TravelBlogue: La Casa de Mama, Day 2
Today was a little rougher on La Mama...she had a tremendous headache all day, and wasn't able to eat much this morning at all, although she had a little tea and a morsel of toast. Since she was mostly sleeping, I went into Peoria for a few hours to get her some more of the Asiago cheese bagels from Panera that she likes and also to go to the YMCA. They've built a new Y now on the north end of town. There used to be this rather derelict, run-down facility on Hamilton Blvd. downtown, which had such old equipment that it looked like set pieces from "Lost in Space." And the workout room had no windows at all. The new place is quite fancy-schmancy and on this big expanse of ground in the Willow Knolls housing complex (it's like Florida without all the sun). I have pictures that I'll add tomorrow when I'm back on my own computer.
I was back in Chillicothe at about 12:30 and she was still sleeping in her chair. Still feeling lousy, too. When she did wake up, she could barely manage the headaches and was getting muscle cramps (both side affects of this stuff, which I think is called Avastin?). But she was fine and still resting, so I just kept her water replenished.
I visited with my dad and stepmom this afternoon and came back to start dinner around 6:00. About 7:00, my aunt called. My cousin had just left her house and was on his way to mom's with his fiance and her grandchildren. Now, his fiance is a lovely lady, and I like my cousin, but for Christ's sake!!! My mother felt like shit, her hair was all messy and she was wearing an old T-shirt and shorts. Clearly, she was not up for receiving visitors! Especially two kids she'd never seen before. But my cousin has a habit of just dropping by spontaneously, without fucking calling, which is a teensy fucking bit annoying. For fuck's sakes.
But it turned out to be a good thing, I think. The grandkids were cute, the youngest one was fascinated by anything shiny in mom's apartment and I think making conversation perked her up a little. And Jeannie, his fiance, is as nice as she can be, so it's always good to see her. They were only here for about a half hour, and by the time they left, she was feeling a little better, and ate a good amount of dinner.
She had Tivo'd "Reefer Madness," so I just got done watching that. (Much better than I expected, actually. Bad in a good way.) Hopefully, she'll feel even better tomorrow...(I have to go back to Chicago tomorrow night either way for work Monday morning...but a good breakfast will make all the difference, I think.)
One thing I've noticed on this particular trip down: people can't fucking drive in a sane fashion here. I've encountered more flat-faced trailer trash that can't seem to use their turn signals (or BRAKES) on this trip than any ever before. I think the banjo music is getting to them...
So, thus ends day 2 of "The Trip To Casa de Mama." Day 3's wrap-up tomorrow night!
I was back in Chillicothe at about 12:30 and she was still sleeping in her chair. Still feeling lousy, too. When she did wake up, she could barely manage the headaches and was getting muscle cramps (both side affects of this stuff, which I think is called Avastin?). But she was fine and still resting, so I just kept her water replenished.
I visited with my dad and stepmom this afternoon and came back to start dinner around 6:00. About 7:00, my aunt called. My cousin had just left her house and was on his way to mom's with his fiance and her grandchildren. Now, his fiance is a lovely lady, and I like my cousin, but for Christ's sake!!! My mother felt like shit, her hair was all messy and she was wearing an old T-shirt and shorts. Clearly, she was not up for receiving visitors! Especially two kids she'd never seen before. But my cousin has a habit of just dropping by spontaneously, without fucking calling, which is a teensy fucking bit annoying. For fuck's sakes.
But it turned out to be a good thing, I think. The grandkids were cute, the youngest one was fascinated by anything shiny in mom's apartment and I think making conversation perked her up a little. And Jeannie, his fiance, is as nice as she can be, so it's always good to see her. They were only here for about a half hour, and by the time they left, she was feeling a little better, and ate a good amount of dinner.
She had Tivo'd "Reefer Madness," so I just got done watching that. (Much better than I expected, actually. Bad in a good way.) Hopefully, she'll feel even better tomorrow...(I have to go back to Chicago tomorrow night either way for work Monday morning...but a good breakfast will make all the difference, I think.)
One thing I've noticed on this particular trip down: people can't fucking drive in a sane fashion here. I've encountered more flat-faced trailer trash that can't seem to use their turn signals (or BRAKES) on this trip than any ever before. I think the banjo music is getting to them...
So, thus ends day 2 of "The Trip To Casa de Mama." Day 3's wrap-up tomorrow night!
posted by Aaron at 12:00 AM
4 Comments:
Your a good son, Aaron. It sounds like La Mama has benefited from your stay.
My Mom isn't undergoing any treatments but when I went there yesterday she was sitting in a recliner in the living room. I'd never seen her like that. She said she was freezing to death and had a terrible headache. I got her a blanket. The house was quite hot. She takes blood thinner and blood pressure medicine whenever I hound her about it. She has congestive heart failure and only half of her heart is working properly.
It sounds like you're a son, also...I know how hard it is when the folks don't want to do something and you can't make them! I'm sure she appreciates all that you do.
You're both good sons. Thanks for the update on your mom, Aaron. I hope she is feeling better soon.
Thanks, Stephen--I meant to say "good son" in my comment to Ed, too...I left out the "good"! I'm a terrible editor these days...
She was feeling much better this afternoon. I called her when I got home also...
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