As I mentioned in my previous blog, my experiences a few summers ago were rough, but my great roommate was fun and was a blessing. Little Ora, barely five feet and trying to not get below about 100 pounds in weight, was my special roommate.
84 year old (at the time)Ora came not long after me. Several years before coming, She had lost her beloved husband and had a stroke, which left her partially paralyzed on one side. Even so, she had managed to stay in her home, with some outside help coming in. Now, needing knee surgery, she had come to Elk Haven to recuperate.
We got along well. We ate in our room. I did not want to go to the main hall and watch people drool, etc.. and Ora wanted to stay with me. We watched Jeopardy together regularly, though Tom almost always beat us when he was there. Each of us got a couple or up to about five right and he did considerably better.
We also liked our popcorn and diet root beer parties. We would watch movies or whatever together and enjoy our treats. Ora heard we could request ice cream (just the little ones you get in a six pack) so I asked her to use her sweet, high voice to ask for it. She was a favorite around there and usually could get what she asked for. Later, her niece brought us in the good stuff from Dairy Queen.
We had some great laughs. The CNA's on our floor were very helpful and hardworking, but sometimes, you had to wait awhile until they were on break or finished with another patient. One night about 6:00 p.m., Ora pushed her button and said, "someone will probably come around midnight". We cracked up! We also sometimes tried to figure out the "mystery food" we were served:). I could imitate the lady in the adjoining room, who wanted to be the queen of the throne (toilet). She would try to sneak in the bathroom, without buzzing or permission and give out a wailing "Help me". She knew how to push the button for help in there too but also wanted to be a drama queen. I have a couple of other good stories about her (like when she said I looked "like a clever girl" and was trying to get me to help her escape from her bed) but this is about Ora.
We gave each other space. Occasionally, one of us would be overwhelmed and teary-eyed. We would give each other a signal and draw the curtain. We were from different denominations. Ora clung to her rosary and I read my Bible. But we worshipped the same God. She asked me if it really said God was preparing a mansion for us in heaven and I copied out the verses for her. We were both clinging to God.
She is still at Elk Haven. During one visit, she asked me to take her along to a movie sometime. Right before we moved here, we were able to go to a chick flick together and enjoy our popcorn, soft drinks and twizzlers. Teary eyed, she asked me to call her before I moved. I didn't promise to and I didn't call but I think I will send her a copy of this instead.
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