I had Liz home today and settled her onto the settee. I gave her a hug and then a cup of liquidised grapes diluted with apple juice.
The weather wasn't so great so I said, "Shall we watch some TV?"
She signalled yes and then took the phone from my pocket and pointed at the TV and the ceiling.
Eventually I worked it out... She wanted me to turn screen mirroring on so that whatever my phones camera was looking at she could see on the TV and she wanted to see upstairs.
I'm sure she thinks I don't keep the place tidy and clean. 🙀
So off I went pointing the camera at the upstairs rooms, showing her around including the furniture I recently bought for her room and inside her wardrobes and especially the moggie sleeping on her bed.
Then I came down and she had a small smile. Hurrah I passed muster 😸
Again I suggested we watched TV. The weather wasn't up to going into the garden.
She signalled for me to call the Moggie, which I did... Moggie came down ate some food, looked a us like we were misplaced furniture ( How do cats do that with just a look?) and then went outside to drink from the pond. She likes the water from that more than her bowl. Liz pointed at the phone again and so I projected Moggie drinking from the pond onto the TV.
I asked again what Liz wanted on TV, but the Moggie went upstairs and Liz's famous command finger pointed at the ceiling.
I dutifully followed the moggie and projected the image of her washing and settling down for another nap.
I heard a thump.
Went downstairs and Liz was on the floor. She had tried to stand and had fallen.
I checked her out and she was OK... She had landed on the thick rug.
She mouthed the word 'Casualty'. I was confused... "Are you OK? Do you want an ambulance? She pointed at the TV and smiled that small smile. I was now really confused. ?!!?
I worked it out eventually and we sat and watched the soap 'Casualty' together.
If a 6 foot grizzly bear walked into the house and asked for a cup of tea I think I would simply say, to anyone around, "It's OK - Probably just another PSP thing"... and then make it a nice cup of tea.
😯
We curled up together on the settee and she settled and reached out to hold my hand. So loving.
And Moggie slept on dreaming of self opening packets of treats and humans that were obedient.
And we watched 'Casualty' ... A lovely time together...
Waving
😊
Kevin
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Kevin_1
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Aww Kevin what a nice day, sounds like liz enjoyed it, and she kept you busy running roind the house with your phone, thank you for sharing always nice to hear good things.
Oh Kevin what a lovely day you both had , must of brought back memories, so happy you both had a lovely day, hopefully many more to come sending big hugs to you both. Yvonne xxxx
Its a different world isn't it ? Alice in Wonderland ?
Glad you managed to decipher her wishes. I absolutely understand her wish to view the house but I don't see it as checking on you - more polishing her memories.
No, I think you are right, polishing memories is a good way of putting it. A week or so back she saw her old walking hat in the peg by the door and signalled that I should pass it to her.
Then the tears rolled down her face as she remembered all of the times we went on walks together with her wearing it.
I particularly love how you've figured out how to use the phone to communicate by camera. We end up trying so many ways to communicate with our spouses during this disease. While it was a stressful time for me doing that, I can say that I never felt a greater sense of purpose in my life.
...And always great how you're able to bring Liz so very much to life on these pages..🌟....I just love it ❤💛💙
That’s so lovely Kevin. Every time I watch casualty now (I’m an addict) I’ll think of you snuggling up. May you have many more happy moments together XxxX
Kevin glad you had such a lovely day. I had John out this week, went to the hospital first then to the garden centre for lunch and a look around. However getting back into the car I could not hold him and he fell, someone rushed over to help me and he seemed ok. Do you struggle to get Liz in and out of the car? I find he just freezes sometimes and cannot move his legs even though I try and get the wheelchair as close as possible to the door. Pauline x
I'm told there is a slider board to transfer wheelchair to car. I'm scheduled to get PT or OT to learn how to do it once our "real" wheelchair arrives. (as opposed to the transport chair which does not have removable arms rests.)
Other things which help are a black plastic bin liner on the passenger seat. They are slippy and so allow easy turning when the legs go in. Not as slippy as a bed slide sheet, which might be too slippy.
Thanks, maybe I should take Liz to the garden centre - Thanks
I had to stop taking Liz places because she played up so badly. Now her illness has become worse this is less so and so I am starting to take her out more.
Yes, the car transfers were very difficult for a long time. But Liz has lost so much weight they are again doable. I take the foot rests off the wheel chair and park it parallel to the car as close to the open door as I can. Then it is a case of standing her up and one tiny shuffle for her to turn through the 90 degrees and then sit.
Kevin, it is wonderful you have time together at your place and it is quite interesting how she enjoys seeing the house thru the camera phone. Hugs to both of you, Patty
Hi Kevin and Liz! So good to get up this morning and read your lovely post.
So pleased you enjoyed your day at home together. And that Liz was able to check out the house without having to climb the stairs!
The picture that came to mind was of a puppy - home again after a break away, he rushes around checking out all the smells and memories; the bed he sleeps in; where you are; upstairs to make sure it is still there; where is the cat; favourite place, etc. Then repeat in random order!
Ring any bells? !! Think Liz' mind was doing all of that, and she found a way to make it happen with your phone! Liz, so pleased you found a way to exercise that "puppy" in you! You will take away for keeps true memories of what is "home". That is genius!!
It always amazes me how closely you two interact, and continue to communicate patiently despite PSP trying to get in the way.
I often smile at the pictures Kevin painted in his posts in the past; Liz falling into the new herb garden he made for you, Liz; and more recently, of Kevin struggling manfully uphill with Liz directing from the wheelchair so that she could go shopping!
Life has its challenges - and boy! how you both have risen to face them!! Hope you both have some while yet to enjoy each others company like this! Guess there may be other challenging times too, when you don't!
You are so right Kevin, so many tears but just one good day here and there lifts the spirits. Sounds like a perfect day given the circumstances . HilsandR
Cats are just brilliant, aren't they? It doesn't matter which chair I am sitting on, our Millie will want it and we have a stand-off to see who will give in first. She worked out years ago that I am such a fidget that I am rarely still for more than 15 minutes so just sits at my feet staring at me - the minute I am up she takes up residence regardless of the fact that there are 5 other seats in the room she could have picked. It never fails to amuse me. HilsandR
I cannot help thinking as I read these posts and responses,”What would we do without this forum to share all these things?” Although my beloved has passed away,and he and I are free from these experiences,it is heartwarming and brings back many memories of times together. Thanks to all of you!😀
hi kevin must say your piece made me smile when we had cats our last one was almost 26 years of age when she died so maybe I wasn't a bad carer we decided not to get any more pets as we were both wrinklys but a young cat decided she quite fancied our house as a home she took to Geoff [clever cat] and she used to sleep on his bed in the last few weeks she would lay on top of him and purr at night when there was just the three of us there I would sometimes get on his bed and cuddle she [meg] didn't care for my company but heres the strange thing since Geoff died she will not go in that bedroom she sleeps upstairs its taken her over two months to decide she will settle for me as a food station if nothing else she prefers water out of our bird bath as well by the way the doctor arranged counselling with mind my first session is 22 august and michelle and paul [our son] are taking me to france in October for a week the dardoin don't know how to spell that sorry and I am going to holy trinity church in hull tomorrow a service for aden veterans I am trying to do the best I can I know its a long road and although I cry a lot I also smile when I think of him his favourite saying if asked how was that hed say middling I asked the family about what to put on his headstone son in law said yellow electrical tape because he used it on everything !!!!!!! anyway a bit better day today so not too much use of the stick hope you and liz are okay love doreen
Doreen, you're sounding a little bit better..I'm so glad Enjoy your time in France when it comes, and be patient with your cat...she's grieving Geoff too
Yes, our moggie was always Lizzie's. Never had time for me until now. She has been avoiding her since she went into a nursing home. She's coming round slowly and almost climbed onto her knee on the last visit. They're odd beasties.
It sounds like you're doing very well indeed. I cannot imagine how tough it is.
I had to chuckle at the yellow tape thing. Very good
my cat pass 2 weeks ago her name was Nina she has cancer that spread but she was with us since she born She was our Baby for almost 19 years , she was so beautiful , that is so bad not to have her around , but she is in a better place , no pain and happy .she has surgery almost 3 years ago and we knew that she was not going to last to long , but she is in a better place , she was a preemie very small when she born , i fed her with a bottle and cat formula every 4 hours , she din't know how to walk and she learn she jump when she walk that was funny , but she was love very much
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