Sax The Cat

While I am treating a resident, he occasionally glances around the room  and "shushes" something unseen. He makes gestures towards the unseen object, and then playfully smiles at same.

Resident:  Sax keeps coming to play.

Me:  Is Sax your cat (I recall that Sax had passed on about a year ago.)

Resident:  Yes, he is here. (He scoots Sax from around the curtain...gently chastising him.)

Me:  What is he doing?

Resident:  Well, you remember he is gone, but he is here.

Me:  Is it his spirit?

Resident:  Yes, it is Tax's spirit.

Me: (As I move to treat from the same side of the bed that Sax chooses to appear)  Is he behind me?

Resident: (Smiling) Yes.

Me:  Does Sax like me?

Resident: Oh yes!!!

Whew!

Me:  What is your name?
Native American Resident: John Tito.----(Name changed)
Me:  John Tito?
Native American Resident:  Yes, I got that name when I was a young boy.
Me:  How old were you when you were named?
Native American Resident:  8 or 9 years old.  I worked for a man who named me.
Me:  What were called before you were named?
Native American Resident: Ashkii.
Me:  What does that mean?
Native American Resident: [Laughs] Boy...it means "boy"
Me:  What do people call you now?
Native American Resident:  shi' cheii
Me:  What does that mean?
Native American Resident:  [Smiling] Grandfather.
Me:  What should I call you? Mr. Tito?  John?
Native American Resident:  John Tito.
Me:  John Tito- you want me to call  you by your full name each time we talk?
Native American Resident:  Yes, call me John Tito.

Land of Enchantment

Male Resident:  " I am NOT going shopping today."
Social Services Rep:  "You should...you need new clothes."
Male Resident:  [Looks at his shirt, which is thoroughly worn, full of holes, stretched, dirty, and is obviously promoting NM] " I don't need new clothes, you just want my money."
Me:  "You hate NM and your walking around promoting it on your T-Shirt."
Males Resident: [Grins] "You're right, this state is terrible, I'll go tomorrow."

180 Days @ The SNF

It has been a loooong time- But I am starting a  new segment on the blog.  I work in a long-term care facility -Each day of work the unique group of people and residents enrich my life via their words or actions.  It is my hope to document at least one of these moments for a day for 180 days.
Day 1:
Resident:  (50 something year old male, uses a walker, has had a stroke)- "I thought that when I got out of here, you could take me to the park everyday to sell pot."
Me:  "Not going to happen."
Resident:  "Good, I'll find someone else, you were dropped on your head as a baby.  You'd probably call the cops anyway
Me:  [speechless with exasperated expression]
Resident:..[shrugs his shoulders]  "sorry 'bout that."

MMA-

Lie to me...or don't...I won't know....

While driving with Chan to his movie date:

Me: Chan- who are you meeting at the movies?

Chan: Tersely- "Someone."

Me: "A girl?"

Chan: "Yes mom, a girl."

Me: "Do I know her?"

Chan: Irritated- "No Mom- you don't"

Me: "Aha...I can tell by the way were lips are pursed that I know her....hmmmm. Is she from ROTC? Does she attend [your highs school]?"

Chan: "No Mom, she is not in ROTC...and yes, I go to school with her."

Me: "LIAR- SHE is in ROTC...I can tell ...by the way you exhibited a vocal tremor!

Chan: Quietly shaking his head...well, sort of disgustedly shaking his head....

Me: "Are you dating a guy?"

Chan: Exasperated- "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Me: "Nothing- I just got your truth baseline."

No- YES!!!

My bestest and I had the honor of providing therapy for one of the most lively, fun, beautiful spirits ever. Therapy sessions with this elderly woman often went like this. (Obviously, names are changed).

Bestest and/or Me: "Samantha let's have some ice cream."

Samantha: Emphatically- "NO- THAT is a HORRIBLE IDEA. YOU HAVE HORRIBLE IDEAS. LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Bestest and/or Me: "You are RIGHT. Horrible idea- Let's not do it."

Samantha calms. We wait 30 seconds.

Bestest and/or me: "Samantha!"

Samantha: "What?"

Bestest and/or me: "We are hungry, let's eat ice cream!"

Samantha: Excitedly- "OKAY! Let's! Oh this is delicious! Thank you!"

And so our sessions went. Samantha was initially disgusted with anything we suggested or requested- Then, she would quickly change her mind and express deep gratitude.

As Samantha tip toed to meet her maker-I imagine that the conversation went like this:

"Samantha! Let's go to heaven!"

Samantha: "No! I don't want to go right now!

30 seconds lapse

"Samantha!"

Samantha: "What?"

"Let's see what is going on in heaven"

Samantha " Okay, Let's!...Oooohhh this is so lovely. Thank you!!"

God bless you Samantha- we loved knowing you!