My Mother, The Celebrity

Well, I usually write about my grandchildren and what fun times Gary and I have with them. A diary of sorts, I guess, for them for when they are older and I can't remember how much fun we've had.

But, I really need to put in writing experiences my mother, Nana, is having in the rehabilitation hospital. Yes, I wrote "rehabilitation" even though the sign to the building says "nursing rehabilitation." Mother will not let us use the word "nursing home." She overheard Jack tell a friend on the phone that Peggy was in the Chenal Heights Nursing Home. Jack was in the dog house for a week. So, we have been very careful to avoid the word "nursing home."

So, in this "not nursing home" Nana is known as the celebrity. The receptionist came by the room before I left to go home on Friday to meet Mother. She said that she just wanted to meet this celebrity that keeps having so many visitors.

Mother and Miss Shirley

Then, there's Somer, who is one of the nurses who just loves Mother. I don't know if every patient gets a bubble bath but my Mom sure does.

Mother and Somer

They have fallen in love with Jack, also. When they bring Mother a supper tray Somer brings Jack one too. Yummy, "nursing home food"....oops....sorry....rehabilitation hospital food! I'll pass.

Mother, John and Jack. Jack never left her side.
Now, let me tell you about the two male therapist. If Mother doesn't quit telling everyone who walks in how good looking and young they are, I think I'll just pull the covers over my head! She was even going on and on about them to William, who wasn't at all impressed. She even told William that he may want to consider this occupation because he will be able to work with little old ladies all day every day. Yep, I'm sure William is headed to physical therapy school asap!

Mother and Therapist

Mother and William

And, then, remember when she got on Facebook just a couple of hours after surgery. She was high as a kite. They let her "push the button" to dispense more pain medication anytime she felt that she needed it. She felt she needed it every 30 minutes. I tried to apologize in advance to everyone on Facebook. I had no idea what she would write. It turned out to not be so bad but her spelling....well, not so good.

I didn't realize Mother had such a competitive sprit. If she saw anyone that seemed to be doing better than her she would go up to the person and first ask them how old they are and when they had their surgery. One lady would have none of it. Mother asked "If you don't mind me asking...how old are you?" The lady replied "I mind." Mother continued on as she does "Well, you seem to be doing better than me and I was just wondering if you were younger and what day you came in." She kept an eye on everyone's progress. When her roommate got five points ahead of her on the machine then Mother bumped her machine up five points one afternoon. She'll deny that was the reason.

She probably got her competitive spirit from her basketball days. She loves that basketball. She watched basketball from morning till night. I told someone and they told me that they didn't realize there were basketball games in the mornings. Well, if you don't mind games that have already been played...yep...basketball pretty much all day long. I don't care for basketball all day every day. I had to watch a lot of it!

Now, if you visit her and get ready to leave, don't say "I'll be thinking of you." She'll reply back "Thinking??? That doesn't do me any good. Be praying for me!"

Well, she's having a good time. She keeps everyone laughing and lovin' her!