what an absolutely gorgeous morning! woke up to 59 degree weather... temps will certainly rise but this is a great way for our morning to begin.
dad slept the whole night... he's had a good breakfast and some nice conversation with both mom and me. the nice conversation was-- in reality, more jibberish than sense but the 3 of us all laughed, teased and chuckled our way thru it. dad's humor is such a blessing-- if and when he loses that, y'all will definitely have to help pick me up to continue the walk.
mom rested very well in her own bed last night. we situated everything a bit differently and it seems to have worked. YEAH!
today i'll have to get to the grocery, run some odd and end errands for mom and we'll do the shower thing for both 'rents. timed correctly, this should be manageable. being saturday, should things become problematic, calling sweet hubby will be no problem.
smiles, everyone! smiles!!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
friday, 8/17/07
happy birthday, brother!
yesterday/last night/this morning = wow.
nothing major happened, it's simply go, go, gooooo! figuring out how to do things isn't too tough, but i never understood how tiring it can be. in my prior life, solving problems was a normal part of my day and i never got this tired. what's up with that?!
dad is very confused this morning. mom said he was up at 2am and chose to have a conversation with her right then and there. mom, not having slept up to that point, was already exhausted. although she didn't retell the story in her angry voice-- i know it upset her. she's been talking all morning about sleeping in her room again, getting a new bed, changing this, etc. it would appear she doesn't want a repeat performance!!
these days of confusion cause emotional pain for me. dad thinking because he ate 3 grapes, he's now full and doesn't want anything else. thankfully, ten minutes later when i brought out the breakfast i had made for him anyway, he had already forgotten "he was full" and ate the whole thing.
more confusion-- thinking he's dressed (his shorts are again his boxers), wondering if his perch (bed) was in the right place, hugging me and wishing me a happy birthday when we just discussed it's my brothers, wondering if he's in the right chair or if he's supposed to be in "the one over there." heartbreak.
mom wants to get to work today. she's getting along alright so i'm not fearful of dropping her off for a couple of hours. her "nesting" habits are a riot. everything must be on her person or within reach regardless of whether she needs those items or not. why does she have her car keys in her back pocket when she goes to bed at night? the answer, so she knows where they are. picture a 90# woman surrounded by everything she owns-- if she moves, it all must go with her! this isn't any different than it was 5 days ago-- the difference now is she has a personal assistant moving it all for her! i'm thinking we need to get a st. bernard-- load up mom and all the stuff mom needs and transport in one trip! when she makes it to her destination, the dog can sit, mom can slide down and drop all the stuff. hey- a girl can dream.
who's the sick one here?!
hubby and i are trying to get away early september for a long weekend. we've not intentionally neglected one another and do everything within our power to have couple time, but actually getting away from all this stuff is what has become necessary. although we notified our backup caregiver just over one month in advance, we cannot get this confirmed. tough spots require tough decisions. it'll be ok. time out for me-- time to regroup and think.
yesterday/last night/this morning = wow.
nothing major happened, it's simply go, go, gooooo! figuring out how to do things isn't too tough, but i never understood how tiring it can be. in my prior life, solving problems was a normal part of my day and i never got this tired. what's up with that?!
dad is very confused this morning. mom said he was up at 2am and chose to have a conversation with her right then and there. mom, not having slept up to that point, was already exhausted. although she didn't retell the story in her angry voice-- i know it upset her. she's been talking all morning about sleeping in her room again, getting a new bed, changing this, etc. it would appear she doesn't want a repeat performance!!
these days of confusion cause emotional pain for me. dad thinking because he ate 3 grapes, he's now full and doesn't want anything else. thankfully, ten minutes later when i brought out the breakfast i had made for him anyway, he had already forgotten "he was full" and ate the whole thing.
more confusion-- thinking he's dressed (his shorts are again his boxers), wondering if his perch (bed) was in the right place, hugging me and wishing me a happy birthday when we just discussed it's my brothers, wondering if he's in the right chair or if he's supposed to be in "the one over there." heartbreak.
mom wants to get to work today. she's getting along alright so i'm not fearful of dropping her off for a couple of hours. her "nesting" habits are a riot. everything must be on her person or within reach regardless of whether she needs those items or not. why does she have her car keys in her back pocket when she goes to bed at night? the answer, so she knows where they are. picture a 90# woman surrounded by everything she owns-- if she moves, it all must go with her! this isn't any different than it was 5 days ago-- the difference now is she has a personal assistant moving it all for her! i'm thinking we need to get a st. bernard-- load up mom and all the stuff mom needs and transport in one trip! when she makes it to her destination, the dog can sit, mom can slide down and drop all the stuff. hey- a girl can dream.
who's the sick one here?!
hubby and i are trying to get away early september for a long weekend. we've not intentionally neglected one another and do everything within our power to have couple time, but actually getting away from all this stuff is what has become necessary. although we notified our backup caregiver just over one month in advance, we cannot get this confirmed. tough spots require tough decisions. it'll be ok. time out for me-- time to regroup and think.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
thursday 8/16/07
good news! the orthopedic surgeon said no surgery for mom. the splint is doing it's job. we managed to finagle a new wrist splint (for sturdiness only) and a new sling-- those two things have provided mom the comfort she needed.
thanks to youngest son who stayed with dad while mom and i went to our appointment. what will we do when school starts?!! guess we'll just deal with that as things come along.
our next step with mom is a follow up appointment next week to ensure the bone is staying where it needs to stay... and we'll most likely venture out to the lazy-boy store to pick up a chair for mom to sleep in-- in her bedroom. she slept in dad's chair last night and that worked out great. i think it's best to get one that fits her body and put it in her room instead of her sleeping in the family room from now on.
dad remains worried for mom yet with each one of our returns back home, he feels better and is able to relax again.
it's very strange to be taking care of both my parents. i got so used to having only dad's needs to tend to... now with mom needing help getting to/from places (she's just not steady on her feet yet), not to forget the potty duties, fetching this or that... whew! it's a bunch to coordinate, but thankfully everyone is in their happy place and willing to be flexible and go with the flow.
thanks to youngest son who stayed with dad while mom and i went to our appointment. what will we do when school starts?!! guess we'll just deal with that as things come along.
our next step with mom is a follow up appointment next week to ensure the bone is staying where it needs to stay... and we'll most likely venture out to the lazy-boy store to pick up a chair for mom to sleep in-- in her bedroom. she slept in dad's chair last night and that worked out great. i think it's best to get one that fits her body and put it in her room instead of her sleeping in the family room from now on.
dad remains worried for mom yet with each one of our returns back home, he feels better and is able to relax again.
it's very strange to be taking care of both my parents. i got so used to having only dad's needs to tend to... now with mom needing help getting to/from places (she's just not steady on her feet yet), not to forget the potty duties, fetching this or that... whew! it's a bunch to coordinate, but thankfully everyone is in their happy place and willing to be flexible and go with the flow.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
wednesday, 8/14/07
OMG! how retarded!! all that time creating a safe potty situation for mom and all she really needed was depends.
DOH!! uhh- "no, i have no comment at this time."
both mom and dad rested safely last night. it was a bit rough for mom to sleep but she managed. this morning, it took us 40 minutes to get from the bedroom, get her changed, pottied, tighten her splint and sitting down with a cup of coffee-- not so bad considering it was our first morning.
dad is very confused this morning. i know he slept but he must have gotten up a lot. being worried about mom surely is wearing on his mind. poor thing is already back in bed resting. he ate a good breadfast tho, so i'm hopeful after some more rest he'll be more clear.
this house and everyone in it is all discombobulated!! even the doggie-- she's not eating yet today. it'll all work out fine as everyone gets used to these new changes-- hey, always an adventure... and what IS life if it isn't adventurous?!
DOH!! uhh- "no, i have no comment at this time."
both mom and dad rested safely last night. it was a bit rough for mom to sleep but she managed. this morning, it took us 40 minutes to get from the bedroom, get her changed, pottied, tighten her splint and sitting down with a cup of coffee-- not so bad considering it was our first morning.
dad is very confused this morning. i know he slept but he must have gotten up a lot. being worried about mom surely is wearing on his mind. poor thing is already back in bed resting. he ate a good breadfast tho, so i'm hopeful after some more rest he'll be more clear.
this house and everyone in it is all discombobulated!! even the doggie-- she's not eating yet today. it'll all work out fine as everyone gets used to these new changes-- hey, always an adventure... and what IS life if it isn't adventurous?!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
tuesday, 8/14/07
just heard from mom... she's in great spirits! incredible!
the trauma team removed her neckbrace and she was allowed to eat and enjoy a glass of milk. they removed her monitors, etc. and allowed her to go into the bathroom instead of using the dreaded bedpan. next up for her is the new splint... followed by a regular cast.... however, if she's heard everything correctly-- she'll be released for home today.
my brother will swing by after his meeting to stay with dad so i can motor over to the hospital and be with mom until they release her-- or whatever!
dad was up a lot last night "to check" on mom's doggie and me... but he was able to get some sleep despite his worries and is now enjoying some breakfast. i was able to get the trash out, the barn chores done, the dishes from yesterday and some laundry washed before he walked out to start his day with me... there was relief in his eyes when i shared all the updates and completed tasks.
7pm update:
mom is home. she's got the new splint on and we follow up with an orthopedic on thursday. no cast yet-- seems so wrong to me. thursday can't come fast enough. the arm is needing stabilized-- i can hear and feel it moving when i assist getting her up and down. gonna be another interesting 36 hours. she's moving ever so slowly and is a very tired lil lady. i've put the "cast platform" we got for dad's walker back in the winter and put it on moms walker. her injured arm rests on the platform so she can motor with the walker without putting any weight on the hurt limb. problem is, she's too tired to push the walker! patience, please.
is it a coincidence that both dad and mom had their left wings injured? i think not.
dad's so darned concerned about mom. hearing him offer to help or simply stepping up to do whatever for mom is downright sweet..... and by golly... mom letting dad help and liking it. if you could only see the smile on my face. it's taken 30 years for these two people to come back together. they need each other.
tell me there's not a silent player in this game.....
amazing how the human mind can come up with solutions to problems.... the problems tonight will be mom getting to the toilet and mom's habit of sitting in her closet to read.
exactly how many ways can an old milking can be used? truth be known, i don't know that answer.... but i'll put money on the fact that it's not been used as a port-o-potty for a very long time. think about it-- it's the right heighth, it's got a big enough hole to put another pot inside it, it's got handles and it's gotta lid. ta-da. a big old towel lines the rim for a tad bit of comfort and all mom has to do is slide from her bed to the milking can, then slide back-- no travel required.
the reading thing was easy-- just a chair, a light and a table situated in the right positions next to her bed.
she's too tired to fight with me.... so when i announced she was in no way, shape or form leaving that room tonight, i swear her eyes replied back "uncle. ok." her lips said, "you're right." my calendar will get marked tonight.
after i do the barn chores, walk the dog and close the house up.... the 'rents on on their own for the night. phones, walkie-talkies and prayers are everywhere. next up, my house.
the trauma team removed her neckbrace and she was allowed to eat and enjoy a glass of milk. they removed her monitors, etc. and allowed her to go into the bathroom instead of using the dreaded bedpan. next up for her is the new splint... followed by a regular cast.... however, if she's heard everything correctly-- she'll be released for home today.
my brother will swing by after his meeting to stay with dad so i can motor over to the hospital and be with mom until they release her-- or whatever!
dad was up a lot last night "to check" on mom's doggie and me... but he was able to get some sleep despite his worries and is now enjoying some breakfast. i was able to get the trash out, the barn chores done, the dishes from yesterday and some laundry washed before he walked out to start his day with me... there was relief in his eyes when i shared all the updates and completed tasks.
7pm update:
mom is home. she's got the new splint on and we follow up with an orthopedic on thursday. no cast yet-- seems so wrong to me. thursday can't come fast enough. the arm is needing stabilized-- i can hear and feel it moving when i assist getting her up and down. gonna be another interesting 36 hours. she's moving ever so slowly and is a very tired lil lady. i've put the "cast platform" we got for dad's walker back in the winter and put it on moms walker. her injured arm rests on the platform so she can motor with the walker without putting any weight on the hurt limb. problem is, she's too tired to push the walker! patience, please.
is it a coincidence that both dad and mom had their left wings injured? i think not.
dad's so darned concerned about mom. hearing him offer to help or simply stepping up to do whatever for mom is downright sweet..... and by golly... mom letting dad help and liking it. if you could only see the smile on my face. it's taken 30 years for these two people to come back together. they need each other.
tell me there's not a silent player in this game.....
amazing how the human mind can come up with solutions to problems.... the problems tonight will be mom getting to the toilet and mom's habit of sitting in her closet to read.
exactly how many ways can an old milking can be used? truth be known, i don't know that answer.... but i'll put money on the fact that it's not been used as a port-o-potty for a very long time. think about it-- it's the right heighth, it's got a big enough hole to put another pot inside it, it's got handles and it's gotta lid. ta-da. a big old towel lines the rim for a tad bit of comfort and all mom has to do is slide from her bed to the milking can, then slide back-- no travel required.
the reading thing was easy-- just a chair, a light and a table situated in the right positions next to her bed.
she's too tired to fight with me.... so when i announced she was in no way, shape or form leaving that room tonight, i swear her eyes replied back "uncle. ok." her lips said, "you're right." my calendar will get marked tonight.
after i do the barn chores, walk the dog and close the house up.... the 'rents on on their own for the night. phones, walkie-talkies and prayers are everywhere. next up, my house.
Monday, August 13, 2007
monday, 8/13/07
wow- what an incredible 36 hours this has been!
mom fell and broke her arm-- took her to the hospital last night around 1:30am. it was a messy break of the humorous bone-- not so humorous to either of us tho. the events leading to the break are unclear. i was called at midnight to help... she needed to get to the bathroom. too late by the time i arrived. stubborn as ever, she wanted to go back to bed.
i told hubby i'd either find her passed out in the morning from pain-- i saw the bruises and suspected she fell... or i'd be getting another phone call soon. the later happened at 1am... after a quick shower to get mom cleaned up and dressed, we immediately left hubby in charge of dad for the night and went to the hospital.
sure 'nuf. broken. always erroring on the side of safety, CTscans, xrays of neck, head, spine, etc. were also made. mom wasn't in any pain!! hospital staffers are like "huh???"
mom's been admitted for the night. the new splint arrives tomorrow.... hospital strategy for making mom stay so they could keep an eye on her. she's had no food, no liquids, no pain meds... she wants only to go home!
my brother and dad visited us in the hospital this evening. brother took over dad duty for hubby this morning so he could get to work after being up all night with dad! sheesh. couldn't one of us at least get some shut eye? bless his heart-- i married a saint.
dad was restless all afternoon as he told scott he felt sure he had hurt mom when he was helping her get to the potty last night. it was good for him to visit with her this evening to ease his mind. both scott and i had tried assuring him there was no way he could have done that.... and there isn't-- those weren't just words. mom fell hard-- although she doesn't remember it. that's all there is to it.
we'll see what tomorrow brings for mom. we'll see what god has planned for both 'rents. probably a good time to mention that the phone call came in this afternoon that dad "qualified" for the memory floor at the AL-ALF.
for now, i'm staying with dad and mom's doggie overnight. and i'm ready for
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
mom fell and broke her arm-- took her to the hospital last night around 1:30am. it was a messy break of the humorous bone-- not so humorous to either of us tho. the events leading to the break are unclear. i was called at midnight to help... she needed to get to the bathroom. too late by the time i arrived. stubborn as ever, she wanted to go back to bed.
i told hubby i'd either find her passed out in the morning from pain-- i saw the bruises and suspected she fell... or i'd be getting another phone call soon. the later happened at 1am... after a quick shower to get mom cleaned up and dressed, we immediately left hubby in charge of dad for the night and went to the hospital.
sure 'nuf. broken. always erroring on the side of safety, CTscans, xrays of neck, head, spine, etc. were also made. mom wasn't in any pain!! hospital staffers are like "huh???"
mom's been admitted for the night. the new splint arrives tomorrow.... hospital strategy for making mom stay so they could keep an eye on her. she's had no food, no liquids, no pain meds... she wants only to go home!
my brother and dad visited us in the hospital this evening. brother took over dad duty for hubby this morning so he could get to work after being up all night with dad! sheesh. couldn't one of us at least get some shut eye? bless his heart-- i married a saint.
dad was restless all afternoon as he told scott he felt sure he had hurt mom when he was helping her get to the potty last night. it was good for him to visit with her this evening to ease his mind. both scott and i had tried assuring him there was no way he could have done that.... and there isn't-- those weren't just words. mom fell hard-- although she doesn't remember it. that's all there is to it.
we'll see what tomorrow brings for mom. we'll see what god has planned for both 'rents. probably a good time to mention that the phone call came in this afternoon that dad "qualified" for the memory floor at the AL-ALF.
for now, i'm staying with dad and mom's doggie overnight. and i'm ready for
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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