Thursday, Feb. 28

Up around 7 a.m., but skipped my exercises, so I could get ready to take Mother to meet a doctor's appointment at 9 a.m. Sis went with us, which was good, because she helped me get the wheelchair in and out of the van.

Sis brought along her crochet project to occupy her in the waiting room while Mother and were in the exam room. Another woman in the waiting room, seated near us, had brought a knitting project, too.

We didn't have to wait long before we were called back. The first thing the nurse did was weigh Mother. It took both of us to help her onto the scale. She weighs 110 pounds now, which is much better than before, when she weighed under 100 pounds.

Her blood pressure was up, though, at 170/90, when the nurse checked. The doctor didn't like this, so she checked it again. This time, it was 156/80. But she'd still like it to be less. She asked that I check her pressure each morning and evening at home to see if the stress of being at the doctor's office is causing the high BP, or if she needs a change in medication.

Otherwise, she is in pretty good shape, if more frail. After the exam, we went to the lab for a blood draw. This was a challenge, since her veins are so small. I asked if dehydration can cause this, and I was told it could. Mother drinks very little water, no matter how much I encourage her.

Once a vial of blood had been drawn, Mother was asked to give a urine sample, which was another challenge. Even though she hadn't been to the bathroom since 4 a.m., it took forever for her to produce a sample. Dehydration was the problem here, too, I imagine.

Funny: while we were in the exam room, the doctor asked if it was cold outside. We told her it was, and we hoped we wouldn't get snow this week. The doctor would like some snow, so she can play in it. She had to be at the clinic during the past two snow events, and didn't have the opportunity to enjoy them. She pretend-pouted as she commented that her husband and two children were able to get out and sled and build snowmen, etc., while she was stuck at work.

She also said that her three dogs loved the snow. I asked what kind she has, and she said two of them are labs, both of which just appeared at their house. When one arrived, it was near starvation, but now it is healthy. The third one is a terrier mix female that soon had four puppies. They gave away the pups and kept the mother dog (after having her spayed, of course).

Later, their neighbor laughingly told them that the terrier is a "felon dog," since it belonged to a couple of guys who are now in prison for robbery. The dog accompanied them on their sprees (perhaps acting as lookout?).

We were back home around 10:30, and I immediately fixed Mother scrambled eggs, which she had with slices of Sis's homemade bread. She was pretty hungry, since she'd had nothing to eat this morning before going to the clinc.

After breakfast, Mother, Sis, and I made a two pots of potato soup. Hubbie had peeled and sliced potatoes while we were gone. Mother diced veggies, and shredded cheese, for the soup, and then Sis and I each manned a pan and completed the process.

Sis and Mother worked on a jigsaw puzzle after that, until lunchtime. Of course, Mother wasn't hungry at noon, but the rest of us had sandwiches and chips.

We all relaxed with our own activities for the afternoon, and then had the soup with crackers and pimento cheese for supper. After supper, we played several games of Skipbo. Hubbie won three games, and Sis won two. Zilch for Mother and me.