Twenty Questions and Triumphs

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 02 January 2006 14:06:46

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all. Or, as my Dad rightly said to me 'Hopeful New Year'. When you know that you are unlikely to have a year of unbridled happiness, it is better to hope. At least you can always look at how much better things could get!

Jeff and I are home in Newport now. We saw Mum a couple of times before we returned. During the first of these visits she was trying to ask us for something. It was a little difficult and went something like this:

You wan't something, Mum?

(Nod) I need...

Do you need a staff member?

(Shake)

Can Jeff and I help you?

(Nod)

Is it food or drink?

(Obscure response)

Is it food?

(Shake)

Is it drink?

(Shake)

Is it on this tray? (Jeff indicates tray table)

Yes

(Elaborate pantomime of pointing and saying things such as 'Is it this yellow stuff?" ensues. All items on the tray are treated in this manner. It finally turns out the required item was not on the tray!)

Jeff then starts to look through Mum's toiletries, at which point she perks up.

Is it toiletries?

Yes. I would like an application...

You would like an application? Did you mean to say application?

Yes

(Mum then runs her finger back and forth accross her teeth in a mime of brushing them. Light dawns!)

You want to clean your teeth!

Yes!

It was worth the effort to help Mum do so and hear her say that she felt like 'A new person'

Other notable triumphs of the last few days are that Mum moved her right leg and has also had a cup of tea!!! Both of which mark really good progress.