Back to Reality

Betty came home last week, but I must admit, she's trying very hard not to cause problems. I have the wonderful Kim K. coming to drive her adult day care and take her to the bookstore and other such places, and she has turned out to be a Godsend. She used to work at my mother's Assisted Living center, and I had no idea she'd left their because of the stress. We ran into each other just before Christmas, and I mentioned that I needed a new driver for Betty. She expressed interest, but then the company I'd called about this contacted me to say they'd found someone to fill the position.

I wasn't sure what to do, but decided to hire Kim, in spite of the fact that she doesn't have a corporate structure around her. She's more flexible, and happy to help me in other ways, like shopping, etc.

So when Betty started with vomiting and diarrhea just days after coming home, threw up at the adult day center, and had to come home early, Kim helped me handle it. It has turned out to be flu, and so far, Mikey is the only one who hasn't caught it. Betty made a mess on her floor and bed yesterday, and I felt sorry for her--she kept saying, "I'll go back to the rehab center. I know I have to go back. You can send me back."

Devonna, the home health aid who now comes three times a week, was here yesterday morning and discovered the mess. She helped me clean it up, then Kim took Betty to the doctor for me, shopped for her medicine, Gatorade, etc. I was still feeling lousy from my bout with the flu, so I just laid on the couch, did Betty's laundry, and felt sorry for myself. Not the worst morning I've had...

Betty has started putting her pills in the pockets of her clothing, intending to "take them later," so we have to watch for this behavior, but aside from that, oh, and coming out of her room in only a tee shirt this morning (thank God Mikey was still at a birthday party sleepover), life goes on as usual.