And I'm sorry. But I'm here. We had the last day of class for Quarter 3 yesterday, and then I rushed off to get my second covid shot at 3 p.m. It went great. I had arm soreness for only 24 hours and some fatigue (but what else is new). NOTHING else! A tip I heard from someone in the medical field who is "in the know" is to be sure to hydrate for the 24 hours prior to the jab, which apparently reduces adverse effects. It certainly can't hurt and it (I assume) worked for me. So the kids... Continue reading

Just working like crazy. We had a tornado watch today and got to work from home. I still had three meetings and a lot to do, but just having a day without the commute or teaching live was a needed respite. Continue reading

She really doesn’t live there anymore. Continue reading

They went to school for 2 days in February (first time in nearly a year). They have 4 scheduled days this week which covers all of March. Any ideas why they aren’t passing considering the monotony of Remote Learning, their anxiety and ADD? I am going a lot easier on my 8th graders (accepting all late work with no penalty, modified assignments, extra credit), and I still have a ton who are not attending at all and failing. The county still plans to do end of grade testing that reflects directly on my teaching. I can save a lot of... Continue reading

I picked up Mom’s ashes and death certificate today after work in Raleigh which was hard. Listed cause of death: Alzheimer’s disease. First (that I know of) it was Grandma Dot, then her only sibling Great Aunt Ruth. Now Mom. Three whip-smart women reduced to helplessness. I pray the research bears fruit before my children age! Continue reading

These photo memories that pop up in the phone are a fun surprise. This was two years ago, six neighborhood moms waiting for our lunches at a new tuna poke bowl place. I don’t think we could have been more excited! Continue reading

Mom was cremated yesterday. They said I can wait to get her until the death certificate is done. https://www.cremnc.com/obituary/patricia-whalen?fh_id=16145&fbclid=IwAR01A_-atf9diJalOtEXk5fUgVlrLdWa37bkbJ3H7EVEnLn4WR2Xygebq4M Continue reading

Grateful Mom is finally at peace. Heartsick for the things she missed and will continue to miss - more determined than ever to stop missing out on all the things I want to do with however much time is left for me. Masters - check Classroom of my own - check Me time - what a novel idea. Continue reading

They gave her morphine for comfort several times. Finally, Mom slipped away peacefully. The hospice nurse said most of their patients pass away in the middle of the night when they would otherwise be asleep. That’s what Grandma Dot did. Mom had her cremated and eventually took her to New York to be buried next to Grandpa Frank. The same plan is in effect. Mom will be cremated and buried next to my dad, John, in New York this summer. I will always miss you, Mom! Continue reading

I thought maybe Mom was holding out for him, who knows? After the anointing, prayers and blessings, I was very gently given the boot by the nurses which is completely understandable. The facility is finally covid-free again, no visitors are permitted, yet they let me sit with Mom for 9.5 hours (with two masks and wearing a plastic trash bag over my clothes they call PPE) and they let the priest in too! I am so grateful for the time they gave us together. They promised to call me when the time comes. Continue reading

I was going to try to wait until the end of the school day to come sit with Mom, but I was afraid they meant the “minutes” part so I drove here shortly after the phone call. She is not in pain, but it is hard for her to breathe. She is no longer eating or drinking. I told her we all love her and that I’m right here. Asked her to rest, but she’s keeping her eyes wide open. This photo was taken 5 years ago, a month and a half after she had to move in with us... Continue reading

They said Mom will pass away today. They don’t know if it will be minutes or hours, but all the signs are there. Hospice was notified. They just readmitted her and they’re going to head to her bedside as soon as they can. I’m so glad they let us in yesterday! Continue reading

Mom doesn’t have a fever anymore, but her breathing is slow and labored. She wasn’t responding today so they called and said I can enter the facility to see her for 30 minutes (The last time I was in her room was 11.5 months ago. Our rare visits since were in separate rooms through a solid partition with a speaker). Claire came with me today because her last visit was canceled due to the 2nd facility Covid outbreak. Mom’s (101-year-old in July, or is it 102 after all this time in lockdown?) roommate is still there too. I wasn’t sure... Continue reading

Mom was discharged from hospice 9 days ago and now she’s sick. She didn’t want to eat today. She’s dehydrated and she has a fever (100 axillary which equals 101 for a traditional check per the nurse manager). Doctor notified, just said continue to monitor and notify the family so that’s what I’m doing. Activate the prayer chain. They gave her Tylenol and extra water, but she’s comfortable. She’s breathing well with a good blood pressure. She has a standing order for morphine, but has never required a dose which is a huge blessing. Rapid covid test negative which makes... Continue reading

She’s 27 pounds and her backside never stops wagging. She also can’t catch anything, no matter how hard she tries. Jealous Chloe was a nervous wreck and has been sleeping since Matt and Layla left. Continue reading

Mom’s SNF got all the way to 0 infected employees and 3 Covid-positive residents. An employee tested positive so the count is at 4. They’ve been administering vaccines for several weeks so I’m hoping that will give them the break they need. Continue reading

My blog began as a lighthearted "Hey, read what my kiddo said!" The past many years it has morphed into a vigil for my mother over the extended course of her Alzheimer's journey. Apparently that is expected to continue indefinitely. The hospice nurse phoned and said Mom's last day on hospice is Wednesday because she's stable again. It would have been 3 years on hospice if she made it to June so I didn't contest that in the slightest - of course hospice care should go to those in a downward spiral. I just feel bad that Mom is stuck... Continue reading

It’s Mark’s 56th birthday today. We’re getting barbecue from his favorite restaurant, and it actually snowed this morning. Yesterday would have been my dad’s 76th birthday, and tomorrow would have been Mark’s mom’s birthday as well. (Anecdotally, two of my nieces share my Jan. birthday week, the youngest one born on Jan. 11 like me.) January babies rule! Oh, and Mom is getting her second Covid-19 vaccine right now. The nurse was exasperated having to call everyone for permission again after we just submitted it in writing just a few weeks ago, but CVS is doing the prerequisite CYA. Continue reading

Somebody ate 100% of her breakfast. Not sure what they served or who was wielding the spoon, but well done! Continue reading

Up to 63 confirmed cases, only 4 are active. Mom's second covid vaccine will be administered on 2/2/21. I know this blog is outdated and neglected. I will give it a facelift when I have time. Currently every moment is being consumed with grading and finishing out Quarter 2! Continue reading

Rex Covid outbreak is up to 61 cases, only 8 are still active. They are administering the Moderna vaccine Monday. I gave consent for Mom to get it. The second dose is scheduled for February 2. Continue reading

56 covid positive during this outbreak (19 of these are currently active). The vaccine cannot come fast enough. Continue reading

Scott called to say he noticed it was Mom’s birthday yesterday, and he misses sitting with her. He also said “Your mom is tough. I have worked for hospice for two years, and your mom is the only patient who has been there the whole time.” I already knew Mom must have broken records for longest continuous hospice patient. Megan (hospice nurse) called to say she saw Mom. Mom was sitting up in her wheelchair, vitals are stable, everything is the same. It’s sounds unbelievable, but it’s true! Continue reading

I will not be permitted to visit as planned. The current covid outbreak includes 51 infected, but suddenly the facility says only 14 are active so that sounds a lot better! They will begin vaccinations on my birthday (1/11). Mom remains pain-free, eats about 30% of her spoon-fed meals, and is sleeping even more. I try to be grateful and mostly succeed. Then more and more tears. It’s a soul-sucking chasm in which we’ve been caught, and the release is obviously going to be worse. Continue reading

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