Hello again
Everyday I carry a backpack and a sports bag to see mom. They are both full and heavy. And this doesn't bother me. I lift mom and move her around. I carry and lift all day. But the other day, while making mom her smoothie,( I forgot to cover the smoothie) I got it all over the back splash. While cleaning it, I don't know what I did. I tweaked my back and I felt it immediately. It was and is extremely painful.
One good thing about it, I don't feel the pain in my knee's or my hip. I woke up this morning, not being able to move. I was in so much pain. I got up, I was doubled over in pain. Just standing was not fun.
No matter what I felt or feel, I was not going to stay home. Mom needs me to be there for her. So I showered and got ready. Loaded the backpack and sports bag, and off I went. I was walking slower, but walking none the less. The bus trip was hell. It is as if the driver only knew how to step on the brakes really hard.
After I arrived in White Rock, I really wanted to just lay down on the ground for awhile.
I do say one thing. If I did not have the cane, I wouldn't be walking today. Not at all. I didn't walk down to the hospital as usual, I waited for the bus. A mistake, again.
But as soon as I got to mom's I tried to put the pain behind me. I didn't work. So I just took another pain medication. It was OK.
Mom was very glad to see me today. We went and got all of her things for dinner, set up the table. The first thing I do is give mom something to drink. Some coke, water and her juice. I feed her, she ate well today, considering it is the weekend. And mom does not usually eat that much on the weekend.
Half way through dinner, mom was motioning for me to give her the nightly spa treatment. It seems when she grabs my hand it gives her the feeling of security and relaxes her. To the point that all she wants to do is go to sleep. Which she tries to do while I am feeding her. I have to keep asking her to eat a little bit more and we will get to the spa treatment. That I need her to eat to stay healthy and strong. We have the fruit to eat and more of the smoothie. So please eat a little bit more.
Which she does.
Today it was hard for me to do anything. Even attach the straps onto the lift. Or even bend over to pick up her clothing, after I changed her, to put into the laundry hamper.
I did it and I felt the pain from it. I still can't believe that I hurt my back cleaning the back splash. And I carry all sorts of things to and from White Rock daily.
It was a quit day, I didn't speak much. Yet mom understood and it was OK. I just held her hand, after I washed her, gave her the daily foot massage and applied the lotion to her. I stood their and mom just closed her eyes, smiled and relaxed. I just love this part of the day. The trust, the love. Just the simple act of holding mom's hand, makes her feel comfortable and secure. And puts her to sleep.
The bus trip on the way home was not much better. OK a little better, since I had taken the extra pain medication, but not much. I am in extreme pain just sitting here writing this. But I needed to do this, so nothing will stop me.
I hope my back is better tomorrow. People suggest I go see a physiotherapist, can't afford the small fee that is needed to see them.
OK it is midnight again and time to go. Till I write again.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
