Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2007. Mattie was five years old and that day we took him to the US Botanical Gardens. This was a December tradition. We usually went on a cold weather day, because as soon as we walked into the Gardens, it felt like a tropical location! It was one big greenhouse..... warm, humid, and occasional misting of plants. It was a special trip each time we went. I remember this moment in time, because as Mattie was walking under a hanging plant, he looked like he had long hair. So I asked him to stop and pose for a photo.
Quote of the day: If you see someone without a smile, give them yours. ~ Dolly Parton
I am thankful that Peter is home and can help me balance my dad on days that I have appointments with my mom. My mom had her yearly physical today. I think she was nervous about this and has been stressing over her fluctuating blood pressure. I have been trying to tell her that her blood pressure is okay, but to get more data on the issue, I have been tracking her pressure for four days now. But I think it was important to discuss it with the doctor.
Overall I think my mom had a good appointment today. She got her Prevnar 20 shot for pneumonia and thankfully this is now a ONE AND DONE shot. So she won't have to take another one. Given her propensity for catching pneumonia, I am thrilled to have this vaccine on board. The doctor did discuss her gait and balance because it is clearly off and does put her at risk for falls. Thankfully my mom is complying with physical therapy, but we have a long way to go. I think we have all been focused on my dad since 2020, that my mom's health fell by the way side.
I feel like I have made great strides with her since she moved in with me. When she moved in during December of 2021, she was only 90 pounds and had lost a lot of muscle mass. In addition, her neck was tilted to the right and her posture was hunched over. I honestly do not understand how her doctors and my dad's caregivers never said anything to her about her posture. All I know is I left my mom in April of 2021, and her posture wasn't like this. When I landed in Los Angeles in November of 2021, I was stunned! My mom had made a steep decline in only several months!
Over the last year, I have helped her gain weight, correct her neck issues (which completed eliminated her neck pain), and now we are focusing on gait and balance. I do think moving her here was crucial for her health and frankly survival.
So may days look completely different from what they used to be like, but one thing is for certain, I am making a direct difference in the lives of two 87 year olds. For that I have to give myself credit.
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