M
om really loves it when family and friends visit her, especially ones she has not seen in a long time. Of course she understands that not everyone is in a position to be able to visit, but she sure would like it if they were. My mother’s niece (and next in line for the matriarch position) Sherri and her husband Don came down to visit for a couple of days. Mom was so excited to see Sherri. Mom was worried that she would end up being in the hospital for Sherri’s visit, but fortunately she got back home in time for their arrival on Saturday.
Poor Sherri and Don had a little bit of car trouble while they were down here, but it all got sorted out and they didn’t have too much of a hassle getting it repaired.
Mom had another chemotherapy treatment yesterday. Again it went well with no major side effects. We have had a little balance issue the past few days but that is because mom started taking a new medication for her neuropathy (tingling in her fingers and toes). This medication is like Lyrica, but different so hopefully it will not have the same effect. The balance problem is worrisome, but if that is the only side effect and it stays relatively mild AND the tingling is alleviated then it will be worth it I think. If we get into the confusion and shaking stuff that we had along with balance issues when she was taking Lyrica, then forget it. No thank you.
I am getting a crash course in cooking now that mom has this low-fat dietary restriction. Trying to find things that she can eat that keeps her in the 30-40 grams of fat per day and 1200 or more calories per day is challenging. Primarily because of taste. Mom loves quesadillas, but normal tortillas are pretty high in fat so we tried some low-fat wheat tortillas and mom did not like that at all. I didn’t think they were too bad, but mom said nope and was ready to pitch em. She needs to basically graze all day on calories because she cannot eat too much at one time due to limited space in her belly. So we have gotten creative. Turns out things like raisins are quite high in calories and have no fat and she likes them!
Last night I made Honey Dijon Crusted baked salmon and pasta salad with spinach, bell pepper and cucumber. That was mighty delicious. Tonight I made chicken and quinoa stuffed bell peppers with a red potato and asparagus side. I didn’t care so much for the bird seed, er, I mean quinoa but the potatoes were excellent. Tomorrow I am working so mom is going to put together a hearty beef stew. I have all the ingredient and printed out a recipe. I know that she know’s how to make a beef stew, but I figured since I had the recipe I would leave it out for her.
My sister came today and will be staying here a few days. It will be really nice to have her here. Maybe I can sit back and relax a bit and let her tend to mom for a while 🙂
Well I have to get to bed, gotta get up very early tomorrow and get to work by 5 am.