In a chaotic stasis...

Saturday was a stressful day for my family. Over the last week, my mom deteriorated quickly, becoming even more confused and talking just plain old crazy. She called me 49 times on Friday, asking where she was and why she was there. I explained over and over that she was in rehab, and there to get strong enough to come home. Then the calls turned angry, and she asked why my brothers and I were doing this to her. She asked why I had chopped up Monet. I told her Monet was alive and well and happy, and she started sobbing uncontrollably, so thankful and happy that Monet was alive. Then ten minutes later, Monet would be chopped up or poisoned or killed in some other way, and it would start all over.

Then, she started calling 911. And her caretaker, and telling her to call 911. So I got a few calls from the Sheriff's office inquiring what was going on. Apparently my mom told the caretaker that my brothers and I had taken her out of rehab and put her in my upstairs bathroom and were going to kill her.

So, I called the rehab and told them maybe it was time to take away her phone for the night. I told them to tell her that her whole family would  be there to see her in the morning.

First thing Saturday morning, the rehab called and said she was refusing her oxygen again. So my brothers and I rush over (my younger brother had arrived with two of my nieces at 12 am the night before), and my mom is in bed, and totally unresponsive, but wearing her oxygen. I asked the nurse if they had sedated her, and she said no, my mom had refused all her medications that morning, and kept saying she wanted to die.

My mom remained almost totally unresponsive the whole day, except for very brief periods of lucidity. One time, she woke up and looked around at everyone and said, "Hi!" in a cheery voice. Then, she was gone again. Her eyes were open sometimes, but unfocused. She really appeared to be dying.

Here's a picture of Aidan and my younger brother, Patrick, holding my mom's hands.

The next day, we were all there early in the morning. We were surprised we hadn't been called during the night with news that she had passed. The nurse said there was no change. But when we went into the room, she seemed a little more alert. Her eyes were open and seemed to track things that moved. Then she said, "Thirsty!" so I helped her drink, and she drank two cups of water from a straw. Then she looked fiercely at my sister in law and told her to "GET OUT!" (My mom has never liked her, but my sister in law only wants the best and has been a huge help)

Then, my mom gradually came back. She insisted that she was awake the day before and that she was "talking with her eyes." She wanted something to eat, but wouldn't tell us what she wanted. We all started offering suggestions based on things she normally enjoyed, but she shook her head at everything. Finally, she said "Spaghetti." So my younger brother went to Olive Garden and got her spaghetti, and she ate about 1/4 of it.

The remainder of the day, she seemed almost normal. There was talk among the nurses that my mom had been faking it. My sister in law, who is a hospice nurse, also suspected that she may have been doing it for attention. That was hard for me to fathom, but it did seem like it.

But then yesterday, when things returned to normal, I went to visit her in the morning, and she was back to talking crazy, saying that her room was her old home in Palm Beach, and she didn't know why these people were in her home, and that moving men with big city buses had come and stolen all her expensive things.

I relayed this to my brother and SIL, and my sister in law said that the weekend may have been her "last hurrah," and she would probably start really declining.

So yesterday, I spent part of the day arranging for nursing home or hospice care, whichever was appropriate. I finished the Medicaid application and inquired about funeral arrangements. Then, I went home and painted a little to take my mind off things. Today, my mom seems to be doing okay, but still on the gradual downward slope. Aidan is going to bring Monet to see her.

I brought Monet to see her Saturday, but my mom wasn't aware of her being there. Monet seemed to know something wasn't right, and laid his head on her arm...

Anyway, that's where things are right now. I'm not sure what is really happening, but I'm as prepared as I can be.

For now, it's time to get back to work.

This weekend, I'll have some new art up on eBay to try and help make up for time lost at work. My friend Karen, who is a real artist, is donating one of her pieces, and is splitting the sale with me 50-50. I thought that was so generous and I'm so grateful for all of my friends. Here is the piece we will be selling together:

The description is: Painted free hand by folk artist, K. This acrylic painting is done on vintage Frederic canvas board. The painting hangs from two chic retro chrome clips. The work is a Steampunk Seahorse. Originally painted in 2013 as a challenge. The painting has been in the artist's collection since creation. The dimensions are 30 inches long by 15 inches wide. The vintage canvas board is 1/4 inch thick.

My friend has also commissioned me to paint two more Ice Pick Lickers Club for Christmas gifts! How awesome is that? :)

I'll also be listing a couple paintings this weekend. I have a new one of Tesuque that's almost done, and my "Love Story" of the girl and the dragon is almost done. Aidan is also planning on donating a painting of a mermaid she's working on, but of course, she wants most of the proceeds. Lol. Here's a preliminary glance at Tesuque (remember its not finished):

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day!