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 She has all but completely withdrawn from any interaction with the outside world.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?
Take care of yourself. I know about the prednisone making blood sugar go up. If you are on bed rest, best time to take advantage of a little tlc for yourself. Tell mom to take care of dad and let you rest.
I also agree with Sha, about asking mom if she really wants to argue about this. Maybe that will put her in her place.
Tonite, me and my husband went to the grocery, I just got back and Mom has pains in her chest, (panic attack) and wants to go to hospital. Gave her another nerve pill and two aspirins, waiting to see if I have to make another worthless trip to the ER. Wouldn't be anything new, live my life in the ER.
Love that I have you girls to talk to,
Marylynne
Mom doesn't take care of dad. She sometimes is home with him but she doesn't do any caregiving. Husband will have to do it. I already have dad's bedtime pills out and all he has to do is serve dad dinner, and give him dinner and bedtime pills. Mom did walk into the room a few minutes ago and asked me if I was going out to dining room for dinner. I said no, as I scratched myself to death like a dog. Just took another benadryl do going to go lie down some more. Hope you don't have to go the ER. Know all about that my Mom is a big ER person too. Hope the Aspirin and nerve pill you gave mom will do the trick. My mom is busy trying to take different pills to make her upset stomach go away...esp since I cant help her
Cindi
Cindi sounds like the birthday for your friend was fun sorry you are having skin trouble, I am breaking out when I go in the sun, theres always something!
Took Dad for his X ray today hope to hear from the Dr. on Wed. dad's having trouble breathing.
Marylynne I wish for your wishes to come true you have been at this alot longer then most of us.
Ply and Sha if you have a parent you belong here no problem is to small for any of us to listen and learn from. Love you girls, Judy
Sha and Ply I am with you my time is my time. Without it I cannot do what I do and have said so many times to my mother.
Spent the night up mostly.. scratching...I hate bugs. I think these were fleas. I have the type of blood that bugs love. Have an appt to see dr tomorrow for followup.
Have a scratch free day...
sigh (laughing a bit)
Cindi
I had no idea you lost two daughters. What happened, and Oh, how awful for you. That is the worse hell any mother could live through, just like Cindi,
Please tell me what happened.
Love,
Marylynne
Hope you are all having at least a "decent" day.
Love you all,
Sha
Maria, i am very sorry to hear about your daughters. I feel so small comparing my dinky troubles to yours. I have lost a grandson, a nephew, a brother and a husband in the last 10 years, so i can somewhat sympathize.
It is so hot here that you could fry an egg on the sidewalk, and i have to go to the pharmacy. mom wants to go, but no way am i taking her. too hot and too much fooling around when she goes. I want to get it done and get home.
yeah, Judy, truly i felt somewhat the same way in march when my mom celebrated her 90th birthday, but went the whole 9 yards and ordered a cake and had a big party for her at our community center. She loved it so much, and i was happy that i had done it. even knowing they are hateful witches, we still love them.
My man, Don, has put his truck up for sale, and has gotten a job locally. It doesnt pay as much, but he is here everynight, and that makes me happy, and believe it or not, he is a great help with my mom and my son.
Off to the pharmacy in the heat. love you all,
Donna
Donna, the place I went had fleas..or something that bit me so nothing I could do but wear some insect spray I guess..but had no idea. Glad Don is home with you even if he had to take a cut in pay. You need all the love and support you can get.
Marylynne, Cathy...how you all doing?
Hugs
Cindi
Cindi
Hugs
Cindi
Tonite I am feeling sorry for myself again. This time, in a different way. Of course, my Mom is evil, my oldest daughter creates havoc every time she is around and now my husband is constantly picking on me. I love them all and try to make life as easy as possible on them. I will do anything for anybody. I try to please everyone and it seems that my personality allows for every one to make me feel like an asshole. They say you let people treat you the way you are treated and I guess I do.
The other thing I feel quite guilty about is me wanting my Mom to feel bad all the time. She wants to go get a shot in her back and I keep putting it off, because when she feels sick, she seems to leave me alone a little more. I know it sounds quite selfish of me not to want her to feel good, but I can't help it. I have been trying to reason it out with myself, why do I want her to feel bad. The truth is the more sick she is the more reasonable and humble she becomes.
I hate myself tonite. Called the insurance company today to get counselor names for myself. If I don't find help soon, I think I am going to have to go away on my own. Take no one with me. Maybe the dog. I need time to hash things out with myself. Do ya'll think I'm nuts?
Marylynne
Suppose to take parents to fair today...senior day gets in free. Hope it goes okay.
Still not feeling great. Have to help sister look for a mattress either tonight or tomorrow.
Love and Hugs to you all
Have a smooth day
Cindi
Cindi, I was heartbroken to hear you talk about your son. Please take comfort knowing he's watching over you. Maria, your girls are together looking after you too. I have been thinking of them every day since I read of your losses. May God comfort you.
Cindi, I hope you are feeling better with those bites. I have a few mosquito bites and it's driving me crazy! I can only imagine how you feel. Hope you have fun at the fair.
Marylynne, I think that this is the best thing you can do for yourself. You've taken that all important first step....keep going. You need to do this. I can tell by your letters you are headed for a breakdown. There's no shame in getting help. I've done it and it helped me get through a very difficult time in my life. Hugs to you honey.
Donna, how's Don doing at his new job? I'm glad he's home now.
Judy, how did things go for your Mom's brithday? Is Dad feeling any better?
I'm not sure if you all remember a few days ago I mentioned my daughter's cat was not doing good. Well, the little guy left us yesterday. But it was peaceful.
Other than that things have not been too bad. Mom has been good. I think my comments are beginning to sink in....let's hope.
Love you all,
Sha
I have had a lot to read to catch up. I haven't been myself the past few days. I think I'm starting to come around.
Marylynne, Please listen to the girls. I worry about you.
Cindi, I hope you are feeling better.
Donna, It makes me smile to know that you have happiness in your life.
Judy, Hows dad? hope he is feeling better. How was your moms birthday?
Thank you to Sharon and Maria for bieng such good friends to all of us.
I signed the contract to put dad into an assisted living facility today. I have cried most of the day. I know it is the right thing to do for all of us, but that dosen't take the pain away. Dad has enough money to get him through the first year there then medicade will take over. He moves in two weeks. I just don't want to have to move him again after that.
I took my son for his football physical. He told the doctor that he is stressed out about his PopPop and me. He dosen't want to talk to me about my dad because he dosen't want to upset me. He has been seriously OCD about wheather latley. Now I know why. It is how he is copeing with everything going on. How do I protect him better?
Hugs to all, Cathy
Dad is ok I hope to hear from the dr. tomorrow and then we have to have the stint taken out.
Cathy sorry to hear about your Dad but he will be taken care of and you won't be stressed out at home there is only so much we can handle. Just be open with your son at his age level and as soon as he knows Pop Pop is going to be alright staying there he'll get used to it.
Sha, sorry to hear about the cat I have two of my own about 4 months old and I just love them.
Ply, sorry to hear about the loss of your children.
Marylynne, please seek a counseler I believe like the rest of the girls that it is time.
Cindi hope you feel better.
Donna glad that you well be spending more time with Don.
Hope everyone had an easier day.oxoxoxo Judy
Ply, you need to move out of your daughters place. You are just being used and you would probably be happy in a nice little one bedroom condo.
Cathy, my sweet sweet girl. I know just how you feel, but trust me you are doing the right thing. I feel sorry for my 12 year old girl that she has to listen to her mother cry and talk out her problems with everyone. I can just imagine when she gets older and says, My mom had a nervous breakdown from living with her parents after Hurricane Katrina. Your son loves you and his wonderful grandfather and will remember everything that transpired as being caring and wonderful on your part.
Sha, sorry about your daughter's cat. My little dog, keeps me going everyday. Her sweet little face gets me through a lot of misery, so I know how you are feeling.
Donna, Have a nice piece of happiness.
Cindi, Love you as always, take care of those bites, my daughter blows up everytime she gets bitten by anything.
Love to all,
Marylynne
Sha my bites are better thank you! Sorry about your mosquito bites I empathize. Put some cortaid on it that should help and keep the sores washed with antibacterial soup. Saw the nurse practioner for followup on those bites. She told me I am getting bitten and having problems with cellulitis cause my blood sugar is not controlled well...too high. Told her about possible bypass and she said good. She had me increase my insulin and decrease prednisone. Sha sorry about the loss of your cat. Losses are so hard.
Judy, glad you celebrated mom's birthday. You are right she would have complained that is why she said nothing to your comment. Will we be bitter like that at their age? I hope not. Maybe it is very hard for them to have no life left to live the way they want to. Is dad doing okay, Judy? Concerned about him.
Marylynne, I am on lexopro..never tried Cymbalta. Hope it helps you and works well. There are a whole list of good meds out there if this doesn't help go to the next. Remember, talk therapy must accompany the medication to be effective in treating the depression etc. Find that counselor! You will be set and on your way to a much happier and healthier life sweet friend.
Ply, hard on you...with daughter and bf and wanting you not there. Sad. Why do they act this way? I agree with Marylynne, time to be on your own if you can..well even if you can't rent a room? Mom lives with daughter too then? Unclear. Noone likes to be taken for granted. You deserve better and daughter needs to learn how to treat you better...or that you will stand up and do things differently so she will have to react differently. Good luck sweetie.
Cathy, my heart goes out to you. Exactly what you didn't want to do..put dad in an assisted living. I praise you for going through all of this and coming out on the other side. You must have been going through hell in making your decision but I agree with all the girls that it is best for dad and for your family. You will still be there for him just differently. Most likely you will be able to be there for him better in same ways. It is safer for him there. As far as your son. Some things we cannot protect our kids from. I think this is one of them. This is part of life. You were fortunate to have dad with you...but now time for Grandpa to be in a place where he needs more care then you can give. Talk to him...be with him...perhaps a school counselor....or talk with the pastor/priest? Together? AS a family..or even just son and you.
As far as my mom. Took mom and dad and sister to the fair. Mom got grouchy cause sister separatedly from us. Found her an hour later. Mom said I was mad and it wasn't her fault. I told her I wasn't mad. She said I am very demanding in my talking to her..I said I was in business mode and didn't mean to be demanding. She criticized the food I bought for their dinner...said fish again??? Meat again...always meat...your food is worse then the senior home...I thought (witch with a B)...needless to say I was not happy with my mother. All in all we had a good time at the fair though. I think it is good to get them out of the house..etc. Today was senior day so they got in free. We took the shuttle and my mom said she hadn't ridden a bus since she was pregnant with me..thought that was neat. I asked her do you feel younger?! After feeding them dinner tonight...went out til 11pm helping sister pick out a mattress..and get a phone, floor lamp etc. Bought some groceries to cook for tomorrow..so home late.
Tomorrow is another day...
Hope it is a good one...at least an okay one
Hugs
Cindi
Unknown to her, i have paid in advance for her funeral and pulled her checking account down to very little. Just in case i have to put her in a nursing home, they cant take a lot.
I need to take the xanax that was prescribed for me, but, makes me too sleepy to do all the crap i have to do.
have a good day if possible everyone. loveyou, Donna
Well, it's a very dreary day here in Providence, RI. Hope there's sun where you are.
Cathy, I know how badly you feel about putting Dad in Assisted Living. We had to put my Dad in a nursing home 2-1/2 years ago. It's not easy. But please do not beat yourself up. It had to be done. It's not your fault. I'm sure he's getting proper care and treatment and you can still visit. Take your son to see him too so he knows he's OK. It may take a while but your Dad will adjust, as will you, and you will realise it was the best thing for both of you. My Dad barely knows us anymore, if at all. He can't carry a conversation, can't walk, feed himself or even scratch his head. He's just there....existing. I hope I die before I get to that.
Donna, you poor thing. No one wants to start the day with an arguement. I hope things got better today. But I feel the same way you do, that bitch will outlive me. Either that or she'll live so long that I'll be too old to enjoy myself after she's gone.
Good for you though for getting the arrangements made.
Cindi, glad to hear sis is getting her stuff together. It won't be long she'll be on her own and that will be one less thing. I'm curious, was your Mom always so difficult or has she become this way with age? People ask me that all the time and I say, "No, she's always been a bitch."
Judy, did you get any results today for your Dad?
Marylynne, how's it going today? I hope you took the next step and made an appointment. You can't take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself first. You spread yourself too thin, you're only one person. Get some help. Are there any agencies that assist seniors? In Bristol County, Massachusetts, where I'm from, there are organizations that will help with senior care. In fact, before my Dad went to the nursing home, we had him evaluated so we could have a caregiver come in each day, at no cost, and get him washed and dressed. Depending on the needs of the individual determines how many hours/days a week you can get help. It might be worth a try.
Maria, I hope you're having a better day today. It's a very tough situation to be in. Hang in there Honey.
Thank you to everyone for their sympathies for the loss of my daughters cat. It is hard to lose a family pet, they are so much a part of our lives.
Oh, on a bit of a funny note...my town had a mosquito that tested postive for West Nile Virus.....I'm like, Oh shit!! Here it is...I'm gonna die!!!
Hope you are all having a better day.
Love you all,
Sha
But when he sees the doctor and the doctor asks him how he feels he always says I'm doing ok for an old guy, instead of the real problems. So I have to explain whats going on.
It was good to hear from all of you today thanks for your thoughts, oxoxoxo Judy
My mom had one of those stints, when she had a kidney stone. She was in more pain from the stint than the stone. Does your Dad complain about the stint? You would think it would be worse on a man.
Donna, You are so right. I know just how you feel when you feel like you can say nothing or do nothing right.
Cindi, how good of your mother to disappear for an entire hour at the fair. How is the weather in California and did you feel the Earthquake at all?
Cathy, hope you're holding up.
Maria and Sha ya'll sure are a good addition to this bunch of girls with bitches for mothers.
Love Ya'll,
Marylynne
And judy, so glad to hear that she is not the only one who tells the doctor that she is "fine" makes me want to scream, "then why in the world are we here, if you are so great?"
Sharon, it is probably a fact that the west nile will get you haha......just our luck.
now i am having an anger management problem, all this stuff and just me to take care of it all. makes me mad. but i dont know at who. just at life in general. think i will take one of those xanax and go to bed loveyou all, Donna