
Many of us, myself included, come from a dysfunctional family which adds a lot of weight to the challenges of caregiving. I have read stores on various threads on other topics and decided it would be good to have a thread just for this topic for people to share, vent and discuss.
The idea for this thread originated on the thread named "The Caregiver....How are YOU doing today?"
mally - thx for prayers You might include no more visits from this couple as well.
send - hope you get better soon. My dd found that putting her head in the freezer stopped coughing. A girlfriend always pulled her dd's right arm up when she started to cough and it worked. If I were you I would stay as uninvolved with dh's mother as possible -not your circus
guest - that is awesome - you are staying out of the way and have got that message across to dh. Oh my, your in laws are a pair...
becky - you have good medical advice and have to trust the drs. I am now wishing I had not had my second eye done as the ghost images are not better. I understand about getting your teeth done. I had a friend who had some gum infections and was due to have a knee replacement. On her drs advice she got her teeth all pulled and got dentures before the surgery. Ex's cousin dd not fare as well.
glad - hope your friend's dog will be OK. Across the ravine from us people had small dogs disappear. They figured it was coyotes.
sharyn - you had a lot laid on you by dh's family. You did the right thing. I saw a coyote lying in the gutter across the street one summer evening. They get pretty accustomed to humans.
duck - all kinds of wild life when you are near the bush. Some of it is dangerous, but not most of it. I have had deer in my garden eating my cedars.
If I have missed anyone it is not intentional. I am somewhat rattled by today's events. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Lots I want to respond to here but may have to wait until tomorrow, keeping a close eye on her now.
Big hugs!
Hope she didn't hit her head with the fall
If she was able to get up on her own and then Come tell you about it, she's a strong gal
Boil some water with some salt in it
Turn off the burner
Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam
Put Vicks on the soles of your feet and put some socks on when you go to bed
She also has unusually low blood pressure so being dehydrated can cause her to go out like a light, I watched it happen a couple times, one minute she is there, then her head slumps down and she goes out. It is scary! So, after all these episodes with her over the years, I have become quite good at figuring out her symptoms and if she is going septic because of her leg, dehydrated, etc.
As soon as I get liquid in her she comes back around pretty quick, still a little more confused than usual but give her time and she is functional. She is definately getting more confused and repeats and fixates more than usual lately. Big time OCD. No new behavior, just worsening of existing stuff. It's heartbreaking to watch this happen to her. I called her sister in Chicago and left her a message. She is the only sane one in the family I can talk to and she is still working as a nurse with the elderly so she is also the best one to speak with. More big stuff is escaping her memory completely, I noticed she wrote a note, something she heard on TV about planning for a funeral. When I asked her about it, she said, "Well I wrote it down for you to know what to do for me." I said, "Mom, you have a "Living Will" specifying everything you want already." She had no recollection even though we visited her Elder Law Attorney just last year. Her reply was "I do?" She looked totally surprised. 😥
e-oils OnGuard on feet, plus mentholatum, socks.
misting e-oil so I can breathe, already steamed over the sink.
Really....don't think I can sleep with socks though, but I will try.
Lozenge for coughing, again!
Already ruined the pan, so not boiling a n y t h i n g tonight.
Hubs is oblivious and asleep, after a bike ride and work today.
Husbands are usually oblivious when we are practically dying! But, when they get sick, the world comes to a screeching halt! LOL!
Mucinex and Nyquil were lifesavers for me the last time I was sick, the Mucinex you have to ask the pharmacist for, not the stuff on the aisle. Drink lots of C, stay warm and above all, rest!
Hope you feel better soon!
Everytime I was really really sick, husband slept right through it!
It would be easier if I was alone. But I plan to teach myself how to order online.He won't even answer the door if they deliver!
Rainey, Thanks for saying they are mostly like that. How could I have let it slip my mind?
LOL! Even though it isn't funny when you are crawling out of bed, puking your guts out if you were lucky enough to make it to the bathroom in time, all the while, they are SNORING!
I told my husband someone could sneak in and kill me in my sleep right next to him and he would wake up to my dead corpse wondering what happened! 😂
Guest, at least now you know where you stand. Whatever happens, don’t cave in. Once you give in a teeny tiny bit, you will end up with the Whole Enchilada! And hubby and BIL are riding off towards the sunset knowing the home front is being taken care of – by you! We're all cheering for you to stand firm. =)
Golden, every time I boot up the laptop, the Avast pops up about doing something, upgrade? I don’t even read it because I tend to avoid touching anything on my computer. As for those unwanted neighbors, they sound scary. Is there any way for you to install some security cameras on the front/back doors? The cameras I got had an app that I downloaded into my iPad. I had access to the house from my iPad. Both of you will now have access to the cameras if you have a smartphone or tablet device – while on the go. It might make these neighbors a little hesitant to be so brazen with you. Please be very careful with them. They know you’re mostly home alone…. I hope you get better, too! When I’m sick, I crave chicken soup every day. When I’m well, I have no desire to eat it. Yeah, I believe the body knows that chicken soup is good for it. Take care!
I realized a couple of months ago that PJ is never sick. I asked him had he ever been sick. He said in college over 40 years ago he had a 24 hour virus. He said he could remember having a cold one time kwhen he was a kid. He believes it's because he gets plenty of fresh air and exercises every day.
But some guys don't get flu - my boys very rarely did or do while dd and I did. R gets very little and what he gets never slows him down - the outside and exercise theory. Exercise will boost your immune system.
Anyone for almond butter pumpkin brownies? I must be getting better. I baked this morning.
rainey - sounds like you have it under control. Dehydration in the elderly is a problem. Hope you can gain some peace in the new year. I figure when you reach 80, cards and gifts are optional. My sis was still expecting mother to send her gifts when mother was 96. Mother called me and told me that the gifting thing was to much for her. I told her that we all understood and were fine with it, and if it was too much for her, then my sister would have to adjust. I don't send out anything on mother's behalf. I send FYI emails once in a long while to family when there are major changes.
Sounds so very good, and home made!
Freudian typo.....love to have, not live to have. Well, maybe live was more accurate!
Send, I hope you getting better. Its been a long time being sick. I know bronchitis can take up to a month. Take care, go to the dr.
Man flu! Men really get worse symptoms than women!! Lol!, not set in stone yet but research has some evidence it’s possible. I do believe exercise and being outside exposed to the elements helps to toughen up the immune system.
Spent most of today out with my son. We went to 3 different places to take pictures. He wanted more snow so we went about an hour away from here and they had less snow. We came back here to our local green belt. We both took quiet a few pictures at all 3 places. My sons wife is back east and her flight back to California tomorrow has been cancelled. My son leaves tomorrow afternoon. He and I had a great day together and I’m glad for that. Poor hubs has a toothache and can’t get in to the dentist until Monday.
Take care everyone, chicken soup for the flu!
I think I just got the kitten settled into a nice, drug-induced sleep, so I'm going to lay down beside him and try to finish reading!
Big hugs!