My mom is TOUGH (revisited)

I can't believe (not really, just got lost)... that I forgot to post this.

In mid-december, a week before I was supposed to fly up and visit; I got a phonecall from my mom's friend/boyfriend that she had fallen and was in the hospital.

I texted/called my sister (she was on vacation on one of the islands, and not immediately reachable).

Apparently, she took a mis-step in her apartment and broke the femur and fell.  Because the managed care facility doesn't have call buttons in the "independent" units; she crawled! to the phone, pulled it off the table and called 911.  Then, she talked to said boyfriend, before the EMTs arrived.  (NO call button because then there is a contractual liability; which I think sucks, but that's another story).

So, my sister's friends (she has a huge supportive group) rallied around and visited her in the hospital. I looked into changing my flight (only 7 days away...) but my sister had already cut short her trip and was flying back; and said I didn't need to do that.  She was already *almost* on scene.

I flew up after, as originally planned and we spent the time visiting my mom in the hospital and then the rehab center she ended up in.  (A pretty good one, I'm impressed)  Robison Jewish Health Center in Portland.

Mom got physical therapy, round the clock nursing care and assistance, and pretty good food (somewhat ethnic, but wth).  She was used to being VERY independent, and didn't want to continue if she didn't have a full recovery; and talked (especially to my sister) about how it would be just *easier*.  Made it very tough on my sister, and not so easy for me either.  You don't ever expect your parents (rock solid anchors of certainty) to become frail or helpless.

We used a lot of encouragement and "family" love/ pressure to convince my Mom that it was going to be ok, and that she would recover.  So, she made that a goal.

My Mom used  to walk 1 to 2 miles a day, at speed, without a cane or a walker.

This was all new and depressing to her.  The loss of independence, the frailty exposed, and especially the pain that she wouldn't discuss.

Before I left, she had left the rehabilitation center, was ensconced back in her own apartment unit, and was going to physical therapy onsite ON HER OWN.  My sister had helped enormously, I feel like I didn't do anything special.  My sister carried the entire load.  (I know that isn't true, but it's closer than I would like).

Mom isn't back to a mile a day, and she is using a walker to assist.  But, she's not far from it either, and still no-one at the facility would believe how far she came, and how fast.

My mother is 96 years old.

They don't make them that tough anymore.  Not often, anyway.

She sets a high bar.   I hope I am up to it.

My goal:  Call her almost everyday.