A trying three weeks

When Annikki's mother came home from her interval care in the Old People's Home in mid February, we were a bit worried about her physical strength, as the new home she was sent to did not have correct instructions to try to keep her mobile and ensure her muscles stayed active.

In the morning of last Monday, The third day after she got home, when Annikki took her to toilet, we found that she had no energy to hold herself upright.

Annikki then had a terrible scare as her mother was fainting while Annikkki was feeding her. With great presence of mind, Annikki acted quickly. As I was around, we tilted back her chair to ensure that blood flow to the brain was maintained. We managed, with a great deal of difficulty, to get her back to bed, lifting her heavy body onto the bed.

A little later in the afternoon, while in bed and when Annikki tried to feed her some liquids, she threw up the food she had eaten earlier that day.

Annikki was quick to call the ambulance to admit her mother to the hospital via the emergency wing of the hospital. Intravenous drip was already administered before the ambulance left home.

After an investigation, it was decided to hospitalise her. She was treated with antibiotics till the flu / influenza attacks were brought under control.

She was finally discharged, two weeks after she was admitted. We brought her home.

However, the next morning, it became evident that she was extremely weak and that we, at home, did not have the equipment or skills to look after her in that state.

Luckily it was time for her interval care, so we took her in to the Nursing Home where she is now in the care of nurses.

Hopefully she will recoup her strength so that when she gets home in another week's time, we will be able to continue her care at home.

This is a very difficult time for Annikki as she has cared for her mother on a night and day basis over the last six and a half years. I have helped with all the outside home work, shopping, etc., and also with the heavier work of physically lifting her when required.

Let us hope that she will be well enough to resume her stay in her home that she knows and loves.

To Hirosenkoti

Annikki's mother, Hilja, has been in very good health these last two weeks. She was very happy to have a bath today and she ate very well.

After almost a year of different health problems, which Annikki has tended with great care and devotion, Hilja is now in fine fettle and she is full of beans, mentally. A lot of her muscle strength has returned, although not yet enough for her to stand unattended.



She objected to being dressed to go to the Hirosenkoti Old People's Home as she does not like being transported from one place to another.

But if Annikki is to recoup her strength, these interval care times are very important for her, although not so good for Hilja.

Hilja will be back home on the 17th of the month. Hopefully the mild autumn weather will still be around. But that is just hoping! I have scheduled to put on my winter tyres on the car by the 15th of the month.