Episode 18 - Celebrity Sightings

We enjoyed Easter with our son's family, at their home a half hour from where we live. Grandma went with us and had a wonderful time, visiting, eating and watching Baby's first egg hunt. As enjoyable as the day was - it was not without cost. Grandma's confusion seemed much greater after we returned home. It eerily reminded me of Easter two years ago when we had our first encounter with Grandma's delusions. Shortly after returning home from our house on Easter 2008, she called me and said she needed to get the rent paid on "the other apartment."

Me: What other apartment?
G: The one I've been staying in.
Me: You only have one apartment Mom.
G: Well, only one here, but I have another one I stay at sometimes.

Needless to say, Mom had only ONE apartment. The confusion was short term but the days following involved evaluations and some tough decisions. Although she could no longer drive or use the stove, she was still able to live independently and we dealt with the occasional phantom apartment or similar illusions. One thing we noticed was any time spent away from her apartment resulted in manic confused episodes.

So while watching golf on television this past Easter Sunday, Grandma began talking (to DH and the grand kids) as if we were all at a country club.... (and she had a membership). This could be due in part to the televised tournament or the large glass windows looking out onto a spacious backyard (laden now with plastic eggs). No one minded her little fantasy until my absence was noticed (I was out hiding eggs). "Where's NanaMama?"

G: Oh, she went downstairs with Tiger.

That sent the son, whose country club/home we were at, straight outside to report to me. "Mom... she thinks you're downstairs with Tiger Woods!" That's just great. Like I don't have enough problems without being one of Tiger's women. Time to go home.

The week has had more than its usual share of "they tell me...." moments. She tells us something - we say it isn't correct - she responds with "that's what they tell me..."

"Who is they?"
"I don't remember..."

While watching American Idol this week with Grandma and one of the sons, the camera does a close up of Ellen DeGeneres.

G: I know her..
Son: Yeah, that's Ellen.
G: Yes. She lives here you know...
Son: Where? Who?
G: Ellen. She lives in town here - has for many years.
NM: No Mom, you see her on TV. She doesn't live here.
G: Does too.
Son: Grandma, I'm positive Ellen does not live around here.
G: Well I'm not going to argue with you about it.

I think it will be a while before we venture away from home with her again. It's too hard on all of us. In the meantime, please squelch any rumors you might hear about me and Tiger... and if you happen to run into Ellen... tell her Grandma says hello!


So ends Episode 18