Miraculously, we were able to fit all of Amanda's things into two cars. She has LOTS of clothes, mostly. It was fun to drive back with her thinking about how from now on, whenever I go home, she will be going with me.
We got Amanda settled into her new apartment, which is in the same complex that I used to live in. I'm very excited for her to begin her own college experience. Her roommates are already better than my first ones were, by far. We went to her ward this past Sunday, which was fun because I know about a dozen people who still live there. It was great to see them, but at the same time it was hard to be back there because it reminded me of everything that I left behind to live with my grandma. I know I am where I am supposed to be, but it took a whole day for me to internally accept that again. Thankfully, my family was patient and kind enough to put up with me as I went through that again.
My parents left on Tuesday. Amanda has called or texted me everyday with different questions and I love it. I enjoyed escorting her to her first class and seeing all the other freshman that are just as new and confused as she is. I laughed out loud right in front of them because I remember being in their spot many years ago.
On Wednesday I had a date to the rodeo. It was fun. I asked him for his number a few weeks ago and originally invited him to dinner, but changed it to the rodeo. Don't know if there will be another date, but I hope so.
As most of you know, I've been inviting guys and girls over for dinner whenever I tried out a new recipe for Grandma. This week I've decided that I most likely won't be doing that anymore. Maybe I'll invite girls, but not boys. Mainly it's because Grandma's condition is progressing and it's a little too much to introduce to a guy on a first date, or a second date for that matter. Part of my adjustment when I came back from home was seeing the state my grandma was in when I came back. I won't get into details, but I will say that her short term memory is getting worse. She's to the point where she struggles to find the right words or phrases to tell me something and there isn't enough said to even put the pieces together of what she is trying to say. She's also had some confusion on the day and what time it is, which has caused confusion and mistakes in taking her meds. So, this week I've had to change some of the ways I do things to help lessen the confusion and possible mistakes with medicine. It's not too hard, but it is a lot of work and emotional energy. Most of all, it's needed patience and charity.
I looked up dementia online (I know, not the greatest resource) and I believe that she is in stage 5 of the 7 stages of dementia. Maybe on the boarder of 4 and 5. She's not diagnosed or anything, but that is what I think. The doctor said he wants to take care of her heart first before trying to do anything with her memory problems. As for her heart, her legs and stomach are swollen up again, but still 20 pounds less than she was at her greatest weight.
Tomorrow my cousin is coming to help me with Grandma for a week. The following week my uncle and his family of 9 1/2 kids are coming to visit for two weeks. I am afraid that will tire Grandma out, but I'm glad they are coming so that others will see the state she is in and help me know how to take care of her.
Today I'm going to have a day with Amanda. We are going to the mall so she can get some things she needs for her job and then we are getting pedicures. This afternoon we are going to watch Brave, which I am very excited about. I'm super excited to see the short that comes before it. :)
