We still try to go out and have an early lunch a few times a week. It gives us an opportunity to meet with a friend or two and keeps Mitzi’s mind engaged by staying active and connected to people, even though she eats just tiny meals these days.
We always go to restaurants that I know work well for her; the wait staff knows us, we can find a table in the back where it’s quieter, there is a family restroom to make it easier for me to go in with her. And we always try to get there well before the lunch crowd for a few reasons: parking is easier and I can get a spot that makes it safer to get her in and out of the van (which can take a while), and the staff is less stressed and can be more accommodating. We order one meal now and I just portion off about 1/3 of the meal onto a separate plate for Mitzi. I sit next to Mitzi; booths are more secluded but take a while to get her seated and scooted in first (or out when we leave) because she has trouble understanding the directions now. I crush her midday pills and always have something on hand that make it easy to add them to. If the meal doesn’t have something conducive to mix the meds, we always have an applesauce in her purse that works well.
Yesterday, we were enjoying our soup and sandwich and a family of girls from the great grandmother to a 7 month old baby sat in the booth next to us. As I helped Mitzi eat her soup, I could tell her eyes were on that sweet girl in the high chair. I tried to hurry and get lunch finished (which isn’t really a possibility…we don’t hurry with anything these days!) because I was worried Mitzi would make the connection between me helping her eat and the family helping that little girl. If she did, it didn’t seem to upset her at all.
I know they were watching us. People often do. But it doesn’t bother me. Sometimes, if I have an opportunity and Mitzi is somewhat out of earshot, I give a quick explanation. Mitzi has never shied away from living out this disease to help change the stigma of it and bring awareness with the desire of sparking hope and, someday, a cure. I still maintain that she is the bravest person I know…????
