My Family
I went by myself today to a chapel within a skilled nursing facility for a visitation and service for the mother of one of my close friends.
I tried to get a friend to go with me so that I could have my wheelchair with me. That didnt happenbut I had to go with my husband last night to see where the chapel was located and how the layout of the entrance was.
The entrance had cement steps leading into the chapel which I am unable to navigate. We drove around to main entrance of facility and I hobbled in to the front desk using my walker. I asked what would be the best way for me to get to the inside of the chapel. She looked down her nose at me because Im standing there huffing and puffing leaning on my waalker.
She said if you go to building 7 and ask for a wheelchair someone will be able to accomodate you.
So I was attempted to put a pair of blac k pantyhose on my bad leg that doesnt bend. I was breaking out in a sweat this morning trying to get the pantyhose on. After several minutes of gruntin g and cursing my husband said to me do you need any help? no thank you I have this under control. Nobody can help a women get pantyhose on except her.
I dressed in black skirt and black top and flat black shoes and a small clutch purse. Off I went this morning to the skilled nursing facility. I had to park a good distance away from building 7 entrance and so I was exhausted
by the time I got to the nurses station. Now I am leaning on her counter and trying to explan why I am there and that I was told that this building could get me a wheelchair to take me to the chapel. So they gave a rolling office chair to sit on and I had my walker in front of me. I noticed that an elderly man was placing ppl that were in wheelchairs in a line that wasoff to my right so that the foot doctor could treat them. he took one look at me and said are you waiting for the foot doctor? No I am not! I am not a resident. The nurse told him that she is to young and no she isnt in line for the doc.
iI also realized that I was in the alzheimers unit . everyone had white bracelets on andthe exits would sound an alarm if they went thru. My wheelchair came and off we went to the chapel. I got dropped off at wingbacked chair.
I spotted my friend whos mother passed away. She was talking to another woman and I was slowly hobbling with my walker up to her. She kept ignoring me until I said her name. she turned her head and smiled and came over and gave a big hug and said what happened to you? I gave her a condensed version.
She really appreciated me coming out to show my respect to her and her family. She wanted to know if I was staying for the service, no I couldnt stay I wouldnt have enough strength in me to get back to the car.
So ppl thought I was a resident and it took all I had to get back to the car. I was exhausted. i got home and took a nap.
So that is a story of my day. A bit unusual but interesting. lol Betsey