The Caregiver & Dysfunctional Families: How are you doing?

Sharyn, I'm glad you're brother is improving. It may be slow but it is improvement.

Golden, I just don't understand why they try to improve something when it's not broken.

Frazzled, that was nice that a patient said that about your mom. It's great that she's improving.

Cmag, enjoy your family trip. That sounds like fun - Not. Sorry, I had my very first road trip - and it was from Colorado Springs to Las Vegas. Our little island (drive around it at 35mph in 1 hour) does Not have mountains like that in Colorado. Did you know that those winding two lane roads at the edge of the mountain does NOT have railings?!?@!*! And Why must those big rigs have the inner lane close to the mountain while us smaller cars have the lane close to the edge???? I looked down, waaaayyyy down and … decided to take a nap. I told my family if we're going to crash over the edge, please don't wake me up. I swore if we ever needed to take a road trip to Vegas again, I'm going to buy an airline ticket and meet the family there... However, most of my mainland family drives state-to-state to visit each other.

Sharyn, good news about your brother. Glad the Ritalin is helping him.

Golden, I'm sorry the docs took your mom off the med that was working for her, but glad you were able to talk some sense into them to put her back on it. It's frustrating when they don't listen.

Glad you are feeling a little better too and that you had a safe trip. The teapot was a nice gesture. The little things do mean a lot. The donuts sound yummy too.

CMagnum, glad you are safe and that your home is okay as well. The trip sounds like fun.

Book, I'm sorry you went through that with your mom too. I really think dementia or some underlying cognitive disorder is definitely playing a part in mom's behavior. She has been treated for years for schizophrenia symptoms, but those started after she had two TIAs and went into a diabetic coma and was in ICU for several days 7 years ago. It's gotten progressively worse since then. She's always had the anxiety and depression, as well as the narcissistic tendencies, but the paranoia and delusional behavior the past several years was something new.

I went to see mom yesterday and she seemed calmer. Was still paranoid and thinking people were going to kill me this time, but not agitated and hysterical like she was a few days ago. They put her on Zoloft in addition to the Seroquel, which she has been taking at night, but they are going to add a small dose of Seroquel in the morning to see if it would help her during the day.

They said the day before yesterday that mom had still been suicidal and wanting to isolate in her room, so they have been having her come sit in the common area more during the day. Yesterday though the nurse said she was a little better, that she had still been paranoid but had a better day. Mom's roommate told me that mom was really nice to her and has helped her out a lot. That surprised me. Mom is usually clingy and demanding. I just wish she'd do stuff like that and get out of herself on a regular basis. It would make her feel a lot better.

The visit went well I think. I didn't know what I would run into, but I'm glad she was doing a little better. The other senior ladies in there were a hoot. I couldn't help but overhear a lengthy conversation between two of them about bra burning and sex.

Another lady (patient also) that came and sat by me and mom said, "Your mother is doing better than when I first saw her. I thought at first that she didn't have a rat's chance in hell when I got here, but I think she's going to be okay. I see a big difference."

Great, Magnum that your house is ok. Things still very crazy in NC, night as well head to Orlando and relax, have a wonderful time!

Golden, happy the trip went well. Gluten free donuts, never would have thought there is such a thing. Google voodoo donuts, there are definitely different! Wonder if they taste good or if they are mostly for the novelty of them.

Krispy Kreme opened near my old home, the lines, oh my gosh, when they first opened. I think they lasted a couple years before they closed. Not at all user I am remembering correctly.

Thanks for asking GladImhere,

My city did have flooding, but not like others closer to the coast. We have not gone home, but have been told that our house is fine and that the power never went out. I forgot one of my meds when we left that I can't get filled here because it is a controlled substance. I miss it badly.

We already had a trip planned for the 22nd through the 29th in Orlando. We are leaving our pets here and going on the trip tomorrow with my wife's identical twin sister and her husband. We will return to Greenville on October 2nd.

gershun -Kinnikinnick donuts, gluten and dairy free cake donuts, Doubt I could have eaten the other kind, They have a great business in E'ton. The stores here don't carry much of their baking, but you can order from them. I hadn't seen their donuts for over 5 years. I don't worry about trying to work it off. It's not what you eat on one day but what you eat over a week, a month, a year. I will say I did't eat anything else the rest of the day other than a few fresh berries. A full loaf of garlic bread sounds awesome! I miss sourdough bread, Good advice to dori. Most of mother's stuff is gone now, but there are a few pieces in the NH room I want.

madge - must be the Norwegian in us. We all have very good appetites! I am still coughing and blowing but it will pass. The trip was worthwhile in other areas. Donuts at midnight sound good,

sharyn - grief is exhausting. Glad there is more progress for your bro. and also that you had a good trip to the lake. Being outdoors does us so much good.

waterfalls you have had a lot of loss recently. People need to take as long as they need to go through the things left behind, My son died over 16 years ago and I still have a few things of his that I will keep.

Oh book. That is so terrible. I think my mum may be having delusions again since they took her off the risperdal. She was suicidal before. I am beyond enraged at their irresponsibility.

glad - I am so happy to be home. Voodoo donuts? What next? Now I think I will start making trips to the spca to visit with the cats and see if I connect with any one of them in a special way. Two I was looking at are gone this morning. 😞

Lovely fall day today, but chilly. My friend near Eton dropped off at the hotel a tea pot and a book to journal in for me. Such a nice gesture!!! When we talk on the phone we often comment we are drinking tea, so it was very fitting. She says it is one of her collection of tea pots. Really nice for me, as I did not have a tea pot. It will come with me when I move and we can have tea together. Little things mean a lot.

Have a good day everyone, Be kind to yourself. ((((( hugs)))))

Golden, it s wonderful to get home after a trip, isn't it? Maybe they were voodoo donuts? Yes there is a donut store by that name.

Frazzled, I hope all goes well with your mom. Early on the onset of my mom's dementia, she was having mood swings. Anger, accusations that we were trying to make her crazy by hiding her things, etc... She must have known something was wrong. This was a few years into her dementia, because my dad had to retire early to take over her care 24/7... One day, he found her trying to hang herself from the clothesline. She was kind of dangling but … the clothesline weren't high enough or maybe the rope wasn't long enough to succeed. Poor mom...

Glad&Gershun I am so sorry to hear you both lost your moms. When I lost my aunt moms sister in 99 I felt like my heart was pulled out. I took care of her too while mom was at another AL dealing with her disability. Arranging my aunts care needs, at nursing home, hospitals and then her passing was unreal. I barely remember the night of the wake. Then having to help mom thru it was something I can't describe. God carried me thru! it took months before I could consider going thru her things. The experience is so painful because I believe she passed too soon. Now I have mom. I have learned a lot from my aunts experience. I'm not ready to let go of mom especially do to adult home/AL mishaps. Mom is depressed over the last couple of days and feels like a prisoner in there. The rules & regulations are too much for her. I don't want her to slip away from a broken heart.

Dori, what your are feeling is normal. I was so wiped out after my mom passed. It was about 8 months before I finally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t do hands on like you did.

Frazz, take care of you first. Stress will wear you down.

duck, I’m sorry you feel so backed against a wall with your mom. I think talking with your therapist USA good idea too

golden, home sweet home! I hope you feel better soon. Wow, finally they are putting your mom back on risperdal. Thank goodness. That med worked wonders for my dad too.

Slow progress for my brother. He is wriggling his toes now. The Ritalin is helping to stimulate him.

Im also dealing with a cold now. We went to McCall today. Very pretty, tourist area that is open year round. We had the whole lake to ourself due to time of year. That will change when the snow comes.

Good night everyone, take care xx.

Golden
shame a nasty bug ruined your trip but good you've got doc's attention

I still bring the Viking donuts and she could easily have eaten 1/2 dozen a couple of years ago

there's a rather famous donut shop along Route 66 that makes 12 inch twirls and strawberry filled glazed donuts - it's open 24/7 and always has a line

maybe next time I have insomnia I'll take a drive to the donut man

Dorianne, finally something I can offer advice on.

When my Mom passed I was so drained and emotionally and physically exhausted that I passed the buck with clearing out my Mom's place. I justified it with the fact that I had pretty much done everything for the last few years of my Mom's life and arranged for her service afterward etc. But now I regret that cause once the dust had settled so to speak, I thought of certain things I would have liked to have kept. Her old Singer sewing machine, nativity scene from Christmas decorations etc. Sis hired 1-800 got Junk to cart it all away, used Mom's money at a cost of $1000 dollars to do it. Totally impersonal and quick.

So, if you have the time Dorianne, take it and possibly save yourself any regret in the future.

Golden, six donuts! Good for you! Tim's? Krispy Kreme?

I recall when I was in my twenties picking up a big box of donuts from Tim's and polishing them off. Not now...............I'd have to starve for a week and get on the eliptical for 10 hours a day to burn that off now.

I remember we had a potluck at work once years ago. I had brought a big loaf of garlic bread which no one touched. I took it back home that night and ate the whole loaf. Ah, those were the days.

Home safe, lovely drive and I ate 1/2 doz chocolate glazed donuts on the way home. I didn't think I was capable of that.. I washed them down with black coffee followed by lots of raw carrots, broccoli and celery. I find that rich/sweet food settles better if I eat raw veggies after. Seems to work. I feel fine and I shouldn't after 6 donuts. I haven't eaten a donut in years!!!

The doctor called and he is putting mother back on the risperdal, I was polite and thanked him. JERK!!! Mother has been badly off for most of this year and they had to guinea pig her with different antid's. The LPN called and was sweet and will call me as soon as she sees an improvement. The DOC is going to get an earful from me about the lack of communication. Apparently she has no information that mother has not been doing well. Where is the break down? INCOMPETENCE!!!

I could go on but i won't. I will save it for them, and I need to simmer down so I can get some sleep,

Nite all. Sweet (donut) dreams, 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩 lol

WOW, 30,000 comments on this thread! Great idea magnum!

Magnum, have you been able to return home? So much flooding! Hope you found all ok.

Golden, I don't know what it takes to get them to listen to the family - the doctor knows best (not!!)😡

dori -sounds like you re making some good decisions. I am so glad you have BFF's support and help. (((((((hugs)))) You are getting your life back.

duck -let your therapist help you with this. If your mum was OK when you were away then maybe you can relax a bit. Sounds like it is a bit of a power struggle

fraz -I am sure you are wiped. The stress weakens our immune systems, Put yourself and your family first! Re mum - Detach, detach, detach!

heading home soon though I am tired, my sinuses are infected and my throat is sire. Have to p/u some zinc lozenges, They usually work for me.

Mother is not improved - she is crying and refusing to eat. Bunch of jerks!!!! I said again she needs to go back on the risperdal so they have left a note for the doctor to call me. Sheer incompetence!!!! I will try to be civil if he does call -or maybe not!!

Not looking forward to the drive back, but I need to get home.

Wil check in later. Have a good day everyone,

Dori, so good to hear from you. Just yesterday I was wondering how all is going for you, thanks for responding. 😉 Great that you have help. And I can sure identify with "it's a process". I am still processing three years after mom was placed, a year since she passed. Take your time. And wonderful you finally got your mom camping and it sounds like a beautiful spot!

Duck, just hang in there, I do not know how you do it. I would have been gone long ago, actually I did. After four years taking care of mom, it was the treatment I received from the twisteds that got me on the road to life reclamation.

Golden, travel safely.

(((Dori))), it's good that you have your BFF to help you out. Sounds like you needed the camping trip just to kind of de-stress from everything. The estate stuff sounds complicated. I know what you mean about when your life gets tangled up with your parent, it feels like being on hold or on limbo in a way, like you said. Hugs, take care of you and just take things one at a time.

DDDuck, the book passage you mentioned about "breaking free of a control drama" hit home with me. That's kind of where I'm at too with mom and this whole situation. Your therapist can help you with setting boundaries with your nephew, and being able to take whatever steps you need to to help your mom. I know it gets really frustrating. My therapist has been helping me too to change the way I react to my mom's drama. But it is a process, for sure.

Golden, hope you have a safe trip back. It's good that the weather is holding up well so far. Take care of you and hope you can get some rest. Insomnia is no fun.

Ali, good to hear you are doing well and getting back on your feet. It sounds like you have some amazing and fun opportunities to do some things for you. You deserve it!

Sharyn, any more news about your brother?

I've kind of taken it easy the past couple of days as far as just letting the doctors and medical team take care of mom. I will probably go up there this evening or tomorrow during the visiting hours. Haven't heard anything from them since they started her on the Seroquel. I imagine she is probably sleeping more maybe, and busy with groups if she is participating, which they said the other day that she was going to those. I'll probably call this morning and ask how her treatment is going.

I've just been feeling tired, like blah, and I have chest congestion, probably the weather changes and maybe a little of what my son has too. I took him to the urgent care earlier because he wasn't feeling well, saying his throat was hurting. Turns out he has an ear infection. Strep test was negative but his throat was pretty inflamed. They did give him antibiotics.

Anyway, just been taking care of business around here, and having to motivate myself a little, when I really just want to be lazy and not do a darn thing lol. We'll see how things go with mom. I hope the meds they give her are helping.

Hugs to you all, hope all have a good day!

Hey gang.....just flying by with a quick update.....I have been SOOOOOOO overwhelmed since mom died that I think I was barely functional. I mainly slept a lot.

The funeral was like.....there was stuff to do every single day right up to the day after. BFF came with me - I don't know what I would've done without her. We wound up taking her mini-van and basically camped (in the van) by the beach in Vancouver! (Which is something my mother would never have "allowed" while she was alive....I would have had to keep it a huge secret from her.) I didn't have money to spend on a hotel and bro's place is so tiny, I wasn't going to ask. Also we had mom's ashes with us.....so I guess I finally got my mom to go camping after all. Lol. Bro and I were going to scatter the ashes the day after, but it was too windy and the water was low. So I left them with him, like, "Ok, she's your responsibility now."

We got home Saturday night. Then I crashed for two or three days, then I finally called the lawyer. There is so much stuff to be done.....I decided and told bro I prefer the lawyer probate the will because I am NOT the right person for the job. There is already a lot of work, scanning and sending things, gathering up all the info on assets and vital statistics, freezing all her accounts and investments, land title and all that. I honestly didn't really start until yesterday.

Well, bro has been so apathetic or uninterested or whatever about everything that has to be done - the funeral, the Estate, plus dealing with mom's belongings (household goods and clothes and everything else)....I even asked him if he could get the ball rolling with mom's lawyer, since the lawyer is in the SAME CITY AS MY BROTHER. Nope, he's too busy with work. So I made ANOTHER decision that I am now contracting to BFF to help me and paying her out of the Estate. Eff this, I wouldn't have gotten this far without her help. I got her to invoice me for the Estate work she did with me yesterday, and I just have to phone that nice lady at the credit union who told me to call her any time I want a cheque to be put through (I already had that account frozen).

The other decision I made on the weekend is that I can't even tackle mom's apartment until I get my own stuff out of here and start living at home again. Yes, I'm still at mom's. BFF and I took some of my things home Sunday, and we went in today to start organizing stuff. I'm aiming to be back home permanently in a week or two at the most.

I feel like this one is kind of a metaphor for where I'm at - basically I need to untangle my life from my mother's so I can start living again. I AM buying out her apartment, with the intent to rent it out. But I have got to get the eff out of here. Really, I've spent the last 3 weeks, up until this last weekend, feeling like I'm in limbo. Like....I don't belong here but I can't go home yet. Everything I've needed for basic living is here. I can't just go back and forth with two cats - either I'm here looking after them or I'm home and they live there permanently. But my apartment is a disaster from the last year and a half of just going home to grab things I need. So I need to make it habitable first. Getting back home and getting the Estate fully into the lawyer's hands is my first priority. THEN I can start dealing with mom's belongings and her apartment, figure out what I want to keep, what I need to get rid of, and where it's going to go. I won't own the apartment till the Estate is settled anyway, so there isn't a rush to get it cleared out.

I can't believe how long it took me to figure out that plan. It seems so obvious and basic when I think about it now. I've just been overwhelmed, really since the decision to stop dialysis. But I guess you don't figure on how tangled up your life gets with the person you are caring for. It's not like you can just pick up your "real life" where you left off.

I'm running out of room again....

Miss you all, and think about you lots!

I went on to say that neither him or his mother has to pay for ensure or a podiatrist so what is the problem with getting a pdoiatrist. and I guess that is why I am block from her care so she can't get sh*&&

then he say "You left for 30 days and didnt even tell anyone and now its all about fommunication. and you didnt even call once to see how she was doing. She was eating and doing fine the whole time now everything is aproblem all of a sudden

That was the last text from him. I dont want to overwheldm further with details but part of my reason for not leting them know how long I was going away was because of the delusion that I didnt do anything. after so many calls with no answer my sister number is not in my phone. And my nephew also just started answering recently.

I know I can be nastily sarcastic and was not nice in some parts. I also mentioned that they havent figured out a way to dismiss the mold and that her feet were fine becuase I had been clipping and digging out crust for over a year. And did he agthink that soaking is what a podiatrist do.

This is hard becuase I start out just wanting something better for my mother and end up being nasty and torn up inside trying not to become who they are to me.
Its like a viscious cycle. Was I a fool to even thing I could make a suggestion about my mothers care or needs.

I have got to come to some kind of terms here.
Here I am again, my last night of work fighting with my nephew over nonsense.
Raising my pressure, losing my motivation and ho
Id was reading this book "The Tenth Insight" a sequel lto the "Celestine Phophecy" which I found to be very helpful and spiritual. so I got to this Book and I found it difficult. I understood but some things I found to be exagerrated until I read this "Comming into awareness and breaking free of a control drama always feels anxious at first, because the compulsion has to lift before the inward solution to the lostness can by found."
So I read this and I wanted to cry deep down in side because i was wondering If my solution to my lostness wil ever be found. I even marked the page so I could discuss this with my therapisty in the morning when I get off.

Then with this sadness in my mind, I am contemplating getting the toilet fixed and maybe getting a cheap chest for my room which I had been making big stives in organizing Then I get this text from my nephew and I feel like any and every thing I have ever done is useless except for my son.

I know people get tired of reading or seeing this book of mine. I can understand it. But help is the reasoname on board here. To get help but also to help in sharing, and support of others on board here.

I am grateful for any input. Some times the themes come together and I get a light bulb. I really need a light bulb with this. Its like whats the point in everything and all things. I am fooling my self in so many ways I just dont know what ways. It hurts me to my heart to see my mother deteriorate, even if I dare fash back to the many ugly moments and deeds which are a reality,. It hurts to see this web that has been spunn and grows from the way she has raised her two daughters and from her own dyusfunction. I am trying so hard to grow out of this dysfunction and my own web. I feel like I am stuck on stupid and I dont know to get out.

Please bare with me again. I need feedback. perspective. I do know I wonbt fool my self thinking there is any remenantof hope for this family.

So I add "Also Ma has been eating very poorly aso I called doctory an request ensure. Also please request a podiatry referral. I usually cut the nails when I do mine every three months. She has a lot of built up crust and need a professional clean under nails. I havent checked lately but she is due.

He responds s. Ma is eating verywell. We feed her and make sure she eats there are no issures with her diet. she goes to her apts and they always look at her feetand she gets her feet soaked in the house. You can always soak her feet on your own in rthe house,.

Whay should she need ensures when shes supposed to be eating her meals on wheels.

So now my head is pounding and I almost want to cry. I am so tired of this nonsense. I amnot perfect but I dont see anything wrong.

So I Respond. Lord have mercy. She is supporsed to be eating them and as I said wheich I thought your defective min understood iss that her appetite dwindles. I am not trying to take away, negatem anything you do. I addresss her eating everyday not when I feel like it. Daily...
Also what doses meals on wheels have to do with her getting ensure obviously if you didnt see this as an insult about. her care or revelation of lack of care you would see it as a supplement. I really dont understand this mentality. i want her to have all she can get while it seems like geeting her a service mean neglect. Wheich is why she is walkintg aroung with dementia and poor eyesight using her onwn descrecition on eating bathing and puttling all kinds of stuff awya while no one checks these bags of stuff or see the mold or its ramifications or anything else for that matterAsl long as she shakes her head Iokay yall are finde untill something happens and then there is blame.

Hey I think I spoke too soon about my nephew. I was emboldened with what I preceived as cooperation and teamwork.

My goodness I am no angel by far.

When I got in my mother ate her breakfast well. I felt so good. for a minute. Then I go in the molded shed and get the breakfast bars that are sealed and in a closed cabinet in shed, when I notice I must have dropped one and saw it the package was eaten through by mice. So I go and get poison and put near where the wrapper was. Not to mention also that the morning before I had noticed the shed door to backyard was not closed properly the slide lock was on and knob was locked but door was not closed.


Any way I closed and locked door after placing the poison and see a dead mouse right in front of the door. Normally we dont find dead mice in open like that either on trap or they die in their hideaway. So my minds starts thinking it was the mold, it could have been that he ate poison I left in places. so I am hoping it is this last one I hear everynow and seeing that the posison was nibbled wondering why this one is not eating the poison and dead.

Anyways, its raining hard. I sprayed the shed. and it seemed I could smell the mold so I text my nephew.

"The mold in shed is getting bad around door and seams its dangerous for Ma. I have been sparaying lysol and clorox but its going to get worse. do you have copy of house insurance or check if water damage and mold is covered. I got beat already by cole... trying to fix it. He claims its the roof gutter. There is a leak or a broken pipe some where and its gedtting worse. Its a professional job and needs to be addressed asap.

I cant do toilet until I am off. The water has to be truned off from basement as the volve under toiledt does not turn it off completly."

Then I added trying to be light that the black bag was verry heavy what on earth did you put in there. Bricks.

The

fraz - hope the professionals are getting a good meds regime for your mum. It is a pretty stressful time. Look after you. She is in good hands.

duck - glad you can work with your nephew. That's great. Hope you get more help.

glad - I think you will love the maple.

ali - you are on a roll!!! So nice to see you enjoying life.

stacey - how's the decluttering going? I;m going to bring in Ms Ruthless - aka dd. lol

sharyn - a trip to the mountains with fall colouring sounds awesome. It was very pretty on the drive down with about 25% of the trees turning yellow, some a lime green, and a few peachy rust bushes. against the dark green spruce and bright blue AB skies.

I didn't sleep well last night. and couldn't nap today for some reason. Still snuffling a lot. Hoping to head back tomorrow. If I am not up to it I will stay another day, The weather looks decent for the next two days.

Take care all Do something good for you!

Ali, you sound great! What worked for me obviously would not have for you. Just ignore all those suggestions of mine for you to move to a small city😝 different strokes, you know.... 😉

Duck I hope that you will find a way out, somehow. There is hope.

Stacey, such a romantic, you are!

Golden, dang! I still love you for who you are to me in this forum. I just remember your birthday being close to mine and now I vaguely remember a similar post. LOL. ((((HUGS))))

Sharyn, thanks for all the advice and support. (((HUGS)))

Frazz, thanks. Thanks for understanding and the advice. I hope things work out well in new facility for your mother. I know it hurts to see them in distress and be helpless in calming them. I am wishing the best for you.

This morning I was torn up because my mother was in a different place. Usually I say good morning Joanie and she is all chummy and upbeat. I know she wont be up and happy always. I found a store that made hash browns and scrambele egg breakfast and was really disapointed and scared when she would not eat not one mouthfull. She didnt want to be bothered.

Later she was okay, and when I left for work and heated up her meal she ate with some enthusiasm even if I had to feed her. I felt better. I also felt better becuase the hall was clean. AGain, I laid the chucks on floor and picked them up as the dog used them before I went up to sleep. When I came down a few were still there and others were picked up. I dont know who it was but it felt good there was a sliver of teamwork. Also fish and fries were in the place of the breakfast plate I left incase my mother decided to eat. she did drink the milk. Then I saw it was my nephew. He came in with large black trash bags and took bag I had left to take out in one. Its just so nice when you can work with someone on same team instead of this hate stuff that is prominent.

I had called the Doctor and left message about the situation again. that her eating habits are getting poor, requesting ensure and that she gets a home attendant as she needs one. I knew he would not call me because my sister has me blocked. I just hope he addresses these calls and I feel like he does. I left things alone with my nephew for now except asking if he had time to wait for guy to come fix toilet. Meanwhile the water is running and there is a water bill. I have to wait till I am off in another day. Meanwhile I woke up early and couldnt sleep. Saw that I got almost three hours in so I just started maintenance control in my room and downstairs.

I felt accomplished and more at ease today for a change. I know it was the positive atmosphere between my nephew and myself.

I hope it continues.

Ali I am so happy for you. You have been through so much and I declare!! no joke you voice my own sentiments and give me hope. I am just really happy for you. I love your knack for putting things in such a beautiful truthful nutshell.

I had thyroid scan last week waiting for results. I was really and truly wondering if there was a deficiency there that enhanced my stress response.

So many of your complaints were similar and I makes me feel so happy and hopeful to see you a a peaceful, happy, hopeful place.

I am routing for you always.

Frazzled, I hope they are getting the right combo of meds for your mom. Not only will she feel better when they do, you will have more peace of mind for yourself. Hang in there, thinking of you and your mom.

Thanks Alli, that was Sweet of you, and I feel very much the same, I Appreciate your friendship and your incredible insight. It's funny that our Caregiving situations ended nearly the same time, and I'm proud of all that you have accomplished in the past year!

Your new place sounds like a good move for you, getting a couple of new roommates, and sharing costs is a great idea! I'm so glad that things are looking up, your having better health and looking forward to life in general! Have you been dating, are you getting out there and having fun? I enjoy hearing about these things, Lol! Oh to be beautiful and single! Good luck on your move! Stace ❤

Stacey, you have nothing on my occasional wordiness, lol.

Thanks so much for your friendship through the past 5 years or so, Dear Friends. It's helped immeasurably.