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Well, I shouldn't complain since I haven't done any ass wiping yet today. But there are still many hours left to the day. Mom is just having her regular "dying" episodes. The doctors don't even know what to do for her. Her BP, glucose, pulse and temp are all normal. We will get the results from her Biowatch heart monitor in two weeks.
Cooking pork loin, blackeyed peas, collards and rice for New Year's dinner. Need all the luck I can get this year.
Have a good evening dear friends and I'll keep Linda and Pa in my prayers.
Good one, Miz! a hazmat suit. You Funny, funny girl:) Love you. Well, I think the New Year is not really something different, but a continuation, just as a chapter in a book, a Monday, a birthday. As with all beginnings, I believe in starting out positive-- each day. I too, am aching and saddened about Pa, and heavy hearted for our friend, LindaHeart. It is compassionate to join in her worry, but we cannot forsake the joy and hope that surrounds us. Pa is still here and we pray he will be for however long his soul is willing and his body can contain it. Linda will squeeze every sweet moment with him, savor and remember every twinkle in his eye. What a gift. {{{{LindaHeart}}}} I hope my Mother is enjoying her visit with my sister today, but, when I told her yesterday she was coming today, she said "OH". When I said, "Let's call Brother", she lit up and said, Oh, he is a nice guy!" I got a kick out of that. He used to be a jerk until he was forced to take anger management. "Everyone" is here watching football--my 3 main immediate family members. I am leaving for a very long walk. Hope to return after the games are over, but I don't know if I can walk that far with enflamed neuromas. It's not the game of football, but the constant screaming in my family room that annoys me. I am a Steelers fan, myself, and have a soft spot for the Saints, especially when they were underdogs. It's 79 degrees right now. I saw on weather map this morning that it is warm everywhere, except maybe in Wisconsin and the northeast? Right? Hope you all are enjoying this precious first day of a New Year. I have hope and love for all of you. BOAT. Hugs, Christina xo
Diane! you know it is GOOD LUCK to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day!!! Yay, and it is bad luck to do Laundry! Stop the washer!!! I remember Deefer posted about diapers. The ones they use at my Mother's place are supposed to be the best. I'll find out tomorrow and post. Welcome, sheilablake, to a very wonderful Gross Out place of Friendship. BBL. Cheeseball and beer with the screaming now. help
sheila~ thanks for the tips. I'm going to Walgreens tomorrow. Here in Indiana we eat cabbage for New Years..Sausage, cabbage and potatoes with baby carrots are on stove right now. I'll add black eyed peas next year.
Hi Everyone! There hasn't been time to read all the posts today - but I'll get caught up tomorrow, I think.
Oh, Christina, you'll have to come to Greensburg this summer. My husband works at the university where the Steelers have their training camp in August. That would be a blast! lol Mom has a horrible cold now and has been alone to 1 day with the LifeLine Alert on. VN will be there tomorrow evening. Poor dear told me "Bob" needs new pajamas so she needs to get out shopping. Not! It's so hard to listen to her talk about her imagined visitors. She said she woke up this morning and HER mother (died in 1963) was in bed with her. Holy hanna. Tonight she's waiting for my Dad to come home to take down the little artificial tree because she can't remember how to do it. Oh well. It's her reality. Just very sad.
I've been busy with hubby being home every day until mid January when school reopens. (Is this what retirement will really be like?)
Well, I really only had a minute but want to welcome our new friends and wish you all a very blessed and healthy New Year. Feel the hugs and warm wishes across the miles. Bee
christina , ure a sweetheart . im sorry if i brought u all down , again i am soo sorry . maybe ill take some zannie and be happy camper .:-) yes i do keep smiling when i talk to dad and talk cheerful , it helps him a bit , so sad on the inside . when i went back to the hospital i was sniffling blowin my nose and i hug pa and held in my waaaaaaaaaa , throat hurts so bad and i just held on to him , he was fked up on meds so i dont think he was aware of me sniffling teary eyes . its all good , its part of griefing and that is normal . i do wish pa hapiness when he takes the journey out toward heaven and meet all his love ones that he hasnt seen for years . i am just begin selfish i dont want to let him go . fear i be so lost without him ., which i know i will be so lost ... but i will find myself again , maybe on bobbie s boat :-) ... oh who knows maybe i ll take a long roadtrip and knock on christina s door ! how long will it take me to get there , 7 days ? whew lord ,, i wont fly ... golf - i caught u saying ure from indiana , so am i and so is kimmy , kimmy an i live about 20 mins apart and we still havent met yet . always a wrong timin , but we will one day meet . it be great if all 3 of us could meet somewhere and have a margaritta . do u like maragritta ? mexcian food ? let me know . we shall set up a date . :-) diapers , yep my friends and my neighbor saves those bags for me too , as soon as i put it in the bags i take it to garage and throw it in the dumpster and fa lala ur house doesnt smell . whenhe craps i have to lite a candle and it takes away the smell . chrsitina - i didnt know its bad luck to wash laundry today , welp my luck is bad anyways , i did few loads this morning and my daughter came over and did few loads of hers too . i knew it was bad luck to take a tree down before new year . my tree is still up and i didnt take it down today , guess i ll do that tmr , hubby s going back to work weds and he s crying about it . told him to go on to bed and get back in routine , tired hear him whiney cryin about havin to go back to work . he thinks he can quit and go ahead and retire , told him if u do that we ll lose this place . oh mariesmom !! where is she ? i hope shes ok . havent heard from her in a while , anybody know where she is ? prayin for her .
pa s still quite as a mouse , except u can hear his chest a rattling , gawd ! wish i could just stick a vacum and suck it all out and suck the fliud out of his heart , when i walked in today to greet him i heard that guggrling , it hit me when my mom was in hospital dying she too was gurgling then it got quite , i looke dover and told dad umm moms not makin that noise anymore we shot up and he said go get the nurse so i did , she checked mom out and said she is gone . oh lord we bawled like a baby , ahh enuff of the sad story , sniff snifff . wheres my maragritta ! lol . love u all tons . xoxo
My first post of 2012 - Happy New Year ahead to all you wonderful caregivers. I wonder how we get through year after year but we do. Bought my dad a new computer for xmas in one day he broke it (that's normal) so I was in his room New Years Eve making back up system dvds and had to spend a few hours in close proximity to my dad's stuff. I'm getting off track for a second, I'm thinking of posting up some insanely crazy pics if that can be done on our profiles? Imagine we could all share some of the crazy shit (literally) we deal with at times! Back to my story, so I don't want to sit in his chairs, so I bring my folding chair to his room. I'm looking around and there they are....little containers with pee, now with lids on them...about five in a row a shelf above the computer that I'm working on. So I say to myself...another year of this O M G ! Just gotta laugh at this stuff or go nuts!! I'm glad to be a part of this site because I certainly need it! Thank you all for your shares, I'm not feeling so alone now! Kat
Miz!!! You are so FUNNY today!!! Yesterday, too.!!! Just hitting me, everything you are saying. Miz, you get "Comedienne of the Year" award so far this year:) LINDA OF MY HEART!!!!! I don't know anyone who LOVES like you do, and All of us here, LOVE BIG TIME!!! You just spend every minute watching over Pa and don't do anything else. Tell hubby 'get your ass to work and bring home the bacon and the tequila' heehee. Listen, Some day..... I'll make us bacon and tomato sandwiches while we are driving out to California. ( I'll fly back, rent a car one way, drive you back here), we will go to Disneyland and California Adventure; go to all the best Mexican restaurants, go to the beach; maybe Bobbie comes out to Pacific Ocean on the southern coast and we do Western Boat. Head on down to Cabo, avoid the drug cartel (I'll bring my 'pretend' machine gun, just in case) we spend a week at our time share and go to Cabo Wabo and have, um... oh yeah, more margaritas. And a VIRGIN for Miz. She and cubby can fly down. We have room. Everybody, come on down. Cricket, Bee, Austin, Deefer, Kuli, Selfish, BJ, Diane, KIMBO, Barb, JEN, RIP, Golf, Meanwhile, FAM, Rossella Bella helicopter in--we'll get Harrison Ford to pick you up and drop you off-- Ann, Annie from Ireland. My cousin from Ireland gets to come, too. I'll cook. OK, I'll do breakfast, and dinner, but someone else can do lunch. Does that sound like something to dream on? Nothing compares to the love we hold for our parents, but WE have to LIVE. LIFE is for the LIVING. Someday we will be there, waiting for those who have gone before us, to start preparing us, in our rooms, as we sit, helpless in our recliners. God, help me to keep moving and taking my walks on the bridle trail. Once, I heard a story of a 93 year old woman who went to a party, forgot to wear her slip, and died in her sleep that night. That is how my Uncle went. He was 80, still jumping over the fence at his farm in Seattle. One morning, as he was making his Postem and cooking his sausages EVER so SLOWLY, he felt cold, laid down on the sofa, covered himself up with a blanket, and simply transitioned to his farm in Heaven--with my Dad and their Brother. It can be simple. It can be gracious. The love we have for them is of God's Grace. Every day I see my Mother, I cry, I grieve. I told you this already. With my Dad and my brother, I had no forewarning, I had no good byes, 'You've been a good DAD', 'I'm glad you're my brother'. Take each precious moment and SAVOR it. Life is such a mystery. Let's hope for the best, creating our personal Heaven, and perhaps, it shall be just as we want it to be. I Love you all, very much. Christina xo
I didn't know it was bad luck to do laundry on New Year's Day. Hmmm. I think I'll pretend I didn't read the part about New Year's Day and just tell people doing laundry is bad luck...period. And I certainly can't afford any more bad luck. Double bonus--I'll still need clean clothes, so I'll just have to shop. Luvs my shopping.
Sounds like great fun Christina. Thanks for the invite. Played frisbee with the pup this afternoon (she is a 2 year old pup). She can't catch it even when it bounces off her nose. Don't worry, it is one of those cloth padded frisbees. But, seemed a good way to start the New Year. Linda, don't know what advice would help, nothing really helps.. But, you are an incredible strong lady. I had to deal with the diapers with my husband at the end. The candles really helped. Those disposible pads were worthless, he always wadded them up and pushed them off the bed. Always had sheets in the washing machine. Getting worried about Marie's Mom too. Hope no news is good news.
I feel like I'm going to lose my mind!!!! I don't know if it's just because I've been sick since Thursday or what, but mom is pushing me over the edge. I just lost it getting her to bed and said some mean things. I know logically she can't help it, but I can't take this insanity much longer. Just about everything she says is some mixed up bs from her "reality". She thinks its flooded and its bone dry. She insists its cold and it is 71 degrees. She is constantly searching for non existent stuff. Half the time she can't tell you what she is looking for, she's just searching endlessly. I feel like I live in a freakin nut house!!! I dress her in decent clothes she insists I'm dressing her in rags. It is constant and never ending! God, I don't want my mother to hurry up and die, but I hate this demanding selfish monster her disease has made her. My "real" mom was my friend and I miss her.
I have communicated with MariesMom, and she is fine. Just busy with family and hubby interviews. Back soon. No Worries, she wishes "Happy New Year" to all. Kids want to open a restaurant. omg. I get to be "in charge of kitchen and training the servers." I bet I get to be in charge of cleaning up, too. You wanna bet? Hope everyone made it through the first day of year fairly well. One day at a time. Love you all. Football STILL on. Too dark to escape. heehee Hugs, Christina xo
My thoughts with Linda, ending times really put you in a different place from others, know you have been a good daughter and been there all along when you were needed. I hope you all have peace there...
Yes, wash a lot of sheets and know the house must reek of piss, when he is gone here, a lot of stuff will be throw away, there is nothing else for it. God don't let me live long enough to be a 200 pound infant, why bother...
Another year...another year to hope this ends.
Neighbors outdid themselves with fire works this year, all around us for blocks several people had the "Conflagration Deluxe Box" was very cool. Rang bells and 2012 has arrived. best Wishes all....
Cindy, is it the smell or the look of the diapers. I have some really far fetched ideas. Since my dad shits everywhere it seems I have a lot of experience with it. O M G am I saying this? Yes I am. Man I used to complain about dogs when they crapped in the house. That was NOTHING! Happy Poopy New Year!!! Kat (and yes nothing is off limits for me to talk about - 7 years of this so far and my dad is ONLY 78....long way to go still...EEEEEEEEEEEEK.
Good morning all, it's a beautiful day here in south Florida. I have a lot of work to do to clean up from the Holidays (like most of you if you haven't already done so). I took a day off from everything and the dishes and laundry are piled up, grocery shopping needs to be done and like Linda says waaaaaaaa! Welcome to those of you who are new here, glad to have you. Linda I hope you and Pa are doing okay today. Christina, thank you for being so positive! Everyone have a good day today. Love you all.
Morning All, Linda, continuing prayers for Pa and love being sent your way. Cricket, I'm always looking for that pony in the room full of manure. I know a lot of you are smelling it and remember your Blessings are greater than finding a pony. Hang in there Suzie, Diane, Takingcare,--Enough, where are you? Happy New Year to all you beautiful Caregivers and Awesome Crew of this BOAT. Love and Hugs to our Captain Bobbie. Everyone, have a great day! Love, Christina xo
I'm so glad I've found your site. I feel like I should be breaking out in the theme song from Cheers. Ifeel like I've been tossed by a tornado and dropped in this foreign land. No fire and brimstone, but I'm sure it's hell. Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. I'm a stranger amongst my girlfriends. They're talking about their lives in Normalland, and I've got nothing to add. If I talk about what's going on in my life, they can't relate, and I sound like I'm whining, when it's simply relating the day's events. They tell me what a saint I am. If they only knew the horrible thoughts I've had about this man that I love. How can I love someone so much and wish he'd stroke out before he gives me one? I'm waiting for God to smite me. God? Is there one? There. In one paragraph. The two most horrible things I could ever think of saying.
But wait. I'm sitting here blubbering, when I should be avoiding thinking about everything right now. The day before Thanksgiving, I was about a hair's breadth from totally losing it from the strain of taking care of Alan, when I had to take him to the ER because he'd suffered his third stroke. He's in rehab now and will be for a little while yet. I feel horrible saying this, but it's been a little slice of heaven to be free of the burden know that he's being well cared for--AND IT'S NOT ME DOING THE CAREGIVING!
So, what I think I'm going to do is get my mind off caregiving and immerse myself in my short-term freedom and come back here when I have to resume the new normal.
Sheila, all of those feelings and thoughts you are having are for lack of a better word, NORMAL. Enjoy your break. You are human, Girlfriend. I am glad we have this thread to be here for you.
Wait, I am still putting the Christmas stuff away here...gimme a week!
Go to you-tube watch all the Mayhem ALLSTATE commercials...It'll make ya feel better!
Yeah learned THAT one too... Do NOT discuss care giving with relatives who DON'T do any...Between their pathetic "advice" and discomfort you get to watch their eyes glaze over as they wait to switch back to them and their life issues... What missed a good parking spot at the mall Earline? So sorry, you know if you had granddad you could use all the handicapped spaces right up in front...but of course, you'd have to get him in and out of the car, into the wheel chair, wheel him all over the Mall, listen to him gripe about traffic, prices, people, his bowels...and hope that the bowels at Least are just talk and you don't have to change him in a rest room...You know, I doubt they considered an elderly man needing his diaper changed when they made the Family Restrooms one sees now a days...Yes happy holidays and tell me how hard it was for you to get your flight to Mexico...Whatever...
Welcome to the nadir of care giving, do it with love, do it out of fear do it at all and you will see how isolating and and "normal life removing" it becomes...
welcome shelia . we all blubber alot too . this is a place to open ur feelings out , dream , vent and go shitofranic . wooo !! you fit right in girlfriend :-) dad s perked up a lit this morning , reach over and tickled me . that made me giggle , oh pa u want me to tickle u too . hee hee , smiles ,,, he was in good mood and often says he doesnt feel good , whiney voice waaaaaaaa . awww pa i so sorry . my sis in law came and spent a day here , i was glad she came . i was blubbering at her , i showed her an angel with her holdin her heart . she said oh linda this is you ! :-) i said yep christina calls me linda hearts , :) well get this , doc at the hospital says dad has heart failer and he wont get any better , ok so he wants dad to go to the lab on weds to get blood work done . then go to see his family dr in 2 weeks and get family dr to order the hospices ! no fkin way that just burns my ass ! i am going to call the dr tmr and tell him if they want blood come and get it , if they want to see him then send hospices out , i am not draggin my pa out an about ! thier systems sucks ! i askmy sis in law if i can get trouble for not takin dad . she said no u have a good reason right there . the system is abusing my father , jesus christ he served war ! for our country ,, screw em all ! ah there now i said it . whats more its freakin cold out 20 degrees ! drag a ill man out an about , phhhhhhhhht i best get off here lol . feeling my blood pressure flarin up . meow at you all later xoxoox
Linda definitely put your foot down, your dad does not need to be drug all over town for their convenience!! You tell them that! Glad he is settled and you can be with him...
Welcome Sheila. This group saved me. My stint as care giver, was fairly short, and I still went through all the emotions you are having. God didn't smite me (at least not yet).
Linda, call one of the hospice companies directly and speak with the director. He or she will help you get all this "paperwork" done to get your Dad in hospice. They usually have their own doctor on staff who will qualify him. Your Dad may have to go to one more appt. unless the doctor will visit him at the hospital or home.
Blood tests???? Hasn't he had enough in the hospital???? Bleepity-bleep, these guys have ice water in their veins. Ask him how are you supposed to get your dad to all these things. Major A$$.
Linda, please see if you can get a referral to the best hospice co. in your area and call them tomorrow. They also have social workers on staff who can help you cut through the B.S. with the docs. Don't try to do it yourself and do not drag your Dad to all these tests until you find out.
Hey Lilli! I saw that too! I figured I did NOT need Russel Stover marshmallow Santas or red and green peanut butter M&Ms. Ja wohl, Liebchen? Sheila: you are pretty normal, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm an expert. We are better than normal here, so get ready to be off the charts. Whoo Hoo! You know what? I have a "normal" sister. BORRRRINGGGG!!! We have depth, experience, and a strong survival instinct. We are a little like Angelina Jolie in Salt and Bruce Willis in Die Hard. With a pony in the room. Be proud, you are set apart. Remember the battle cry, "Fight! Fight! Never surrender"!! Whoo Hoo!
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Cooking pork loin, blackeyed peas, collards and rice for New Year's dinner. Need all the luck I can get this year.
Have a good evening dear friends and I'll keep Linda and Pa in my prayers.
Love to you all,
Diane
Well, I think the New Year is not really something different, but a continuation, just as a chapter in a book, a Monday, a birthday. As with all beginnings, I believe in starting out positive-- each day. I too, am aching and saddened about Pa, and heavy hearted for our friend, LindaHeart.
It is compassionate to join in her worry, but we cannot forsake the joy and hope that surrounds us. Pa is still here and we pray he will be for however long his soul is willing and his body can contain it. Linda will squeeze every sweet moment with him, savor and remember every twinkle in his eye. What a gift. {{{{LindaHeart}}}}
I hope my Mother is enjoying her visit with my sister today, but, when I told her yesterday she was coming today, she said "OH". When I said, "Let's call Brother", she lit up and said, Oh, he is a nice guy!" I got a kick out of that. He used to be a jerk until he was forced to take anger management.
"Everyone" is here watching football--my 3 main immediate family members. I am leaving for a very long walk. Hope to return after the games are over, but I don't know if I can walk that far with enflamed neuromas. It's not the game of football, but the constant screaming in my family room that annoys me. I am a Steelers fan, myself, and have a soft spot for the Saints, especially when they were underdogs. It's 79 degrees right now. I saw on weather map this morning that it is warm everywhere, except maybe in Wisconsin and the northeast? Right?
Hope you all are enjoying this precious first day of a New Year. I have hope and love for all of you. BOAT. Hugs, Christina xo
I remember Deefer posted about diapers. The ones they use at my Mother's place are supposed to be the best. I'll find out tomorrow and post.
Welcome, sheilablake, to a very wonderful Gross Out place of Friendship.
BBL. Cheeseball and beer with the screaming now. help
Here in Indiana we eat cabbage for New Years..Sausage, cabbage and potatoes with baby carrots are on stove right now. I'll add black eyed peas next year.
There hasn't been time to read all the posts today - but I'll get caught up tomorrow, I think.
Oh, Christina, you'll have to come to Greensburg this summer. My husband works at the university where the Steelers have their training camp in August.
That would be a blast! lol
Mom has a horrible cold now and has been alone to 1 day with the LifeLine Alert on. VN will be there tomorrow evening. Poor dear told me "Bob" needs new pajamas so she needs to get out shopping. Not! It's so hard to listen to her talk about her imagined visitors. She said she woke up this morning and HER mother (died in 1963) was in bed with her. Holy hanna. Tonight she's waiting for my Dad to come home to take down the little artificial tree because she can't remember how to do it. Oh well. It's her reality. Just very sad.
I've been busy with hubby being home every day until mid January when school reopens. (Is this what retirement will really be like?)
Well, I really only had a minute but want to welcome our new friends and wish you all a very blessed and healthy New Year. Feel the hugs and warm wishes across the miles. Bee
when i went back to the hospital i was sniffling blowin my nose and i hug pa and held in my waaaaaaaaaa , throat hurts so bad and i just held on to him , he was fked up on meds so i dont think he was aware of me sniffling teary eyes . its all good , its part of griefing and that is normal . i do wish pa hapiness when he takes the journey out toward heaven and meet all his love ones that he hasnt seen for years . i am just begin selfish i dont want to let him go . fear i be so lost without him ., which i know i will be so lost ... but i will find myself again , maybe on bobbie s boat :-) ... oh who knows maybe i ll take a long roadtrip and knock on christina s door ! how long will it take me to get there , 7 days ? whew lord ,, i wont fly ...
golf - i caught u saying ure from indiana , so am i and so is kimmy , kimmy an i live about 20 mins apart and we still havent met yet . always a wrong timin , but we will one day meet . it be great if all 3 of us could meet somewhere and have a margaritta . do u like maragritta ? mexcian food ? let me know . we shall set up a date . :-)
diapers , yep my friends and my neighbor saves those bags for me too , as soon as i put it in the bags i take it to garage and throw it in the dumpster and fa lala ur house doesnt smell . whenhe craps i have to lite a candle and it takes away the smell .
chrsitina - i didnt know its bad luck to wash laundry today , welp my luck is bad anyways , i did few loads this morning and my daughter came over and did few loads of hers too . i knew it was bad luck to take a tree down before new year . my tree is still up and i didnt take it down today , guess i ll do that tmr ,
hubby s going back to work weds and he s crying about it . told him to go on to bed and get back in routine , tired hear him whiney cryin about havin to go back to work . he thinks he can quit and go ahead and retire , told him if u do that we ll lose this place .
oh mariesmom !! where is she ? i hope shes ok . havent heard from her in a while , anybody know where she is ? prayin for her .
pa s still quite as a mouse , except u can hear his chest a rattling , gawd ! wish i could just stick a vacum and suck it all out and suck the fliud out of his heart ,
when i walked in today to greet him i heard that guggrling , it hit me when my mom was in hospital dying she too was gurgling then it got quite , i looke dover and told dad umm moms not makin that noise anymore we shot up and he said go get the nurse so i did , she checked mom out and said she is gone . oh lord we bawled like a baby ,
ahh enuff of the sad story , sniff snifff .
wheres my maragritta ! lol . love u all tons . xoxo
LINDA OF MY HEART!!!!! I don't know anyone who LOVES like you do, and All of us here, LOVE BIG TIME!!! You just spend every minute watching over Pa and don't do anything else. Tell hubby 'get your ass to work and bring home the bacon and the tequila' heehee. Listen, Some day.....
I'll make us bacon and tomato sandwiches while we are driving out to California.
( I'll fly back, rent a car one way, drive you back here), we will go to Disneyland and California Adventure; go to all the best Mexican restaurants, go to the beach; maybe Bobbie comes out to Pacific Ocean on the southern coast and we do Western Boat. Head on down to Cabo, avoid the drug cartel (I'll bring my 'pretend' machine gun, just in case) we spend a week at our time share and go to Cabo Wabo and have, um... oh yeah, more margaritas. And a VIRGIN for Miz. She and cubby can fly down. We have room. Everybody, come on down. Cricket, Bee, Austin, Deefer, Kuli, Selfish, BJ, Diane, KIMBO, Barb, JEN, RIP, Golf, Meanwhile, FAM, Rossella Bella helicopter in--we'll get Harrison Ford to pick you up and drop you off-- Ann, Annie from Ireland. My cousin from Ireland gets to come, too. I'll cook. OK, I'll do breakfast, and dinner, but someone else can do lunch.
Does that sound like something to dream on? Nothing compares to the love we hold for our parents, but WE have to LIVE. LIFE is for the LIVING. Someday we will be there, waiting for those who have gone before us, to start preparing us, in our rooms, as we sit, helpless in our recliners. God, help me to keep moving and taking my walks on the bridle trail. Once, I heard a story of a 93 year old woman who went to a party, forgot to wear her slip, and died in her sleep that night. That is how my Uncle went. He was 80, still jumping over the fence at his farm in Seattle. One morning, as he was making his Postem and cooking his sausages EVER so SLOWLY, he felt cold, laid down on the sofa, covered himself up with a blanket, and simply transitioned to his farm in Heaven--with my Dad and their Brother.
It can be simple. It can be gracious. The love we have for them is of God's Grace.
Every day I see my Mother, I cry, I grieve. I told you this already. With my Dad and my brother, I had no forewarning, I had no good byes, 'You've been a good DAD', 'I'm glad you're my brother'. Take each precious moment and SAVOR it.
Life is such a mystery. Let's hope for the best, creating our personal Heaven, and perhaps, it shall be just as we want it to be. I Love you all, very much. Christina xo
Get in the car. Hold on. Callate.
I had to deal with the diapers with my husband at the end. The candles really helped. Those disposible pads were worthless, he always wadded them up and pushed them off the bed. Always had sheets in the washing machine.
Getting worried about Marie's Mom too. Hope no news is good news.
Kids want to open a restaurant. omg. I get to be "in charge of kitchen and training the servers." I bet I get to be in charge of cleaning up, too. You wanna bet?
Hope everyone made it through the first day of year fairly well. One day at a time.
Love you all. Football STILL on. Too dark to escape. heehee Hugs, Christina xo
Yes, wash a lot of sheets and know the house must reek of piss, when he is gone here, a lot of stuff will be throw away, there is nothing else for it. God don't let me live long enough to be a 200 pound infant, why bother...
Another year...another year to hope this ends.
Neighbors outdid themselves with fire works this year, all around us for blocks several people had the "Conflagration Deluxe Box" was very cool. Rang bells and 2012 has arrived. best Wishes all....
Kat (and yes nothing is off limits for me to talk about - 7 years of this so far and my dad is ONLY 78....long way to go still...EEEEEEEEEEEEK.
Everyone have a good day today. Love you all.
Cricket
Linda, continuing prayers for Pa and love being sent your way. Cricket, I'm always looking for that pony in the room full of manure. I know a lot of you are smelling it and remember your Blessings are greater than finding a pony. Hang in there Suzie, Diane, Takingcare,--Enough, where are you? Happy New Year to all you beautiful Caregivers and Awesome Crew of this BOAT. Love and Hugs to our Captain Bobbie. Everyone, have a great day! Love, Christina xo
But wait. I'm sitting here blubbering, when I should be avoiding thinking about everything right now. The day before Thanksgiving, I was about a hair's breadth from totally losing it from the strain of taking care of Alan, when I had to take him to the ER because he'd suffered his third stroke. He's in rehab now and will be for a little while yet. I feel horrible saying this, but it's been a little slice of heaven to be free of the burden know that he's being well cared for--AND IT'S NOT ME DOING THE CAREGIVING!
So, what I think I'm going to do is get my mind off caregiving and immerse myself in my short-term freedom and come back here when I have to resume the new normal.
love,
miz
Wait, I am still putting the Christmas stuff away here...gimme a week!
Go to you-tube watch all the Mayhem ALLSTATE commercials...It'll make ya feel better!
Yeah learned THAT one too... Do NOT discuss care giving with relatives who DON'T do any...Between their pathetic "advice" and discomfort you get to watch their eyes glaze over as they wait to switch back to them and their life issues... What missed a good parking spot at the mall Earline? So sorry, you know if you had granddad you could use all the handicapped spaces right up in front...but of course, you'd have to get him in and out of the car, into the wheel chair, wheel him all over the Mall, listen to him gripe about traffic, prices, people, his bowels...and hope that the bowels at Least are just talk and you don't have to change him in a rest room...You know, I doubt they considered an elderly man needing his diaper changed when they made the Family Restrooms one sees now a days...Yes happy holidays and tell me how hard it was for you to get your flight to Mexico...Whatever...
Welcome to the nadir of care giving, do it with love, do it out of fear do it at all and you will see how isolating and and "normal life removing" it becomes...
dad s perked up a lit this morning , reach over and tickled me . that made me giggle , oh pa u want me to tickle u too . hee hee , smiles ,,, he was in good mood and often says he doesnt feel good , whiney voice waaaaaaaa . awww pa i so sorry .
my sis in law came and spent a day here , i was glad she came . i was blubbering at her , i showed her an angel with her holdin her heart . she said oh linda this is you ! :-) i said yep christina calls me linda hearts , :)
well get this , doc at the hospital says dad has heart failer and he wont get any better , ok so he wants dad to go to the lab on weds to get blood work done . then go to see his family dr in 2 weeks and get family dr to order the hospices ! no fkin way that just burns my ass !
i am going to call the dr tmr and tell him if they want blood come and get it , if they want to see him then send hospices out , i am not draggin my pa out an about ! thier systems sucks ! i askmy sis in law if i can get trouble for not takin dad . she said no u have a good reason right there . the system is abusing my father , jesus christ he served war ! for our country ,, screw em all !
ah there now i said it .
whats more its freakin cold out 20 degrees ! drag a ill man out an about , phhhhhhhhht
i best get off here lol . feeling my blood pressure flarin up .
meow at you all later xoxoox
Blood tests???? Hasn't he had enough in the hospital???? Bleepity-bleep, these guys have ice water in their veins. Ask him how are you supposed to get your dad to all these things. Major A$$.
Linda, please see if you can get a referral to the best hospice co. in your area and call them tomorrow. They also have social workers on staff who can help you cut through the B.S. with the docs. Don't try to do it yourself and do not drag your Dad to all these tests until you find out.
Like you need more to do!!!
Sheila: you are pretty normal, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm an expert. We are better than normal here, so get ready to be off the charts. Whoo Hoo!
You know what? I have a "normal" sister. BORRRRINGGGG!!!
We have depth, experience, and a strong survival instinct. We are a little like Angelina Jolie in Salt and Bruce Willis in Die Hard. With a pony in the room. Be proud, you are set apart.
Remember the battle cry, "Fight! Fight! Never surrender"!! Whoo Hoo!