Mom & Me Journals Histories: 1999 - 2001

    My mother's heart is in good shape. Out of curiosity we decided to schedule a sonogram and an echocardiogram. She's never had either. Although the results haven't been interpreted by the doctor and the echo technician who did the sonogram was reluctant to discuss the test as it was proceeding, she was lively and instructive and concluded her test by saying that, although she's not "the doctor" this is all she does and Mom's heart looks "good to [her]". She even pointed out an area of "very slight valve leakage", the mitral valve, common, apparently, with old hearts, nothing to worry about. As well, my mother's heart "rests very well between beats". This is important because, just like any machine, the older the heart gets the more likely that the muscle will "stiffen up", which causes it to remain tense during rest. The physical tension considerably ages the person with such a heart.
    I haven't been aware of feeling concern about her heart but I've been aware of feeling relieved since yesterday.

    This morning is going by too fast. I have been suffering a paralysis of will the last few (more than a few, but not several) days, but today is a No Excuses day. Mom engineered a luncheon date with my cousin, my mother's dead sister's daughter. I have been counseling Mom to please remember that my uncle, the cousin's father and my mother's dead sister's husband, is dead and not to pop up with, "So, what'd'ya hearfrom DU?" in the middle of the salad. Mom, unfortunately, thinks it would be funny if she did that, so we'll see.
    Last Sunday on our way home from south Chandler Mom suddenly decided that MFS was staying with MPS and, if it wasn't MFS, then who was it? That occupied us for most of the trip. The moment we arrived home Mom was on the phone to MPS, wanting to talk to MFS. We got it all straightened out. Mom still believes that MPS called her earlier that day and told her MFS was there. So over Monday and Tuesday MPS, MFS and I, among ourselves, did a sort of "Where Is MFS?" routine based on "Who's on First?" Dementia has its moments.
    MPS said to me last week, "She may have to go into a home, one of these days." I guess being Mom's companion is easier than it looks. I actually like the weird stuff that happens, although I have to admit I do allow it to isolate me. "The Literature" says that's not a good idea.
    Mom's up. The day has begun.