I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop The Best Days
Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop The Best Days | The Best Days |
| Saturday, 08 August 2009 | |
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"Is that me?" Grandma asked this morning. She was pointing to the long nasal oxygen tube hanging on the doorknob and lying on the floor, connected to her. I told her that she's right. "Oh! Like a dog on a leash," she said laughing, "or a puppy." "Yeah. That's your harness," I told her. She forgets things faster than anyone that I know of. Sometimes she would take off her oxygen with a confused look, she'd ask, "What's this for? I don't know why I have this on me." I would simply tell her that it is her oxygen and she needs it, then she'll let me put it back on her. Yesterday we stayed longer in the kitchen. I usually bring her down during lunch or dinnertime. Although she has her electric stair chair lift, a wheel chair, and a walker, I know every single step she makes now is a huge task for her. Either sitting her up on the wheel chair or on the stair chair lift, I watch her move, letting her know that I am right behind her. Going down the 2-step stair leading to the porch is a different scenario. It could take a Mon to do it but when he's not around, it would take at least 3 people to help her through it. I just don't want to trust myself on that. "A man could make a fortune if he invented a machine that with one push of a button, you'll be where you want to be," she always say that whenever we're waiting for her to "collect" herself up. "Pieces of me are everywhere," she would say, "It'll take a minute before I am ready." Her minute would usually be a five. Sometimes thirty. I always tell her to take her time but I know, too, that she needs to get rested from sitting too long. She has lost a lot of weight, I don't know when it started. But I've seen pictures of her in her younger days. She thinks she still weighs the same. "You need to gain weight, you're underweight now," they keep telling her that. In which, she would reply, "That'll be the day." One time she was touching her rings and she said they need to be adjusted, they're too loose for her now. I told her it was because she's lost a lot of weight then she said "That'll be the day." So I asked her to look at the rings on her finger and asked her what they say. "You're right," she told me, "I guess, you are right." I watch her eat. Oh yes, I want her to gain some weight. But sometimes I watch what she eats, too, to prevent her from having accidents while she's not yet seated on the john. One time, she couldn't move from the stair chair lift to the wheel chair. She said she thinks she has a problem. She motioned her hands to her mouth and I thought she would throw up. I ran fast as a bullet train to the bathroom and got a bin that she could use. She almost laughed, she said the problem wasn't there, she touched her tummy instead. Oh! "This is not one of my best days. Well, I don't think I will ever have one of those again now, anyway," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice. She thought she wasn't wearing her pull-ups. I kept reassuring her that she will be all right. Then she'll pause and say it again, "I think we need to change my dress, I made a mess. But I am not sure how we're gonna make it." And I'll say it again, "Grandma, there is no problem. You are all right. You are wearing your pull-ups, we can do it in the bathroom." It took a while before she was convinced that she's made no mess. The dress was all right. The pull-ups did its job. I wheeled her into the bathroom. It was the longest time that we stayed inside the bathroom but she was helping me all throughout. She follows whatever it is that I ask her to do although I know standing up and holding a certain position so I can clean her might tire her. I was thankful that she kept on trying. She was exhausted but all-clean when she hit the bed. I wish they have bananas here but I learned that Miss M doesn't eat bananas. She said it could be the taste or the smell or the texture that she couldn't stand. Well, to each his own. Apple sauce will do the trick for Grandma. Grandma would eat anything but fish. She would eat some greens but she's not too much into it. Dessert, that's her favorite part of the meal. She would never say no to ice cream. But yesterday, I found out, she'd keep popping in Trader Joe's Cat Cookies (for People) to her mouth. Both the chocolate and the ginger flavors were on the table. She would have a piece of the chocolate, pop it in to her mouth then chew. Then she would take a piece of the ginger-flavor and do the same. "I am trying to decide which flavor is better," she said. Then she'll say, "I think I prefer the ginger ones." That went on, closed to an hour. I had to ask her to stop. We had it at an early lunch and it was already mid-afternoon. I told her I'd bring her some in her room. She took three more pieces and said, "all right." I had some in her room but she doesn't remember. She kept giving me a surprised look whenever I give her a piece or two. "You are trying to fatten me up," she'll grab a piece while saying that. "Oh! That's lovely! Good! Yummy!" she'd say after taking a bite. Then I'll hand her some more with her glass of cold water in my hand. When I finally handed her the tissue with the last three pieces of the ginger cookies, I told her there will be more the next day. "Promise?" she asked. "Pwamis, Grandma. You can have all the cat cookies in the world." For me, watching her eat well in the kitchen or on the porch is one of her best days. And her giving that grin whenever she's given a piece of chocolate or some tiny cookies, is a bonus. I just hope they don't run out of those kinds of cookies. The kind of cookies that bring out the best smile in people, giving everyone some of the best days of the rest of lives. |
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