What’s That Again?

Jared has been dealing with progressive cognitive decline for over 5 years now. His stroke in October of 2009 sped up the process. He’s made big improvements in some areas over the past two years. So why did the reality of what the neuropsychologist was sharing seem so unbelievable? We sat at the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic at Fort Hood two weeks ago while the doctor reviewed the findings of his testing....

Why Wait? An Interview with a Former Family Caregiver

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Day 13 of the Virtual Blog Tour for author Carolyn A. Brent. Her book, Why Wait? The Baby Boomers’ Guide to Preparing Emotionally, Financially and Legally for a Parent’s Death launches on Amazon on Tuesday, November 15. Carolyn, a former clinical educational manager in the pharmaceutical industry, cared for her father. She is an avid activist and advocate working with...

What a Week…

It was a long week. On Friday, Nov. 4th Nicole starting sneezing, having a runny nose, and a bad sore throat. On Saturday she added a cough to it. She was in bed for Saturday and Sunday. I debated whether to take her to the doctor because it was a new doctor that the insurance has assigned. I called first thing Monday morning and got her in Monday morning. The doctor was nice. It amazes me the things that doctors...

Me, Myself and I and BIL

My daily call to check on Hubby verified what I had said about his stomach problem was correct. I find it funny that discussions of bathroom issues are as natural as discussing the weather. Hubby was feeling better had risen to eat breakfast and was resting when I called. There seems to be a calm that has settled on the house. For the last two days I have noticed it in BIL, too. He’s more cheery. He sings...

We Break for Fall: How Will You Play Today?

It’s Saturday and we end We Break for Fall! with a playful request: How will you play today? Play a game, play your favorite music, play hookey from housework, play a great movie. Whatever you play, make sure it adds to your happiness. Today’s the last chance to win one of turkey. So, post a comment for a chance to win. And, congrats to Trish who won yesterday! (Note: A very, very special “thank you” to our...

Now What?

Undisturbed sleep has been welcomed, appreciated and enjoyed. I called the VA and asked about Hubby. The nurse said that his notes showed that he slept all night long, woke to eat breakfast. He appeared pasty and complained about his stomach hurting. There was no report of fever. Overall he was fine though. I suggested that it was possible that Hubby could be constipated because he always feels like that when he...

My Mother’s Chair

My mother is spending more and more time sitting in her chair. We try to get her out of the house on Fridays; sometimes she can go, other times she can’t. I noticed today it is becoming harder for me to sit next to her chair, to relax and just visit with her. I find myself wishing I were somewhere else or trying to be busy in another part of the house. This morning she was looking diligently for her...

Daddy Update/Please No ALZ’s

Tuesday night when I called my mom, my Dad was in ICU on a strong dose of the nitro patch. He was doing better—BP had come down and his pain was subsiding, heart attack was stopped. They were going to do a stress test Wednesday to see if he can be stepped down from the ICU unit or not. He had the heart attack starting Sunday night, he was lifting and carrying too much fire wood into the cabin. He...

$12,382

Yesterday, on Your Caregiving Journey, Ellen Rogin, our wealthness expert, joined me to talk about how small steps can make a big difference. Our campaign, A Dollar A Day, inspired our show. (You can listen to our show via the player below.) Ellen shared an interesting fact: When asked if they can save 20% of their income, people will say, “No way!” When asked if they can live on 80% of their income,...

Help for Veterans and Their Family Caregivers

As we honor those who serve today, a few reminders about services which help veterans and their family caregivers: 1. National Association of Atomic Veterans is looking for the approximately 195,000 vets who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear tests between 1945 and 1962. These men and women could receive a one-time $75,000 benefit from the U.S. government under the Radiation Exposure Compensation...

We Break for Fall: What Will You Drop?

In autumn, the trees drop their leaves so they’re ready for what’s next. So, today, which ongoing argument or disagreement (it could be the one you have with yourself) will you drop? Which service or friendship, which makes more problems than solutions, will you drop? When you drop what no longer serves you, you create room for what will. Tell us what you’ll drop for a chance to win one of a gift check for a...

Piecing Together the Puzzle of the Brain

Robert has had uncontrolled epilepsy his whole life. At 46 years old now, after numerous head injuries (even with a helmet – yeah, that’s a neat trick), surgeries and medications, Robert is not quite the person he used to be. Robert finished high school and even took a few community college courses many, many years ago. Now, he falls asleep reading a book after two pages (I’m trying to not take that...

2nd Full Day

For day 2 I had decided I was going to visit our youngest daughter, her hubby and our youngest grandson since it was her day off and they had no plans. Time in caregiving is a very precious commodity. I must add that I am blessed to receive 10 hours a week from a home health service which allows me to run errands and to buy groceries to keep the home running smoothly, or maybe I should say, groceries to keep our...

Facing Fears By Focusing on Now

On Monday, Anna Stookey joined me on Your Caregiving Journey to talk about facing the fears in caregiving. (You can listen to our show via the player below.) During our conversation, we focused on the big fear: What will happen next? What will the future be like? The fear also may sound like this: Something awful will happen next, I just know it. We spoke about preparing for the future versus panicking about the...

We Break for Fall: How Will You Prepare for Your Future?

I took a bike ride last week through one of our nature trails. The trees flashed amazing colors while the leaves colored and covered the ground. As I rode, I could hear squirrels wading their ways through the leaves, gathering their food for the winter. They’re getting ready for what’s next. So, today, I wonder: How will you prepare for your future? Maybe you’ll save what you can (see our A Dollar...

What Will I Change Today?

The question that Denise posted today really made me think. What will I change today? For the last couple of weeks Ive been really frustrated and, I’m just going to say it, angry at the people who don’t deserve me to even care about them. I know it is not good to hold grudges againxt anyone and that sometimes its just best to forgive..but how exactly am I going to forget. The people that I am angry at...

Setbacks, Hospitals and Emotions

Last night I went to see Mom and she was fine. The people at the nursing home were very pleasant and mom seemed to be settling into her new home. This morning Mom called and her pressure was high. They hadn’t given her her medication yet and I tried to reassure her that when they did, her pressure would be fine. Throughout the morning, Mom kept calling me that she was throwing up and she didn’t feel...

Day 1

Just a manic Monday for us. I got Hubby all packed the night before his respite day. Added the few misc items and zipped his suit case on Mon morning. We discussed the weather and coat/jacket options. I brought him his coffee and breakfast as I made sure that BIL was getting ready for school. While they ate I dressed. I was always the last minute gal for getting ready. We were never late for anything but I was...

Daddy Had a Heart Attack/And More

My Mom called me yesterday about 3:15 my time/central time. She and my dad live in Toas, New Mexico, up in the mountains, so they are an hour behind me. She took my dad to the Toas local hospital and he had a full blown heart attack. They life flighted him to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Veterans Hospital (VA) Dad arrived at the Veterans hospital about 6:30pm my time and was in critical condition. My Mom made it...

We Break for Fall: What Will You Change?

We are creatures of comfort. And, sometimes we get so comfortable in a schedule or a routine that we don’t realize it no longer works for us. So, today, we wonder: What will you change in your schedule to make your day a little easier? It could be that you change how often you bathe your caree (from three days each week to two days) or when your caree has the last cup of water before bedtime or when you give...

Scardy Kat

II Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline Statistically speaking respite care is vitally important to the health and well being of the caregiver. Respite care was scheduled for Hubby and I waited until a few days closer to tell him. He took it well when I presented it as a week of observation and medication review; Also an opportunity to have...

‘Too Big’

It’s interesting when something is weighing on our minds, how it may come up in another way – sometimes more than once. The message at our church on Sunday was entitled: “Life Change.” Our Pastor talked about how we can choose our attitudes; how we can have a fresh appreciation for when we go through changes where we can’t see answers or reasons. He went on to say “our success...