Life after Death Sentencing

Movement for 7/8/08:

• Walked, using walls, furniture and counters, into the bathroom from the bedroom this morning. Did well.
• Walkered from the bathroom to the dinette for breakfast after bathing this morning. Did well.
• Went in for a three and a half hour nap after the Hospice nurse left. Decided she wanted to be wheeled into the bathroom and into the bedroom.
• Walked into the bathroom under her own steam after her nap, today. Decided she wanted to be wheeled into the living room, though. I made the decision to take her down the ramp instead of have her negotiate the steps.
• After the movie, her breathing treatment and her leg rubdown, she decided she wanted to walker to the banister, took the steps up to the foyer, then continued walkering into the bathroom. She walked into her bedroom under her own steam.

    I was surprised at and pleased with her renewed interest in movement late in the evening. I even clapped once she had sat on her bed, and congratulated her. She flashed me a wry grin. "That deserved applause," she confirmed. I couldn't help but take silent note at how courageous she is, even and especially under the duress of this final period of failing health in her life. I recall, earlier in the day, as the Hospice nurse was concluding her interview, I mentioned that I felt the most important factors in Mom's prognosis were her will and her spirit, which continue to remain strong and high. I was unable to say this without shedding tears, as usual, thus, Mom had trouble hearing exactly what I'd said. The nurse repeated it for her. Mom beamed.
    She is, indeed, one courageous woman. She simply isn't ready to take "no more" as an answer. This quality of hers, I think, is actually going to make it easier on me when she finally does decide that "no more" is an appropriate answer to the question that is her life. It will be obvious that she's had enough. I suspect, considering what I've learned of her character in the last several years, that her answer won't actually be "no more", it will be, "I'm ready for something else." What a gal.