VERY sorry.
Nothing from me since August.
Well, nothing to report.
The care home stayed open to visitors for a long time, we go once a week and sit for 15-25 mins. Okaasan is heavily drugged and sleeping. Sometimes moves her head and lips, breaths deeply.
We go and sit by the bedside, play music on the mobile phone. We chat to eachother about shopping, cat, camping car, TV shows...hoping that Okaasan is enjoying the music and our voices. We stroke her hair and hands, gently.
No response.
She is VERY drugged up. A nurse rather shocked us by coming up the bed and using her fingers to try and force Okaasan's eyes open: "Kazuko-san! Your son is here! Look!"....and even with that action Okaasan's eye didn't actually open at all.
Of course, we were protesting a bit and saying: "oh no - it's ok! Just let her sleep!!". Really it is ok. At this point in her life we just want her to be relaxed and "happy" in that drugged state.
Two friends talked to me recently about their mothers - women in their 90s who live in their own homes, who go to day service and can enjoy car trips with the family and lunches out. I reminded them that those woman are SO lucky to have that life - despite walking problems or a bit forgetful.
None of us know what the future holds. Okaasan was still having that kind of ordinary life until her mid-80s...
And now...๐
Our life update? Well, we travelled to mainland Japan in our RV. We visited an RV building company and have ordered our retirement home on wheels! It will have a toilet and much better balance for driving than our current van. It will be ready in 2026 - by which time we can see Okaasan's state of life, the cat's state of life and my work situation.
Apart from that, we are slipping thru autumn here. I finally bought a 2nd hand inflatable SUP (after a summer of procrastination) and I've been trying to get out and enjoy the water again - and trying to stand up on the thing. Last week I did it! Stood up 5 times - old dog learning new tricks here!
