Mom got discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. Monday, there was a conference call between me, the doctor, the case manager, Laura, Beth, and Lake City Place about what to do with Mom going forward. The doctor told us that she is medically ok, with moderate to severe dementia, paranoid, not agitated, slept ok, stayed in her room most of the time, and that assisted living is not enough for her. She needs more supervision. She’s also on a new prescription for an anti-psychotic. Beth made a bunch of phone calls and got us a tour at the Miller’s in Plymouth Monday night, but Lake City also called and said they are making some arrangements and Mom can stay there. Which is good, because neither Beth nor I was impressed with Miller’s. Seemed a sad place. And cluttered. And it didn’t smell very good either, but I’m sure that’s common in memory care. Anyway, we were wishing by the time the tour was over that we could tell Mom that if she can’t get by where she lives, then she’s going to wind up somewhere like that. But that would be meaningless to her. But, we’re both very happy that Lake City told us that she can stay there. They are going to add some in-home nursing care for her, and with that in place, they think they can make it all work. I’m sure glad for that. If she has to move out, I’m not going to see her nearly as much. I left work early Tuesday to go pick her up at the hospital. On the way home, she asked where we were going several times and didn’t seem to realize where she had been. She seemed pretty vacant, but that may have just been the new medication she’s on; she’s not used to it yet, I’m sure. But, as we were pulling into the driveway she said “Oh, I don’t want to go here!”so I guess she remembered it at least in some aspect. Beth and I met with David (the director) after I got out of work Tuesday and they seemed all set to keep her around. Revolution and FCC Kids had a roller skating party Tuesday evening, Tuesday so Natalie could go (she's had counseling on Wednesday since school started). I skated, Beth did not. Missy had her friend Abby over with us. The kids are getting better at skating, finally.
The end of the week got busy again. Friday was the teddy bear toss at the Komets game in Fort Wayne. The Boschains weren't able to go with us this time, though. Beth and I and the kids went, taking a bunch of stuffed animals that they were willing to part with and that hadn't sold at the garage sales this fall. For a while, we thought we might have to take them home, as the Komets failed to score for the first 2 periods and were down 2-0 midway through the 3rd. But then they scored twice like lightning, and regulation ended at 2-2. A scoreless overtime, and they went to a shootout which the Komets won when the goalie shut Toledo out on 3 shots. First time I've seen a shootout win. We got home late of course, which was inconvenient since Beth's big show at Wawasee was the next morning. She made a couple pots of soup (Soala and chili) and we got up early to set up and get selling, and I couldn't get back home right away because it was so busy. I came to get Natalie and bring her there to help (and sell cookies) in the early afternoon, then remembered we were supposed to ring the bell for Salvation Army at 1:00 so I ran back (late) and did it myself. And I must admit it felt strange saying Merry Christmas when it was 50 degrees outside and sunny. Usually it's freezing when we do that. Then back to the show to tear everything down around 3, by which time Beth had sold around $900 worth of soup. Incredible. The chili and soala nearly sold out. Sunday was Natalie's birthday, and what she wanted was to play paintball. So we did. We found a Groupon to a place near Churubusco, where for a set price you get the gun and helmet rental, 200 pellets, and use of the course as long as you want. There weren't many other people there so after a while we bought some more pellets. It was a lot of fun. Nat brought 2 friends, one of who had played there before, but nobody else had ever. Which brings up an important point: if you as a newby are asked by some kid with a full set of armor and a pro level gun if he can play with you, you say no. He killed us all. And at one point he made Nat cry, and I thought we were going to have to go home. But she rallied. He had shot her multiple times in the same spot...and his gun hurt a lot more than ours did. Anyway, we played several rounds in both courses they have there and had a lot of fun.