It had been rather an interesting weekend. My mother had fallen on the previous Friday, and was taken into hospital. Due to the virus, she had to be tested and was placed in an assessment ward. The sentence 'trying to be positive', was suddenly contraband! She was taken in an ambulance, and processed very quickly. However, she had no personal effects with her, and of course, no one could visit to bring them to her. It turned out to be rather a long weekend, with no answers! However, I promised my sister that I would call the ward on Sunday afternoon, being their evening, and a lovely nurse took my number and 'facetimed' on an iPad that apparently was set up for this current climate! I did not spend long on the phone, as I told them I would let my sister 'have a turn', before it got too late.
Things started to get back to normal on Monday. Samantha and the puppies came to collect me to take me to work. The hospital had called my sister to ask her to bring my mothers medication, as they had been unable to access the pharmacy, and Elise had put a few more things in the bag, including my mum's phone. We were now able to call direct. The results of her test had not come back, but I was remaining positive that they would be negative.
My sister and I remained in touch throughout the day, and I called my mum a couple of times. Due to her condition she had been placed in a room on her own and the acoustics were not conducive for a good conversation. My comment that she has to be positive was totally misconstrued, and it took a while to convince her that I was not talking about my thoughts on the results of her test!
Despite my new regime of preparing dinner every night during the week, I had forgotten to extract a sample of a previous repast from the freezer, and we headed to an old haunt to fulfill our dietary requirements! The main dining room was not open, but the patio was available and there were a couple of tables still unoccupied. We ordered, and were brought Styrofoam cups with water, and chips in a bag, with salsa in two individual pots. This was the 'new' normal for this particular establishment. Our meal arrived in 'take out' boxes, with plastic cutlery, and a plastic bag, should be wish to take any leftovers home! It was all rather amusing. It was like ordering a take-out and then changing our minds when it was brought out! However, it was a glorious evening, and we enjoyed it immensely.
The results on Tuesday were negative. I had been positive they would be negative, but now we had a positive result that they were negative! However, my mother had been moved to a 'suspect' ward. Despite the negative result, she was 'displaying symptoms', and they had to be sure the negative was not false. She had a cough. I reminded my sister that she had been coughing for almost a year, and that I had taken her for an x-ray last summer, and one of the side effects of her medication was a cough. However, all we could do was wait for another result! Being five thousand miles away from home when my mother is admitted to hospital is usually very stressful, but now everyone at home was experiencing the same scenario. No one could go to the hospital and we were all having to rely on the telephone.
Standing outside our office, one of our neighbours came along the walkway. It was the lovely, young, tall, young, slim, young girl, who always looks beautiful, and with whom I had the chat about whether I could wear high shoes. Did I mention she was tall and slim, as well as young! "I love your outfit", she mouthed, as I opened the door, to save her searching for her keycard. I thanked her and mouthed back that her shoes were spectacular! I continued my conversation with the nurse on the ward where my mother was now resident. I chose not to use the 'P' word, but instead asked if there as any news. Although she had nothing new to tell me, she was interested in the news over here and I gladly obliged. She promised that she would call my sister as soon as the results arrived.
The geriatric network had been working overtime. I spoke to Elise on Wednesday morning, and she told me that she had spoken with my aunt who had received a call from a cousin. When I called my mum, who was in very good spirits, a positive sign, I told her of the enquiry. "She doesn't know I am here", she said, but I explained that her cousin had been told by a friend. "She doesn't know that I am in here either", she said. Then I explained the connection. Samantha had told her father, who had told his partner, who had told her mother, who had told her friend, who had told my mother's cousin who had called my aunt, who told my sister! Of the trail of the connection, I was positive!
The battle between the city council and the state ramped up on Wednesday. It was like a pantomime. "Oh yes he did", "Oh no he didn't", and the crowd, rather than roaring with laughter, were groaning with despair. "Will you, won't you, will you join the dance", was the song swimming around in my head. "Can we, can't we?" I am of the opinion that, If I can't I wont, but if I can, I may or may not!
My mum was still in her 'suspect' ward. They were not sure about the cough that she has had for nearly a year, and were trying to ascertain from where the pain in her shoulder was emanating, but otherwise, all was rather positive, apart from that which they knew was negative, but did not want to be positive about! We were still in a state of limbo.
Rain during the night caused a muggy start to the morning. The temperatures had not dropped, and the clouds were rather dark and ominous. However, the dark skies gave way to a clear blue and some beautiful, fluffy white clouds. The 'Thunderbirds' were expected to 'fly past' in honour of our 'first responders' during the afternoon, and we had the flight plan showing that they would be over Austin at around two forty. I spoke to my sister, who said that my mother was sounding very confused and not making any sense. She was sleeping a lot and did not seem to understand she was in hospital. I said I would call later. My sister was of the opinion that the pain medication was messing with her equilibrium, and I was inclined to agree. She had started to sound a little peculiar on Wednesday, but I had put it down to a lot of physio and a lack of other human contact.
Having made a vast amount of French macrons, as I still had a vast amount of egg whites, I took some to the next door office. The lovely, young, tall, young, slim, young girl, who always looks beautiful, answered the door. Did I mention she was tall and slim, as well as young! I handed her a box of eight and she went to take one. "Can I take one for him", she said pointing to her colleague. I told her that the box was for her office, and she almost squealed with delight. (Personally, I am not a fan, but as they are so expensive to buy, I think they are considered a rare delicacy.) After she took the box, she said she loved my dress, and then asked, "Can I ask? Where do you buy your clothes? You always look so amazing!" Did I mention she was young! Well if Bebe Rexa likes my style.....! When I told her that I go to 'Dress for less and the likes', she was astounded, and I told her my technique for searching. After all, she is young and slim, (beautiful is not really a threat in the marketing arena) so would be looking for different sizes, and perhaps styles I could share my secret! She vowed to go shopping at the weekend!
Samantha and I went for a walk at lunchtime, and then when the time was right, we went outside to scan the skies. We had been there for about ten minutes when someone shouted that the plan had been altered, due to the weather, and they had just taken off in San Antonio, and would be an hour late! It sounded remarkably like the London buses on which I used to travel! I had to smile. There is always something to remind me of home. In the interim, I called my mum, who sounded like she had been through a time warp and was not making any sense at all. I was quite concerned, as Richard had commented that he had received the same response.
The 'fly over' happened a little after three thirty, and we stood on the green verge in front of the neighbouring building. We didn't clap, or cheer, but watched as the jets flew over, watched them loop around the capital, disappear to the east, and come back again. There were some other people on the grass, and some from the next block down. It was all very quiet, and almost solemn. We went back inside and I took the phone to call the ward. "Oh she is okay. I have just been in to see her. She seems fine", said the nurse. I was not convinced, but could not argue.
Speaking to Elise first thing on Friday definitely put my mind at ease. The doctor on duty agreed 'one hundred percent' with my sister, that the medication was far too strong, and that my mother was a 'space cadet'. Whilst she had been given another dose early that morning, they were no longer going to administer this particular drug, as it had a very debilitating effect. She would remain a bit 'out of it' for the rest of the day, but we should see some improvement, AND they were satisfied that she did not have the virus and were moving her to a 'negative' ward. Positive news!
I was at work when my sister called to say that she had just received a call. "We have your mother". Was it a ransom call I wondered. Were they expecting some sort of compensation? In her current state of mind she would not be worth much to anyone else, although to us she is priceless. However, once the drugs wore off, if they were to start to pen a ransom note, I was sure the Queen of Grammar would have made them write it again, and again, until it was perfect, and then given them instructions as to where to send it, how to send it, whilst getting them to vacuum, dust and thoroughly clean the surroundings, and wash and iron their dirty laundry all before they made any attempt to post such note. However, I digress. The call was from a ward sister. A very nice sounding nurse whom shared my name! As they were now positive that my mother was negative, my sister was able to take some things to the hospital for them to give to her. I said I would call later.
The storm clouds rolled in but there was still no rain. It was very oppressive, and walking was quite difficult. Upon my return to the office, I called the ward, hoping to speak to the same nurse that spoke to my sister. "Oh yes. Your sister said we had the same name. You're in America, aren't you", she said. "Now. Yes, your mum was meant to go to rehab today, but her blood pressure was up, so we wont send her until Monday. Oh, and she hasn't been able to reach her sister. Has the wrong number in her phone, I think. Do you want to speak to her?" I responded with a "Yes", and said that the rehab was much quicker than we had expected, if at all, and that the high blood pressure was a complete anomaly as she has, if anything, only ever had low readings. I would also tell my sister to call my aunt. The voice was very shrill. "Hello. Is that you. Who is it. Janet". I said "No.", but I could not be heard. "Janet? I can't hear you. Janet? Can't hear her. I can't hear her". The nurse took the phone and told me, "She can't hear you". I responded. "That is not my mum". Silence. "Oh my goodness. No! I am so sorry. I had two sets of notes in front of me. They were moved here together. I am so sorry". The panic in the voice of the medical employee was so evident, I thought I should put her at ease. It was a mistake, and thankfully, not critical. However, there were a couple of things I wanted to clarify. Firstly, that my mother was not going to rehab on Monday. (No.) Secondly, that she did not have high blood pressure. (No.) Also, she was not trying to contact my aunt. (No.) "Most importantly", I said, "I anyone going to let Janet know?" This eased the nurses panic and she knew I was not upset!
Although I did not swim on Friday evening, I did go to the pool. My neighbour, Jen, was in the water when I arrived, and we chatted for near on two hours. Her husband came down to the area half way through our mammoth session and it was a lovely end of week release!
Saturday started early. Storms had rolled in and we had experienced several power outages during the night. The fan in our room had cut in and out various times. I had awoken at each stopping and starting. The thunder and lightening had also kept me awake. However, it was dry in the morning, albeit very windy. Samantha and I went to Costco, together. Then we headed to Sams. She wanted to go to the craft store on the southside, so we did. Whilst standing, waiting, for her material to be measured and cut, I felt a little faint, and realised that I needed to remove my mask. I did so, as some of the customers were not wearing any face covering, so I gathered it was not 'store policy'. I sat at a large table with two other people. Samantha's number was called but she was looking around another part of the store. The staff were acting a little 'militant', and barking orders at the customers. "Number 46!" came the call again, and I ran the material that she had left with me up to the desk. "Quick", said one of my fellow shoppers. At that my daughter appeared. "Wow, thirty seconds or you are out!" I responded to the shopper. The staff were less than amused. I was waiting for the 'Leave the shop now. Do not return, do not collect $200!" The eyes, however, said it all. I started to laugh. Samantha was saying something to me from the counter. "I can't lip read when you have your mask on!" I shouted. The line of people erupted in laughter. The staff growled. We were back to "What is the most important job in the world. Burger flipper (who have all been lovely) or fabric cutter? "I am not making masks. I actually make other things with the material I buy", said one customer, appearing to want to gain favour from the staff. Eyes rolled around the line of people waiting for their number to be called. There is always one 'collaborator'! I received a message from Samantha, asking me to go to the front of the store, and 'get in line'. I rose, thanked the gentleman wearing the Vietnam Vet cap for his service, wished everyone at the table, and beyond a lovely rest of the day, and added that I hoped they enjoyed the rest of their stay at the fabric cutting resort. I received warm greetings back, and a few glares from those behind the counter!
I waited for sometime for Samantha to join me in the line to pay. She had apparently been helped by the person who had 'never done this before', and could not measure, calculate or cut! However, she eventually learned and the items were stacked and retrieved. We left the shop.
My mother was much more coherent when I called, and knew she had been confused. The physio had been, and she was a little less stable on her legs than she would have liked to have been. However, she was talking quite sensibly and complaining bitterly about the food. She was back!
Dinner was interesting. We went to a buffet. Instead of wandering the counter and helping ourselves, everything was served to us. It was quite a pleasant experience, not only for the lack of children washing their hair, hands and faces in the chocolate fountain, which was out of action! Dana and I went to find Jake, as I had not been to my usual supermarket earlier, but he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he has now found a home! I hope so!
The weather is somewhat overcast, but warm I shall endeavour to swim this afternoon and perhaps read a little. I am delighted that everything about my mother has come back negative, and in this time of constant change, negative really is the new positive! Facetious? But of course! Nothing has prepared me for what we are all going through, but we appear to be coming out the other end. At least that is the hope. Whether mum will go to rehab, or go home, awaits to be seen. Whether Janet found out what happened to her mother will forever remain...... another story!
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