
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?"
Can't help on the FM drugs but have you tried other pharmacies or those online?
becky - it comes in threes they say, but I have lost count. There is some good news -below! I have told this story before you came to AC but here it is again. Re wood stoves, on one trip to my grandfather's camp, we found some rhubarb in what had been my grandmother's garden there. A boyfriend challenged me to make a rhubarb pie. There were basic supplies in the indoor kitchen in a barrel sunk under the floor to keep food cool - flour, lard, sugar etc. but no rolling pin. So I told him if he could make me a rolling pin, I would make a pie, and forgot about it. Some time later, to my surprise, he turned up with a rolling pin which he had hand carved out in the woodshed while the rest of us sun bathed. In those days I made enough pastry I didn't need a recipe. So we got the fire going in the old cast iron wood stove (getting the stove into the camp in the wilderness is another story), I made the pie, and baked it, and it was great! Some things do taste better! Biscuits - yes!!!!
kellse - I hope you are right
sharyn - no alternative that I know of works well for me but - see below. Hope work is going well.
veronica -thx - I don't have the prescription for the L eye as the surgeon's office made my appointment here too soon, and the optometrist said she wouldn't do it till my final appointment end of January. But thanks for the idea. I think then I will get a back up pair. I see they do progressives too. DD uses them for dgd. I called an E'ton pharmacy about the drug and he said everyone is out - the problem is with the manufacturer. Look after yourself now. Are you and hub moving to dd's eventually?
ali - how is your arm this morning?
Well, the good news is that I found 20 pills of my FM drug in a drawer. That is not enough till Mar, but I only use 1/2 a day anyway which takes me into February and if I reduce my dose till 1/4 some days I think I can eke them out till March. The issue other than the pain, which I may be able to deal with other ways, is the withdrawal effects which I have had before going off this drug even with the very small dose I use. I want to avoid them and hope I can this way. The other good news is that the ghost images are better this morning - sort of flicking in and out - more out than in.
When progress isn't - the pharmacy gave me my thyroid pills in a new bottle which is so child proof I cannot open it. I will get it changed and tell them to add a note on my file - no more child proof bottles!!! Fortunately I still have a few from my old prescription. This is an easy fix.
R and I talked about that couple and figure that when they see another car in the driveway (next time he comes up) they will likely come again. R talks nicely to everyone who comes to the door - the young sales guys etc. I have asked him to give them a VERY clear message this time. He tends to couch his "No's" very softly.
No news from the NH, so mother must be adjusting to her new meds routine. That is good.
I start a new job on Monday. I'll be hostessing and bartending (they have no need of a full time bartender) at a cafe just outside downtown area. I've been talking to them for a couple of weeks. They had placed an ad online. Small family place and they want someone who will take their slower day shifts. It's hourly plus tips and they get a regular crowd. I don't expect it will be any more money than rideshare work (it will be a little more...) and money is a big thing right now, as I need to make enough to at least cover all bills and living expenses. I think it will do that plus I can still drive on days off. And I'll keep working on figuring how to get better positions, more career type work. One step at a time. I have to remind myself I've only been in my new apartment for a few months. As long as I keep moving forward, all will be ok. Right?
Finally feeling "back" from the holidays. It was a really nice holiday time for me, I enjoyed it.
I'm going to force myself to put in 2-3 hours of work on this apartment as my living room is still looking like I just moved in, with boxes on shelves and all kinds of stuff both from old house and my storage unit that I've yet to figure out what to do with it. I keep working on it occasionally and dream of the day it's all done. :-P Then I'll go drive rideshare all evening until late. My friend from out of town is visiting and we went to brunch earlier downtown. I indulged in one of the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar with olives, peppers, cheese, oysters, shrimp, bacon, wow!
Becky, glad you have power back on!
Hope you're feeling better, Golden, and sorry about the meds and other goofiness.
Hope everyone is staying warm and have a great weekend!
Ali, Congrats on the new job. You'll get the apartment finished all in good time.
Win-Win until your perfect job comes along!
Sunshine, if your mother insists on being unhappy, there may not be anything you can do about it. Your mom sounds like she wants to gripe about things, no matter what it is. How can you please her? You might be better to please yourself and realize that you can't fix her life for her... as much as you'd like to.
We talk about detachment a bit here on DYS thread because when our family members drag us down into their unhappiness and dysfunction, detaching is necessary to keep peace in our lives.
ali - the job sounds good and along with the ride share will bring in some money and give you a chance to get back into the "working girl" mode. Hope it works well.
nature - thx -worth a try, but I don't have high hopes, It seems everyone and their dog needs it. I don't know how long it has been unavailable.
Started in the 1/2 dose of F/M meds this morning and hope nothing too much happens as a result. It will take a few days I expect. At least, I am over the flu.
Had a little fun with a low offer on the cottage lot. I countered with a firm figure, and they came back with something lower, so I raised the price. 😁 It was on the low side anyway, and a very good deal for what I had set, but some people want to dicker. Now I have more bargaining room.
Hope you can rest tonight
I want to wish everyone a very healthy, wonderful New Year in 2018! I hope you all get your wishes met, and sending good vibes for this next year.
Much Love & Light! Margeaux
Prayers for Pam. So sorry she is going through this, it is an awful disease! Cancer runs rampant through my family so I understand.
Glad she is surrounded by love and support. It is very difficult to watch someone you love suffer so. A helpless feeling.
My thoughts are with all of you.😥
You always have such excellent advise! For Sunshine that sounded spot on! It took me a long time in my life to feel confident to set boundaries, but even harder when it comes to family. Now I am in the "zero tolerance" zone. I guess you have to be willing to accept the fall out of these things and realize whether they scream and shout, you are finally looking out for your own happiness.
Many times I wish I had not accepted caring for Mom because of the hell I have had to endure from badbro and temporarily sacrificing my life for Mom. I know I did the right thing for her but still unsure it was the right thing for me. I suppose In the end I will know I was the only child who gave a damn enough to make sure she spent the end of her days well cared for.
Your cottage lot negotiations certainly show you are a shrewd business woman! Hope all turns out well. 😉
I'll start with you. I assuming this is the cousin that was always putting you down in the past.
I remember some of those stories. Don't second guess, be sorry about what you have said to her.
That's what's wrong with some of us, is the fact that we are too nice to these types. I have my own story that I recently experienced, I will write about later. Value yourself, you deserve it. By contrast this cousin deserves what you have told her. That simple!!
Much Love & Light! Margeaux