Let me tell you what she did!---Get a good laugh today!
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
November 1, 2007 1:23pm CST
Many of you know that my grandmother has been sick, and in and out of the hospital over the last few months, and the doctor let her go home from the nursing home, with the strict understanding that someone needed to be with her 24 hours a day, because she is prone to falling.
Grandma is 85, and don't let her fool you, she is nobody's fool. She doesn't like being babysat. She has let us all know it in no uncertain terms. It's quite funny actually, if I weren't so worried about her falling and hurting herself quite badly.
She has a lifeline that she can push the button...but what happens if she is knocked out or has another heartattack, or a stroke and she can't push that button?
She has been sneaking around and staying by herself. She will tell my Aunt Fran, who stays with her during the day and most nights that one of us is coming over and we'll be there at a certain time. Then as soon as Fran leaves, thinking that we're going to be there within the hour, Grandma will call us and say..."Oh Aunt Fran decided not to go to John's tonight...or "Aunt Jean is coming over to stay with me so you won't have to come"
Only nobody is coming! My husband asked her the other night what time Tim and Jennifer--my cousins had been there earlier in the day---were coming back. She said "Oh, they're going home...jennifer has to work tomorrow" "Who's staying with you then?" he asked.
"Prince is" Let me interject here...prince is her dog.
"Is prince going to call 911 if you fall?" I asked her.
"I'm teaching him to bite the button on my lifeline." then she had the audacity to cackle with laughter!
Someone give me some sanity! LOL
4 people like this
13 responses
@Lovett (464)
• India
19 Mar 08
Oh,,,what a lovely grandma u have!!!If only i had a grandma like that!,,,I m not lucky like you to have a grandma,my friend! But nevertheless, your grandma is so adorable n I like her sense of humour. I m so happy to know that your grandma is so independent,,,given her condition! But I wish her all the best wtih her health,n yeah,,with the training of her dog,,,lolz
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
19 Jun 09
The saddest part of her having to go to the retirement home in September of last year is that my cousin in Texas had to come and get the dog. She couldn't take it with her. She was upset I know that she missed him terribly. She was able to go down a couple of weeks ago and spend three days with David and his wife and kids. She and Prince had a ball.
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
1 Nov 07
Oh dear...you've got such a hard-headed and independent grandma he he he he he...I hope she'll be doing fine then no matter what. It is worrying when such an old person is left alone even though the person thinks that she's capable of taking care of herself.
I sure hope she can teach her dog to bite the button of her lifeline. It'd be quite a feat if the dog manages to do that he he he...
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
If any dog could do it, it would be Prince!
At night, Grandma will sit on the bed and reach for the silky pouch that her rosary beads are in and this dog will jump up on the bed with her, lay down and cross his paws in front of him and then look at Grandma. If she doesn't immediately start with her Hail Mary...he will nudge her with his nose.
1 person likes this
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
3 Nov 07
LOL LOL LOL!!! Prince is SO clever!!! ;-D
If I ever have a dog, I hope it's as clever as him!!! ;-D
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jan 08
he is a chihuahua. I have a dog that is part chihuahua and she is a smart dog too. I think it is something in the breed perhaps.
How was your Christmas? Ours was so much fun! We spent a week with my inlaws that live 4 states away from us. It was about a 14 hour trip to drive and see them, but it was worth it.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Well, and I'm even later getting back to you! I decided tonight that I was going to go through my discussions and answer some of the old ones that I had somehow missed.
She is doing great, although she is living in a retirement home now. She just couldn't stay by herself anymore and couldn't afford to have someone live with her.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jan 08
yes, it was most definately funny. But my grandmother is a funny woman, and so was my dad. He got his sense of humor from her, I'm sure. I made a face the other night when we were all up at the hospital with her, and my aunt started laughing and said "You look just like your grandmother when you do that." I started making the face in the mirror later on and she was right. Guess I've got their funny genes too!
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
31 Dec 07
The way you tell this story is hilarious, but yet I know it is serious. Your grandmother knows how to manipulate people to her own liking, to get herself to me alone. To me it would have to take way too much thought to think all of that through!
1 person likes this
@britzsofly (395)
• United States
25 Feb 08
thats too funny..great humor ! uhh grandmas are funny..most older people are like that though..wish her well..keep in touch.
-brittney
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Yeah, she is funny that's for sure. I talked to her on the phone earlier today, I'm having to stay at the hospital during the day, my step dad has been in the VA this week. Grandma called to see how Tommy was doing and when I asked about her she said Well, the undertaker hasn't arrived for our date yet, so I guess I'm ok.
You never know what's going to come out of her mouth!
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
1 Nov 07
Oh my goodness that is so funny. It has to be frustrating to you that a frail 85 year old grandmother is outsmarting you! Ha ha! My niece works as a nurse in a nursing home and tells me some of the greatest stories about the elderly people there. You really have to stay on your toes and not let down your guard. Just because you can't teach an old dog new tricks, it does not mean they forgot all the old tricks!
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
no doubt! My other grandmother is also still alive (my mom's mother) But she is in an assisted living facility and has the beginnings of alzheimers. it's so sad to see her...so full of life, fading into someone I don't know anymore.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
2 Nov 07
my grandma is also as hard-headed as yours... she wants to be independent and lives by herself... she is very energetic and still wants to do many things even though her body doesn't support her anymore... she doesn't want to be a burden to anybody but now she is living with one of my aunt... she has to as she is getting older and she got to have somebody to look after her...
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
grandma never has learned to drive. My grandfather drove her everywhere, now she calls one of the kids or grandkids or many nieces and nephews. We all take turns helping with doctor appointments and those kinds of things. She is a jewel among my treasures and I loathe the day when I have to say goodbye to her.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
are you kidding? I would never do that to her as long as she is physically able to stay in her own home. We've talked to her about getting a small apartment at an assisted living establishment, but a nursing home is just out of the question. One of us would move in permanently before we'd allow that to happen, unless it was medically necessary.
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
15 Nov 07
Well it's sad that all she wants is some alone time, but isn't allowed to get it. But that's better than being in the nursing home. Have you told her that if she doesn't want someone with her, then she can go back?
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jan 08
no. We decided to just do the buddy system. Someone checks in on her several times a day, throughout the day. We call her, or go by there. My uncle will check on her right before bed, and then my aunt will go in when she gets off at 3 a.m. and stay on the couch for the rest of the night. We are trying to give her independence, but still have the peace of mind for us at the same time
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Oh believe me I am thankful for her each and every day that we get to have her with us! She is just so funny!
Last night she called me and wanted a Frosty dessert from Wendy's. My husband is going to get her some and take them to her. She puts them in her freezer to have when she can't find anyone to go get her one, or take it to her.
@eudz64 (3)
• Philippines
2 Nov 07
I had my grandfather who is more than his age, his 100 years old now. My cousin takes good care of him after his slight attack last May, he was only 99 years old then, so he was brought immediately to the hospital and stayed almost half month his legs was paralyzed which requires therapy, at the early days of his ailment as we would always visit him in the hospital till he returned home, his was always mad irritated and even think of killing his life with his beliefs that his already incapacitated and useless but as we showed him all the care love and attention as we visited him (grandchildren and children) and tells him that his presence is the most most valuest gift and possesion we have, he was inspired by our actions and words hence he was quite relieved as he felt our love and sincerity with the words and actions we have imparted to him..now he is quite recovered and can already move his feet and has better and positive perspective in fact he was very excited when we celebrated his centennial birthday last August 23 all of us, his children, grand children, grand grand children and relatives were all present just to greet him and had spent his natal day celebration, and indeed it was spectacular event for him.
Probably, your grandmother is just seeking more attention thats why she is acting same..
Now my realization is... showing and imparting the word of true love, care and sincerity plays a vital role not only to sick person(externally/ internally)but to anyone... such gives so much inspiration to move on with life. Maybe if we can be an inspiration to all is the greatest achievement we can have in our entire living.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Nov 07
that is so awesome! I would love to have Grandma for another 15 years. It just seems that she is fading right before our eyes, but she hasn't lost her zest for life or her will to live. She loves us all with her whole heart, but doesn't want us to feel like we have to give up our own lives for her.
@HazySue (39268)
• Gouverneur, New York
12 Dec 15
@carpenter5 boy have you got your hands full. I suspect that I might be the same way if I was unable to have alone time. I understand the fear of her hurting herself but can kind of understand her need for independence. Sad that we reach the point in our lives where we need to be watched all the time so we can be safe. Good luck with this, she sounds like a strong-minded person.
