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Big Hugs an lot's of Luck Notlike, I know that we all don't like having less than pleasant words with our parent's or others for that matter, but there comes a time that there is nothing else that can be done. A lot of times it's way past due.

Having a week with only one doctors appointment? you ladies are going to be lost, I know I was on those rare weeks when I had less than 3. There were times I had so many in one week that I had to rearrange things, get hubby to take brother because I had to take mom. Cancel mine to another day, so I could take hubby, Took some juggling and I carried a book with me, that I could consult when making Doctors appointments to keep from conflict. Only problem was that book didn't work for the VA, both Brother and Husband are vets, the VA tells you when your appointment is, you don't get to schedule. On rare occasions like if your making appointments out months in advance you can guess what day is going to be a good one and they'll let you schedule for then, but most of the time, they'll say we're going to need to schedule you, you'll get a letter. Mom liked her appointments first part of the week, early in the day...So if hubby and brother could, we got theirs for the mid to end of the week, any time of the day. I squeezed mine in where ever I could, somedays worked out great, Got Mom done in the morning, had her home by 12, mine was scheduled for 2 or 3, so I could pull off two appointments in one day. We had a couple of days we were lucky with the guys, somehow, the VA managed to book them both for the same day, meant a extra long day in Columbia, but at least it was just one trip instead of two, I hated that 6 hour drive.

Have a wonderful day everyone, hubby's still in bed here, and I am trying to figure out where to start. It's going to be a fun day cause the girls will need to be inside most of the day, I know their dogs but if I don't want to be out in that blowing sand, I won't do it to them.
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Well i talked to sis this morning before going to dads and she said that he coughed up blood all day yesterday. So we don't know what that was all about. I saw in the trash can some of his paper towels that he wipes his trach with and they were stained with blood. Some of them looked like old blood and some bright red blood. I haven't seen him cough up any since i have been here this morning. Sis was talking about maybe calling one of his doctors to see what could be causing it but i doubt she will especially if he isn't coughing up anymore. So we will see what happens today.... Love and hugs to all. Stormyyyy
Notlike-yes it was fun. I love my little man. He is such a sweetie.
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Morning everyone!
Stormy - pizza and puzzles sounds fun.
Vic - what are we going to do with ourselves all week with only one doctor appt? LOL
Ladee-I would send hubby to fix that stuff for you, he's great at that, but I really need him around here. Mostly because I break stuff so often! LOL Glad you found someone.
Well, I didn't start World War 3 last night, but I sure contributed. All over a 1/2 cup of Mom's tea that got thrown out. Both parents were being sh**ts, seriously. It was fun to get to say a few things to Mom that needed to be said, though. Will be able to talk to Dad tonight on the way to the doctor, still trying to figure out why he was such a bear.
Wish me luck :)
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Welcome to the new posters, we're glad to have you here, I'm sitting here listening to the wind howling "AGAIN". I'd rather have snow. We were going to take this for a test drive today, but with it blowing the way it is, I don't believe we want to get blown over, so there are things that can be done That do not require taking our lives in our hands..

Ladee, glad that you've found away to move away from that hole. You give us so much encouragement, we can't have you slipping in. Jam ? can you keep that dust bunny corralled? while I don't at the moment have dust bunnies here, I do have half the desert to try and get wiped and swept out of the RV. Now when we get home, I am sure that the dust bunnies cousins have been doing what bunnies do, might have to have a cleaning crew hired to come in and move at least the 4 inches of dust that ought to be all over everything. That will teach me for being away from the house for 6 months at this point. Looking at another 3 to 5 just to get back home. I think that for the next trip out here to CA, if it is not a emergency trip, there are going to be a few rules in place,

1:No longer than a month here and that is only if we must.
2:No living with friends or family (love'm but there is only so much togetherness that you can take)

We've got the trailer wired for lights and brakes, we have the new wiring on the RV for it. We're expecting a couple of deliveries, should be into day if their not in already. Once I get all of the bill's paid, we'll see if the budget is going to allow us to move to Bullhead City AZ for a month at least, as that is about as far as the budget is going to stretch till next payday. After that, the game of catch up will be done and we'll be back online ready to start rolling.

So from Bullhead, it's Surprise, from Surprise to Benson (we are planning on traveling 150 to 200 miles per day, to the best of my calculations, it's going to average out costing us a 1.00 per mile.. haven't lined up the next stop after Benson, but it's heading towards Giddings. Ladee, I'll give you a heads up, a week in advance, so if you want to run you have the chance..rofl... I found you a very cool rock on the beach, got to find where hubby put it.

Anyway, since we are not going to be able to take this thing out for a test drive today, I'll be able to do a few more things inside, figure out where and how I am going to put all this stuff, don't want to do like I had to do in the camper, just kinda shove sh** in and then have to dig it all back out before we could go to bed. No fun traveling if you have to spend two hours setting up camp and another two putting it back.

Hope that the sun is shining and everyone is having a wonderful day
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Back from the weekend of hell.....for all of you who deal with mental illness all the time, I applaud you. I would rather deal with physical illness any time. Cleaning up poop, bandaging lacerations, dealing with incontinence, is nothing compared to the exhaustion of dealing with the erratic behavior, questions, and comments of the mentally ill. Not to mention the screaming. Just my humble opinion.

Nothing got settled except that my bil cannot handle mil amymore. He has had it. Sil gets the brunt of it and it does have to do with being BIC (bitch in charge). I wished the whole time I was in Cognito instead of SC.

From almost driving into a tornado on the interstate, trying to instruct mil on the use of her kindle, seeiing all the drugs she packed into her crap that she thinks has to go back to Maine.............I almost kissed my driveway in my excitement to be home. Even this morning, I have not calmed down yet.

Looks like we may have mil a couple weeks in Mar-Apr. Hubby will consider it a test trial to see if we can deal with her next winter. She is thinking about a AL or NH in Maine, if we find something, and we will check them out this summer. That may come to an end when she sees how much they cost, but money isn't an issue, except she is tight.

But right now I just want to express my admiration to those who live with the challenges of ALZ and dementia every day. You are truly angels on earth. There is not enough money to pay you for what you do. Your reward must come from a higher source later, because nothing on earth can suffice. God bless you.
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Morning y'all, Had a great weekend for a change, rested, more at peace so ready to go have fun with Sonny today.... hope it stays pretty so we can go outside for a little while... he just lights up when he is outside....
Think I have found a handyman to fix some things around here that won't cost me so much I have to move in with Jam or Seeme !!!! Can't put more money into it than I paid for it...and when Carmen and OWHN (old whats his name) get here they are going to help me get the water going.... so I will have one less thing to complain about....won't that be nice.....!!
Love to you all this morning, prayers for compassion for our elders.. I never pray for patience as God gives me extra to be patient about...
hugs and angels to you all this morning....
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Good Morning Posse!

Welcome to our new posters....come and visit with us and vent away if you need to...that's why we're here.

Oysters1....we think the same things....I hope that my mil will pass in her sleep....I think we all hope that our loved ones will go quietly and in peace. My mom struggled to breathe through the pneumonia but at least the morphine helped ease her somewhat.

stormy....we do homemade pizza here a lot...so much better when you can really glop it on. I bought some of the individual pizza pans and occasionally my granddaughters will be here and we have a pizza assembly line....they are making their own and they love it. Hope things have gotten better for you with care giving.
Ro.......glad you are getting to work but hope it's not so much that you aren't getting any rest. Is Mom able to get outside now?
Vic....a day for yourself....wonderful!!

I opened the sliding doors yesterday to get some fresh air in this place...it was almost 70 degrees in Feb! And across the floor here comes one of seeme's dust bunnies........I let it live. I really felt guilty about not jumping up to get it, but had just come inside from raking leaves and I don't think I could have moved if someone put dynamite under my butt. Probably won't do much of anything today....tomorrow get to go to the eye doctor.....have put that off for about 5 yrs....yeah I know but didn't have problems until lately.

The Seroquel seems to put the col in a sleepy state. She asked yesterday how my son was and his wife_______, she used my name instead of his wife's name. She never asks about anyone else but son.....strangest thing. Took her a milkshake which she played with and got all over her...she enjoyed it for a while. Only tried once to start in on coming home, was able to redirect her. We also dc'd the Namenda and Aricept.....that will save her a nice chunk of out-of-pocket every month and besides it's not doing her one bit of good so remove a couple of chemicals from her system.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful day....check in when you can....

Happy Trails,
Jam
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I pray for my Dad to go to sleep and not wake up. I hope I go the same way! :-/
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I am in a spiral of work... Hope you all are alright... When I have a lot of work I try to work because you never know if you will have it tomorrow.
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welcome tbailey, come back and vent all you want.... as Jam says, we'll keep the light on for ya..... this is the place to rest your weary caregiving soul.... and no, it's not Mon. yet.... hugs to you.
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Its already Sunday MIL has a dr. appt. tommrow and thats all ive said today feels like Monday @ 1:30.... Thanks for all of you for letting me vent!!!!!love this site!
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YUM-O AS CONNOR SAYS. Hugs stormyyy
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Hey all hope everyone is doing ok this weekend. Me and Connor have had a good weekend so far. Spent the day together playing in the yard - playing baseball and we put one of his spongebob puzzles together, a new one. And the big event was us making a pepperoni pizza, his favorite. And then i made one for me and hubby with other toppings. I haven't made a homemade pizza since 10th grade. Connor liked his so well we had to go to the store to buy more stuff so i could make him another one today. And it is in the oven as we speak and the timer is about to go off so i better go get it for him. Hugs to all stormyyy
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krnhesh, oh I know about getting wound up... have been that way for months, am just now getting some firm footing for moving forward...taking care of ME? what a bizzare concept... I make myself so tired sometimes....
Good news about my preemie grandson... he is taking his bottle and making such progress that he may not be in the hospital as long as they predicted....he is getting stronger every day... Thank you God, for that little miracle that I am going to spoil rotten.....
Going to get on with my cleaning and feel good about some progress being made....
Oh and by the way, I found a globe to replace the one that I dropped at Maries... so hopefully I will use this fresh awarness of my lack of taking care of myself to have a much better week with her....
Love and appreciate all of you... could not continue this jounrney with any kind of sanity without y'all.....
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what a great way to express the multitude of emotions we go thru--!!!!
love to you-
who is now on this little island "music"-taking a dip to cool off..i get so wound up sometimes-ya know?
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Morning morning...had a really decent day yesterday. No cleaning! Should have ..some friends ended up coming to visit and it was soooo very nice.
Today is going to be a good day!
Notlike, hope you body feels decent today after all that work! Glad you got some quiet time at home! Like you ..we only have one dr appt next week...
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To those who lose their tempers on occasion-it is ok that is the vent on our pressure cooker heads-for those who used or us pressure cookers-I once blew one up then my Mom blew up that's for another day.
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The only wildlife here is the illegals.... sorry, but it's the truth...
Thanks for love and support, it is sort of like raising children, there is no handbook on how to handle ourself when tired and frustrated.... well there is, the Bible, but all those wonderful words just go out the window sometimes.....
I so appreciate that we all accept each others humaness , even when we can not accept our own......
love, hugs and angels to all my YOU friends......
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notlike....I see that your cleaning and laundry fairies took the week off also.....we normally see deer on the backside of the pond all the time, but this year all we've seen are turkey's.......a couple of weeks ago I glanced out a window...stopped counting at 31.....I was afraid they would try to cross the road, but they turned around and went back the way they came. We have a pair of hawks that are staying around and our Canadian geese keep coming back so I'm sure the female will soon lay eggs. I love the nature around here......it's peaceful.
Hugs for Dad....I'm sure his appt will be fine. Glad he and Mom got out today...
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Jam- LOVE it! Too true and funny.
Hugs to everyone. Those who can see the spring coming with flowers and trips, and those still in winter's darkness with sick children, and our everyday burdens.
Had the house almost to myself today - just the son home. Hubby at work and M&D out shopping. Mopped the floor (without Dad, and my back is paying for it, oh well), dusted, laundry. I get alot more done when I'm alone.
Got some snow here yesterday, so spring seems farther away again. Saw 3 deer in the backyard - Mom was thrilled. Should warm up tomorrow, so I will go out and fill the bird feeders.
Only one doctor appt this week, for Dad with the primary. Not expecting any surprises. Don't want any surprises. I hope Upstairs is listening. :)
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Good Afternoon Posse!

I know we have all read the following in a shorter version....but thought I would share it again today.......hugs to all!

PLACES WHERE I HAVE BEEN

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART!
Today is one of the many National Mental Health Days throughout the year.

You can do your bit by remembering to send an e-mail to at least one unstable person. My job is done!

Life is too short for negative drama & petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly! From one unstable person to another... I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!
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* sorry, typing on my phone! Anyway...I was stressed just watching them BOTH. I just stopped & looked down at her and said "we are not going to do this, TODAY! This is supposed to be a happy day of celebration (a family friend had a baby) , a new life has entered the world & we need to focus on what we can do, to help."...she stopped, nodded, looked down and obeyed me like a little child! It was wonderful! She totally changed her mood to being sweet & helpful. I felt bad because i lost my temper but wish I could accomplish the same response without being so intimidating!

Today however, she has been struggling with a congested cough, weak, tired, little appetite
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Good morning all! It's. Sat & sunny in Kansas City! Hope you're all having a great weekend. Ladeeda, I have had the same experience with Mominlaw. My 3 yr old granddaughter was visiting (i was babysitting) for a few hrs. It drives mil crazy when little ones take off their shoes, in the house! Sees it as a discipline problem. (In her day, she was never allowed!) Well this one likes to kick them off the minute we shut the door. It set her into a tyrade! Usually she can do her sweet granny role for the time they're here, then unload it immediate for the rest of the day! This time she kept going off with her in the next room. I was. already sressed
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Morning everyone... Just need to share that I am praying about this situation with Marie, keeping an open mind, open eyes and ears... I do NOT like treating anyone the way I treated her yesterday, justified or not.... what is holding me back...... my love for Sonny... told Vic this morning I just feel so torn.... and I'm tired of talking about it.... no more bitching and moaning... I am only going to share the good stuff with Sonny... I am tired of myself, so can only imagine how much ya'll are tired of hearing it.... and I always get sensitive about what I am portraying as a paid caregiver to others.... deep breath, going to bed, read, rest my every busy brain, and just shut up for awhile... won't that be nice....lol
love you all, hope everyone has a good day...
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Morning All, Big Hugs to everyone, hope you all got some rest, today I believe is the last day here in LA and then it's back out to Desert Hot Springs, work on the last bit of the trailer stuff and get ready to get moving, still have a lot of bills to get paid to even see if we are going to be able to get on the road this month, or if it will have to wait till next payday. We get paid the 1st and then don't get paid again till the 28th of next month. It's going to be a tough one, but I believe we can pull it off.

Burned hang in there. Vic, how about "not" cleaning out his shop today and just enjoy your day off? Ladee, get some rest, no marie thoughts for today.
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Morning morning...
Ladee hugs hugs hugs Internet hugs coming your way to give you strength and peace.
Notlike hope mom gets focused on sewing and gives you relief..give her some tape to put pictures up. You are a good daughter who love her parents ...
Burned hope you have a better day today sending hugs your way too
Brandy...prayers.
Starri...getting close woohoo!!
Jam so sorry bout your friends son.. Can't imagine why they would have passed on an incline...only like you say must have been their time..but how hard
Hope col does good on the seraquel..walking and fresh air! Now thats a great combo!!
Little flowers are popping up here...there is a light
Mom and dad are hanging in there ... The procrit shots that dad is getting seem to be helping..his arms aren't all purple from bruises and his skin looks better. His body though is another story...so ridgid most of the time communication not real good but does know what's going on.. The other day it was warm so we sat on the porch for awhile. I got him to stand holding the railing for a couple of minutes. He did great...
All we can do is one day and one moment at a time right!? You all are always in my thoughts and prayers....
Hubby and I have day off today..looking forward ... Really need to put things away and clean my house up...hubby my pack rat..wants to start cleaning out his shop...who knows what we will do or not do today...still havent started taxes...why oh why do I procrastinate sooo...lol
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Omg i cant get a moment peace...I had my bath interrupted and my son is not listening and coping attitude about everything. The kids are sick I get that but not listening and arguing with me on everything. Then been waiting for the auxillary to call me back to redo my prints to keep my job and then my case worker or hubb'ys I mean wants him to get a flu shot. I am just tired and tired fighting to climb a hill that has grown into a mountain. Also I have to make an appt with my doc seems to be some concern with my ultrasound it could be minor it could be major....sometimes i just do not know how long I can hold out. Just want to have a good days again....
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I have to get myself out walking again-we have lots of paved walkways that used to be railroad lines.
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austin I'm in Missouri....there have been a few instances of the elderly around here getting on the highways the wrong way. Sometimes I have to wonder just what is going on with drivers.....night before last the son of friends and his girlfriend were killed on a two-lane paved highway....riding a Harley and passed on a hill around 7:30 pm and hit an SUV head-on......didn't he see the reflection of the lights and he should know better!!!!!! His Dad has been in the Fire Service for years, in fact he is the Chief of the dept in the town they live in......I just don't understand except that it's "their time".

ladee.....told ya that might be what it takes to settle Marie down. And I bet her daughter will tell you it's okay and she's glad you stood your ground. Thank goodness you have a couple of days without having to put up with her bad attitude.

Haven't talked with the col yet tonight but will call after dinner and see how she's doing.

Target and I are going to start walking tomorrow.....must get in shape....and this will help when our Vegas trip gets here. My shins always get so sore about the 2nd day of walking around the casinos. Wish me luck!!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great day........check in when you can! Hugs to all!
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Well, it's Friday, got up tired, not in the mood for hearing about 'mistakes' today... walked in the door with smile on my face, and said, 'great you got the tv going again' . They have satellite, it said there was no signal yesterday, so I turned it off... weeeellll, after a big long explanation, she said her daughter ended up having to call Sony, and in THAT tone of voice, " they someone pushed the wrong button", looking at me as if I had stolen her first born, welllll, I went sideways.... in the same tone of voice she was using I said, " all I did was turn the damn thing off, but you believe what you want!!!!" Got her her paper, fixed breakfast, and she was nice as pie for the rest of the day..... How stupid is this whole thing????? I do everything I can to never speak rude to her, raise my voice, show her that I am upset, and today I gave what I got and everything was just hunky dorey...... please God, I don't want this to be the answer to this problem.... for one thing Sonny knew everything wasn't alright and he was following me around half the morning.... bless his heart, he could feel the anger coming off of me.... I never let him see that in me .... and I really had to shove it down so he would not be anymore upset than he was.... only thing I can hope for is that she sees there will be times I give what I get..... Only thing I could think today was how very sad that is what it took to get her off my back..... but guess it's not too bad considering I have been there almost 10 months and this is the first time I have ever used that tone with her....and I know my body language was 'don't **** with me".... I hate it that it came to that... but I am so tired of it.....
I will call the daughter this evening and tell her what happened... Don't think the daughter will be upset, but I do want her to know about it....not the most professional thing I've ever done....
Hope ya'll had a better day than I did... Brandy , love what your husband said.... sorry it is so crazy making for you but seems you can at least see the humor in some of it...
Jam, hope the new meds work for the col... think I use some of that myself this evening.....it's times like this that I hate it that I can't even have a glass of wine to unwind.... oh well, deep breaths, deep breaths, a good nights sleep and a new day tomorrow....
love and hugs...
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