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Well hubby is finally home. I had a dr's appointment this afternoon and he was home when I got home. Grandma thought the both of us were in u.p. of Michigan and asked me if we had a good time. I hate this disease. I had to remind grandma that I was with her all week.
good night and hugs to all of you across the miles.
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I changed my profile picture in honor of one of my heroes. At least I remembered to thank him for all he did for my grandmother. He was such a good man.
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Hi everyone. For several days, I have lacked the energy and the desire to do much at all. However, today has been different. I got my son's car fixed before his fall break was over; I went through stuff in the garage separating the trash from the keeps so that I could finally park my car inside this garage. Cleaning up things also meant putting things back in the yard and on the screened in porch that had been in here since the hurricane plus getting some stuff ready to go back in the house. All of this work also helped me to put a nice sitting chair in my "man cave" so I can read sitting in something more comfortable than an office chair. Who knows, but tomorrow, I might crash once again.
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cmag, sorry to hear you have had a few down days... but sounds like you got a lot accomplished with your spurt of energy...and a comfortable chair to set and read... sounds wonderful...... you have been doing great..... a few down days... well we all have them..... keep on keepin' on..... hugs to you and your family.....
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Hey cmag: I have had that ailment myself these days. I just don't have energy. I thought it was because I was cutting back on coffee but resumed drinking that again and NOPE ... I'm just plum tired!!!
As it was mentioned and acknowledged (thank you) the visit from brother was stressful. Even Mom today was mopey and didn't do much while I was at school.
Speaking of school: I am able to live off of the $$$ (grant/loan) I will receive in January until perhaps summer of maybe (if I don't spend anything ha ha) into August. You see, I drive an hour a day to school and if I go only 2 days instead of 4 I would be saving much $$$ (yeah 'cause I live in CA and gas prices are ridiculous).
Today I was chatting briefly with the head of one dept and we were talking about my caregiving responsibilities vs full time student and she said "we have all been there" and I smiled because I thought of this group of fabulous people and told her: "I know. I am not alone and that's so much comfort." So even while at school, on the 4th floor of the College of Education you, my dear dear friends, were there with me. And I thank you for it.
Midterms this week and ugh!!! but that's ok. That means semester is half over and I can't wait until mid-December when I can take a break for about a month.
And then I will take only 6 units (two classes) for the Spring of 2012.
Whew! With that being said, I appreciate your friendship, your support and will respond to other comments later as I am burnt out and headachy and tired ... I thought I had crashed and burned already but it seems to be lingering.
Good night my wonderful friends!!!
Love ya'll,
SDPeg
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I had planned to post more often but life got the way and also my computor is down. Guess I'll have to take it to the DR and spend the dollars to get it fixed for about the 4th or 5th time.
Seems that I'm going to have to put my Mom is an NH. She has just given up and is not getting any better after the knee fracture. The home health that the ortho Dr sent just is not helping her and I think she is very depressed. Their rehab person has been here three times in the month since this has been going on. She, my mom. acted like she wanted to go to the adult daycare today and I got her up to give it a try. Tried to get her to walk with help into the bathroom and she snk to the floor. So put her back in bed and have cried since. I know I have lost my Mother as she is just not trying. I have fought all I can. This has had an effect on all of us. I just know this is the end of a very long run. I am trying to be ready but not too sure I will be. I really don't like NH as it just seems like a warehouse where you are put to die. Sorry for the really bad attitude. I realize I can no longer take care of her as pulling her aound and picking her up is wearing out my old back.
This is turning into a long day as I called the DR to see if they will help me get her into a facility. Hope they will call.
Well, I'll fix her a little breakfast; see if she'll eat anything. This is so hard for me ; I love her so much. Thanks for being there ; it's comforting just to share my thoughts. Carol
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Carol: I feel your pain. Hugs. That's all I can say for now as I am headed out and don't want to drive and cry. Hugs SDPeg
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Carol. What about rehab for a time? Or a skilled nursing facility to help her get motivated and moving?

Dad is ok..still don't know what is going on waiting for test results. He had echo cardiogram Sunday evening and yesterday they drew fluid from lung... He finally slept last night and is still sleeping..partly exhaustion ..pain pill..ultram..
Am tired but ok. Hubs had to go back to work this morning so I will pick mom up for her to be with dad a bit. Am blessed that she can still be at home by herself. Will update when I get more news.
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Good Evening Posse!

Sorry to hear some are having a bad day, some just so-so, some good.

Carol.....no one can prepare themselves for the changes and eventual outcome when our loved one starts that downhill journey. I know it hurts to see the changes and know there is nothing more we can do and you are seeing that by the fact that mom doesn't interact with home rehab. Don't look at placing your mother as a failure, it is the next step in her further care. Perhaps time with other elders, as well as services in the NH, and a tweaking of medications may just bring her out of this depression and she will start to feel better and you may see improvement. You will be more rested and not under so much stress and will interact with her better when you do visit with her. Let face it, when we are under the stress of constant care giving without a break we start to show the effects too. I wish you peace in whatever you decide you must do.

The col got her lift chair today......it's Christmas around here. She has just snuggled right into it and gone to sleep. She is still having a little trouble remembering to let it lift her all the way up, but with a little repetition I hope she will learn.

Check in please and let us know how everyone is............

Love and Hugz,
Jam
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Jam- I hope the col likes her chair and gets use to it. We got one for Grandma when we first moved in. She's had no problems with it remembering how to use it until recently. I have to watch her like a hawk cause she'll leave the footrest up and then try to get up with it still out.
Carol hugs to ya. I agree with what Jam and Vic has said.

Hope everyone has a good night and tomorrow morning and afternoon.
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Hi all
sounds like some of us are feeling the season change - I tend to get more tired then - we are heading quickly towards below freezing temps and a little snow may show up soon

Carol - ditto the what the others say - the point comes when changes are needed - and nothing we can do to stop it and we have to look after our own health -but it is not easy for anyone
jam - the chair sounds like a great thing - hope it continues to work well
maya - cruisin' down the main drag and g'ma's choc cake - doesn't get much better than that -ramble away - love seeing uncle Billy's pic
shawna - glad u had a good cookout!
mis - sounds like things r pretty good -though g'ma's memory is the pits -any news about treatment for ur neuropathy?
cmag - despite the ups and downs u r getting some things done- good for u
sdpeg -glad u got ur course load figured out - i'm in the crash and burn crowd too - blame it on the weather - or the relatives
vic - glad dad is sleeping and u are not too tired - also that mum can still be on her own - let us know what us going on as soon as u find out -prayers
ladee -more rain I hope but no more leaks -
stormy - how's it going?
everyone - let us now how u r doing

in a hotel in lovely Lac La Biche (jk) -had a nice Canadian thanksgiving supper served up by farmer John's mum last night before we came here - unexpected and very welcome - did a number on myself eating something I am allergic to this morning, so laying low today. Hope to tour the park tomorrow. and back home after that or maybe the next day. nice spending a little time with my man :)
love, hugs and prayers♥♥♥
jo
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Well, clicked on the right scroll bar to reread what I wrote and lost my post..... damn it.......... RECAP..... Marie will have to be in the hospital overnight next week, I did NOT volunteer to stay overnight... I have asked the family to get a 'back up' oh, no no no, we can handle it, alrighty then, handle it you shall.....
Like Hank Willliams, Jr. I am a free agent.... yehawwww....

Hope everyone had a descent day, I can feel the dread from ya'll that live where it snows..... being cooped up.... no, I bitch about summer, am looking forward to winter. but we don't get what a lot of ya'll get..... will soon find out how many places the BS needs to be weathered in..... ya know, like where the mushrooms are growing.....
Anyway, love ya'll , check in so we all know we are all ok..... or at least hanging in there.... hugs across the miles to ya'll.
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I'm getting reaaallllyyyyy tired tonight of explaining how to use that darn chair!
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I am sorry Jam ..mom has one but she doesn't use it much. Its what she sleeps in which is good in someways. Today was an awful day mom was good it was me that was awful woke up sick to my stomach couldn't eat and had to go get my food stamps card replaced what fun off to DSS we go sit there for two hours waitin to get a dang card replaced. Then off to dollar store to get some stuff we need get sick on some milk i bought there not good. Get home get sick again moms fine more worried about me. I had a headache and was tired this morning when my neighbor upstairs decided to vacum the floor at 6:30 AM!!! AGHHH.. then relaxing finally when someone banging on door upstairs police were called again not sure if she did it or what they asked if we saw them i said no... i was polite as can be even though I felt like crap. Got some stuff done but not much was mosstly relaxing though mom was a bit clingy today I dealt Very tired might not stay up too late tonight but want to work on some angel pictures while the idea is fresh in my mind Moms watching her Christmas shows still got to go get halloween candy and work on water bottle that was ordered oy... wish neice would pay me the ten bucks she owes me but THATS not gonna happen. Mom had an idea for my business I told her she had a great idea when the holidays come if you order Just for a few dollars more I will gift wrap your purchases is that a good idea or no .. if not i will take it off the site .... other than that ... it was a nice warm day..
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Shawna, sorry to hear it is one thing after the other with your physical health... maybe you are getting things all at once to get it over with.....sorry you are feeling bad, hope tomorrow is a better day for you.....
Jam, I doubt you will be able to teach her to use the chair.... short term memory loss and all....Maybe she can use it while the caregivers are there, so they can do it for her and watch her to make sure she doesn't try to get up with it still up in the air.... Ruth HATED hers, she would go insane if I put it in the reclining position..... and I mean she would absolutely go bonkers.... she didn't mind if I used it to help her get up..... but not in the reclining position.... Don't know if BG held her hostage in that chair before I got there or what...... and I don't know that I would let Rhonda mess with it, she will put the col in recline and leave her there all day, not that the col wouldn't let it be known if she wanted out, but still, something to think about...
Have you tried just handing her the control and asking her which button she thinks will help her recline???? But I doubt she will learn at this stage... she still won't wear her glasses.... so good luck with the chair.....
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Ha. I'm sorry. It's not funny but when I read "she still won't wear her glasses" reminded me of "hearing aids" over here. Ever since the technician told my mom to quit using saliva to insert them, she just won't wear them. For those who have followed my "soap opera posts": yeah it was brother who told her it is ok to use saliva!!! Ugh!!!
So please giggle with me about glasses, a chair, hearing aids, eating, bathing and all those irritating things we wish we could change about the other person or situation. {hugs} SD Peg
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emjo, I always saw the main drag from the floorboard of the cousins' cars. I don't think I knew what Franklin really looked like until I was a teenager myself. I remember going over to the oldest grandson's house and playing dolls with his wife when I was a kid, so you can tell how much age difference there is between he and myself. Uncle Billy was his dad.

And now, to change the picture to one of my favorites --- the maker of my chocolate cakes and the keeper of the gumball machine. I'd like to think that she's pleased with me, even if my housekeeping skills aren't as great as hers. That picture is about seventy years old. She's younger in it than I am now.
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I have just about decided to put my mom in a rehab hospital. She did come around a little today and went to the adult daycare about noon today. She had a great time and said she is excited to go tomorrow. Of course when morning gets here I just hope she will still feel the same.
I have talked to several Rehab facilities; do I really have to put her in the hospital for three days? This seems foolish to me and a waste of the taxpayers money. She needs rehab that is evident . The rehabs said that it would be faster if she had a hospital stay. Anyway right now it seems the way to go. Hopefully she will be able to get back to what she was before this happened. I know it will be confusing to her. I really dread having to do this but I think it is the right thing for her.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I really felt this morning all the kindness coming my way. Thanks to all,
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thx for the photo maya - lovely to have the old ones -you said Franklin - our main drag is Franklin Ave -what a coincidence - u can't be in Canada can u???
I think g'ma is proud of you - maybe that's where u got ur spunkiness from!
keeper of the gumball machine - i like that!
ladee - glad u did not volunteer to stay over - u have warned them enough that they need a back up -
jam - I have visions of the col tipped backwareds with her feet in the air - don't supposed that is possible with the control
sdpeg - that pesky bro - they like to undo what you work on don't they - having a giggle is always good
I got over that allergic reaction and did exercises in the room here -walked for 1/2 hr and did arm and neck stretches etc - better than nothing
have a good night everyone♥
jo
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Carol - I do tiink it will give ur mum the best chance to recover - they can work with her there. So glad she has happy to go out today. (((((((hugs))))))
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carol, sounds like a good plan, and yes it may confuse her, but she will be getting care that will be getting her back on her feet... happy to hear she went to daycare.... that is some improvement.... I know sometimes when an older person has a broken bone, they are not as " body confident" if that makes sense..... I know I am experiancing that myself after my broken leg a few months back.... I am catching myself not doing certain things or doing them in a way I never did before.... so our elders have so many other problems and am sure they are not aware they are doing this... so hospital and rehab sounds like the right way to go.... just have some faith in yourself that you are doing what is best for her...... and you will feel more confident when she regains her strenght..... let us know how things are... hugs to you
Vic, hope you hear something soon about your dad... did mom get to come set with him awhile today and give you a break.......??? Let us know as soon as you find out something.... hugs to you...
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Maya, thanks for sharing the great pics and memories with us..... it is very pleasant to be hearing about a good and fun childhood.... and the choclate cake maker and gumball keeper.... what a great gran you had..... thanks for sharing.... hugs to you
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Maya, I fell in love with your uncle Bill, too. I had a uncle like that. Everybody in the family adored him. It's so good when you are an uncle and you are so loved by your nieces and nephews that they remember you all the time. My uncle (my father's brother) loved the sea, so every time I go to the beach I think of him and I plunge in the water and I say outloud: This bathe is for you uncle Lello! And they really never die until you continue to remember them.
Jo on the other hand I am very sorry about the pain you feel every time there is an aniversary of your son. But you are a strong woman and you live your life in the best possible way!
Carol it must be difficult for you. Maybe you could go step by step, Start with the hospitalization, see if your mother is better and see what happens next...
Ladee please please fix your house for winter. I think I already told you that. Electric heating is okay... Mine is on now, and all the cats are around it. It's chilly in the morning lately. I fear next week I shall have to start with gas heating for me and pellet heating for my mother! Gosh I am tired. I am going to work a hour and then I'll sleep a little bit..
'night everyone.
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ro, the house is getting 'winterized', it is a very tiny place so don't think it will take much to heat it.... but the electric is included in my rent, so I don't have to worry about paying extra.... don't think it is going to take much to get things ready for winter.....
Are things any better job wise, and isn't it this time of year that things slow down for you??? Are you getting paid without a lot of hassle??? Do I need to come over there and have a "sit down" with 'em.... I'd do that for you you know.... tell 'em Ro is already stressed, tired , not getting to go to her precious water and you f**kers need to give her her money... am sending lost of hugs to you tonite lady, hope things get better for you soon..... and I'll let you know when the house is done and ready for winter so you won't worry.... love and hugs..
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Is it just me or is the site messed up tonight with the coding I don't know maybe its me. I just got done talking with my sis Jeanne the one that I talk to nightly. She had me giggling cause mom kept calling me every five seconds sigh. Anyway I am going to try to help her out a bit with my site. You see my sister makes these wonderful beautiful dolls. Well she makes the clothes for the dolls most of them are native american but if you have an idea for one and the picture she can try to do whatever. Well I told her I would put pictures of her dolls on my site and see if anyone wants any for Christmas. Yes the doll is plastic but I might be able to get a porcelain doll for her to do not sure just yet. We will see so soon to be coming on my site DOLLS LOL
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emjo --- nope, I'm not in Canada. I'm in North Carolina in a town so small, the speed limit through town is 20 mph. I have bunnies in my yard, a chipmunk who lives under the trailer that we use for storage, blooming crepe myrtle trees, a black walnut tree that was full of walnuts (gotta find a use for those things) and a cousin for a landlord who is an absolute godsend to us. Believe it or not, I do look for the blessings in this life. If I could only figure out how to turn the baseboard heat on now....

And I would love to take a train trip through New Brunswick. I have an affection for Bliss Carman's poetry and would dearly love to see what he wrote about.
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Ladee, I'm afraid I'm boring everyone with my stories.

Sometime I'll have to tell you about my cousins Sleet, Snow and Chillion. Those were their legal names. Truly they were.
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Shawna, has your sister ever heard of a topsy-turvy doll? My other grandmother made a couple of them for us when we were little. She passed them along to one of her other granddaughters when we got older. I would love to have one again.
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Maya i will talk to her tomorrow about it and ask her. As she is sound asleep right now since its 3 am lol. I should be asleep but I am working on art designs .. but i will let you know what she says...
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I should be in bed also, but my mother just went to bed. She loves her crime shows.

Thanks, Shawna!
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