The Longest Stroke-Dementia Road To Somewhere Journal

January 5, 2019 Saturday — “Left a Tiger, returned to a Sheep!”

Six AM the alarm rang, while sleep held onto my body like a lion with its prey, shook it off and out of the bed I jumped. With sleep in my eyes, driving my car on auto pilot, I arrived at the gym to do my favorite pastime, walking on the treadmill while reading the newspaper.

Feeling accomplished, exited the gym onto my next task, checking on my rental property. Like to get up early to get these things done before Mother awakes. Within an hour, was on my way back home to see about Mother. As I walked in the door about 7:30 AM, she had just awakened. Today was filled with lots of appointments. Had a Toastmasters’ Training Workshop to attend at 9:30 AM, so I had to expedite everything pertaining to Mother’s morning routine.

Rushed in, gave her breakfast, therapy and then onto bath time. As she dressed herself, simultaneously, I proceeded to prepare for my training workshop. About to exit, and realized Mother probably needed to have a bowel movement. Ole not too comfortable doing this with her. Dropped my purse and shawl as I rushed Mother into the bathroom. Sure enough she did as I stood outside the bathroom door counting the minutes. Done, I rushed in helped her to clean up and out the door I flew at 9:25 and left her with Ole as he removed Christmas decoration. Arrived at the meeting at the perfect time, the beginning when the host had just begun. The venue was only five minutes from my home.