. I recognized her voice. She ask Mom how she was and Mom said fine.... no mention of being upset. Then she ask how dad was and Mom said "FINE!" So I said.... MOM, tell her that you are upset about Dad. She repeated exactly what I said. "Tell her that you are upset about Dad." The caregiver got it. She went to check Dad... and Mom followed her and woke him up. It was obvious that they were very aware that Dad was sick and had been in repeatedly during the day.
He is sick. He has the stomach virus. I could tell he didn't feel good by his voice. He was so out of it he started talking about a cat. He was concerned where the cat was. It was out and if it got in somebody else's yard then they would have troubles forever more. Mom's arguing that there is no cat. So I just said... "MOM! Tell him I have the cat and I will take care of it." She repeated that to Dad. He ask if I wanted the cat and I told her to say... no I was just keeping it for him. He was satisfied and laid back down. BTW... my Dad doesn't even like cats!! Then Mom ask me if I minded keeping the cat. It was all I could do to not bust out laughing. The story was for Dad and she fell for it too. So now I have custody of the imaginary family CAT.
I know the staff is aware of the problem. Bless them!!! I made sure the local sisters knew about it and then called Mom back. By the time I hung up she was in much better humor and headed to bed. I realized that she was so upset because she really has NO clue what to do for Dad or if he truly is going to be ok. But I do know that the staff is on top of it and my favorite caregiver babies Dad like he was her own so they are in good hands. I am thankful on days like today that they are NOT home alone
Now I need to know what to do with the cat
Love, deb
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