The Traveling Kiwi

I have been trying to get down to Christchurch to see mum for a while but Covid and losing friends and health surprises kept getting in the way. I knew mum was starting to forget things when I was down last and she is 89 but this time I am shocked at how much short term memory is gone. It’s upsetting and difficult for her because in every other way she is fine and with it. Day one she forgot what day it was and took her medication twice. By day 3 we realised she can never manage her own meds again but getting reliable 7 days a week help is incredibly difficult. Food has become a real issue as she forgets what she bought and buys it again and forgets she ate and forgets she has diabetes and buys a huge can of V forgetting she has AF and heart issues. So my trip has extended. The house is very cold in winter but double glazing is out of the question as is a heat pump so I have been clambering over furniture and boxes to install the insulation film and line the curtains. Zipping around in Mums wee car till last night I noticed the warrant was 3 months out of date. Lined up in the rain this morning to get one, it only took 2.5 hrs so just enough time to get to the airport for my flight back. I am exhausted and worried about how she will cope. Everyone here is still working full time and live out of town so it’s a challenge. I think I will be back sooner than I think. Hopefully next time I will have a few moments to catch my breath and spend a wee bit of time enjoying Chch maybe catch up with some old friends.

~ by kiwikris on March 13, 2023.

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