Category: Family
-
I, Too, Have Lost My Voice
In a seemingly ironic twist of fate, not only is my mother without words, without speech due to her stroke, but now I have fallen prey to an upper respiratory infection (cold or what have you) and cannot speak – well at least doing so hurts my throat. So, I lay in bed bored wishing…
-
Time for Geriatric Psychiatric Hospitalization
Tuesday I took my mother from her stroke rehab to the hospital for a swallow test. When we returned to her stroke rehab afterwards, she refused to get out of my car. She went so far as to throw my car into park when I was driving toward the entrance. I warned her that her…
-
Stop this Circus – Prayer Request
The last few days have been a circus. My father made a run for it from memory care, setting off the alarm as he left the building to look for his car in their parking lot so he could find my mom. The director called me to bring him home with me for the night.…
-
Guilt Rears Its Head
Even with caregiver help, it’s been tough. Friday one of my mother’s occupational therapists told me she had asked nursing staff if my mother had been receiving any visitors. After being “on” since 11/14, I took time “off” to recuperate. My mother did not respond well. She refused to go to physical therapy and instead…
-
Thank You, Caregivers
Thank you to all the caregivers who have helped with my parents recently. Grateful for the excellent care my mom has received. Thank you: Jane Pamphile of Next Step Senior Care first started working with me over a year ago preparing for this transition. She’s done far more than show my sister and me senior care…
-
Insomnia – My Mind Will Not Rest
Insomnia and hypomania as I dealt with family health crisis – mother’s stroke and father’s dementia
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…