An Up and Down Week

Last Saturday (March 21) was a rather worrisome start to the week. We found Fay lying in bed, rather disheveled, in a poor mood. We got an aid to get her dressed and into her wheelchair and took her to the sun room (see "Krabby's" post with a picture of the sun room). By the time we left Fay was in a pretty good mood.

On Monday, the LPN called me to say that Fay was being abusive to the staff and her room mate (a sweet 94 year old woman who is hard of hearing; it's hard to see how Rebecca could bother anyone, but that's another story). I went to the JCNH on Tuesday and Fay was indeed acting very strange, complaining loudly about people she was interacting with. The LPN had scheduled a psych evaluation for Friday to see if there was anything going on with the attitude shift.

By Friday, however, Fay was back to her old self. The psych eval was post-poned. When Margie and I visited on Saturday (March 28) we found Fay talking to Rebecca. We went to the ice cream social (note to self: a smaller portion will probable not send the blood sugar through the roof), looked at some photo albums and had a grand old time. Fay remembered lots of people in the pictures whom she hadn't seen in quite a while. "That's Margie's mother" was an unexpected comment when looking at Wendy's photo album.

We hope the early part of the week was just part of the transition process. Right now, Fay's OK.

A Friend In Need

With all of the information about Fay's move from St. Louis to Baltimore, I forgot one of the most important parts of the transition. When our very good friend Mike Goldfinger learned about our plans, he immediately asked what he could do to help. Mike didn't take no for an answer and volunteered to take off from work on arrival day and meet us at the airport.

What a wonderful site it was to see Mike waiting at the baggage claim for us to help get the stuff loaded in the wheelchair van and take Margie and her stuff to our house while Denny rode with Fay to her new home. On one hand it seemed so natural to have Mike part of this day. On the other hand it made us grateful to have such a committed friend to count on.

Visiting Grandma Fay

The blog's namesake. A friend embroidered this sign for Grandma years ago and it is now hanging above her bed.

We were fortunate enough to see Grandma twice on our trip over Evan's spring break. Alice showed Grandma one of her favorite books, "Four Little Bunnies."

After some time in Grandma's room we went to the sun room, right down the hall, past a dining room where a volunteer was holding a trivia game (the host of the game later approached us, asking what kinds of activities Mrs. Rosen might enjoy). The sun room is bright and warm with a sweet birdcage. Alice had fun running around. Sarah had fun, but maybe slightly less fun than Alice, chasing her all around.

A major highlight for Alice: two volunteers in the dining room gave Alice some cookies.

What a great visit we had. Lots of smiles all around. Grandma really seemed comfortable and well cared for in her new digs.

First Visitors

The week after we moved Fay into her new home in Baltimore, grandson Evan, granddaughter Sarah, and great granddaughter Alice came for a visit. It was Professor Rapport's spring break, so the family came south from New York City to spend some times with Margie and Denny and to see Fay in her new home.

Evan and Sarah report that Fay is doing well and seems to like her new home. There are sure to be some rough days - Fay's health and mental state are rather fragile - but we'll take all the good days we can.

Moving In

What a couple of weeks! On May 10 (Purim for those keeping track) we traveled from St. Louis to Baltimore. It was a teary goodbye from the Cedars and a tiring trip by car, air plane, and wheel chair van to the Jewish Convalescent and Nursing Home, but we made it!

The first day was tiring on Fay as was expected, but she made the adjustment very well. The next day she was saying how happy she was in her new home. On that weekend, Margie and Denny hung some pictures and made Fay's room seem like her own.

The next week Fay got a couple of visits from grandson Evan, granddaughter-in-law Sarah, and great granddaughter Alice. What a treat that was. Everyone had a good time, and Evan and Sarah reported their grandmother to be in good spirits. So far so good.

A New Home

Last week Fay moved to a new home in Baltimore, MD, about 15 miles from Margie and Denny and 850 miles from where she lived the first 89 years of her life. Fay's St. Louis family and friends are the most important part of her life. Every conversation we have includes the phrase "I love my family" at some point.

We're going to use the blog-o-sphere to keep everyone posted on Fay's progress in her new home. Her adjustment this first week was as smooth as we could have hoped. Her clothes are unpacked, pictures hung, and she got a wonderful visit from Evan, Sarah and great-granddaughter Alice. Pictures to be posted soon.