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I am getting overwhelmed with the new increase in my antidepressant fighting sleep thru the day is hardest part of the day. Today is our 12th anniversary and my husband's birthday...so far he hasn't been feeling well so anniversary dinner is put on hold for awhile until he gets better...other than that i hope everyone is hanging in there:)
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Ladee it we placed dad in va..we would be spending all day everyday there. Mom would feel the need. Much more comfortable here. Thanks my friend
Thank stormy..doesnt happen too often ..haven't had any real get away since may for 4 days..an the
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Vickie Vic, I am so sorry you are so tired... I was like that Fri, but have not been doing this as long as you have... much less 24/7, but am glad to hear you have given yourself permission , without guilt, to wonder when this will be over..... my heart is hurting for you , and i am sending you lots of hugs.... If you would never consider placing dad, and this is what you want to do, then we all support you.... but always keep in mind, life allows for redirection also..... if something happens to you, he would have to be placed anyway..... so lots of prayers and hugs for you.... you are an awesome daughter.....
And you too Notlike..... standing up to mom about the Ensure..... Dad should not have to do without because of a tight fist.... so let us know what the dr. says.... hugs to both of you, and Bookworm, and all the others taking care of two parents...... much respect for all of you....
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Vic- You are a good daughter. I don't know how you and some of the others here take care of 2 parents. I would have lost my mind hell i think sometimes i have already lost mine. Many prayers for you, your parents and some peace in your life. Hugs stormyyy
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Am so tired...tired..tired.. ladee mty friend..I understand where you are coming from. Wish the drama with all could just go away. I am wishing the same here for me. I love my parents and wouldn't change a thing throughout these years but sometimes and it seems like more and more now I am ready to move on. I have no desire to do anything when I am away..I feel like a zombie and when it get close to time to come back..well I just get sad. I wonder how long and only God know the answer. I don't question it and I try really hard to overcome it especially with my attitude ..just tired. Dad is not much better and that's ok just pray he isn't suffering. Mom is good..her leg hurts all the time and she keeps pushing..she watches dad in the state he is in and I see her suffer for him. Can't blame her watching her husband deteriorate and not being able to do anything to help must be terrible. I keep praying that when it is time for them to go to God that it is peaceful.
Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
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Ladee you keep it exciting for us with not much of a life-can't wait to see your street dog behaivor -might be able to use it in church if one man does not stop telling how short I am-I do now have a good firend who likes me just the way I am. I have been having too much fun with the activities at my friends's AL facility -even went to a concert there on Fri and today we played You Be The Judge with real cases presented in courts and were able to give our opions and then find out the rulings. Smitty -hope you have an answering machine that you can turn down -so you can listen to the many calls later-worked well with the late husband. Teach sat yourself and think about placement-it is not going to get better as time goes on-so do what works for you in the meantime come here often and vent-it does help.
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Oops, forgot: yes I'd LOVE a girls weekend!
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Darn Ladee...don't be making any hastee decisions NOW! girl ur stress level sounds thru the roof. Please heed the old street dog warnings. I've been having trouble keeping up with everything- is M having cold packs EVERY 20 min? My PT told me never leave them on more than 20 min or would damage nerves n skin. All that aside, it does sound like crazy making there! Thank GOD for the doggie and bowel stories. Please keep them coming! I do have a burnt hummer food solution: I measure, then boil the water. Turn it off n stir in sugar. Move to cold burner until cool enoug to use or bottle n put in fridge, use within 2 weeks. We have about 8-10 fighting over our three feeders. Our most beautiful, with a perfect red rectangle in the bow tie spot seems to have left us already- I hope he is the cute little one u r seeing there. We have an influx of newbies, I guess from our northern neighbors. We r feeding up a storm! Speaking of food, gotta go get dinner going. Hope all of u had a great n restful weekend. Thanks for keeping me laughing, kimbee
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Sorry Beck and Kimbee, if I move, it will have to be to Seeme's... she's promised me the upstairs for years now.... But don't you live in NC Kimbee??? And Beck, you'll just have to save your pennies and fly out for a girls weekend.....because by the time I get to Seeme's , it's not going to be about me taking care of anyone but ME....I'll have enough SS for rent and smokes.... and her hubby will get my green tea for me just so he doesn't have to hear the whining......
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I love you, Ladee...........let me know when it is time to get the upstairs finished.....
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teach.....first, scream and cry or whatever.....let loose some of that frustration......then start laughing for no reason whatsoever.....getting rid of more frustration. Every day I would end it at about 10 m and think what had gone on throughout the day and find something that was funny about it. It may not have been funny at the time, but I would make in funny in the rethinking. And as tired as I was through the night with mom getting up every hour or so, I would make her laugh......it is the only thing that saved my sanity.......along with this thread and the people I met here. Keep coming back..........and most of us here are on meds....as a matter of fact, I use that to my advantage. Don't f with me or I'll go off my meds. The only thing keeping my husband alive is my meds....and on, and on..........
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I have just moved in with my dad a few weeks ago, so I'm fairly new to the 24/7 part although his stroke was over 14 years ago and his heart problems have been since then. He had a major fall off his bike and had to stay in the hospital for a week and now his doctor doesn't want him living on his own. My parents are divorced and I am an only child with a teen daughter yet, so it's just us with him and very little support. His issues are more in his memory and not being sure of what he is doing (what meds he is supposed to take etc..). He used to work on cars and computers now remembers just enough to take things apart. My son has had his car fixed twice and because it had a different issue, he was convinced what my son did was wrong so he tore it apart. Now we have two issues with the car. He is convinced I am trying to take over and "run" him. The doctor told him this was a temporary living arrangement, but told me to work it into permanent. It's driving me nuts. I miss my daddy even though I see him all the time. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I don't know how to get him to stop doing the things that are counterproductive. It's only been a few weeks and I'm doubting my abilities, but I don't know how to handle this. I should mention I am already on meds myself for depression. He went from being like a teen that could handle most things to being a preschooler who throws tantrums when things don't go his way. It was a sudden change after his fall. I'm just not sure whether to scream or cry or what...
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Help!! My mom has called 4 times today and it's only 10 in the morning. If i bring it up to her she'll shame me and say I'm criticizing her. I'm not able to deal with this. I know i have to set boundaries NOW.
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I feel like I should be listening to Pink Floyd's" Dark Side of the Moon" this morning...
M ended up in ER Fri evening with a UTI, I didn't catch it because she has such a low pain threshold , it's hard to discern when it's real or exaggerated....Daughter and I talked about that this week, how will we know???? Anyway , she is feeling better, went to check on her yesterday while running errands...
Family is wanting around the clock care, so our shifts are being tweeked.... there are three of us, so I will work that one extra until they find someone else, won't take long, as one of the girls has someone in mind.... it will keep them out of the NH for awhile longer.....
Just about caused a scene at M's yesterday.... leave it to me to be tired and leaving my "social editor" at home !!!!!! One of the girls gets on my last nerve when I'm NOT tired, so yesterday all I could do was ignore her..... guess it was apparent, but my other choice would have really gotten some stuff started... anyway, the OTHER girl calls, blah blah blah, and we all have to get along, and she thinks you are mad at her.... finally said WAIT........ stop talking..... we are not in the 4th grade here,if she has a problem SHE needs to call... if not, then ignoring her is the way I am going to handle this... and I do not need to be told how to be professional.... click.... so far no phone calls.... If I can give a titty shot on Main street, do ya'll really think I give a flying f*ck what these two little twerps think.....They both do a great job with S and M , and the rest of it has nothing to do with nothing.....First of all, I'd have to CARE what they think, and I don't.....
I am too tired and I know it.... so keeping my mouth shut works for me.... better than the alternative....I have had no issues with them coming in there and finding their own system.... M does't like the one I don't like because she is loud and never shuts up.... no big deal. It's up to M or the family to address that.... I am not the boss of anything..... they kept calling me about changing their shifts,,,, call the daughter, that has nothing to do with me...so there are adjustments being made by all involved... no big deal, but I don't HAVE to like anyone..... I can feel my 'old street dog' ways creeping to the surface.... that is not a good thing.... so am resting alot this weekend.... I will only have to work 8 hrs as opposed to 12 to 14, so this is a good thing......so just taking a little time to work out the kinks.....
So maybe ya'll should send up a few prayers for the 'Stupid One' to try ignoring me too...... and it will all smooth out..... I'm not very tactful with Stupid when I'm NOT tired... so I am very proud of me for keeping my mouth shut.... won't help a thing to say anything so why bother.....
So, know I have been reading.... hugs to you all, just trying to lay low for a little while so they don't have to call out the SWAT team...... I really am trying to be a good girl....
Love you all, prayers daily, when I'm not praying to keep my own mouth shut..... hugs across the miles to all of you....
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Carnation Instant Breakfast has what Ensure has in it for a lot less-you just have to add milk. I aked our dietican at the hospital why they did not use it instead of susacal, A few months sometime came on the trays with CIB written on it I asked her what that was she quietly said Carnation Instant Breakfast.
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Beck.....we had a Lhasa Apso for 15 years. We named him Zach Diggerhole...but it didn't take long to shorten that to Digger.....which is what he did........I always said I would never have another. According to the vet, he must have had a growth hormone problem, cause he was never overweight, but he weighed 29 pounds and was the biggest one the vet had ever seen. I remember he had a brother named Hoover....hhuuummmmmmm.............Hubby always said he was a Lost Asshole......couldn't figure out which end was which till he started moving. He was also an alpha dog and ruled the roost......he killed a rabbit once, and could make my 80, 90, and 105 pound sheepdogs cry. What a terror!!! I almost choked him once trying to cut his nails.....accidently. We never did cut his hair.......didn't want a groomer to sue. He let me brush him.....if he was in the mood.

Notlike.....good for you for standing up to mom. I'm sure the dietician will say the Ensure or store brand is necessary My mil was so tight, I swear she squeaked when she peed.....but she would spend lots of money on stuff she never used.....

I hope everyone in the path of Isaac stays safe and sound. The last one we had was Floyd, and I didn't think the rain would ever stop. We had a neighbor's tree fall right where my car would have been if I hadn't taken the dogs with me to a friend's brick house for the night....seems they always come at night around here. We lost power for 4 days with that one. I even had to get in line in town for ice , and every time there is an emergency, hubby is called to work. Heaven forbid the city can't flush their toilets. He works with waste water for the city. He really knows his shit......I keep telling you poop stories follow me around for a reason!!!
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Ah, I feel safe back here in our little world. Missed you all.
Lindy-My sympathies for your Mom passing.
Vic-sorry your Dad has such bad times. I know it is hard on both of you. Thinking of you often...hugs.
Jessie-For myself, I've found that the busier and worse things get, the more I've learned what is and is not important. So many things can wait. Because when it rains, it pours. I do know how you feel, though. Sometimes, I just want to cry Enough! to whoever's in charge of this planet.
Burned-Happy belated Bithday! Hope you had a good day.
Stormy-The beach sounded great. So glad you got away and spent some time with Connor and hubby. try and remember how it felt when things get crazy again.
Smitty-Part of not wanting to socialize can also be because our lives are so not in tune with non-caregivers. When things are really bad around here, the last thing I have patience for is hearing about somelse's kid's Little League game or win at bingo. I think to myself "Who cares? Don't you know I'm having a crisis here?!?" It makes me alot less friendly than I would otherwise be.
Mom is healthy as a horse. Except for the new spot on the back of her lung, which they think is scar tissue from the radiation treatment, but they're not entirely sure. So she has another scan in two months.
Dad's new GI doc told him his colon is just worn out. With the right meds, he may get back to close to normal. No surprises there, but it was good to hear a medical professional say it.
So life goes on. Got into it with Mom last night because she doesn't want to buy Ensure for Dad. She says it's too expensive and he should get all the nutrition he needs from the food he eats. Never mind he barely eats anything and poops out most of what he does eat right away. Or that she has money to donate to political campaigns and to buy material to make gifts for people. For a change, I did not back down. I didn't yell or be nasty, but I didn't back down. A little while later, she came out of her room and asked about using the store brand Ensure instead, because it's less expensive. So I guess I won, at least until we see the dietian on Wednesday. Mom is going with us, and plans to ask her if the Ensure is neccessary "for him to survive." I might just call her first and warn her!
Goodnight, and better tomorrows.
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Lady -you also have the political convention comming down your way also. God has many mansions in heaven and I like to think some are reserved for caretakers-see you there one day God willing.
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Sending you prayers for safety while you ride out the storm lady!!!!!!!!!
beck....the col used to try and call us all the time with her remote.....but her mind never could see there was difference, so we just brought the cell phone home. Thanks for the chuckles.....love ya!!!!!
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beck- no apology needed. I actually have thought about what storm I might prefer. We definately need humor in all our lives. xxx Karen
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Ladyleidy....forgive me for my previous post...i wasnt making light, of wat, is obviously. a terrifying n dangerous situation...so, let me do this again....I am praying for safety for u n ur entire family..n, as Ladee said....u r heaven bound, already! hugs
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Ladyleidy..I will b praying for ur safety thru the storm coming from the outside......n i will b praying for ur sanity from the storm raging on the inside...i'm not sure which one is worse!!!....Be safe....hugs
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You are heaven bound Ladyleidy...just taking care of all those folks and animals gets you to heaven, without the storm.... be careful and don't stay if it's going to be dangerous... I am a survivor of Hurricane Rita.... so leave if ya'll have too.... hugs
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Getting ready for Issac. Need a drink. Gonna b stuck with an alzheimers mom, a right fighter nubie to storms, a paranoid schizophrenic sister, 2 huge dogs, 2 cats, and a mouthy cockatoo. If this doesn't get me into heaven, I don't know what will!
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Beck, we don't need a news report. Your comments are enough to keep us all in stitches. You are too funny. Love, Cat
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yes, thats what i was trying to say when i hit the wrong key and my post was s ent-unfinished-
thank you a million times,
u so special and share yourself with us-
thank you- again and again
millions of hugs!
love to u
k
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Beck you are killing with laughter-Jay Leno or the other CNR can't remember shit Dave what his name should do the top ten things a caregiver hears written by you and Ladee-noone would believe those words were spoken they would think the writers did the spot. Keep it up we all need more laughs'
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Well, ladies....It's another blazing hot day here on planet Bowel, which, by the way, does circle the planet, Uranus..(thanku, Ladee..lol)..O...Cat.....i can already feel a news cast coming my way about this....U go, girl..

Happy to report that the dog groomer intervention was a complete success..Lil Ass-hole no longer looks like road kill....he has redeemed himself in the eyes of his grandma!! Now..if i can jst get him to understand that wen he takes a shit...he's suppose to walk AWAY from it....not thru it.....damn......thus the name...Lil Ass-hole!!!!!

I managed to actually go out last nite for a little break, but not before getting one more phone call from dad.......Let's see.....how do i begin to explain THIS...
He has OCD wen it comes to the tv remote n the telephone...so, he often tries to call me using the remote....then he gets very upset wen he can't reach me. Then he tries using the telephone, n by the time he reaches me, he's in a complete state of panic n thinks the phones arent working around the world....then tries to tell me that i need to put my tv on CNN so i can get the full report..Then he goes over n over all the phone numbers on the list of numbers that i made for him, n proceeds to tell me that none of them r working numbers, bcuz the phone system is down.................around the world!!!!!!! Poor, sweet,dad........I try to explain that the phones r all working fine, as well as the numbers i gave him, but i had to remind him....again....that he will never be able to reach me if he uses the tv remote.....i won't answer! Next thing i kno....he's warning me about hurricane Issac, n tells me to look out the window to see if it's windy!!! I assured him that the storm was no where near us, n not to worry.....then....o yea....we come full circle.....back to shit n Mitt!!!!!!!! Mom picks up the other line (bcuz the phone is WORKING.....LOL), n throws in her usual..."I'm going insane".....n i said, "Ok mom.....so am I"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finally calmed everybody down, hung my working phone up....n got the hell out of the house. Met up with my dil, n had a f-n drink.....n i don't drink....so that's an indication that i was heading for the noose at the end of my rope....anyway.....had a great time, n now i'm back in the trenches......Phones r working fine....so, nobody panic, but if dad reports anything that i feel will affect my cyber family.....i'll pick up my tv remote n call....LOL.....God, help me...Love ya ,all...have a good day.
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Good Morning from a cloudy BUT NO RAIN midwest.......:( still hoping some rain will make my yard green again. The reason for boiling water for the hummingbirds is to cut down on the germs or bacteria that might grow in the feeder.

Sending High Fives to all of you for another successful week as care givers.....in my book you're all angels!!!!!!!
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OMG, we need a news report. I'm working on one. Beck, you are my inspiration.

Ladee, get some rest and don't stop laughing.

Cat.
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