The BLIZZARD dumped two feet of snow. I live an hour away from mom. On Monday the snow plow came down her street. I found someone to shovel her house. Told them shovel driveway also. Therapist arranged for mom to get pain pills from doctor. She had them sent to drugstore five minutes drive from house. Brother had said he was going out later. I call mom to tell her. She says brother can't get car out. So I call doctor office to get pills transferred to place that delivers. The Secretary says she didn't know that doctor had prescribed pills yet. So I tell her to have prescription sent to pharmacy that delivers cause brother can't get out of house. Turns out doctor had sent prescription to drugstore down the street. They call therapist seven a clock at night to say no one came to pick up prescription. Don't know why pharmacy had her phone number. She calls me all upset, talking fast, raised voice. Why wasn't prescription picked up? I explained about brother not getting car out. And sending prescription to other place. When I said Walgreens she said shedding you send it to the one a few minutes from house ? Instead one 20 minutes away. I had to say the one close by doesn't deliver. Now I'm hoping the truck can make it to the house with the meds today. Mom has torn Roger cuff and lymphedema in same arm. She uses a walker. Brother won't help much.She is 89 and he won't even do the dishes or cook for her. She has been in extreme pain for weeks. Cause of kidney disease doctors wouldn't prescribe pain meds except over the counter. That don't work. I'm trying not to feel guilty about the delay in getting mom pain meds. I pray she gets the meds today.
work. Therapist called doctor to try to get mom the pain relief she needed. Mom always wanted the pills even before she ever saw the therapist for the first time.
Mom has kidney disease. So doctors said try physical therapy. Maybe a shot later. Surgery as a last resort.
I stocked up Dad's place, even though he now lives in independent/assisted living and gets supper in the main dining room, he has to fend for himself for breakfast and lunch if his Caregivers can't make it in [and they didn't because of the blizzard]. Didn't want him to run out of milk, bread, toilet paper and especially Depends. He did ok. He was more interested in where was the daily newspaper.... priorities!
Hadnuff, in fact, I was surprised that your Mom's doctor and his/her staff was even in the office, and that the drug stores was even opened. Monday was still a mess and local/State governments were asking people to please keep off the roads. The fact that your brother couldn't get his car speaks volumes as to what the conditions were. So stop feeling guilty.
I try to keep one step ahead for my Dad as he waits until he is staring up into a pill bottle only to find it empty to let me know he is out of pills. I learned not to enable him by rushing out and getting the prescription re-filled, as missing a couple of days isn't going to hurt him.
As for pain, Dad has knee issues at 94 years old, told him use the Aspercreme until I can get his prescription refilled. I am not going to risk my life for a tube of creme.
Friday she was to see mom but had to cancel her appointment. She fell and thought she broke part of her foot. She called me on the way to the doctors office. She is supposed to call tonight to tell me if she can go back to work on Monday. It is nice to feel like ther is someone else looking out for mom. And can help me get mom what she needs. Meds or her opinion if pain clinic might help. No to be completely alone in trying to help mom.
I'm calmer now and less upset. And I do realize that mom being in so much pain a few more days isnt the world. Especially since moms situation doesn't have to be as bad as it is. She could let me hire a woman to help her and to make meals and do dishes. She refuses.
Therapist name got on pharmacy contact list by accident. Mom wont answer phone. She is or was being harased. Long story. She didnt want caller ID or. answering machine. So doctor office has to call me to get message to mom. But therapist gave her phone number to doctor office. And Secretary looked at wrong number when she called in prescription. Oh, I call mom and ring three times. Then hang up and ring three times again. Then hang up. Mom then calls me back.
This has been going on for awhile.
Attempt to move through this & take the higher road.
YOU'LL WILL BE BETTER FOR IT.
I know how tricky medications can be when it comes to keeping up needed supplies. Since I live in a blizzard prone area, I have always had a mentality that I need to plan ahead for times when we can't get out.
Hadnuff, you've contributed so much to this community. I'm glad that you could vent your frustrations and I sincerely hope that you didn't let guilt get you down. No matter how well we plan, things beyond our control happen. That is life.
Even the most dedicated caregiver cannot always have everything prepared perfectly so that all bases are covered at all times.
I still remember times when I "failed" my loved ones and endure some guilt - followed by a nudge from my sister to take my own advice. We are not God. We do our best. In your case, as in most, everyone lived through it. Bless you for caring so much. Relax and move forward - and take care of the caregiver. Shove guilt out the door.
Carol