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Cattails..I also rescue animals... I guess I got my dad's big heart for animals. We have rescued my lilly off the busy 4 lane street. Rescued and own 6 cats...3 outside and 3 inside. My sister gave me a turtle red eared slider got his when he was the size of a quarter now he is the size of a football...and 2 years ago the neighbors dog cornered a cockatiel...yep we have him too. We have about 20 squirrels that we feed in various feeders outside. Each year in the winter there are a few that put their noses up agains our windows looking for the good nuts from the bowl. We hand them out..and they literally take them out of our hands. Yes I love animals...and have a heart when I see one that needs TLC.
So I am in awe of you...for rescuing an owl. Because I have a thing for Owls... love them. Blessings all...g'night
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Hi there,
Love to you all! hanging in here! smiling again today! not much getting done lil bit here n there but lil is better than none, today I will be busy tho....

How are you all doing? It is rainy day here, has been cloudy n showering since the weekend. Yesterday was roasting tho, crazy weather here, we call it "Bipolar" climate, hahaha.... That is Southern Oregon Living tho, what makes it green n pretty. Long cool wet winters are brutal tho when it comes to keeping spirits up! Oct-May but spring does give us nice breaks like yesterday often!

Took ma to the neurologist yesterday for first time...I have been reporting fainting spells for years to her DR and he never sez much about them. I insisted on finding out more about them recently so they sent me to him.
He was almost rude to me at first, saying why she hear now, it's too late to help her dementia. When I sed it was for fainting but also what role do you play in the dementia. he sed well if I am involved early enough I can help her but not much now. He also said her Namenda and Aricept will no longer be of use shortly and would discontinue them. he sed on the scale 0-30 she bout a 12 at 10 he would stop meds. I think I heard her 5 years ago say she was an 18..

Anyway I have been taking her to a dr regularly for 8 years who never even mentioned a neurology workup or any other treatment path than meds. I explained this and I was ignorant and had just followed dr's leads and recently found AC and AA website and have read and learned a lot about disease and realize it is up to me to become aggressive/proactive and learn as much as I can now, I know it late but!!! His demeanor changed he was very helpful after that! I do like him, so anyway he is ordering test and catscan n eeg (I think, have to double check my notes) for fainting spells. Not sure what we will do with the info next visit should be more informative, I will def have lots of questions for him.

So what do you all know about nuerologist role and what he sed bout her meds??

Ok Love n blessings!
Juju
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Oh the "cats"... Mine had become a "roamer" once the dogs came along...spending most time outside up the mountain or who knows?
Since I locked him in n left for a week he Has been a homebody, crawling all over me, in my face, slept next to my head several nights, hasn't done that in 10ys. Its kinda sweet to have him back!!! Actaully Petuyeeehe rubbing his face on mine nose to nose while im trying to type this got hair stuck to my lips now, ughhhh....

Thank goodness he does most of his hunting outdoors my extremities are safe!
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This visit to the Neurologist actually is wearing on me now.... as I look into more things...neurology should have been done long ago..HOW did I not know this... I truly feel like I have been in a coma for 8 ys... dads death was traumatic completely destroyed what family I had, and catapulted ma into my lap, I did the best I could but I stand here today in utter shock 8ys of my life has literally disappeared. Most things are as they were then but compounded by neglect....

I have determined minimal work should go into the home as if something happens we will lose it so doesn't make sense to fix much rite now anyway! have made that decision so relieves some stressors there...but I digress

I feel glad to have this place to vent but I feel bad that I am so self absorbed. I read and hear these stories and want to say something to try to help someone and am terrible at it! It always turns to me....I apologize for this!!! I don't mean to be selfish! I am still new ranting stage here! I hope when things improve for us I can be more supportive! I always notice hindsight!
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its just hard being alone but 3 hrs a week here.....I don't have anyone to talk to so when I get here I wanna say something!!!
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I mean 10 ys ago I was working my way in thriving sunny silicon valley companies working in Production and Materials Management and I now I cant even put together a sentence. and failing miserably at managing us!!! Isolated in a logging country, pretty but very slow and limited resources (and DR's for that matter, erggg). I am thankful for her injury in Feb for really snapping me out of it it just hard to deal with the aftermath, now, How did this happen to a relatively competent working individual...how did it become such a freakin mess!!! I think I deny or ignore to avoid it as I saw was a typical symptom of the situation as well and having absolutely no one to help make the decisions...to reason with me, call me on a bad move, idk....

I think maybe I should get a elder care lawyer next cause I really don't know what to do!!! tooo much has gone toooo far is my fear!! I need some professionals :0)!
Again this area is not the greatest resources, can one find an online or long distance attorney, who specializes in this??? anyone??

Thanks for listening!!!! love to you all!!! Juju
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OK Jujubean,
Breathe.

You are ok and are not selfish or self absorbed or any of that.

8 years is a long time to be operating in a vacuum but at least it wasn't 10 or 15 or longer. You are here now and we will come up with a lot of stuff some you might use and some you might not. It's all good and you will know what's right for you.

1. The Neurologist.

When I took my mom into see one of these specialists in 06 he stated that the Dementia started presenting maybe 2 years before.
I said no, that's not true. With what I have learned over the past 2 years is that the Dementia has been presenting for over 20 years. He disagreed.
I said: Not too far from now you are going to find that I am right and that some Dementias present decades out. Google it.... they are now talking about early symptoms. Some of which I have. Hopefully it's the pot.

The point is that medicine is an art and they can only do what they can do with what they know. If he doesn't specialize he isn't going to be the smartest guy in the room. He's going to know how to order tests and how to interpret them but the fact remains that this is a progressive disease. This is a dive you are not going to pull out of.
Acceptance of this fact is KEY.

You are living with a Dementia patient and since it is widely known that a Dementia patient can pull more cognitive behavior out of their butts when they are at the doctor, you just need to correct his misconceptions and guide him to a better conclusion. Just like you did when you told him that you had read up on it and were going to become more proactive.

With my mom I kept her on the Namenda and Aricept untill a week before she died. As long as she had no trouble swallowing them I saw that they helped.

Hopefully by the time this generation becomes more symptomatic there will be medicine for earlier stages and I am sure that BigPharma researchers are way more informed about the disease than a GP or MD that is not specializing. No harm, no foul just is the way it is.

The grieving process is brutal because you will grieve before and you will grieve after. You are grieving now and have been since your dad got sick. You are exhausted.

2. We want you to write. We don't care if you write 10 posts in a row. We will read them all. Some will read every word and some will just look for Cuz's jokes. It all works.
When someone has something to say they will and just because you don't see a lot of posts doesn't mean that no one gives a damn. They do.
They are just dealing with their own crazy and it does them some good to know that there are other crazy situations out there with folks that are popping up here to sound off. This is hard work and it would be easier to dig ditches for the over 8 years that you have been doing this.
At least you would have had a day off once a week and would be around other people and someone would have had a birthday and there would have been cake.

3. Yes. You need a lawyer and you need a Power of Attorney (POA) and check the will. That's enough to start with. There's more but it's easy peasy.

It sounds like you live about 2 miles past resume speed so maybe going to the nearest big suburb might find you a better choice of attorneys.
It took 2 shots to get mom's papers right but you will get that done and it will make things easier for you.

4. Don't hammer yourself. What, did the house go to hell and there's a mess in the garage? So what. Inch by inch you can do this because now you are getting a plan together and that's the KEY out of the mess.

5. You are putting your sentences together just fine since we all know wtf you are talking about. Well done.

OK, I have to run off the boat and readjust these fenders. This thing is moaning and squeaking. Will check in later.

You're going to be OK Juju.

I am posting this without proofing it so if the'res a misteke hoppfuly iz th pt.

lovbob
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Bobbie well said...Juju we do care and you may go on as long as you need. I have been there. It's our sanity. You are doing everything you could possibly do right now. Don't worry about what you could have or would have..it will eat you up. Now is what's important. Your mom has dementia...and with many different types out there you will find many symptoms. I did the research and googled...found out a lot from the caregivers here too. They are your best resource. With Lewy Body dementia the last stages will be like jumping off a cliff....fast and furious. If you think she might have that look it up. Fainting is one of the symptoms of dementia and I found that out with my mom. She fainted 3 times while living with me...and I know before that she must have fainted many other times. Lewy bodys fill up the gaps in the brain where the sensorys will be disconnected. Hence a lot of brain activities that are affected such as forgetting, asphasia (speaking), fainting, the abilitity to swallow, bowel and bladder functions. All of these are part of this horrible disease. I hope this helps. But know you are doing the best for your mom...caring for her. God Bless. Debbie
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Thanks ladies, you made me cry! I know its ok to post, but who likes that side of ourselves?! Cocktails in the Caribbean sound like much more fun!!!
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BOAT TIME!!

lovbob
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Juju...cheers!
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I already have the little umbrellas.
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Oh that's too funny I got boat time in the Caribbean! woot woot!!
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Juju~I know how you feel about posting. I have days where I just want to short circuit the internet with posts. Dear girl, what you are doing is damn hard! I am not a 24/7 caregiver like you and many others, but all my thoughts day in and day out are about my mom. You are doing so much and you are now getting information together by learning about how a neurologist can treat your mother, (my mom started taking Namenda a little over a month ago and she is mentally incapacitated), my mom refused to take it in the early stages, so don't beat yourself up for not knowing something. Yes, talking with an Elder Law Attorney would be in your best interest, getting a DPOA, living trust if necessary and advanced health directive. Enjoy your boat time with the little umbrellas and I will toast you!! Hugs!
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Amen to everything Bobbie and Sharynmarie etc said! I used to vent a lot more-especially whey I first came here...It was such a relief to finally find people who really understood! The isolation is killer too so this place was my savior! Between this and Facebook-I don't know what I would do! Sometimes I just don't have the energy to write about what is going on...sometimes I do! I assume that is how it is with everyone. I love reading what everyone says-the good, the bad and the ugly-or gross! Whatever-it is all good. I am so happy I found this site and it sounds like you are too Juju! As Bobbie says "Vent and Live!" We are all here for each other! Mame
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PS-see you on the boat!
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My mom is so funny!! I took her out today for a haircut at her usual salon and hairdresser. She told me afterwards "I don't like this hair." I said it is the cut you always get, it looks really nice. she said, "I don't like how grey my hair is, it was not this grey before and all the wrinkles on my face, where did they come from, do you think it is the medicine they are giving me?" When we went back to the memory care unit, everyone told her how cute her hair was and she was beaming from ear to ear!!
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one last thought for the day and I am done, good positive day overall!!!
What Is difficult about admitting all this stuff is here Is that even if you all understand...I feel like others just think, oh you don't have to work you stay home and just do whatever you want whenever and what do you have to complain about! they look at my decline as a character flaw rather than the real physical disorder that caregiving carries with it as side affects, etc... these are the people you really need to get it! the ones that are close enough to be hands on! and help you if not with ma but chores n organizing phone calls research, etc... ahhhh anyway yes overall a good day today for us! all I can ask for day by day!!

I like to think about the positives this experience has brought me too, in a nutshell "I am a much simpler, patient, understanding and compassionate human being" I am so grateful for that!!! That would be a good thread...maybe it is out there?
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I meant you guys get it but I am so conditioned to folks not getting it that feel selfish etc cause that's how they made me feel.
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Juju~It is the opposite for me, I feel I get judged by people (not on this site, in my community) because I work part time instead of caregiving full time. I think it comes down to the fact that we carry guilt no matter what. No matter if we are a 24/7 caregiver or we work. We want to do more and more to help our parents, give the best care, spend the best time with them. Continue to hang out here, you are in good company!
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well gosh, look who came redfaced, to your thread looking for some controversy. i cant seem to stir up shit on the main tonight. i have two healthy gulps of everclear left and a six pack of swill still sitting on the bike. im up for a while, please someone give me a hard way to go.. my mother was jacked up with haldol today and she is card carrying insane. suddenly im the devil and frankly its kind of fun. im kidding, shes mad at me for calling the rubber truck saturday evening but as often as every 10 minutes she comes in my room and hugs me. shes still finding some kind of grounding here.. one or both of us are nuts..
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Well it's 3:30am and the river is as still as glass.
The Cat is out on the dock torturing crabs and I will really miss it here but it is time to move this big boat to a new home.
At least I know that the crabs will be happy we are moving on.

As far as guilt is concerned, screw that.
We all get a good enough dose of guilt just by doing the best we can so any more guilt that is imposed by people who don't know any better is on them and not on us.

I understand what you guys are talking about and I understand that guilt can be a tough thing to shake but please know that it will take on a life of its own if you do not consciously continue to tell yourself that guilt does not belong in your head. Necessary for your own survival. No room for guilt.

Hardass, wtf. Watchoo doing there drinking that sh!t? Bet you're snoozing now. I was asleep 3 hours ago and now I am up for a little bit and thought I would check in and see what's going on.

ok, what's a rubber truck? Is that the nutz police? What do they do?
Your mom can remember back to Saturday? Sweet.

What kind of bike do you have? Flathead? Panhead? ok that's all I know and I couldn't tell what was what even if they were labeled.

Now the Cat has come in and is giving herself a wash. Probably trying to get the outdoorsey scent of crab off of herself. Natural born killer.

Cattails! I wouldn't know the first thing about being able to rescue an owl. Kudos to you for taking that on.
How is that special event for AD going? Has it happened yet?

ok, I will hit this and see if anyone is still up. Will check back in a few.

lovbob
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Wwelcome to the night owl express. Guilt can become all consuming. Weakly do the best we can in our situations. Where are you moving your boat to?
Cap~you say rubber truck some days I think I live in a cuckcoo clock. I hope your mother is doing better with the haldol. Well its almost 2am here
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Oops I submitted too soon was gonna say I need to go to sleep or I'll be cuckcooing all day.
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My kids being home-they want me to stay up late watching TV etc...it is nice to have them to chat with and be with. But today I am running on empty as mom got up at 7am! She NEVER gets up that early! Gonna be a long day. Really hot too-and humid. Hoping I can get her to daycare! Mame
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Good morning all! Hope your day is a good one....

So what I want to elaborate on this morning is this issue with the neuro work up! I was upset yesterday but the bottom line is whatever mistake I made was under duress, these darn DR;s are not...it is their damn job to care and advise you properly! that's what they get the big bucks for... and more often then not i feel they drop the ball!! I wont go into all the details why or i would start another rant i don't have the time for today, lol!!!

Anyway as i mentioned when I told NEUR DR. your initial comments (too late now and neuro wudda helped early on) have upset me, why didn't DR R or current DR. ever order this work up, The only reason we are here is due to the fainting spells...he shook his head(disgust.disbelief,,idk) sed he musta had his reasons for it, had something else in mind This made me think back to an early incident with him..where i was inquiring into her health and what i should be doing with respect all of the issues...we got her into a rheumatologist for the severe arthritis and discussed mammogram. I remember him saying to me...well we can do that but what are you going to do with results, not much can be done, so why? just to know? and i sed damn right, i want and need to know what condition my mother is in! it disturbed me at the time but i was still pretty new and healthy and just blew it off. Now, that was a sign of what he thought about her life Further supporting my distrust of medical and legal system.

No kidding Dads DR was instrumental in causing his death.... and attorneys wouldn't even take the case. I will never forget that attorney breaking down the numbers like nothing..."he was 78 n retired, no claim for lost wages, max you can get is 250k take 1/3-1/2 for legal fee's...then take out tax...your left with 60 -70k, it is not even worth my time" i will shut up now or i will go off again....but it just appalls me how little life means to these "professionals".

Sharyn/bob GUILT...oh ya that's another good one! I wont go there today!! But just saying people can be so mean..when i try to share what I am going thru "they are just like, get off the pity pot already...we have heard this before(but do nothing to help), or i love the "I know...you should see my kids" ha not even close!!!

Ok that is all the complaining i wish to do....I hate bitching!!!

Capt hardass....All i can come up with is enjoy the good moments you can with her!!!
Oh so bob you really are on a boat then? that is cool...I have thought maybe I should get an RV. Then if mom passes or institutionalized, I can live in the RV and just roam.....live where the road takes me... a boat would be cool too! same concept...my only issue is I get a lil clostrophobic, sp?... I don't like small spaces/being confined, or I would have done it already! and taken ma to travel n see the US...
Ok kitty sez time to feed him!

Love n strength!
Juju
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just one more thing...k this makes me realize why i did what i did. every one i turned to for help let me down so I decided i would do it all myself!! I WAS good at getting things done. It was my job to "get r done". I had no clue about the emotional backlash of what i had gone thru!!
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with respect to DR issues tho...I know too that some things are not able to be fixed or doesn't make sense to fix them, in a person who has dementia but...at that stage just taking on ma or just for the information sake, for her comfort etc... it was appropriate to get thorough evaluation of her health!! (that is one thing the NEURO mentioned he has no baseline, to compare).
That brings up a whole nother subject that has been lurking in my mind lately, I will attack later, how much meds I should still be giving her and what is considered "extraordinary measures" with regard to sustaining life, etc..
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Wanted to update those who commented on the lawyer question. My goal now is to get our ducks in a row , get our budget/bills n legal matters organized, then start making decisions on how to proceed with moms care and all the other issues. We do have DPOA and AHCD and WILL in place. However issues are deeper than that! I do need to find a sharp attorney. I saw one guy here respond to a post from a place in florida read his posts etc he seemed soooo on top of it, i wondered if you have to meet face to face or do lawyers like that work remotely...anyway that is what i am working on, when i can! .I am going to find this guy here again and call his office, get as much info i can from them! it's a start!
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juju...when I was taking care of my mom. Her progression was so fast, I had the same talk with the Hospice nurse and Social worker. She was taking blood pressure meds, water pill, arthritic meds, extra potassium, iron and a multitude of vitamins. She was gagging and throwing up after trying to swallow all the meds. It was so hard to watch. This is when I started to reevaluate the whole batch of medications and simply give her what she needed for comfort. So after a conversation with her nurse we took her off all meds except those that were for comfort and care. So the vitamins were eliminated, also was the blood pressure and water pill. I would monitor her blood pressure several times a day to make sure it wasn't elevated and if needed would then give her blood pressure med. Lisinopril. This made it better for mom to cope. She had a stopped eating around the 1st of January because she lost her ability to swallow. Does your mom have an advanced directive? With my mom she signed the DNR when my dad passed away 10 years ago. So I knew exactly what she wanted in terms of life sustaining. Her instructed that there would be no feeding tubes. Therefore our only option was to let her have water in small amounts until she pushed that away. I offered water with a straw several times a day. She declined it most of the time ..But then after a while she was put on morphine. This helped and she did a lot of sleeping.
You have DPOA I take it..you can override what ever she has on the Advance directive but sometimes there is guilt with that. I just plainly honored my moms wishes. She was 91 when she passed January 9th. I hope this helps...its such a hard process in the end. You are doing right by her staying and taking care of things. God bless you. Debbie
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