3 years
later and Gran is in Glenfairn Nursing Home. Like I said in my last blog she’s
safe, well looked after and, I think, is as content as she can be. When I’m not
up at Uni, doing coursework (writing a blog!) or on the very rare occasion socialising
😂I try to pop in and spend time with Gran. Sometimes I could be in for
10 minutes and other times 20 minutes. Sometimes I could be in for an hour.
Other times she could be asleep and I just leave. There are good visits and not
so good visits.
Recently, visits have been good but 4
months ago we had a huge scare. For a while Gran looked like she was
deteriorating. We just assumed this was Alzheimer’s taking its course. My dad
called me and said she had been rushed to hospital. They thought her heart was
failing. Everyone was prepared for the worst. Thankfully the worst didn’t happen.
It turns out that due to her weight loss her medication needed adjusted. She
was first taken off the medication completely and is now on a dose that works
better for her.
My Gran was known for her strength of
character. I think that this trait is still in her. When we all thought it was
the Alzheimer’s dragging her down it turns out it was a chemical in her body.
She has fought back and is in great spirits. When I visit now she’s smiling and
engaging with me again. She holds my hand and tells me she loves me. She even
mentions that she likes my beard!
I don’t know if she knows who I am but I
like to think there is a flicker of recognition deep down. I visit as much for
me as for her. I probably get more out of it than she does. I’m just glad she’s
still here to visit. All my memories of Gran are, and will be, happy ones.