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Good morning posse!!

Sounds like some are having very good mornings.....some getting better.....and some are running away to the beach. Don't forget sunscreen!

I woke up this morning thinking they will probably spring the col either tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday morning. What else can they do? So I guess I will make sure her house is completely ready for her. It's been raining all morning and only 69 degrees, so the pee smell should still be at a minimum. I hate that, but nothing to do as long as she still lives there.....will NOT replace the carpet only to have it destroyed again. I'm hoping she won't remember that some of the furniture has been moved out totally. She doesn't need 2 coffee tables, one to use and one to trip over. So I will do what I can today....having back spasms and that is just not acceptable. I'll stop whining now or ladee will tell me there's a package of cheese on it's way......:) love ya!

seeme.....hope you got some sleep last night. Did you give the broom to you know who?

starri........I know you are facing a tougher time right now.....we're here to listen.

ASG.......morning and how is Auntie doing? BP down I hope.

Hey to karmic and ludwig!

johnny hope you and Miss Betty are having a wonderful day together....

cliff.....I'm jealous, the closest thing to a beach here is our pond....unless I can find the time to go to our lake house....but I'm avoiding that because there is too much work to be done.

rossella.....must keep that camera close for those "Kodak moments"......:)

Time for me to get up and get moving.........will check back later,

Love and Hugz to all,
Jam
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Good morning all, got some sleep, yippee!!! Now it's off to the coffee pot before
Dad wakes up. Have a blessed day.
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Thank you for good wishes,enjoy your coffee,johnnycares
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Hesy guys, I've been so busy tthis weekend. Ita not been bad though. I'm gonna try to get dinner over so I can catch up on post. Love ya guys;0)
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Well, it figures !!! I finally got 3 hrs of sleep this afternoon and feel ready to go....no one here....and help comes in 30 min and I am wide awake......

Had a talk with mom today about going so often to the bathroom. She's afraid of making a mess. Told her not to worry about it, we can always clean it up, but I was about to vomit I was so tired, she had to be there too. At least she let me sleep. Now her feet and legs are so swollen cause she just won't stay in her bed. The velcro on her tennis shoes will barely close. The bad leg had the fem pop due to blocked artery....

Well, I hope everyone had a pleasant Sunday. We are now under a severe thunderstorm warning, so I will shut er down. Goodnight, sweet dreams.......zzzz
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Seeme, when I bought this house the ex owner told me we were connected to the Municipal sewing system. She forgot to tell me we had a septic tank! Well I should have thought of it. I thought it would happen like in Rome, you press the button over the WC and that's all! I was rather naive!!!! I hope it's just a matter of 200 dollars, I would jump out of joy!!!!
Johnny, what your granddaughter said on the seashore is very cute. I guess she had heard someone say "son of a bitch" and she asked: "What have you said" and the person answered her "I said sand of beach". That's what my father always did with my nephews when they were children and caught him saying bad words!
thanks for this memory. It made me smile.
Starri you are really having a difficult period. You are facing it in the best possible way and I admire your courage.
Jam, I see you are ready for COL's return. There will be things that she doesn't like, it doesn't matter. If the helper will stay with her while she eats, she won't be able to feed the dog with her food. I guess that at this stage you shouldn't allow her to have food in her room. When she wants to eat, she asks... and food will be given to her from your kitchen! I had to do so with my mother as soon as she arrived here. If I let her do her own way she would just eat chocolate and candies.
Kisses Ladee - Kisses ASG.
And kisses to everyone else.
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Good Morning Everyone, Hope you all had a good restful sleep. I had to have some excitement before I could sleep. While hubby, caregiver and I were on the fromt porch having a frank discussion about mom, she gets up ( yes, I forgot to put the rail up ) and her left leg either gave out or she lost her balance and she fell against the bed, knees on the floor. Now her belly hurts from the top rail, but there is no bruise this morning. I had a long conversation about needed sleep yesterday, and she only got up twice last night for the help. We also had to put her feet up all night cause of th swelling. I told her no more sitting in the chair all day when she doesn't walk cause her feet eill swell. She can go lay on our living room sofa and see into the kitchen. She is now gonna do what I say.......yea, right.

Johnny, we need an update on Miss Betty......please........

Starri Honey, are you sleeping?

ASG, know you are busy and all, but just check in. I don't even need a long story if you don't have time, just let us know you are there.

Ludwig, feeling better?

Rosella, I am hoping you have only a $200 bill from the plumber..........

Ladee......Monday........Sonny....twigs......my yard !!!

Jam....with your luck col's memery will all come back as soon as she gets out of the car, and the first thing she'll want is her other coffee table.......

Gonna have me a little danish and come back later. Early here on the East Coast.........
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We are in our 6th day of bedside vigil. It is a beautiful clear, crisp Monday morning. The sky is a beautiful robin's egg blue without a cloud to marr its perfect canvas. The tree limbs are dancing with light hearted joy and as the breeze tickles the leaves you can almost hear the woods laugh in delight at the beautiful day that God has made.

What an awesome day to go home to God. If she goes today.

How is the caregiver? We are weary. Sleep deprivation is the order of the day. Like an energizer bunny grandma's chest continues to rise and fall as she struggles to breathe. We are administering drops to dry her excess secretions, but her breath sounds now are reminescent of the efforts of a youth sucking the last bits of a milkshake from the bottom of the glass with a straw.

We cannot move her. When we attempt to change her position she begins to struggle and slip beneath the waves of fluid that has accumulated in her lungs. We straightened her head last night to a more natural angle and as quickly as the position changed, she turned blue. We watched in wonder as after 30 seconds there was a sharp intake of breath...she isn't going anywhere.

Encouragement and gentle reassurance that her spirit will be happy to welcome the soaring release that only the discarding of her tired and broken body can bring about, has not been taken into her account. Grandma does nothing on another person's time table. Her patience is well documented and is legendary in her circle of friends and relatives.

So we sit and wait. How is the caregiver today? We are exhausted and astounded at the strength of the human resolve to cling to the familiarity of the body. For 90 years this body has been the home and temple of her spirit. Even as the tendrils of death advance on her fortress, she remains steadfast in the resolve to fight off the ultimate ending. In doing so, she stubbornly refuses to embrace the new beginning that is the communion of her spirit with those who have gone before her.

Bon Voyage Grandma....this trip will be healing for you. Please go, it is time.
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How well and so caring this was written. I hope to remember your well said words to someone who you care for very much. Thank for sharing with us those beautiful words,johnnycares
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Thank you Johnny. This is a voyage we all make. Hopefully we can embrace death as a natural part of life without fear.

My grandmother has a desperate fear of flying. I wonder if it keeps her spirit grounded instead of allowing her to soar into the cosmos and into the arms of her creator.

We will never know what it is that keeps her here as she is past communication with us at this point.

Thanks again for allowing me to share.
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HB......It's unfortunate that any of us were never able to meet Grandma.....she sounds like such a wonderful person. I bet in her younger years she gave everything she had to those she loved. Tell her that it's okay for her to go now and she can walk instead of fly.......the angels will walk with her. My love and thoughts are with you and your family.

Jam
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HB.....I know you are tired....tell you love her one more time...and yes, she can walk. Beautiful post, well said. Hang in there, girl. One more angel with a hug sent your way........
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I'm sure grandma would have enjoyed visiting with each and every one of you. No one came to grandma's house without partaking of Italian hospitality. Everyone eats and drinks who steps through the threshhold.

I'll tell her she can walk with the Angels...maybe that will help.

Love n stuff
HB
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Grandma is gone. She passed to greater glory at 12:20pm today.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Each Angel that you sent our way held us up for another minute. It was just enough.

Love to you all.
HB
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And much more for you because of your love and concern.I am sure you gave her good memories for her heavenly trip,hugs
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Hugs, HB
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HB.....hugs for you and your family......
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Hugs and lots of love to you and your family,,,, hugs across the miles..
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HB, my brother and sister in law recently told me a story which I didn't know. My SIL's father, who had been very ill for years and died last year, told her that one of the many many times he was at the hospital, he had a pre-death experience, and he said that he saw the light, the tunnel, the dead friends waiting for him, but he couldn't go because his time had not arrived yet. His experience was exactly... like in the books which talk about these subjects. And he said that he was so peaceful and happy, when he thought he was dying. What strikes me is that he was a very practical-minded, steady, rational man, not mystical at all, and so I absolutely believe what he said... Probably your grandma has been between the two worlds for a while, and she didn't want to go because she loved you all too much... But I bet she has been happy and peaceful, too, when she decided to go, at last!.
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Beautiful thought rossella.....and I have always believed that is the way it will be.
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Hey everyone huggs and kisses you you too. I have been busy today on the phone, with some child support issues. I've been eading up to on different issues with aunt, the medicla poa or dpoa is good, I read through the papers its all legal. That is a relief. I dosnt do me any good right now though. We are in kinda an in between stage, she isn't complety capable, but isn't completly incapacitated either. I've been reading some good information on how its hard for them to let go of independance and how as she gets worse I can help her as its needed. I have also been reading about what I do know about her, and understand he behavior more. And how her diagnosis from years ago likely plays into the dementia she is showing now. Will check back in later. Hb love ya!! And prayers for the family.
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HB,Granmother is blessed with being happy and whole now. Maybe her and Ruth have met and are laughing about the hard time they gave us... I feel both of them were preparing us for something in our lives....gentle hugs to you today..

ASG, so very proud of you!!!!! The more education we have on our elders issues and illness, the better care they will get from us.... Let us know what all you have learned, it might help us... hugs to you busy girl...

Johnny, how are you doing to day?? We always ask about your wife too, but as the caregiver, how are YOU????Tell your wife we are sending her hugs...

Jam, is it a fence yet??? When is the col coming home???
Seeme, I am happy to hear your mom understands that you need more rest... I know she will be glad to get the Dr. visit behind her...
Love to all, more later, hugs across the miles..
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Woud you believe that after the fall last night that mom only got up twice for the help........then it was on............all day long.........she cried.......I bitched.......about the having to go .....the urge....not at her. Now we are the path to no sleep all night. Had a nap today to make up for last night.....not enough saved up for tonight. But she is very whiney.............

Got another blistering headache.....stress.....frustration......crabbiness..........." I vant to be alone" ness........think I'll get dressed for bed and read my kindle till my head explodes.....night all...........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Doing a "drive-by"......

ASG.....glad to hear the paperwork is in order. One less thing to worry about. I downloaded "The 36-hour Day" book to my Kindle today. Going to start reading that. Would rather have the most current version but it doesn't print until November, so that doesn't do me a whole lot of good.

Fence is in and is so shiny! Hasn't seemed to make a difference to the dogs at all. Three of them went to the far corners to do their business, thank you very much. The blind one just stops where the whim strikes....lol

seeme.....countdown to Thursday....bet mom is getting anxious to get something done so she will feel better. Glad to hear there were no bruises.

Iadee.....what's the last stick count or is Sonny on to something else?

Hope everyone else has had a good day or as good as it can get......

Love and Hugz to all,
Jam
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Evening everyone...We had to take a plastic bag with us today, and along the way, sonny stuck it in someones trash can,, it was full of sticks.. He didn't feel well today. His daughter had added an allergy pill to his meds... I think he is making that noise because he has a little piece of pill stuck in his throat... got him to drink a lot of water after noon meds and he did not make that noise.. I think the allergy meds had him a little off kilter. Interacted a lot with him and he seemed to come out of it some...
Got the ultimate compliment from Ms. M today, she said I was "spoiling" her.. I think it has taken her this long to trust that I will do my best for both of them.. She will have to have a transfusion this week, so she is very very tired... I put lotion on her legs after her shower and she just smiled... other than the triple digit heat, no complaints...
Got a wonderful call from my step son this evening... he is changing companies and getting an enormous raise!!!!! I am so proud of him... He has a wonderful little family and is so hardworking, so happy he is "movin' on up" . Hope everyone is well this evening..
Seeme, so sorry to hear your mom is still having so many problems,,, guess her being whiney is from being nervous about her Dr. visit.. I know you both will be glad when that is over...
Am going to go to bed and read.... it is too hot to go smoke, never thought I would say that,,,, love and hugs to everyone ..
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Ladeeda, its her manic deppression, I didn't understand. I thought it was an exaggerated form of deppression, with mood swings. What it is is the old name for bi polar.this didn't click with me for some reason. I've dealt with bi polar in the SBIU of a hoospital I worked at. Somthing jam explained to me that I had wrong made me think you know I don't know a lot about manic deppresion, the one thing I DO know she has, maybe I should look it up. That's what I found. So I've been doing some reaserch on that and it has helped tremendously. I can think back, and figure out where her moods cycle! She is a rapid cycler. I ve watched her today change. Her elated mood started yesterday and she just hit a rock ,bam!! This afternoon for no good reason. She had even got some good news this morning.
And still hit bottom this afternoon. I think that explains some of the changes in her facial expressions. When she steps outta her room and I can tell its bad cause of the way her face has changed. This will help me a lot. Jam, I read about that book a while back. I looked it up at the local, library and they don't have a copy but the main branch does. I just never go there. I also looked it up on amazon and barnes and noble but was unsure about buying them cause they were not from the store but from third party individuals. Wasn't sure how safe the transaction would be. Walmart dosnt carry it in store. I guess I should try walmart.com. Let me know if its helpful. My daughter wants one of those kindles or nooks for her birthday in nov. I told her that's probably a christmas thing. I burnt my hand, grease burn. Frying potatoes. I never fry them but thought what the heck. Got my two middle fingers, from knuckles to hand, and in between the fingers. I'm not usually a whiner but that hurt like hell!!! It didn't hurt for the first 5 to 10 min. I ran it under cool water as soon as I did it. The longer I stood there the more it felt like I had my whole hand in a flame. Held a cool rag on it for a while, got tired of it burning everytime the wash rag warmed up so I sat with my hand in front of a fan for an hour and a half. Aunt was nice about it. Kept coming ojt every 20 to 45 min to see if it felt better yet. Lol I think she was worried about bed time. Her and the kitty prayed fo me though. I will say it feels a whole lot better. Today I was tired. Busy, and her usual popping out and asking me if she woke me got on my nearves real bad. I know its not hher fault. And I reconize it only went through me like it did, cause I was tired and busy. She wants to go to this reasturant, so I think we will try to take her this weekend. Hubby keeps asking me about taking her with us on a little minnie vacation this summer. I'm not sure. That could go two ways. It could be an amazing thing with wonderful memories or it could go the other way and be a nightmare. We've not been anywhere with the kids in so long. It cost us a small forturne just to get them all in anywhere. So we shall see. What do you guys think? Anyone take them with you out for a weekend anywhere? Any tips or ideas?
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Well, allshesgot, hubby and I are thinking of taking Dad with us for a mini vac. next month. He wants to see the ocean so how can I say no. I'm thinking I could get some R&R if I just take some chairs and sit on the beach with him. I don't know if he will be content or anxious, but I'll never know if I don't try. Good night all.
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Thanks!
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ouch ASG......get some burn gel.....it's water based, but put that on a burn and it pulls the burning sensation right out of there. Look at the Amazon site for that book, I was on the kindle page, but you will see where you can download and read the book on your computer.

I don't have a clue about taking Aunt on vacation. She would probably do okay, because you don't have to deal with having to take everything with you, like diapers, etc. But I would make sure she has the proper medications for her diagnosis. Since you now have POA paperwork you should be able to contact her physician and find out what if anything she is on. It wouldn't be a fun thing for any of you if she had a major meltdown while you were far away from home. I'm sure someone out here can give you some first-hand info.

Love and Hugz,
Jam
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Jam, auntie wanted to heal my burn with butter, ouch!!! I know that's what they used to do. I wasn't bout to try it. The poa, is durable, so I can't use it until she has a diagnosis. I thought the next time she has a mealt down, I would bring it up that the dr. Tried to give you somthing for getting so upset, and its nott good for your blood pressure. If it makes you sleepy its ok. You are not taking care of uncle anymore(that was her excuse for not taking the meds). See if I can't convince her to go talk to him. If I can put it to her that's its good for hr bp she might go for it. I'm gonna try. I thought if we went somwhere close like branson, maybe only stayed one night. I just don't know. The mealtdown part wories me. They used to love going. How is col?
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