The Homecoming

Mum got home yesterday. I had gone across to her house yesterday with Bobby early, just so I could get a load of washing in, sort out the bedding and do some work. I also wanted to get in touch with Mum's Clinical Nurse Specialist, Gill, to talk about the referral to the oncologist. I was on the landline to Gill, when Mum rings my mobile to say the ambulance was just crossing Tinsley Viaduct so she'd be home any minute. Far from waiting all day for her to arrive as we expected, she was home by half past ten.

As soon as she got in Mum was wanting to go through the post and I spent quite a lot of time looking for a cheque book she thought should have arrived, as well as doing the ironing, making lunch, unpacking and trying to work. It was a busy day.

The afternoon was spent with a flurry of people coming to deliver things or introduce themselves. Someone delivering the personal alarm system. People to drop off a perching stool, toilet frame and fit the bath board. A Tesco delivery. Also, the lovely carer ladies, who will only be visiting Mum until Tuesday, when the full-time carers take over. As care was sorted out so quickly, an emergency team has been put in place as a short term measure, which will change again next week. Mum also thought that a District Nurse should have been coming, but maybe that was supposed to be another day as no-one showed. Not sure we could have accommodated another visit, so this was actually a good thing.

The fact that carers are going in to see Mum four times a day is amazing. I was actually surprised how much Mum could potter about the house, despite the fact that she said she was finding some things difficult. She managed to walk right down the long corridor in the bungalow without having to sit down and get in and out of the chairs. Still, it's good to know that people will be going in to help her four times a day, so if she's not feeling like getting a meal ready or needs help with something there will be someone around fairly regularly.

I have phoned Mum this morning to find that she was fine, but had a list of things to ask me. Questions ranged from "Where is the remote control for the stereo?" and "What's that lucozade doing on the worktop?", to "Have you got my Lakeland Plastics catalogue?". I was actually very pleased that she had made a list of things to ask, because often Mum calls every time something occurs to her, which means me taking many, many calls a day. This isn't a new thing, but it certainly exacerbates during times of stress. Maybe she's developed this new strategy to save my nerves.

The carers have already been in this morning and have made her breakfast and put some washing in. I'm going this afternoon for a bit, so I imagine there will be some ironing to do. Must remember that Lakeland Plastics catalogue...