Mama, Daisy, help

We were doing all the good until Saturday afternoon. Mama was getting around the house well. Walking with normal steps – but still using the walker. Until Saturday afternoon. She tends to move from the bed to the couch; not sitting very long in any other location because of how different chairs hit her leg as she sits. In this particular instance, she was setting herself onto the sofa as she raised the recliner and did something wrong. I am not sure what. I was in the kitchen. Just a few feet away, cleaning up after lunch. Somehow the recliner came up too quickly and struck her leg in a way that hurt her. A hurt that did not go away. She has been taking her pain meds routinely since the incident. I was not with her because she has gotten herself onto the sofa recliner multiple times without a problem. Bit it only takes one wrong move at this point.

I am noticing that she has more control when raising her leg. She is not able to raise it far. Nor is she able to hold the full weight of the leg as she moves into and out of the bed, but she is definitely gaining that function. For now, however, we are trying to play it very safe. Victoria even fussed at Mama yesterday when she took a few steps without the walker. This morning reinforced the need for her to avoid doing that. As she was walking from the bedroom to the kitchen, her knee “popped” a little. Mama is not good at describing things, but I got the impression that it moved somewhat into a straight position as she was stepping forward with her weight on it. We do not know if anything is wrong, but those will be good pieces of information to share with the doctor when she goes to her appointment tomorrow. At least, we think it is tomorrow. Mama got us confused on the dates.

 As I was going out to feed yesterday morning, I noticed a calf running along the fence of our barn lot. It appears that Daisy had her calf overnight Saturday night. It is a little bull calf. He is small. Most of her calves are. And he is full of energy - while he is up. Mama has not seen him yet. Victoria has not named him yet, but he is a welcome addition to the farm. Mama was not expecting him for a couple weeks but as we looked her over before Mama’s surgery, Daisy looked like her udder was filling and her teats swelling. So, we knew it would not be long. I could not tell that there was any change when I fed the cows Saturday. But there must have been. I did not get a picture of the calf yet. I will try to do that today.

Yesterday, we had Cheyenne and Aubrey for the afternoon. Their Grandma is still in New York. They are no problem to keep. They play quietly while we nap. While we were at church, Grandma spent the morning with Mama. Helped her get cleaned up. Changed the sheets. Didn’t let her rest much, but she did other needed things. Mama was relieved when the CD player was packed up and taken home. It had been on all morning as Grandma talked over Jim Reeves singing Gospel songs. We do not mind quiet. Quiet and Grandma have never been close friends. Still yet, Mama slept a good bit of the morning and all of the afternoon. Trace, Krystal and the boys stopped by after church to say Hi and deliver some ice cream to Mama. Since Grandma was there, their short visit turned into about 45 minutes. But Mama, who stayed in bed for the duration, was pleased they had thought of her.

Right now, we are trying to take things one day at a time. I still have to get up with Mama during the night to help her out of and back into bed for her nightly potty excursion. I don’t mind. I am normally up at least once per night for the same reason. This morning, I got her out of bed and situated on the couch. Made coffee and left her with Victoria until help arrives. Today, one of the ladies from the church will stay with Mama until I get home. The circumstances are not the most pleasant for company, but we certainly appreciate the help. Mama remarked this morning that she would like to delay surgery on the other knee until I am home with her fulltime. 

Our business is not there yet so it may be some time before I can satisfy that desire.