Day 68: Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is Mom's 68th birthday. Today was a good day. She went to church with Chad, was visited by Auntie Aida, watched some Korean soap opera, and spent time at home with us. Simple, but nevertheless, very special.  

We are happy and relieved that Mom has not been readmitted into the hospital since her last stay. Her Prograf and potassium levels are at normal levels. Her blood sugar levels are more stable so we do not have to inject her with insulin three times a day anymore. Yay! 

So life is starting to be a little bit more normal everyday. Here is Mom catching up with her email. Mom is a little bummed that a lot of her siblings are traveling and having their own adventures and journeys. I'm sure she is counting the months when she'll get the clearance to travel. She is continuing to do more for herself, like showering, cooking, walking, and tidying up. She is also starting to read from her Kindle, so if you have any good book recommendations, let us know! 

Two weeks ago, Mom came out for the first time to help celebrate Mother's Day and Auntie Glecy's birthday at Cousin  Christina's house. I am bummed that I didn't take pictures that day and wanted to post some on the blog. If anyone has any pictures of the day, please email them to me! Thanks! It was a beautiful, blessed day spent with family and we're happy that Mom was able to participate and socialize with everyone.

Day 45: Adventures at Seafood Ranch

Spent Tuesday through Thursday with Mom at home. It's been a busy few days. I can't help but feel like Mom's personal assistant. No longer are the days of staying home, taking care of her. She's got a list of Things to Do, by golly, and most of days are filled with driving around. I will take that as a good sign of health. 

Mom continues to want to eat Filipino food, like sinigang, tinola, and fish. So, of course, one of our stops is to pick up food. I discovered the Filipino rush at the local Seafood Ranch Market where there's a line of 20 people waiting to order. I told Mom, "Ummm, Mom there's 25 people ahead of me and they're ordering 5-10 tubs of food each." She said, "That's ok. You're number will be called. Just wait." Grrrr. I drag my feet back to the crowd of people, packed like sardines by the food area of the market. By the time I ordered, I felt like a total amateur, pointing at the dishes, asking them what they were. Kind of embarrassing when the Caucasian guy after me is asking for kare kare and adobo without hesitation. So I went for the fried bangus (or so I thought...found out it was catfish. Boo.) and barbeque pork sticks. It's days like this I wish I knew how to cook Filipino food.  Or at least, how to order it. 

Of course, as luck would have it, the refrigerator is out of order, so we're living out of coolers for the next two weeks. I see more trips to Seafood Ranch Market in my future.

Day 42: Life Lessons

Mom is continuing to walk without a walker and is doing small things around the house. She felt OK last weekend but is starting to feel discomfort again. Her last lab test results showed high potassium levels again.  We really need to monitor what she is eating. However, her blood sugar has been lower. That is good news.

Taking care of Mom has been definitely a life experience. Both Chad and I do not have children, so we have never had the role of caregiving at this degree. But I can imagine how taking care of children might be like through this experience. In the beginning of Mom's recovery, when she just got home, it was almost like taking care of a small child. She needed her meals cooked or prepared, needed our assistance in the shower, and watched out for her while she took her steps. Chad and I coordinated our schedules to take turns caregiving, reminiscent of how my parents took care of us when we were small. At night, we slept lightly, listening for Mom, if she called out for assistance or pain medication (OK, Chad slept lightly). We coaxed her to eat more, even though she didn't want to, and be the one to have to tell her she couldn't have some of her favorite foods. Like a child, she rather eat a cookie or ice cream sandwich, instead of eating all of her dinner, and like a parent, we gave in and let her have it even though we knew her blood sugar was going to be elevated. When we ask how she was feeling, we found out that we had to ask more specific questions because her answer would always be "Fine," when obviously she was experiencing fatigue or discomfort. 

Now that she's feeling better, she has "grown" to somewhat teenager status. She's moving faster, wants to be more independent, and is asking when she can start driving. Of course, we're being cautious and waiting until after she's more stable in her tests, stitches and staples are out, and her T-Tube in her side is taken out as well. Frankly, she's being a little more stubborn and more of a backseat driver, hahaha. 

I still can't believe it's been more than a month since Mom had her new liver. I'm still amazed. I am very grateful for the doctors and nurses at UCLA and of course, for the countless prayers and intentions everyone has bestowed on us. Thank you.