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Well the pooping is slowing down but still watery, I've held back on her daily doses of colace but I am afraid that things will go the other way once this clears up. I've made her eat her oatmeal in the morning and ensure for supper, but tea and cookies was all she would take for lunch so I made sure she at least had two.
I've figured out the not walking is because her sciatica has returned. She goes so rigid when I try to get her out of bed it's hard to be mindful of her back as I pull her upright. Looking back that was another failure of our doctor at the time, an MRI showed multiple degenerated discs but we didn't do anything about it, I didn't press because I wasn't aware there was anything that COULD be done. I suppose we both figured she wasn't long for this world and our focus at the time was her recurring TIAs. Anyway, I made her walk to the bathroom this morning, use it or lose it as they say.
My whine today is neighbourhood campfires. It's finally nice enough that you can turn off the A/C and open the windows but somebody has left their backyard fire smouldering all night. I like sitting around a fire, but put the bloody thing out when you go to bed!
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Katie, your Momma really sounds lke mine. It is awful for them and us. I hope things get better, she is up again and still not herself? My Momma doesn't have diahrrea but really poops a lot every day? This is not normal either. She is a person that had to take something almost every day because she was constipated all of her life?
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cwillie, I had a neighbor in a condo I used to live in that would smoke out the whole neighborhood with a firepit.I don't even think people are supposed to have these in a condo. Complaining did no good because he had the wimpycondo president in his pocket. It is annoying, I know.

Also, I find that a little bit of Kefir each day helps with the diarrhea...It is a liquid yogurt drink that comes in various flavors that Mom drinks 2x a day and I buy it in the yogurt aisle of the supermarket. It is a probiotic so helps with the d. and helps to prevent C-diff after a round of antibiotics.

College, The Kefir helps prevent diarrhea but Mom still has 3-4 BMs a day. She is bedridden and uses briefs so it keeps me busy. I don't know why the BMs are fairly continual...nobody can give me an answer to that, but maybe it is a side effect from radiation treatments she received years ago.
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Katie, My Momma doesn't have diarrhea now she just poops all the time. I can't understand her not being able to move her feet now, do you think it is part of dementia getting worse? She has had so many UTIs and antibiotics I don't know what to expect. Now she is mumbling a lot too. I hate this.
Cwillie, your Momma sounds like mind too. She eats crackers and cookis and for 4 days it has been a battle with the Ensure. She takes a few sipes and says says it So she must be getting weak again..
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I'll get some Kefir also thanks for all you all do. Hugs
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I give Mother only milk chocolote Ensure Plus and add 5 squirts of hershys chocolote to it and add maybe a fourth cup of water to that and put in as much ice as the glass will hold.She cant taste anything at all but goes by texture and this has been our recipe for many years.It works.
I hate mornings because I hurt myself so much and theres always chore after chore to do just so we can keep functioning.I never dreamed...
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Lucklu, I never dreamed I would be going thru all this, I thought after working hard all my life and taking care of everyone everywhere, at work and church and home and even my two oldest grand kids after I raised my three girls that I would be able to chill out and travel with my husband and work in the yard a lot. Go to the YMCA and exercise, go to church and visit friends in the hospital. Nope. I am not doing any of that. Maybe some day. My big whine for today!
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I was hoping this bout of diarrhea would be a fluke and just end naturally, now that we are on day three I will definitely try to get some probiotics into her... I wonder if that bottle in the back of the cupboard has expired yet. Might be worth it to make a run to the grocery store for some kefir, my nose says she needs to be changed again :(
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Good morning...

I'm trying to catch up, so far it seems to be all about poop, so maybe I won't catch up ;)

It's been a rough week. Started out with what I thought was a stomach virus, then it moved into my chest and turned into a upper respiratory thing... finally was able to get into the dr's on Thursday for meds, now I am FINALLY starting to feel like someone vs the bed slug I've been. I've been working around here non stop since mom passed and it really caught up to me. Time to chill for awhile I suppose...

Susan, that is AWESOME about your son :) Guess time does heal... I don't know who my son is anymore. He left a VM on my cell the other day that ripped my heart to shreds. The words that came out of his mouth, the names he called me... I just don't think I ever want to talk to him again. Ah well, he said he'd rather die or live under a bridge before he asked me for help. Well good, just look at the money I will save. Honestly, he's always be a selfish self entitled person, which I made worse by giving and doing SO MUCH for him, but this new personality that he's taken on since he met that woman, it honestly scares me. He even had the nerve to say some not so nice things about my parent's.

I feel like the past 3 years has made me public enemy #1. Not quite sure what I did to everyone, aside from speak the truth, but yeah, they're all mad at me, not speaking to me and it kind of stings. While laying in bed for days I had the chance to really reflect back on everything that has happened.. can't help but notice a common denominator. My 2 brothers here and my son, have all mentioned (in a not so nice way) that I have it made now. A house that's paid for and a income (a pension and perm alimony) that will allow me not to go back to work if I choose. What they fail to realize is the heartache and hardship all 3 of those things came with. Pension is from my first husband who passed away. Perm Alimony is from my 2nd husband who dived head first into a Mid Life Crisis in which we lost everything and it was a nightmare 4 years until the divorce was final. He's now getting married again for the 3rd time since our divorce... this house, well, it's the hardest gift of all, I buried both parent's and went through hell and back with mom for 3 years. Guess I'm not supposed to have anything. Oh well. Family can just be so cruel...
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College,My husband and I feel the same way.We had planned to move to Hawaii years ago.Now thats all down the tubes.I guess its in the big plan for our lives...I dont know.
Jeannette,Glad your back.
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Patricia317, yes, your Jelly Donut analogy is a good one, and not a bad way to look at things! Good for you for realizingt self medicating isn't necessarily the way to go, however I believe many carers go that route to take the pain of their situation, so you are not alone. Your honesty is refreshing, and I thank you for bringing this important discussion to light! The"for better or for worse" statement we make in our Wedding Vows, is an important one, however when we make it, we are so often very young, and never believe that these sorts of things could ever happen to us, and when they do, we are ill prepared for them. I'm sure that you are doing the very best you can do, and taking it one step at a time is the only way to deal with it properly. Good luck on your journey through this, and take care of yourself too!
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JeanetteB! Yea, your back! I am sorry you have been feeling poorly, I hope your on the mend! Don't pay any mind to those that think that you don't deserve everything you've worked so hard to get, the years you've put into childrearing, marriages and caregiving for your parents is enough and for them to believe otherwise is just wrong on so many levels, well, I'm sure none of them could everuunderstand everything you have had to give up to now be in your position, and what you have gained doesn't seem near enough in my opinion! Good for you to have come out the other side with a little security, I mean really, it the very least you should have, I think! I've missed you, and I'm glad to hear from you again! Well, what are your next plans for projects around Your house? I hope it's something Cool! Don't listen to that meanness, they couldn't have lasted a day in your shoes and they will soon realize it!
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We sold mom's farm when I decided it was time to move into town and she had to pay a huge capital gains tax. Today she got a letter from revenue canada to make an instalment payment on next year's taxes of over $100K HaHaHaHaHa, as if!
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Dad touched his poop between 6:15-6:50 am. Almost every time I try to sleep late on Sundays, he does this. My nose decides to work this morning (either that, or his poop really stinks worse than usual.) The smell and just the thought of cleaning it - has given me a headache. I'm so mad at myself! Usually after changing his last pamper before bedtime, I use the older worn out waterproof bed pads. Lastnight, I grabbed the good one. I paused, wondering if I should not change my normal routine. I ignored my guts and figured he hasn't touched his poop since...last week. HA! I was wrong..

I told dad that he cannot blame his disease for the reason he touches his poop. He's NOT that far into his senility. I really really hate poopy mess outside of the pampers and on the bedding and clothes. I told him that since this is Extra Avoidable Mess, I am going to charge him $20.
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Jeanette, sorry you were feeling so badly....and that you're dealing with that crap from your son. I don't know what's worse - when they go silent or when they do something like your son did. You don't deserve that.
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Mom was acting a bit odd this morning - on top of the attitude she had last night, today, she was claiming she was hallucinating last night. The nurse said otherwise, though - because if she *knows* she's hallucinating and is aware of it, then it's not a true hallucination, but maybe like a waking dream state, where she's halfway between sleeping and waking and has a very vivid dream. They're monitoring her, though, because she's had some demeanor changes over the past 24 hours that may indicate a UTI. More demanding and even a little surly at times, and that's just not mom.
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Jeanette's sounds to me like you deserve that house and whatever alimony you have coming. People esp. Families can be so cruel. Stay strong and enjoy your freedom. Try to be good to yourself. Take a trip somewhere really nice, that would be tropical for me, but do something good!!
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Patricia317 I am the substance abuse master, years of it, so yes yes yes a major step forward for you. It's like unlocking the cell door and taking the freedom back that substance abuse takes away. It is a horrible way to live when you are enslaved to it don't know if that is the case but either way it is liberating in so many ways. I struggle every day but I pray a lot. He sustains me and let's me know I do have the strength to overcome it. I am here for you if you want to talk. Helping others is part of the recovery for me. It's like you can look into the future and envision your hopes and dreams instead of just existing in a fog.
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Been wall from here again. Hubby took a few days off so we are trying to get a lot of work done on the property next door. So I missed dads happy hour yesterday as we tore down a small outbuilding the prior tenants turned into a chicken coop. Hubby swiped my shoulder with a board ripped a hole in my sleeve and left a 3" cut. By time we cleaned up I would have had 15 min with dad. So today I picked him up this afternoon so he could assist me grocery shopping. A win win as he gets some exercise and he gets out. He was trying to talk but now it's the words can't come to him so I just nod my head. But that depth perception bothers me. I hand him his sunglasses and he reaches for them but his hand is no where near the sunglasses.
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Jeanette, don't feel bad for one minute for what you have! You deserve every bit of it and worked hard taking care of your parents. I hope you are feeling better soon too!
I am hoping Mom does get some sleep tonite but wondering if yet another UTI is going on, or if she is getting restless for other reasons. I do hope everyone here has a peaceful night tonite!
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We had a wedding to go to today. It was a casual affair of a very close friend and her man. Interesting how God works. She is an awesome caring person. Who came to my church finally after many invitations from me. After a short time she was coming regularly and joined the church after dedicating her life to Christ. Over the last seventeen years, she and I cared for a widow who had a double lung transplant until she passed away. About 7 years ago another woman joined the church and was struggling with cancer but had such a positive attitude even when she knew there was nothing left to do. After she passed her son moved down here and started to attend the church. Well to make a long story a little shorter, this man and my friend became close and then he needed a transplant and she cared for him during the aftermath. They fell in love and got married today.
Hubby and I went. We wanted to take Mom too but knowing the church, we knew it would be too hot and with her CDiff, we didn't want her to accidentally share her bacteria with anyone else. She had a friend that usually visits on Saturday come up to stay for a little while and the. We came home straight from church. It was a little bittersweet because we were invited to the private party, but we couldn't go because I didn't want to leave Mom alone for long. There will be more parties.
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As far as UTI's I think that we are all going to become experts in them. I read something about this stuff cal D-Mannose which helps with prevention and treatment of UTIs. Mom will drink lots of water but she will not drink a lot of cranberry. I bought this chewable that has cranberry and D-Mannose in it and am making her take two with every meal until she is feeling better.
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Jeannette we are all glad you're back and don't let the hater's get to you! Haters are gonna hate, lol
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57twin, please be careful with that cut. Is it a scratch or a cut that is deep. If you were cut with pressure treated wood you could get an infection. Or if the wood had feces from chickens, you need to watch it as well. Take care of yourself.
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Dang it, Sharadale...now I've got that song stuck in my head...!
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I just wanna shake, shake, shake............ Lol!

Sorry everyone is having such a shitty time.......literally. Someone on here said they were giving their Mom oatmeal. If she is having diarrhea, probably not a good idea. I get the shits when I eat oatmeal.

Sorry Luckylu, CWillie, Susan, Katie etc. that you are having such bad times with your parents. If I left anyone out I'm sorry for that as well. I remember the days with the UTI's with my Mom. Then of course the antibiotics kill all the good bacteria as well so it all generally sucks. My Mom was always having UTI's. It seemed like she would just be getting over one and then another would start.

Welcome back Jeanette! I'm glad you are feeling better. I went for a walk around seawall today with Hubby and am feeling like I'm coming down with something myself. Hopefully not. I never get sick but I always seem to get ill when Fall comes around the corner. Don't worry about your son Jeanette. People always feel entitled to what their family has. I believe in helping family but when they just expect it and are ungrateful then they can just screw off.
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Yeah Twin,Be sure to take care of your cut.I cut myself on a mug in May and I think I hit a nerve and now it catches and always hurts and its August.I hope you have your tetnus shot.Please take care.
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I cannot believe I finally got that song off my mind and now here it is again...YOU GUYS!!!!! shake it off...shake it off.........ugh.....lol.........

Hi Jeanette! Good to "see" you again...I hate you are going through all that but God knows I feel your pain. The sad thing is...until "they" actually have to go through what you have been through, they never will really GET IT...just like my situation..they will never understand because they never have, and never will...do it....what can you do?? hugs to you friendo.

Finally made it to that store in hopes my pretty linens would be there...I should have guessed I waited too long...They were all long gone, the sheets and the quilted comforters as well...my bad...I know better not to get it when I see something I love like that at those kind of stores as they only get one maybe two of a certain item...

Had a pretty good day today..Mama has seem perkier even tonight..so that was nice...My only whine was my little great nephew had his third birthday party today and his Mom did send me an invitation, but I feel certain she knew I probably couldn't attend but wanted to include me...that meant a lot to me. To be honest, I was going to try to find a way to go...but...when I mentioned it to my brother last weekend, he quickly told me...not to worry, we know you won't be there...don't think twice about it...I don't know if he was trying to make me feel better or didn't want me to go...it FELT like the latter...because it hurt..because it felt like he was saying we don't really want you there...I'm going to pretend it was in my head and he didn't mean it that way..but tone can go a long way sometimes...and so much has happened through all this, I can never be sure...on the positive side, when I said I was going to get hi something from us...he did find something when they went shopping and asked me if I wanted hi to get that for me and Mama to give him. I told him that would be great and I would pay him when I saw him next...so at least Mama and I were there in spirit.

I talked to Mama and told her about her and me getting an invitation. I told her we can go if you want to...(I like to include her in all the goings on) and she kind of nodded no..I said, you know, you and I might rather just stay here and play.what do you think? She said "yeah, yay"...so I said ok...that's a done deal then...we'll just stay here and have fun...she seemed fine with that....

Sitting ehre listening to the rain...and heard it is gong to start getting a little cooler next week...thank goodness for that...love you all. hoping tomorrow will be brighter for everyone...
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JeanetteB, Sorry for this latest trouble. I had some ups and downs with my son after the divorce, ancient history and painful to dredge up. Anyway, you know who you are and don't need to justify yourself to those meanies. Sounds like you took the high road and he will come around when things cool down a bit.
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A calm and peaceful Sunday...thank you Lord!!!

Brother did text this AM to let me know the SIL is sick...has been for about two weeks, and the shots she got first of week didn't do the trick, so he's taking her to the doc in a box . That's fine...and of course, he needs to, just thinking of how all my life I have managed to make it through life without one person taking me to the doctor, the er, wherever...always had to drive myself...always had to take care of myself when I got home..including literally crawling on my hands and knees with a bucket when I would have one of "those" bugs where the very act of standing would make you hurl....(sorry)....

Anyway, just thinking to myself...not necessarily complaining...maybe a little...but it is ironic that she has felt well enough to drive herself back and forth to the lake palace, (right past our turn off of course) take her Mom to get her hair done, go to parties etc....but simply must have someone take them to the doctor....just interesting..that's all......

Nonetheless, at least I know I can put my feet up a bit. Got Mama all bathed and fed and she is happy today...we might get a little thundershower later, which will be great for a nap or reading a book with some coffee...and just doodling around in general. Thought about making a quick run to another one of the stores where you can luck up on great buys...and see what sheets they have in stock...I now have pretty sheets on the brain...so I'm determined to find some nice ones...
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