Today has been rainy and dreary...well, tonight was rainy, but it has been dreary all day! Days like this seem to make Moma very confused.
Tonight, she had no clue who she lived with. She couldn't believe that she had a room here. She referred to her electric blanket control as her radio. She searched for her teeth for about 30 minutes. She took her back scratcher to the dogs (to spank them).
I got up to take a bath and she started following me, like a child. She wanted a cookie. We got her a cookie. Then, she wanted something to drink. I brought her a drink and she said, "This ain't no cookie!" I had to bite my tongue. I said, "The cookie is in your other hand, this is your drink!" But the precious thing she did next....I am just relaxing in my tub (have just gotten in and laid back). She begins trying to get in the bathroom. I finally sit up and say (loudly) "Moma, I am in here". She said, in her "sweetest" voice......"GET OUTTA THERE AND TURN ON SOME HEAT!!" Yes, it's true, I live in a zoo.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
This is Moma!
This is the last Christmas that she was REALLY Moma. This is Christmas 2006. She was beginning to slip a bit then, but she was still my precious little Moma. Is she not cute as a bug?Sunday, February 24, 2008
Prayer Request
I found a wonderfully enlightening website about dementia today. Here is the link:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1033319213
One part I read said:
People with moderate and advanced dementia typically need round-the-clock care and supervision to prevent them from harming themselves or others. They also may need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Meeting these needs takes patience, understanding, and careful thought by the person's caregivers.
and
The emotional and physical burden of caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming. Support groups can often help caregivers deal with these demands and they can also offer helpful information about the disease and its treatment. It is important that caregivers occasionally have time off from round-the-clock nursing demands. Some communities provide respite facilities or adult day care centers that will care for dementia patients for a period of time, giving the primary caregivers a break. Eventually, many patients with dementia require the services of a full-time nursing home.
So....if you are a praying person, please pray specifically for these things:
1. My sanity (seriously).
2. For Moma to have peaceful and COMPLETE rest at night (which means peace for my household). Now all the information I have read says that this won't happen, but MY GOD is bigger than dementia. HE can make that happen.
3. Ask God to give us as a family what we need to survive. I am taking 3 post graduate classes with many demands and deadlines. I just had roots of a tooth (former root canal and crown) dug out of my jaw which I think is infected or dry socket or something (very painful). Adult child just moved back home, and needs a job. Youngest child facing college (decisions about school, major, apt., etc. In other words...$$$), I am anemic and I have another UTI (so I feel like crap). Husband has stressful job, and he is a heart patient. All this and I work full time. Complaining? no....like I said, I know MY GOD can handle it. And I know HE will. Am I asking for a vacation? No, just a little break here and there, peace in my home, and sleep. I live by Phil. 4:6.
Thank you for being so faithful to walk with me in this journey I'm on. I am writing for Moma, me and you. You are my support group.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1033319213
One part I read said:
People with moderate and advanced dementia typically need round-the-clock care and supervision to prevent them from harming themselves or others. They also may need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Meeting these needs takes patience, understanding, and careful thought by the person's caregivers.
and
The emotional and physical burden of caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming. Support groups can often help caregivers deal with these demands and they can also offer helpful information about the disease and its treatment. It is important that caregivers occasionally have time off from round-the-clock nursing demands. Some communities provide respite facilities or adult day care centers that will care for dementia patients for a period of time, giving the primary caregivers a break. Eventually, many patients with dementia require the services of a full-time nursing home.
So....if you are a praying person, please pray specifically for these things:
1. My sanity (seriously).
2. For Moma to have peaceful and COMPLETE rest at night (which means peace for my household). Now all the information I have read says that this won't happen, but MY GOD is bigger than dementia. HE can make that happen.
3. Ask God to give us as a family what we need to survive. I am taking 3 post graduate classes with many demands and deadlines. I just had roots of a tooth (former root canal and crown) dug out of my jaw which I think is infected or dry socket or something (very painful). Adult child just moved back home, and needs a job. Youngest child facing college (decisions about school, major, apt., etc. In other words...$$$), I am anemic and I have another UTI (so I feel like crap). Husband has stressful job, and he is a heart patient. All this and I work full time. Complaining? no....like I said, I know MY GOD can handle it. And I know HE will. Am I asking for a vacation? No, just a little break here and there, peace in my home, and sleep. I live by Phil. 4:6.
Thank you for being so faithful to walk with me in this journey I'm on. I am writing for Moma, me and you. You are my support group.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Family Reunion
Okay, I promise to keep this short, but I just have to post this one! I was emailing a friend (Hi Jane), and I could hear Moma in the next room talking more than usual. So I began to really listen. She was giving some kind of speech at our family reunion. She was welcoming family and telling everyone they needed to love their kinfolks and so on. She also said we were going to have a service as a family. Then she began to line people up for pictures. She called the Oden family to come have their picture made. She asked if anyone had a camera to take these family pictures. Then she told them not to rush because some people couldn't move that fast. Then she began to plan next year's reunion and I am afraid she was planning to have it up here. She said, "We'll need plenty of room for everybody" and then volunteered that we have plenty of room here. In case you didn't know, my grandmother has NEVER been in charge of anything in her life! (Well in my lifetime anyway!) She is way to high maintenance herself to be in charge of anything. I just thought it was so cute the way she was talking about it. Then she said, "WHATEVER YOU'RE GIVING AWAY, I WANT ONE!!!!!" and it was over. zzzzzzzzzzsnorezzzzzzzzzzzsnorezzzzzzz
Happy Weekend!
Happy Weekend!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
How about this?
Moma is in the process of morphing out another personality. Now, the triplets will soon be quadruplets. The nursing home cannot hold the all the kids, so I guess they'll be with me until Jesus comes or I die, because we all know she will outlive me!
Latest escapades......(I'm in no mood for a long post; just had a tooth DUG out of my mouth, a major mass of stuff due for school, and I feel awful):
1. Wiped herself (on the bedside potty) and tossed the soiled paper into the floor. I told her to pick it up, and she said, "NO", so I leaned her over by the arm to force her to do it, and she kicked it under the bed. I popped that little arm like she was 5 (and she is only 4).
2. Told Christopher that she "didn't give a damn what he said".
3. Asked me how to get in touch with the store (and I asked what store). She said "Penney's I guess". When I inquired why she needed to call them, she said "to find out about paying them for all that stuff I bought".
4. Stuck her tongue out at me, and mocked me.
5. Trying to shock her out of the MILEY mode, I threatened her with the N word (nursing home), her response: GO TO IT!
6. Refusing to take her medicines. Refusing to eat. Being a jackass in general about stupid stuff.
7. At 2:00 am Wednesday morning, the house was on fire.
8. Keeps asking me about my brother (I have none).
9. Refers to Kerry as my Daddy.
10. Opened the door today, and let the dogs OUT! (My house dogs only go out on a leash).
Stayed tuned to WKRZE for more Looney Tunes.
Latest escapades......(I'm in no mood for a long post; just had a tooth DUG out of my mouth, a major mass of stuff due for school, and I feel awful):
1. Wiped herself (on the bedside potty) and tossed the soiled paper into the floor. I told her to pick it up, and she said, "NO", so I leaned her over by the arm to force her to do it, and she kicked it under the bed. I popped that little arm like she was 5 (and she is only 4).
2. Told Christopher that she "didn't give a damn what he said".
3. Asked me how to get in touch with the store (and I asked what store). She said "Penney's I guess". When I inquired why she needed to call them, she said "to find out about paying them for all that stuff I bought".
4. Stuck her tongue out at me, and mocked me.
5. Trying to shock her out of the MILEY mode, I threatened her with the N word (nursing home), her response: GO TO IT!
6. Refusing to take her medicines. Refusing to eat. Being a jackass in general about stupid stuff.
7. At 2:00 am Wednesday morning, the house was on fire.
8. Keeps asking me about my brother (I have none).
9. Refers to Kerry as my Daddy.
10. Opened the door today, and let the dogs OUT! (My house dogs only go out on a leash).
Stayed tuned to WKRZE for more Looney Tunes.
Monday, February 18, 2008
My Turn
Sunday was my turn to go to church. Kerry and I split it up so we don't both miss or one of us miss all the time. Anyway, today was my turn, and I got up and got ready. I left her eating breakfast. When I came in from church, Kerry greeted me with "Boy, I have had a day!". He said Moma came to him and asked for some pads. He tried to explain to her that she doesn't use those anymore, that she wears those "pants" (Depends). She argued and argued, but he told her to keep those on until I got home. Then she asked for a "slop jar" because she has some kidney problems. He took her to her bedroom and showed her the bedside potty. She said, "Oh is that what that is?" So, after his tales of her morning escapades, I went down the hall to check on her. She was sitting naked as the day she was born (with the exception of blue fuzzy house shoes) on the toilet wringing her hands. The bathroom floor was soaking wet and her "pants" were in the floor. Precious. While trying to clean her up, I picked up the Depends from the floor and she snatched it and slung it (remember it was SOAKED, so you-know-what went everywhere) into the bathtub. Give me strength.
Sunday night, she came into the den, and yelled, "WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING IN MY HOUSE?" Sweet.
Lord, give me what I need to endure this. As she used to say, "Lord, what I can't enjoy, let me endure".
Sunday night, she came into the den, and yelled, "WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING IN MY HOUSE?" Sweet.
Lord, give me what I need to endure this. As she used to say, "Lord, what I can't enjoy, let me endure".
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Back Track
Forgive me for the back track, but I simply must report on Friday. It was a day of craziness.
I awoke a bit late and hit the floor running. I won't bore you with those details, but just know that everything that could go wrong, did. I wasn't ready to get Moma up for breakfast until 6:40 which is about 20 minutes later than usual. As I normally do, I went into her bedroom, turned off her lamp, and called out to her to wake up and come eat breakfast. I try not to startle her because she startles me when she jumps and hollers, plus the dog barks at me if I am too loud or if I make her jump. She would shake her head and say "Okay" but her eyes were not open. I repeated this MANY times, and finally went over to her, and touched her, so she jumped and hollered and the dog nearly bit me. I began trying to get her house shoes on her, but she kept holding up her leg and dropping it. I finally got them on, and helped her sit up, but she was like rubber. If I hadn't known better, I'd thought she was sloppy drunk. I finally got her to the table. She couldn't sit up straight, kept falling over sideways. She couldn't find her mouth with the spoon, and took her meds like she was paralyzed. I'd say, "Eat your oatmeal" and she'd say, "Whur?". Then I thought, Oh my gosh, she has gone blind! I called the school to let them know that I would be late because she was not cooperating. Back to the table for more madness. I finally called my sister and said, "GET DOWN HERE". When she arrived, she begin to ask Moma to do little things like lift her arm, and put her hand to her mouth. But she'd do it but hold it there like a DRUNK! Sherry said, "Do you know me?" Moma said, "Who are you?" She said, "I'm Sherry, your grandaughter". She said, "Good to know you". Sherry said, "What is your name?" Moma said, "I ain't got one". Sherry said, "Yes, your name is Mildred". She got this briar eating grin on her face, and just laughed, then said, "Well, HELLO Mildred!" and laughed some more. It was at this point that we knew we were either going to the doctor's office or the ER. So we get her up to change her and put on some fresh clothes. To keep from being too graphic, just let me say that after her bathroom visit, we suspected another UTI. So off to the doctor we went. (Wow, this is a long post!) You have to know that Moma always "shows out" at the doctor's office because to her, it is very important that you get a good "report card". She says that she is fine, and nothing hurts, and well...you get the idea. They took us right back, and got a specimen, then put her into a room. She told them she felt fine, and no it did not burn to go to the bathroom. (sigh) Anyway, she has a RAGING UTI again. And they make old people crazy as an outhouse rat. All the way home, she begged to go out to eat. SHE WAS IN HER GOWN AND HOUSECOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We reminded her of that, and she said, "I don't care". We got her home, and Sherry chose to stay with her. I got to school at 11:30 on the nose! Whew! There is more to tell, but I am bushed. Stay tuned.
I awoke a bit late and hit the floor running. I won't bore you with those details, but just know that everything that could go wrong, did. I wasn't ready to get Moma up for breakfast until 6:40 which is about 20 minutes later than usual. As I normally do, I went into her bedroom, turned off her lamp, and called out to her to wake up and come eat breakfast. I try not to startle her because she startles me when she jumps and hollers, plus the dog barks at me if I am too loud or if I make her jump. She would shake her head and say "Okay" but her eyes were not open. I repeated this MANY times, and finally went over to her, and touched her, so she jumped and hollered and the dog nearly bit me. I began trying to get her house shoes on her, but she kept holding up her leg and dropping it. I finally got them on, and helped her sit up, but she was like rubber. If I hadn't known better, I'd thought she was sloppy drunk. I finally got her to the table. She couldn't sit up straight, kept falling over sideways. She couldn't find her mouth with the spoon, and took her meds like she was paralyzed. I'd say, "Eat your oatmeal" and she'd say, "Whur?". Then I thought, Oh my gosh, she has gone blind! I called the school to let them know that I would be late because she was not cooperating. Back to the table for more madness. I finally called my sister and said, "GET DOWN HERE". When she arrived, she begin to ask Moma to do little things like lift her arm, and put her hand to her mouth. But she'd do it but hold it there like a DRUNK! Sherry said, "Do you know me?" Moma said, "Who are you?" She said, "I'm Sherry, your grandaughter". She said, "Good to know you". Sherry said, "What is your name?" Moma said, "I ain't got one". Sherry said, "Yes, your name is Mildred". She got this briar eating grin on her face, and just laughed, then said, "Well, HELLO Mildred!" and laughed some more. It was at this point that we knew we were either going to the doctor's office or the ER. So we get her up to change her and put on some fresh clothes. To keep from being too graphic, just let me say that after her bathroom visit, we suspected another UTI. So off to the doctor we went. (Wow, this is a long post!) You have to know that Moma always "shows out" at the doctor's office because to her, it is very important that you get a good "report card". She says that she is fine, and nothing hurts, and well...you get the idea. They took us right back, and got a specimen, then put her into a room. She told them she felt fine, and no it did not burn to go to the bathroom. (sigh) Anyway, she has a RAGING UTI again. And they make old people crazy as an outhouse rat. All the way home, she begged to go out to eat. SHE WAS IN HER GOWN AND HOUSECOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We reminded her of that, and she said, "I don't care". We got her home, and Sherry chose to stay with her. I got to school at 11:30 on the nose! Whew! There is more to tell, but I am bushed. Stay tuned.
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