Hello from the funny farm part of the castle!

I'm having a fairly easy start with my caregiver jobs so far. I worked today for a woman who is still recovering from a very serious auto accident back in early Spring. Both legs in metal 'stretchers' and her head in a halo. She was very funny and very independent. I was there for assist as she needed it. Most of the time we talked and got to know each other. She thinks I'm funny, and I think she's got a great attitude for what she's been through. The Dr. has told her that the halo and the metal stretcher on her right leg will come off on Friday. She's so excited about getting to sleep on her side again with a real pillow!

What is really interesting is that she used to own her own caregiver service! She was telling me tricks to use with ALZ patients, etc. Truly a neat person. She even wants me to come for another visit whether or not it's as her caregiver! I shall have to be careful in my doing that, as we are not sure if company policies will allow that.

My back is bothering me, so I'll be seeing the chiropractor as soon as I can get an appointment. I know it was brought on to my having suffered vertigo for three days last week... having to over correct my posture to compensate for the room spinning (and fighting my brains notion that I should do prat falls!). I'm fine now.

Denise, I do hope that your move to your old manager's area is a good one. Just don't let them have you doing their work without the pay to go with it! Glad to hear that your daughter is doing much better, and congrats on Alayia for making it to her first Birthday! I'm sure her 'phone calls' are practice sessions on telling Mimi exactly what she wants for her Birthday party!

I'm glad you heard from Vickie, as I know I'm not the only one on this site concerned for her and the Royals. Vickie, I know it's a lot of work for you, but know that we're right there with you in spirit! Gentle {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to all of you!

Chris, keep working MK. It sounds to me like you're doing great at it, despite whatever your DH thinks about it. So, are the kids doing Halloween? If so, what will they be dressing up as?

Joyce, sure hope all is well with you and Bill. I'm hoping that your drive home is boring and not filled with raging snow squalls or rain storms. We had some pretty strong winds and sleet/hail yesterday in South Central Michigan. I am never ready for winter these past few winters... now that I don't have to worry about Old Navy in cold conditions, I may learn to enjoy the snow once again. Although... Texas weather sounds pretty inviting to me...!

Karen, I sure do pray that you and the ladies are getting help with the grieving process. I wouldn't worry about not attending the wedding at this point in time. If your siblings don't understand, then it is between them and God. Take care of yourself, my friend. Maybe love up on that poor attention starved pug puppy. Sounds like you both need some unconditional love and TLC.

I'm not sure where I'll be working tomorrow, but there's never a dull moment with the clients I'm working with!

Toodles until next time!

My goodness! Where is everyone?

Just stopping by to see how everyone is doing. As for me, I've gotten two more clients that I work PT with, so my schedule is getting full.

DH is still working... got called back about 3 weeks ago. So far, it looks as if he'll have work at least through December. We shall have to see. The economy in Michigan is just plain awful!

The condo is still on the market, but we've only had 2 viewers since July. We will be having an open house 2 Sundays from now. I've been trying work in 15 minute intervals hitting each room each day. Seems to work for me... I get more accomplished in that 15 minute stretch than if I try to work on a room all day long.

Missing hearing from everybody. I do hope that everyone is coping well (or better than before) with their daily challenges.

Toodles until next time!

Hi Deb,
Bill and I are back home. The ride was uneventful and the weather beautiful for driving. Bill selpt all the way home. Now I have to get resettled here.
I've ask a friend to help out and I would pay her. She offered to come over this morning to help get Bill up. The only trouble with that is, he may get up anywhere from six to ten. I never know. He is usually more alert and more cooperative in the morning so I'm hoping he is still that way after respite. I'll soon find out because he will be waking up soon.
Make sure you stop by when you get over to visit your mother.

Denise,
I'm back and ready to read and catch up on how everyone is doing. Everyone will soon get tired of hearing from me. After being away from unlimited internet and dial up for six months, I'll probably be making a pest of myself here.

Bill had gone down a lot in the last two months. He's in the wheel chair all day and needs a lot of assist getting into and out of it and also his bed. Many times I have to actually pick him up to transfer him. I puree his food and last night I had to feed him his entire dinner. At times I will start and he will take over, but last night he had no idea how to even hold his spoon.
He is losing weight, now down to 164 from 182 in Feb. and l70 last month. His appetite is great but he's still losing. Yester when I picked him up from respite, his BP was l62/60. It's been running 90/60. Don't know what that indicates but I'll ask the nurse when she comes today. Pulse was 78, Resp. was 18 and O2 was 92.

I've missed everyone and am glad to be back.

Hi Everyone!
Popping in to catch up on everyone.

Welcome Back Joyce. I am glad your trip home was uneventful. Hang in there my friend with Bill's decline.
I know that BFM was like that for a long time and it gets really hard emotionally to deal with. Or for me it
was more of an emotional factor than a physical factor. The physical part was tough during those times as well
because like you I was having to pratically pick BFM up for every transfer. In the long run and now looking back
(In Dec. it will be a year) I am glad that I was able to do what I did. With the exception of her having AD, I wouldn't
do anything any differently (except maybe taken advantage of respite care a little more often). Even then I don't think
I would have done that either because I just didn't feel like anyone esle could or would understand how important
it was for her to keep as much dignity as possible until her last day. So every morning I would get her up
and I would give her a bath (even if it was only a sponge bath) I would dress her in street clothes (no gowns all day) along with
her shoes (even though I knew she wouldn't be walking any where). I would fix her hair and I would put a little makeup on her.. I had
people ask me several times why I did that every day and the only reason I can think of is because that is exactly what she would
do if she were able to. I had to start pureeing her food as well.. One thing that helped her with eating by herself (for a
little while) was I got some toddler spoons and forks with the big curved handles. She couldn't take very big bites and it was
easier for her to handle than a regular spoon or fork. I also got some of the sippy cups that had the removable stoppers so that
she could drink by herself a little longer without spilling it all over herself. I discovered that if she got frustrated from
spilling or dropping food then she wouldnt eat at all.

Deb: I am glad that you are picking up a few more hours and that Hubby is working. Hopefully he will continue to work (even after Dec.)
Don't feel bad about the Condo not selling yet. I know you need to get it sold, but it's bad every where. There have been houses
(and I live in an affluent upscale neighborhood) on the marker here in my sud-division for well over a year with no one ever looking
at them. One thing I know one person did was do the lease purchase on her house. It didn't take as long for her to get someone
in there. Maybe 8 months.

I got a call from my daughter last night. Her GMa (her Dad's Mom) passed away yesterday. My heart hurts for my daughter, because
she hasn't really lost anyone close to her before (well she has but she was to young to remember). I feel bad for my ex as well
because I know that he doesn't handle things like this very well. I think I am grieving a little bit also she was after all my MIL for over 15 years, and regardless what that side of the family thought about me they were still family for a long time. I do know that she has
been ill for a VERY long time, so now maybe she will be able to have some peace and be pain free. I called my Mom and Dad and
let them know I am sure they will go down to the service. My daughter feels bad because it's been a couple of months since she went down to see her Gma and they were planning a trip down to see her this weekend.. Now she feels like she never got to say goodbye. All I could do was comfort her the best I could. I know that nothing anyone says or does will ease the sorrow. Hopefully she will be OK.

I still haven't moved to my new area yet!!!!!!!! ARRRRGGGGGG Hopefully this week. ha ha I keep trying to talk my Manager into
moving me but it isn't working. ha ha We are suppose to have a couple of new people move into the area I am working in now over the next couple of days so maybe I only have a few more days left in my old area.

I am really suggling with allergies. The weather is cold for a coupld of days and then back up to the mid 70's so the trees don't know
if they are suppose to be sprouting new leaves for dropping old one.. I did try a different allergy medications last night.. and OMG
I feel less congested (which is a good thing) but I have been wired for sound since 10:30 last night!!!! I might have slept 2 hours. Medications doesn't usually have that effect on me. Usually it's just the opposite.. I sleep even when I take Tylenol!!!! So I am sure that the medication effect will wear off about 1:45 this afternoon when I am the busiest at work.. ha ha I know now not to take it before bed time.. ha ha

I better get ready for work I will check back in on everyone in a few days. Hugs To ONE AND ALL!!!!!!

Karen: please check in to let us know how you are doing sweety!!!!!!!

Hi All!

As you probably know, Father Time passed away yesterday. I did email a few forum friends but before I was able to get on here the phones started ringing again so I ended up turning off the computer.

This last few months have been very long and hard for us. I truly understand why they say it is the long goodbye because each day there was just a little less of FT for us. We are taking comfort in knowing that FT is no longer in pain or confused.

I will try to get back soon. The phones have already started ringing.

Vicki:
did send you a quick e-mail. You are in my thoughts ..... I feel as with BFM, Pats mom and the others that I lost another one of the family to this horrid disease. As much as it is such a blessing it is still hard to get over--I'm still dealing with differnet aspects of the grief & the varried emotions that can come with that....
Know that you were there when no one else was...I will always treasure the times you spoke of initally about being in the diner and FT pants falling down at the register...

take care my friend and be good to yourself...sending hugs to you and QM.....
xxoo
karen
The clock is a conspiracy & a crime against humanity & I would not own one except I miss appointments without it. storypeople.com