Today Is Kiss a Caregiver Day!

Today is Kiss a Caregiver Day, a day for you to receive love and accolades for all you do. Consider yourself kissed: XXXXXXX And hugged: OOOOOOO And, know that, even though you may not hear it very often (and often enough), what you do is wonderful, heroic and nothing less than admirable. You are treasures to your family, to your community, to us. Share the love!: Please feel free to forward these hugs and kisses...

Thankful

This weekend was a good weekend.  I saw Mom every day since she was out of the hospital and she looked wonderful.  She needs to put on some weight as she hasn’t been eating that much but hopefully if she is stable enough, that will come in time. I am writing today in case I do not have a chance to do so before Thanksgiving. I wanted to thank each and every one of you who have helped me in releasing my...

Oh My

What a weekend. Mom and Dad are happy we got cable TV–now they can watch their game shows. My heart breaks when I see my mom and she is sitting there and can’t remember how to fold a pillowcase. I wish I could help her but it is irreversible. My dad is not doing well. I had to call his doctor today about his kidneys. Does anyone else care for someone on dialysis?  What are we in for? He is anxious and...

Separation

I have been unhappy for a long time. I have been pushed away, put down, ignored, turned down, disrespected, and giving all I have, but given nothing back. No appreciation and so much more. I have cared for my husband since 2005, been married since 2001. I gave my all, and gave my heart, but I am not in love with him the way you love someone who are married to and want to share a life with. I don’t feel that...

Tomorrow Is Kiss a Caregiver Day!

Do you know a family caregiver? Chances are you do. Survey data released from the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) indicates that almost 54 million Americans provide care to an elderly, disabled or chronically ill friend or family member. November 22 is your day to show your appreciation for the family caregiver in your life. And, it’s easy–all you have to do is give him or her a kiss! But November...

Mom’s Birthday

Today was a good day. They don’t happen very often but when they do it’s like a ray of sunshine that just lights up the sky. Mom was in a great mood today. She was happy to get the attention and the nursing home and dialysis center just seemed to give her that. I called the recreation department of the nursing home and asked them if they can put a banner up for her which they did. Yesterday I made sure...

Giving Thanks

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks…” [1 Thess 5:16-18a] The past month has given me much to be thankful for… I am thankful for the legacy my brother has left me. I am thankful that I got to see him just before his death. I am thankful for my best friend’s young son walked up and gave me a hug at my brother’s memorial service. I am thankful for the...

Health Care Call-In Show

I just listened to the show… boy, was it great. If I hadn’t forgotten I would have called in. Anyway, I wanted to tie in what I have gone through with Nicole’s new insurance which is the state run childrens’ program or state Medicaid. Her coverage started on Nov. 1st, 2011. I have to pay a reduced premium each month in order to continue the coverage. Nicole was approved for SSI but so far...

“…When It Rains, It Pours!”

(Editor’s Note: We welcome a new blogger, Roaringmouse, who cares for her husband and their daughter. You can learn more about her on her profile here.) When we think of the statement “when it rains, it pours!”, we usually think of cascading events followed by something worse. But what happened the other night I know that there’s a funny moment in it somewhere and I wanted to share. The...

Handling Depression

Mom was released Tuesday from the hospital and back in the home near me. Her mood has been quite depressing which is understandable but it also makes my mood a downer as well. I try everything to cheer her up but nothing works. Last night Mom called to tell me her blood pressure was 220/100.  he was in the new dialysis center and since it was her first time there, she started panicking. She had not been given...

PH Poster

In recognition of Pulmonary Hypertension awareness month Nicole made this flyer to take to the Special Needs Awareness Day at our homeschool co-op last week. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go because she was sick and we had to go to the doctor. I thought I would share it. Hugs:o) Jane~mom to Nicole, 17 yo, VSD, PAH, Eisenmengers, BHJS “If you don’t like something change it, if you...

Grateful On Thanksgiving And Beyond

My mother had a pretty good day on Monday. She said, “I want to go somewhere.” Our hospice nurse told me that when my mother can and wants to, it was okay to try and take her. So, the two of us went out for lunch. She was a little confused as we drove, asking many questions. I had to stop for gas but she seemed to do fine. She looked and pointed out various landmarks as if she had never seen them...

What Change Will Help You?

Last night, we aired our live call-in talk show on Your Caregiving Journey. We tackled this question: What change in the health care system would help you the most? Bette and I shared our thoughts, including a need for better communication between doctors, a need for doctors to be resources to help and support for family caregivers, and a need for customer service in the health care industry. You can listen to our...

What a Day

(Editor’s Note: Today we welcome a new blogger: Amy cares for her parents. Her first post describes her day yesterday. You can read more on her profile here.) It seems like when one has a bad day so does the other. My mother has had a stroke and refuses to go to rehab to improve because she is convinced that I can help her get everything back. She has no power of reasoning or judgment. Her short-term memory...

Doctors Make Me Sick

Mom is still in the hospital since last Wednesday. What began as something so little turned into almost a week in there. On Friday we were told mom should be released after dialysis if everything went ok. She was fine except feeling somewhat nauseas so they decided to keep her and we were told if Mom felt better definitely by Monday. Monday came and no discharge papers. Mom saw the doctor this morning and he said...

Holiday Survival Guide

You sit expectantly by the window in your living room, watching for the blue van that brings your daughter and her family for their visit. Although the holidays are hectic, this is the part of the season you relish: The opportunity to see those family members and friends who rarely drop by anymore. These visits mean a great deal to you; for a few hours, you can be someone other than a caregiver. You feel good about...

Welcome Home Hubby

“Actually, he’s been quite pleasant.” That was the last report on Hubby before I picked him up from Respite. My last day was a lazy day intermittently speckled with moments of preparing our home for Hubby’s return. BIL and I made the run to the grocery store and got ourselves some supper. I turned in fairly early. All in all it was a nice quiet day. I’m so happy I surrendered my fears...

PHorum Speech

This is the speech that I gave at the PHorum dinner that I spoke at in Tampa this week. Hi my name is Jane Northrop and I am a PAH caregiver for my daughter Nicole who is in the audience with her dad/my husband Rick. I am also a Peer Network Mentor. The PEER Network is a nationwide group of people with PAH that are currently receiving or caring for someone taking Remodulin or Tyvaso and volunteers to share their...

Today is a Good Day for Pancakes

We slept in! It was 8 AM before I ever rolled over and looked at the clock! I couldn’t believe it, even the dog slept in. I promptly rose, started the coffee and let the dog out. My opening and closing of the door put BIL in motion. The morning sun was shining bright, always a bad thing until I have had a cup of coffee. I sat and drank my coffee and went through my prayer list without interruption,...

Another Week of Epilepsy Awareness

I hope you don’t mind but I thought I would share what I am doing for Epilepsy Awareness Month. This is the latest from my personal blog: Some excellent organizations are helping raise awareness about epilepsy. This is not a new condition but epilepsy has been kept in the shadows for far too long for reasons that basically boil down to fear. The Epilepsy Foundation the Talk About It Organization and CURE:...

Our Last Turkey Goes To…

…Laura! Congratulations—look for an email from me. Thanks so much to all who participated in our We Break for Fall! event last week. I loved reading your answers to our questions. And, thanks so much to our anonymous donor who makes our gifts possible. Our Holiday Survival Guide goes up this week; we’ve got tips to help you survive and make the most of this holiday season. Our next event takes...

Preventing Delirium in Your Hospitalized Caree

Chances are, during one of your caree’s hospitalizations, you noticed that your caree experienced a significant level of confusion. The sudden change in your caree’s mental status during a hospitalization can be startling, upsetting and scary. Unfortunately, the sudden confusion, known as delirium, among the hospitalized elderly is an awful side effect of an inpatient stay. Your caree is hospitalized...