Wow

We’ve had a very long morning. My mother is being treated for C. diff. I understand the challenges that come with this. My mother faced it years ago. As the morning began though, I felt stronger than I thought I would, stronger than before, nearly ten years ago. Hospice has been in contact with us, several times, this morning. They have also been talking with our doctor. My mother was started on Flagyl....

Acceptance Versus Acknowledgement

I read a response from Bette from my blog “I Don’t Understand…” and it really made me think about something that I had talked to Denise about. We were talking about accepting the way my life is and specifically Nicole’s illness. I told her that I believed that I have accepted this. After this conversation I was thinking about it and I don’t believe that I have accepted...

Not My Job-itis …Part II

(Amy sorry for posting late…a roller coaster day occurred!) Hi… I took a quick peek to see when I last wrote and thought it was sometime in November. Time flies when you are having fun! I last wrote only eight days ago! So where does the “…itis” stand? It’s still going!!! Power Chair – So I called the company again who invented it and they once again referred me to their...

Securing Your Future

This morning, Anna Stookey, our emotional wellness expert, joined me on Your Caregiving Journey for a discussion about preparing for your future today. You can listen to our show via the player below. During our show, we talked about how you can feel so connected to your caregiving role that you feel lost when it ends. You may feel like you’ll never find another role with such meaning and purpose. Or, you may...

My Mommy

I usually talk about my dad. He is still doing terrible but this time is about Mommy. A few years ago my mom had a stroke. We didn’t know it at the time but we started noticing that she could think very much. Then it progressed to not having any reasoning. She would leave the stove on or the water.  She would get very angry because she can’t remember. She has a hard time thinking or judging anything. I...

Is It Christmas Yet?!

It better not be – Robert isn’t done with his Christmas cards yet!  (Um, mine are “in the mail.”) It’s been a busy month! This is the busy time of year at work which coincides nicely with the busy time of year in my personal life – add in a dash of taking Robert to neurology appointments, dealing with contractors and electricians and permits (which may all be for naught – it’s a long story and...

Our Six-Word Simple Truth Winners Are…

…Trish, who won Take Time, a Journey and Journal Toward Greater Happiness; and …Janet, who won Take Comfort, the book and CD set. Thanks so much to all who shared. I loved all your six-word simple truths. Be sure to read them...

I Don’t Understand…

I don’t understand and I haven’t for almost two years. For those who know me well you know that I absolutely love Joyce Meyer. If you don’t know who she is she is a teacher of the Word. I start my day every morning (unless I oversleep or I have an exam) with her. I was watching her this morning and the message was so appropriately titled ” Trusting God When You Do Not Understand.” This...

The Last of 2011 Arrives . . .

Hello to everyone, particularly those of you who may have wondered where I’ve been these past couple of months; the answer is simultaneously too convoluted to explain and yet too familiar to most of us. I have been holding myself (and everyone else in my family) together by “doing it all”, “keeping on keeping on”, etc. all while continuing my highly demanding full-time teaching. The...

Relationships and Caregiving

I haven’t been feeling that well lately both physically and emotionally and decided to take a break from things and do a little soul searching. Mom is still doing well and I am basking in the glory of it. I am trying to deal with everything one day at a time and enjoy the moment without being fearful of what may happen since that is what I am used to doing. I learned that relationships are very hard to have...

Role Reversal

I read on another Alzheimer support site a critique of the popular concept that roles reverse in Caregiving and we “parent our parents.” The author gave a thoughtful defense of the fact that our parents never cease to be our parents and are deserving of the respect that implies. The author also made the point that even within Caregiving there are lessons our parents can impart to us. I agree…...

Hospital Again

I have my dad in the hospital. He keeps passing out. He is getting worse and worse. I wish that there was something to make him better. They don’t know what to do. I have a question: Is a hospital allowed to tell people to not come to the ER? I thought that it is open to everyone. The guy in the ER said that it is only for people that are dying. I thought that if someones BP is going to bottom out they should...

Good News / Bad News

Good News- Hubby got a hospital bed to make life a little easier for him/ Bad news -We have progressed to needing a hospital bed. The V.A. supplied the new bed AND a bed table / The bed requires special sized sheets. They make special sized sheets!! / They don’t sell them at Wal Mart, bummer. They sell special sized of sheets at Penneys!! / They only had girly style in stock for that size. It’s fun to...

Holiday Talk

Last night, we aired our live call-in show on Your Caregiving Journey. Bette updated us on her holiday plans. And both Kathy and Trish called to share; Kathy shared her holiday tip and Trish shared the story of her holiday meltdown. You can listen to our show via the player below. Our call-in shows are fun because you make them that. It’s fun that you call in and it’s great that you join the...

In Six Words: What’s Your Simple Truth?

I’m on the board for Guild for the Blind, an organization based in Chicago which helps persons with low vision. It’s a terrific organization which makes such a difference to those who receive its services. As a board member, I’m involved in really cool initiatives, which means I get to interact with some really innovative businesses. I recently attended a meeting with two Guild staff members with...

“Just Wanted To Hear Your Voice”

We’ve had a couple of difficult days. My mother has been struggling with diverticulitis. It’s hard to get her to the bathroom; her mobility is very strained, she’s been dragging both feet. Diverticulitis is not something we ever welcome.  Her confusion has been heightened. Her fear continues at dusk. I try and stay ahead of the fear, but yesterday it came very early. Managing it when she is...

“What Will You Accept This Year?”

Yesterday while doing the dishes, I had the radio on. The host (as I started out in the middle of the show) was talking with callers about different situations that weren’t particularly happy at this time of year. Callers started calling in, giving encouragement and he would chime in with words of wisdom.  But one question kinda…just struck me. “What are you willing to accept this year, now that...

Control…

I have been doing Denise’s journaling class and one of the words she has given to me is “control,” which is a huge issue for me. This is what I wrote this morning and I apologize if my thoughts are jumbled and if there’s really nothing pertaining to control. My morning hasn’t started out well. I kicked a container across the hallway on the way to the bathroom that I didn’t see or...

A Miracle

This weekend I am going to name “Miracle Weekend” as it is the first weekend in I can’t even remember that Mom spent two days going out of the home! Mom called this morning saying she wanted me and my boyfriend to pick her up at the home and take her out for dinner. I couldn’t believe that she felt good enough to go out again! My boyfriend’s birthday is next Sunday and I told Mom that...

Congrats to Our Winners!

We’ve ended our Holiday Progressive Blog Party but your participation will keep me warm the rest of our holiday season. Swati won yesterday’s gift (look for an email from me). The following who won our parting gifts and grand prize: —Kristin won The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey; —Francine won Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers; —Jane won Take...

Not-My-Job-Itis…The Medical Industry Affliction

Hi all, Addressing Not-My-Job-Itis…as I hope it doesn’t turn into a virus within the nation! After the Medicare issue scare with his neurosurgeon…the discussion was dropped and her staff have made arrangements for Greg to get a cervical and thoracic MRI to check for shunt failure and status of his spine with respects to cysts. We’ll hear more tomorrow. The catch to that is that his power...

Raincheck

Two weeks ago Mom and I were supposed to have our girls day out to spend time together outside of the nursing home. Unfortunately she was hospitalized then and couldn’t make it so we decided to take a “raincheck” for another day. Today was that day. Mom looked wonderful. I get nervous saying that she looks good because every time I do, something happens but I am not thinking about that today. For...