My mother has lived with us for 3 years now. She has her own apartment downstairs with a private entrance. She has severe hearing loss and hearing aids do not help much. She has a curvature in her spine, but was fine until she fell over 3 years ago and now does not trust her legs to hold her up. She has all but completely withdrawn from any interaction with the outside world. She will go to the grocery store weekly, but not much of anywhere else. My husband and I ask her continuously to go places with us, but she refuses. She uses her hearing as an excuse. She is afraid of everyone who comes to our house, and will leave the room if anyone comes over. She sets in the dark most times and does not talk to anyone except the dog. I'm an only child. I don't know what to do to help her. Should I try to contact her doctor and talk with them about how she chooses complete isolation?
love,
marylynne
Cindi I am so glad for all of the shoulders to lean on and cry on, it is helpful for all of us to blow off steam or just write whats happening everyday. Dad finally said its working :0 thank God
Making another pot of chicken soup for Dad for father's day his favorite, italian sausage and peppers and onions for my husband. I like to cook them what they like on their holiday. oxoxox judy
This week has been a marathon for me. Monday was the dentist and the hearing aides. Tuesday I had to work all day. Wednesday was Mom's doctor which is monthly mandatory visit if I want her to have her pain meds. OUr appoinment was for 4 and we got to see the doc at 5:15. What a joy that was. Thursday was the prep day for my colonoscopy on Friday. Another fun day. The very smell of that liquid makes my stomach heave. Friday the procedure went off just fine and I was home in my bed by 2. The rest of the day was a blur since I slept most of it. Mother keep asking my husband if I was all right. She was worried that I hadn't gotten up all day. Then, when she did see me me she kept asking if I needed to go to the hospital since I looked so bad. Thanks Mom. At least she noticed. I suppose that is a good thing. My sister did come over and fix dinner Friday night so she was her for all of and hour and then back to her world. We haven't seen her since. Saturday I was still feeling the effects of the anes. so I slept off and on. Mom worried some more. She always asks me how I feel everytime I come into a room and that gets annoying. I feel like saying the same way I felt 5 minutes ago or don't you remember. God is going to get me for this in the end.
What happened to her, my sister, agreeing to help out more? What happened to, I know how hard this is on you and Jeff? What happened to, I am not just going to dump Mama in your lap? Yes, things are going on in her life too, but how does that excuse her from tending to Mom at least one day of the weekend? She is at her son's house enjoying a family gathering for the day and so everyone can see his new house. Mother could have gone too. Hell, they could have let us know where they would be but none of them will even answer their cellphones. I don't really blame them. If I knew it was me I wouldn't answer the phone either. I don't even know where the house is. What happened to our lives ladies? Since when are we the whipping tree for these years that are left of our parents lives? I am tired of constantly having to entertain my mother and I hate the fact that she feels the need to hide in her room because she is so "useless". When she was in the facility, we can't call it a home, I knew she was tended to and I didn't need to worry about her. Now, it seems like that is all that I do. Her dog has decided she likes me better than her now and so add another layer to the already tense situation. I hate living like this. My husband says unless I want to start WW3 there isn't anything I can do. Should I rat my sister out to her children? No. Should I just vent on here where no one can hear me scream? Pointless. Should I take another happy pill and pretend everything is just fine.? Great, another bad habit would be formed. I hate the taste of booze and it's expensive. Help. Before I forget, Calgon, is stuff you put in your bath to soothe and mentally transport the soaking person to a calmer place. It still exists but it doesn't work. I remember someone asking what the reference was to once before. See, my mind is wandering even now. It is hard to focus and my son and his family are coming over expecting me to make nice for Father's Day. I love them all but I just want to crawl into my shell. I wish I could see some humor in this but I just want this phase over with. It isn't fair and it should be at least once in awhile.
Girls, Guess what just another added fun thing. My new house got struck by lightning today and caught the front porch on fire. All My mom was worried about was her new addition. I think suicidal thoughts are going to take over this evening. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to myself. I think GOD is trying to tell me I don't need a house. Lost one to a Hurricane, now Lightning. Thank God some neighbor was passing and put out the fire on the porch and called me at my other house. My husband is out of town, so didn't know what to do...
Another day in heaven...
Love,
Marylynne
Dinner with my family was wonderful. Son went all out for it and then I slipped some money in his wife's purse to pay for it. He has no idea of what an appropriate amount is so my husband and I agreed before they got here to put the money into her hand before they left for the night. We took the boys swimming and dodged the rain to grill the steaks. In Florida for this time of year, we get afternoon storms that are pretty bad if you aren't used to them. I love storms and my animals hate them. They try to get under my when the thunder and lightning start. My dog is an 80 pound Ger. Shep. and Mom's is a toy poodle. What a pair.
Goint to scout out daycare centers today. There are only two in town. I hope one is acceptable.
Sarah
Facilities that are reasonable in our area range from $3500 plus a nursing fee and up. We were paying $4300 a month when they were in charge of her meds. Everything has a service fee attached. This facility wasn't the Ritz but it was nice. This may not seem like a lot of money for what was being received but when you do the math and realize that when her money runs out she would have to move since they wouldn't accept Medicaide, we were stuck with little choice. Medicaide facilities are generally not well run establishments in this area. We even tried the math for leaving her at her home which was paid for but that was cost prohibitive also. Adult babysitters/caregivers charge $20 an hr and up. So here we are.
Liz, I don't mean to bust your chops. Everything you said was right on, but the rock and the hard place are hard places to deal with. Everyone is miserable especially Mother.
The daycare centers aren't an option at this point for more reasons than I can list here.
Isn't the old people's lives about crapping. I get so tired of every morning hearing how many dad couldn't go. He wants apple juice, prune juice, coffee, etc. He practically cries if he comes out of the bathroom and didn't go. My mom wants you to come look at what she goes. She thinks she has a parasite. SHES NUTS
I went to the urologist, now the surgeon, the psychiatrist, the podiatrist, etc. I'm with you Donna, my mom intrudes on all my phone conversations. If I have the phone in my hand, she is trying to have conversation with me. She never sees the phone in my hand. If I am in another room, she comes and looks for me. I HATE HER TOO, everyday. Maybe thats why I am being punished. I truly feel punished.
Love you girls,
Marylynne
Well this is going to be a fun day for me today. i am taking my mother to the beauty shop for yet another perm.(she had one 2 months ago) son to doctor this afternoon, dish network man supposed to be here already, isnt here, so, will have to take her then come back to deal with that then go pick her up. then fix lunch then go to the other doc. i am already feeling tired and i havent even started this yet. Last night she went to bed, got up, went to bed, got up... the third time she got up, i said, why dont you go back to bed? (she had been complaining about being so tired) She then started on me. she said, you wont watch tv with me, you wont even talk to me..If i come into a room where you are, you leave. Then you tell people you are here taking care of me. hahaha (her words) I said, well, let me ask you this, Where would you be if i were not here? She had no answer for that. I did call her a smart ass, when she said that hahahha stuff. She seems to want to infuriate me. Wants to put me down at every opportunity. I should have told her when she said i wasnt taking care of her, that my life would be a lot different if i didnt have to worry about her, but i didnt, now wish i would have. She is miserable and wants me to be also. yes marylynne, it is all about crap..but, my mom has diarrhea all the time, so i have to clean crap day and night. wherever i go with her is the same. changed shower curtains again yesterday. And as far as being punished? hell no, we are just lying in the bed that we made for ourselves, tho, there seems to be no way out. stuck with these mean vicious old people forever. And i can see that you are depressed as much as i am, in addition to being forever working, and for no reward. Our pay for this task that we are doing is nil. nothing. no appreciation, nothing. Just more of the same. as cindi says, ssdd. I have tried being nice, i have tried ignoring her, but none of these things suit her at all. WHAT SHOULD I DO? wish someone had an answer. Wish i had a sibling to turn to occassionally. I have no one to ask to stay with her. Granddaughter said that she would come and stay if i wanted to get out, but every time i have asked her, she has other plans, so i dont think that is an option anymore. Mom will not have a caregiver, says it costs too much, and she is fine by herself. (this is bs) Now the guy is here for the tv stuff, and gotta leave for beauty shop. hope everyone is having a wonderful day........donna
As I read your posting, it brought tears to my eyes, because you are saying everything I truly feel. And my motto is THERE IS NO ANSWER! I say it all the time. I am sitting here crying because my husband is out of town having fun without me and I can't go. He has gone every year for a long time and I didn't feel as bad as I do now. I love you and feel for you, we are forever in the same fix.
Love to you,
Marylynne
Donna, hire her a caregiver even if she says she doesn't need one. You need respite time. I have a difficult time coping as it is if I didn't have respite time I would be 100% depressed and no good to anyone nor myself. It is my only salvation.
Marylynne, my mother also has poop problems. Comes with the age I guess. She takes MOM (milk of magnesia) if she hasn't had a bm in a few days. She doesn't follow the directions she takes like a tsp at a time. Says if she takes what they instruct on the bottle she has diarrhea. There have been times when she is on the toilet trying to go and afraid she won't be able to go. Miserable. Not looking forward to that in my later years. If I make it there that is.
There are times many times when I wished there were another way. A way in which I would not be affected like this...maybe not affected at all. The only way I see is to just stop doing it. At this point I don't want to do that. But I fantasize about it.
Took Dad to the doctor they squeezed him in. He constantly clears his throat and it makes me crazy, plus mom said he was acting like he had a hard time breathing when I was at curves this am. Husband and I are leaving on Sunday for our 3 day vacation so I want to make sure he isn't coming down with anything. Turns out it was bad allergies. Suggested I change his claritin to Zyrtec and spray his nasal spray twice a day. Hope it helps. Going to girlfriends daughter's 8th grade graduation party. Emily, is also my goddaughter so I have to go. Went to her eldest daughter's graduation party last week. Going broke! I am tired and the party is at 6:00. Caregiver, Maryann is coming. Have to cook before I go of course. Going to try and lie down for a bit before I start cooking etc.
Have a nice evening love to you all...
Cindi
You are so right. That is the answer. You know every one hates my Mom because when they visit, she makes comments on how she has taken care of my dad for 20 years and he just won't die. Some one who has lost their husband will say, I would take my husband back sick and all if he were just were here again. They look at my Mom likes shes nuts. Don't get me wrong, she is nuts, but the jest of it is that its true, even for her, she wants out of the caregiving situation. She just don't realize I am in it too. Now, I am taking care of both of them, they just don't see it. I wish them dead every day and look for the lightning bolt that will hit me. Unfortunately, it hit my new house instead. See GOD never sleeps. Told you I would be punished to the tune of $2,000.00 dollars or maybe something else, like the death of me. I want to run away and never come back. I was even thinking of leaving my husband behind. They all have me peed off this week.
Love you girls,
I don't know what I would do without ya'll
Marylynne
Night all,
Sarah
All of you made me chuckle, yesterday the crab of a mom made me want to die before I get her age. What if we are that way when we get old, do we reall have control of how we get? I beginning to think not.
Dad was difficult yesterday, wanted my son to take him to sample candies somewhere. I said dad you can't go anywhere where they are going to let you sample candy. You have to understand that he eats hard Werther's candy because he gets a dry mouth, he goes through alot of bags. Anyway he got mad at me because I am always against him, he said.
Do you apease them and treat them like children? his mind is to sharp for that and he would say don't treat me like I'm a baby. Or are you honest and they don't like that either. Losing battle.
Now my mother is a professional cabinet maker, our kitchen cabinets on the bottom are at 3 angles by the sink and there are small holes under where the cabinets are connected. Well the kittens found the holes and climbed in and out, tried to plug them up after that. Now they shouldn't be that way she says and the complaining goes on and on and on and on........I asked her when did she make cabinets and install them. Last week she knew all about mechanics and tires. I'm suprised that she wasn't a hair dresser after I took her to get her hair cut.
To Cherj, tell your daughter to either find somewhere else for grandma or buckle up because she is in for the ride of her life and its an unpleasant one. It might be fine if grandma is healthy for now but things could take a turn for the worst. I would have grandma get a complete physical before I would do that to a 24 yr. old.
you girls made me smile today thanks OXOXOX Judy
Cindi
I am ashamed of my self sometimes, but thought you alll would get a kick out of the sharing of sh-- love ya allllllll, Donna
Donna, FIRST off, I think its terrible that your mother wishes she lives longer than you. It sounds like something my mother would say. When we are in the car and have a close call, she always says kill you, but not me. Don't know how you do the going out and sh--ting. Its bad enough when they sh-t at home. Hey, I did get a good idea, someone told me to put a garbage bag in my dad's commode in his room, it does make it easier to dispose of, but not so nice for garbage man after being in garbage can for a few days in the heat.
I don't know if I would take my parent out if She or He had that problem, but knowing me and how I give in I guess I would.
Judy, I laughed out loud when I saw how your mother is a professional cabinet maker. When we first moved in this house, they have a brick step going from the garage to the house. I have to pick my Dad's wheelchair up over that step everytime he has to go to the bathroom. My mom said the step could be filed down flat. My husband said that was impossible. Making a ramp wouldn't be any better, he is about 190 pounds and I'm 125, What a uphill climb. She still says everyday, if ya'll would have only filed down that step things would be so much easier.
Went to Dr. today, she even tells the doctor what she has. I was so depressed today that I didn't talk to anyone till around 3:00 p.m. on the way to the dr. My mom keeps asking what is wrong. I tell her the truth. I said I don't like my life any more. She said why, is it because of us? I told her, that I didn't think my life was going to be about doctors, poop and pharmacies and that is what is has been for 20 years. She says it only has been for a couple of years. She says she didn't go to the dr. that much before the storm. I use to count it every year and it was 30 - 40 times a year.
I don't know what I would do, if I wouldn't have found you girls.
Love,
Marylynne
It has been a few days. I'm sorry to hear about all the poop for some and lack there of for others. Dad has not had one of those accidents yet. Only pee.
Dad is slowly improving. They still want to send him home on friday. Ahhhh!
I'm trying nit to panic.
I think I have broken my foot. Am going to the doctor for myself tonight. Just what I needed to add to my plate. What a dork I am... It hurts like he-double hockey sticks.
Husband just shakes his head at me. HAHA.
My son just wants to help me get around. I try not to trip over him. I would love to be an outsider looking in. I would laugh at the comedy of errors. If it wasn't me I would find everything much more humorous.
I am going to take a pregnancy test on Monday. I have to be out of my mind, trying to have another baby!
What is wrong with me?
I hope everyone of you finds something in your day to make you smile.
Usually I just laugh at myself.
Hugs to all,
Cathy
After reading the postings I don't know what to do laugh or cry or both!
Update: Took dad to hematologist yesterday who is monitoring his anemia and his smoldering multiple myeloma (blood cancer). Good news is his anemia is better. Bad news is the protein level that tells how bad the mm is is elevated which means it is getting worse. January of 2006 the doctor said he had 1 to 1 1/2 years to live. Since then his protein level was 1400 and stable. Now it is 1800. So this is the first indication that he is getting worse. I was sad yesterday. As much as I complain and have a hard time etc. with the realization that now the blood cancer is taking over and his days are starting to be numbered it affected me more then I thought it would. I am glad I took him out of the nursing home and have cared for him. He has slowly lost about 10 lbs and is moving slower but no evidence of complaints of pain. But, he never complains about pain will have to watch for evidence of it in his body language. Bone pain is a major symptom of this cancer. It is suppose to be real bad pain. Will repeat bloodwork in 6 weeks and if level has increased to 2000 or if symptoms increase will have to have a talk as to what to do from here. Mother is anxious about the new mausoleum being completed before he dies.
Having problems with my mom. She told my brother not to give me any money to pay the caregiver while I am gone for 3 days 2 nights to Lake Tahoe. We already went over this. I told her in seven months that you have been here I have taken off overnight 2 times. Once to move my daughter (no fun there)...and once for an overnight stay at a B
Cathy, glad your dad is recovering well. Sorry, you are anxious about him coming home, I would be too. Hope the transition goes well. Always hard coming home. Hope your foot is not broken, last thing you need. How did you injure it? Pregnancy...ummm..better you then me! Laughing...sorry. Well, I guess you are ready to have another child and don't want to wait much longer. The timing isn't the best but it doesn't sound like it is going to get much better in the near future.
Marylynne, glad you told your mom that you are depressed because of caregiver stress. She doesn't understand that it has gotten so much more intense in the last few years but you have been doing it for long before then. I am concerned for you. You are way to overstressed and depression big time is the symptom. I fear how you will be able to take care of anyone, soon. I think it is awful that your mom says better to kill you then her when you are in a car and in a dangerous situation. That alone would make me depressed, with my mother saying that to me. I'd say well you rather I die then you and you are my mother with a mother saying that to me why wouldn't I be depressed?!
Donna, you are a saint. I am with Marylynne if my dad shi**ted his pants like that I would be very leery about taking him anywhere! l also would be angry as hell to have to change him so much while out. The big mess, smell etc. Your mother wonders why she doesn't get to go out?! I mean you do take her out..but really...how can you take her like she wants when she has accidents....common sense Mother. Hire her a nurses assistant who can clean her sh*t when you guys go out. Otherwise she goes when you are willing to take her...and lord, I wouldn't be willing if I were you!
Judy where r u? Hope Mom didn't brew a storm like you thought...and dad has the pooper thingy under control...everyone say MOM (milk of magnesia..anyone?)
Guess what, in about 20 or 25 years or so we can look forward to some of this!
Hugs
Cindi
cathy, hope you are ready and are pregnant. Babies are Gods way of saying we have something to look forward to. I think it is wonderful and your dad will too. cindi, send your mom to Oklahoma, i will color her hair for her. I am good at that. and i am pretty good at styling too. be a nice trip for her. haha. Maybe her and my nutty mom would be able to gripe to each other about all the things "we" need to do. gotta go, luv, Donna
Now theres too much BM, I told him well at least its working.
Cathy I hope for the best if you are pregnant and I'm glad your son will have a sibling.
Cherj, How well is your mom and I would recommend a complete physical for her so your daughter can be prepared for any health issues, and also discuss what could happen in the future as far as care for her.
Donna, marylynne and cindi, your the BEST! We all are. Judy
I have read a good bit of the comments you ladies have been having. I have told my husband that I need something like this or I will end up going madd!!! I have had my mother live with me for the past 8 years. She will be 81 this year. We have just been told that she has cancer. If you read my profile you will see that I have already been through my father's death and I know that I will be the one to handle my mother's. I feel as if I have had to be responsable my whole life. I would love to know what it is like to be free. I hear about single parents that go out and leave the kids all most every weekend. Even when I was a single parent I could not do that. I had children because I wanted them, not to hand them off to someone else to raise. I never thought I would also have to raise my mom. Please keep writing. It is so nice to find a place that I feel as if I might fit in. I was always the square, you know miss goody two shoes here. I thank you all for all that you ladies do even if your parents don't get it. Your heavly father will!
In Christian Love,
SusanMyers