The good news

I don't want this blog to be all doom and gloom, especially since I've been told that it made one person cry. My mother has now been living with me for five weeks, and has made some significant progress.

Before:

• Mom did not exercise more than walking to the mailbox and back.
• She ate irregularly and her diet consisted of frozen meals or fast food and Diet Coke.
• She was unemployed but did not have her resume or cover letter together because she was terrified of having to interview, and did not have the self-esteem to promote herself.
• She did no household cleaning/chores.
• She wanted me to do everything for her or with her because she was scared to handle even a basic appointment by herself.
• She was afraid of going to any sort of therapy, and during doctor visits would not tell anyone about her physical or mental symptoms.
  

Now:

• She walks a mile at least 5 times a week.
• She eats three square meals, including 4-5 servings of fruits/vegetables. We're still working on replacing at least some of the Diet Coke with water.
• She has worked on her resume and cover letter, and applied to a job listing last night. (Unfortunately it turned out to be a scam on Craigslist, so we're working on not letting that get to her self-esteem).
• She's easing into a schedule of cleaning and chores (we're still working on that one though, but it is making progress).
• She is doing many appointments and tasks on her own, including her first appointment with a psychiatrist.

I am VERY PROUD of her.