Happy Memories

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.