Author: Kitt O’Malley
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Finally, I Cry
Monday, I joined my mother for music therapy after which I told her I had to take my son to school. I had a few hours before his class began, but I needed a break. Tuesday, I didn’t visit either of my parents. I cared only for my son and myself. Today I sit…
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Care-taking Update #dementia #stroke
Quick video update as I run errands and juggle caring for my mom, dad and son. Don’t forget I’m married and live with bipolar disorder. Thank God I’m holding it together so far. Video Transcript Okay, folks, so here’s the deal. It is Thursday. My mom had a stroke… hmm… probably three weeks ago, maybe the Friday…
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Shut Up Mind, Let Me Rest
Woke up in the wee hours of the morning. Mind won’t let me rest. Too many loose ends to tie. Found lovely memory care for both my parents in my neighborhood, so they can stay together and I can visit regularly. Today must get durable power of attorney signed and notarized, so my sister and…
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Unraveling
After a week of crisis intervention, starting with calling 911 upon realizing my mom had had a stroke last Saturday, I’m coming undone. Time for a break. Luckily, my sister and I got reserves (husbands and sons) helping us out with our parents today. I plan to go home and take Sunday as a…
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Acute Stroke Rehab Starts Now
Today my mother transferred from the hospital to acute rehab. She will be doing 3-5 hours of occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy each day for the next two weeks. My sister and I are trying to figure out how to best help my parents once she leaves rehab. Wish us well. Thank you for your…
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South Orange County – No Way
Transcript I never in my life thought that I would be living in South Orange County, California. Grew up in the South Bay. I moved a lot. Lived overseas. Lived on the East Coast. But, a lot of my life was spent in the South Bay LA, and even that, Hermosa Beach, I found to be…
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Back to School at Last
So this is where I was with my son back in April. Transcribing this voice recording was gut wrenching for me. In April, my struggle to get my son back to class after multiple absences came to a crisis point. He fell farther and farther behind in his challenging honors curriculum. He was overwhelmed. I…