I came here several times yesterday, but no one was around. I hope that's because everything is going smoothly and not because everyone is to busy to stop by.

Other than coming here, my day was a very poopy day. It started on Monday when I got up and was rushing around getting ready to go in for my colonoscopy at 7:15. (I guess it really started on Sun. since that's when I started the prep for the colonoscopy). It took 45 minutes to get there so at six I I went in to get Bill up and dressed before I had to leave. He had had a BM and removed his diaper. Poop was from one end to the other, him and the bed. I got it cleaned up and fed him his breakfast. Then when I got him ready for bed, I had to go through the same thing. Only this time it was all in the diaper and sweat pants.
Yesterday it started at four am. He then had four BMs before 8am. I don't know where it all came from. The aide was here around eleven and gave him a bath. He was tired so I gave him his noon pills and told her to leave him in the bed. He slept until 6 and I woke him and got him to eat some dinner. I fed him in bed because I couldn't get him up. I do have a hoyer, but he was so tired I didn't want to lift him. When I changed him, the diaper was full again. Five in one day. I'm glad the nurse is coming today because I want to talk to her about it. He went right back to sleep after dinner and is still sleeping. It is now 7 this morning.
Any one have any idea what's going on here, other than poop flying everywhere?

In case you're interested all my tests come out fine. I have the beginnings of cataracts on both eyes, but nothing to be concerned about right now. The colonoscopy came out clean. Now all I have left is the thyroid check up.

Hurry up and come back, I miss reading about how everyone is doing.

Hello hello hello Joyce,
Well, in my case, I'm ashamed to say I'm not dropping by as often as usual.
Been busy with work, my son, and my Daddy--Daddy has been doing really
well. Problem is the $$$ issue and paying for the extra layer of caregiving
in addition to Assisted Living fees. I have him on a waiting list at a small
group home (8 residents in a nice house in a nice neighborhood). We wouldn't
have to have that additional layer of caregiving there and the hands-on care
would be much better than where he is when he reaches the point of needing
that. The problem will be making this move and transition when his name
comes up on the waiting list. Also, convincing 2 of my 3 siblings--who rarely
see him but have plenty of negative input about the whole idea.
So, that's life with my Daddy lately.
Sorry about all the poop in yours! I can't imagine what could be causing so
much poop! Good luck, and thanks so much for keeping us posted on yours
and Bill's journey...
Carol

I'm glad your daddy is doing so well. I hope his name comes up soon so you can get him into the group home. I think a smaller place has got to be better for our LOs that a large busy full of commotion placel Good Luck.

You can convince some of the people some of the time, but you can never convince all of the people all of the time. Heard that somewhere.

Joyce,
I haven't been around too much as my moms sister passed away. I took mom to the hospital on monday night to see her as they knew she was going. By the time we got there, my aunt had died. I so wish I had taken her earlier, but this was so sudden and unexpected, I didn't think she would be dying.

So since I've been trying to pay a bit more attention to Mom. She does know her sister died, and remembers of course if she hears me talking to someone on the phone, which yesterday was constant. My siblings and I were very close to this Aunt, so I took charge to order food for the night of the wake. I have cousins coming out of the wall, as mom came from a family of 11 children (2 now left) so you can imagine the number of phone calls made to make sure everyone wanted to throw in for food as we had done in the past for family members. Some of them are so damn cheap. I mean where can you go and eat for $15 a family.

The wake is tonight from 3-9pm. So that's going to be a challenge. I'm hoping I can get her to leave earlier. The funeral will be at 11am, which means out the door by at least 10:30am. That one will be really difficult as hubby has to go into work for a few hours in the morning, so I'll be getting mom ready on my own.

The one good thing is my uncle and cousin decided not to have the traditional funeral home, church, cemetery, luncheon thing. We will be meeting at the funeral home on thursday morning, and having the services there, with the luncheon directly after. My aunt will then be cremated.

My aunt and uncle talked about death preparation a lot. They are both 80, but so active and vibrant. And if I had to guess on why the plans are not to go to church, I've got a feeling they might have done this for moms benefit. My aunt was always so concerned about my Mom and me and hubby. She called me daily to see how we were doing. She calmed me down many times when she knew I was having a bad day. She knew the crueling work involved in caregiveing, as she had done so with her other sister who had no children. She was very much a church person, sang in the choir and was very active. I will miss her so.


Joyce, you may want to cut down the dosage of the Miralax a bit. When I started giving it to mom, she would do fine, then all of a sudden she would go at really odd times. Plus I had experimented giving it to her during the day, as I had trouble getting her to drink at night, but that didn't work well either as she was pooping during the day so much. So now I usually put the miralax on her tray around 7pm, and just keep reminding her to drink it within an hour.

When I see she goes too much during the day, that night, I cut the dosage in half with a full glass of water. So I try to adjust her dosage at night to what I see has happen during the day. If I see she's straining too much, I go back to the full dosage or even 3/4 and see how that works. I still though always give her the two colace at night right before bedtime. So you may have to experiment a bit with that.

So glad your colonoscopy turned out well. Thank God as we don't need health problems with ourselves.



Carol,
Oh I so pray that your dad can get in that group home. Talk about perfect and more one on one care. Keep us informed with that. And as far as convincing your siblings, well you know how I feel about siblings. If you don't need their permission, then just go for it. If you do, I'm telling you, put it in writing. It may not work, but you'll feel a hell of alot better!! Get that metal gear on and polish it up, cause it seems you may be in for the fight!!!

love to you both,
Jackie

I check the board daily but I'm mainly a lurker these days. You all are still in the trenches of this disease but my days have passed so I don't really have much to say. I feel so sad for the bumpy road you all still have ahead. I wish you all peace.

Jackie,
I'm sorry about your aunt. I remember reading that she had died. Hope your mother does alright tonight.
I've heard of three people, including my brother's daughter, that has opted out of the "full funeral" and gone for a short visitation and then cremation. Maybe that's what your aunt wanted.

I guess I spoke too soon about all my tests coming back good. The doctor's office just called and said my kidney functions showed up low in the blood work. They scheduled a renal paritaneal (sp) ultra sound with more extensive blood work and urine testing to be done tomorrow. I only have the one kidney so I have to take care of it.

Lori, you can still keep writing just to let us know how you are doing. I for one miss seeing you around. There's no better information than that from someone who has experienced what we're going through. Keep in touch.

Hi Joyce, I still check in on everyone very frequently. But I am more in the catagory with Lori and I lurk more than anything.
It's been almost a year since our road took it's final turn, but I still pray for each and everyone of you that are still traveling that long, bumpy road!

Things are going well in this corner of the world. We (BF and I) stay pretty busy with work and our day to day routines. Of course we are getting prepared for grandbaby number 2 in Feb. so excitement is growing. Grandbaby number 1 is walking so I get daily calls from daughter about how to keep her out of things.. ha ha Of course the Grandma in me says just let her do what she wants.. but the Mom in me says BABY GATES!!!!!!!!! ha ha

Take care my friend and know that I think about you every day and check in on you very often!

I chip in when I can and if I feel I have something to add. I have my own little issues but nothing worth it's salt to print here compared to what you all are going through.

Joyce, I hope you are able to get the poop thing under control. It is so tiring to be changing clothes, sheets, washing and then trying to take care of yourself. My prayers remain with you as you travel this journey with Bill and you deal with your own health issues as well. I know if he could, he would tell you what this is meaning to him to have you around to keep him safe, loved and taken care of.

Carol, I realize it's easier said than done but I don't think I would worry too much about trying to convince anyone about your Daddy's care when they seems so uninterested in it to begin with. It seems as though there is a money issue there, if not, please forgive me. Do what you need to do and know you did it out of love. Can't argue that too much.

Jackie, Keeping your family and your mom in my heart during this time. (((hugs)))

Lori, your advice is invaluable. It's what kept me going during my caregiving days. You are one smart cookie:)

Jackie,
I forgot to tell you in the last post. Bill hasn't had miralax since last Fri. If he has a good BM I don't give it to him that day. When he misses two days I give him another dose. Needless to say he hasn't needed it the last few days. Two more messes today.

He has to empty out soon. There can't be much left in there.

Jackie:

I'm so sorry about your aunt. Your family will be in my prayers.

As for opting out of the big funeral, I did the same with my mom. We had one evening at the funeral home then the service there the next morning. After, we all went out for a luncheon. BTW, my mom was also cremated. I probably wouldn't have done any of it, but I knew my grandkids needed to see her one last time, and it ended up a generous outporing of support for me from friends and family.

Snick and Lori:

I know just what you mean about not having much to say anymore. I also tend to lurk, and only post when I really have something to contribute.

Denise:

So glad all is going well for you and BF. And very relieved that daughter's problems with this pregnancy have settled down. Bet you can't wait for that new baby to get here so you can start spoiling.......

Carol:

I hope you'll be able to get your dad in the smaller facility before too long. And I wouldn't worry about the rest of the family. They have let you take on all the responsibility of his care so you should do what YOU think is best for him and then tell them after your decision, and the move, have been made. It's hard to undo a fait accompli, ya know?

Is Bill drinking tap water? I know if Old Navy drank our well water, then switched to city tap water, it would cause us major poop problems. That's all I can think of.

As for me, I've been busy with my clients. And I've begun helping a friend out by taking her Mom (who's in stage 5 ALZ) out for lunch or dinner so friend can have some 'me' time. AND I still have houses to clean on the side.

Joyce,


I'm wondering if this keeps happening if you should have Bills poop checked to see if he may have some kind of bacterial infection.

Jackie

Thanks for all you input, guys. It helps to steel my spine.
Carol

It's not the input Carol, it's the "out put" that I'm having the problem with.
We have switched from well water up north to city water down here, Deb. But I don't think the water is the issue because he doesn't drink that much water, mostly juice or milk. He has always done this , the drinking I mean, so it isn't anything new.
I'll check with the nurse when she gets here today.

Joyce, could Bill have maybe developed IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? Drinking too much milk can do that. I have IBS and can't tolerate milk as it tends to kick up the IBS symptoms.