Bruce’s Aunt has been staying with us for the past week as she gets back on her feet after a recent stay in the hospital. She had an outpatient procedure that complicated itself into a 5 day stay.
The first night here was quite hectic. The hospital didn’t discharge her till early evening and we had to get oxygen delivered that night, get her set up here at the house, and get ourselves oriented to her needs. She was exhausted and very weak, not able to stand on her own, as we struggled with tubes for oxygen and the foley she’s still wearing. Eventually we got her settled into bed, but neither of us slept that night, listening to every sound she made. At one point during the evening I thought to myself…’this is what 95 looks like…and it’s not pretty.’
She’s gotten a lot stronger during the past five days, thanks mostly to the diligence of my husband who makes her sit up in different chairs, stand up repeatedly and walk back and forth down the hall and out to the kitchen several times a day. She’s doing her own breathing treatments, working on getting her lungs stronger. I think she wants to go home and get away from us! 🙂
I wonder what she thinks about all day as she watches TV, takes her pills, does her exercises. I wonder what she sees in her future. Then again maybe at this stage of life the future is no further out then supper plans for the evening. I guess there’s no better way of living in the moment than being 95 and hanging out with family. We’re lucky to have her with us.
Regardless of the circumstances.
Change Is Hard 
June 11, 2011 at 10:15 am
It is so difficult to watch people aging, especially when they are ill and weak. I’m sure your Aunt appreciates you welcoming her into your home while she gains strength.
Hope she gets to go home soon.
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June 11, 2011 at 10:26 am
We all hope this is our future–having family or friends that love and help us when times get rough…
One thought: A friend wanted to send tons of birthday cards to her grandmother that she could not be with on her 90th birthday. I posted the wish…and her granny received over 100 cards–some with lottery tickets (she loved to gamble) or drawings kids had made. My friends grandmother LOVED IT. Get well cards? I have the post on Odd but could find it for you if something like this seems appropriate.
Go Mrs Bruce’s Aunt! Hope your healing continues.
♥
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June 11, 2011 at 10:32 am
KayBeth, I did something like that a couple years ago when I encouraged all the family, even the extended family we never see or hear from, to send her a card at Valentines Day. She loved it. However I’ll have to think about whether cards from people she doesn’t know would help. I do know that she’s bored and needs more attention than just us. I’m trying to get family to stop out to visit but we live out in the middle of nowhere and so far no luck.
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June 11, 2011 at 10:39 am
I must say that I wouldn’t have guessed 95 from the photos. What does she like to do normally, if she’s bored here? What a great thing that you have the room to be able to let her stay with you for a while, while she needs it. It’s great to have a place to go.
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June 11, 2011 at 10:53 am
Sounds like she is in a really good place to get better, when I ws working as a nurse it was never popular to tell patients they had to get up and move because it is hard… ;-), but such a huge part of their recovery-glad she has you guys making sure she remembers to keep moving, sounds like it is working 😉 Kathy
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June 11, 2011 at 11:10 am
I was just thinking today, getting old sucks! I had passed some older people walking at the park with great difficulty. Im glad your husbands Anut is getting better.
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June 11, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I know she feels lucky to have you, too. I think maybe at 95 one spends a lot of time remembering and reliving the past. I know one older friend who didn’t watch television at all but enjoyed lying in bed in the morning and “thinking about my life.” Good to have time to do that, I’m sure.
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June 11, 2011 at 6:15 pm
It’s odd but after all I went through last year dying doesn’t scare me at all – but getting old scares the crap out of me – especially being old and alone.
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June 11, 2011 at 11:49 pm
So glad to hear that your husband’s aunt is feeling better. It’s really kind of you and your husband to help take care of her at the moment and I’m sure she appreciates it a lot.
Getting old … I refuse to think about it. It’s scary!
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June 11, 2011 at 11:54 pm
I agree with Reilly’s Mom. I’ve often thought about dying alone, though I’m only 60. My only family member nearby (as in still living with me, which is sometimes a bone of contention) is my youngest son. All other family members are out of state–a few in the Midwest, the rest on the West Coast. I don’t have close friends either, so the prospect of growing old here kinda scary. OK…pity party over for tonight.
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June 12, 2011 at 5:39 am
It is so great that you and your husband are able to take Aunt V in while she recovers – I am glad to hear she is getting stronger. I don’t like to think about getting older either. My neighbors (92 and 91) are really struggling – seems like things should be easier for them after such a long lifetime.
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June 12, 2011 at 10:48 am
I agree with Sara, it’s very hard sometimes to see elderly people when they are struggling, she is a strong lady. I bet she has some stories to tell!
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June 12, 2011 at 12:19 pm
God bless you and keep you strong.
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June 13, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Glad to hear your Aunt is doing better. Hope she stays on the road to a speedy recovery.
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