pill by pill
a diary of my mother's stubborn resistance to accept help
14 December 2024:
Today is the last day of my month long visit with my mom. I cleaned out her fridge and bought her a case of dog food, toilet paper, and single serve yogurt that will last until mid-January. I got her three months worth of her medications. When I arrived she was pretty grumpy, well—angry really. And unkind. And refused help.
Today she’s fully back on her anti-depressants, which she’d just cold turkey stopped taking when she either forgot about them or ran out. She’s doing okay. I mean I left her yelling at the football game and eating a tangerine, and kissing her dog. I asked her if she noticed an uptick in her mood and she said, “Get out of the way, I’m watching the game!” and then she smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Day by day. Pill by pill. Minute by minute.
