If you don't know my story my 90 yr old mom had a very bad stroke about 5 months ago. She can't walk w/out assistance, can't stand any length of time w/out the walker. She is confined to her room but does sit in her wheelchair outside in the front, or in her garden in the back yard. Shes basically on 24 hr care.
Lately she keeps saying "I'm gonna beat this", or "when I get better".
Now I've read your stories and our elder can out live us, as some thought it would be short term care yet has lasted years.
What brings this on and what are some of the things you say to encourage this. I just agree and tell her how far she's come along and how I want to help her improve even more. It is hard though when you can hardly understand what she is saying, or watching her lay in the bed, especially when she keeps repeating and asking the same things over and over again.
What are some of the things you say family?
A Puerto Rican writer, Abelardo Diaz Alfaro, once wrote: "Nunca mates la flor the una esperanza cuando de la vida solo quedan ruinas". The best translation I can come up with is "Don't kill the budding flower of hope when life seems to be nothing but ruins."
She's fighting for survival, and she has faith (hope) that things will get better. Try being the wind in her sails, no matter how short the voyage might be. Wish you the best.
-- ED
lovbob
If you don't want to offer false hope, you don't have to say any words. You could touch her face, and smile with her and tell her how proud you are of her for having such a positive spirit.
May God continue to bless your Mom's spirit with her hope that rises above her circumstances. I understand why it may be hard for you to hear and watch, though. Hugs to you, pamela.
Your Mom's faith may be her spirit's daily prayer. Who knows? Either way, it is nothing short of remarkable to me that she is still clinging to life with tenacity against all odds.