7:30 AM - Yey, the nurse aide, Debbie is here! I get to stay in bed a little longer this morning. I love M-W-F. Ah, so nice! I'm glad Mom seems to like her; she always makes her smile. Except when she washes her hair; then Mom gets really mad. I wonder if Mom will eat anything today. If I can just get her to swallow a little something, I can get her laxative, stool softener, and BP medicine down.
9:00 AM - Uncle Bob's here. He set out the trash for us. She still remembers her brother. This reclining lift chair has lasted through Dad's Parkinson's Disease and 6 1/2 yrs of Mom's Alzheimer's Disease. It sure does save my back from lifting her to and from the wheelchair. She just seems to sleep all the time now. This is a good time to wash her soiled sheets and towels and clothes. I really enjoy doing laundry, especially with Gain. It makes the whole downstairs smell good. Ha, that sounds like a commercial. I guess I should get dressed and ready for the day. I don't know why I keep the TV on, she doesn't seem to know what's going on anymore, but I guess I can catch bits and pieces of Ellen, The View and Dr. Oz. Unless, of course, Davie's here. Then, it's Sesame Street and Dora The Explorer and working jigsaw puzzles all morning with Bob.
NOON - Guess I'll make tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. Bob and Mom really enjoy them. And I'll boil some extra eggs. She loves deviled eggs. Wow, she actually ate a half sandwich and a half egg, and drank a whole Dr. Pepper without any help!
1:00 PM - Back to the living room. Bob went down the street to get our mail for us. Oh, here's Nurse Denise. I hope she doesn't have to digitally clean out Mom's bowels again. I can't stand to watch Mom in pain and humiliation, but I need to hold her hand and be there with her. She pushes around Mom's tummy and Mom grimaces. Denise says there's a blockage again. Oh, dear God... I can't handle this! OK, yes I can.
2:00 PM- I'll just leave her in the bed awhile. It's time for her nap anyway. Thank goodness for this hospital bed. I'll just sit over here and catch up on Face Book, write in my journal, post a blog, or read a book. Maybe I'll take a nap. Mom was restless and scratching all night. They said it was because her kidneys aren't filtering out the toxins in her blood and she's not drinking enough liquid. Her urine is so dark and extremely odorous. I can't sleep. Oh well, it's time for The Doctor's Show, then Oprah. Oh man, what are we gonna do without Oprah?
6:00 PM- I'll just call in take out tonight. Mom likes pizza. Maybe she'll eat enough for me to get some Benadryl down for the itching. It seems like she forgets how to swallow in the evenings. She just holds it in her mouth til she either chokes or I get her to spit it out. She's lost so much weight this year. She's so weak she can't even balance herself to stand. She's just strong enough to swing her legs off the bed, but she can't even roll over on her own now.
8:00 PM- Time to unwind and de-stress. Think I'll soak in a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine, candles, and my music. I should try to watch a movie with Dave or practice some songs, but I'm just too tired. I can't wait til the weekend, so we can go to the lake house.
10:00 PM- I crawl in the bed next to Mom's. She looks right through me kind of frightened. I kiss her and stroke her hair. I love you, Mom. Wide awake! I should make a list for the grocery store and go tomorrow if Dave or Kinsey can stay with Mom. Oh yeah, and I need to get her car tuned up. Let's see... and call her dentist to let them know she can't come for her 6 month check and to take her off their list.
Me, Mom, Aunt Jo, Uncle Bob, and Cousin John
Me, Mom, Aunt Jo, Uncle Bob, Cousin John
1 comment:
God love you. My mother had Alzheimer's type dementia, her mother had it, three sisters did. There was so much I didn't know back then.
I know what an undertaking you have engaged. I wish you both well. I hope you have help. Irregardless of the love you feel, it's a rough row to how. Be well.
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