criplomats

Wm Chesley Morris with cat

Carmen is her 24/7 “live-in” caregiver. I’m not sure if she will stay full-time or will be relieved at some point by another person – I’ll leave that to the agency we are working through. It’s a bit odd to be in the house with a total stranger taking care of your mom, but Carmen seems very capable and perfectly at ease. I was worried about her ability to move Mom around, but was relieved today to learn that she had used the lift to get Mom out of the bed and to the toilet and back. It’s just impossible without a lift or at least two people since Mom’s right side is paralyzed and she’s really not able to help much, so it’s pretty much just dead weight. If Carmen can get used to the lift, then I’ll feel much better.

In addition to the home care agency that is providing 24/7 care, Mom is receiving hospice services. It’s not so much that she has a terminal illness, but she is 90, had a massive stroke, has blood pressure problems, arrhythmia, etc., so she qualifies for hospice services – which are amazing in my book. John and I kept saying, “what’s the catch?” They brought in the hospital bed, wheelchair, lift, shower chair, potty, and walker – plus they provide wipes, bed pads, gloves, pull-ups, etc. The only thing we really had to buy were sheets for the bed. A personal care attendant comes three times per week, a nurse comes once a week or as needed, and a doctor comes once per month, so we don’t have to take Mom to the doctor. They also manage all of her prescriptions (Crawford Drugstore here in town is amazing – they will deliver her meds and send me a bill at the end of the month). And the hospice folks are all so darn nice. 

John was here all week, thank goodness. I’m not sure I could have gotten through the week without him. He left today. He’s been such a trooper! We hit several of our favorite restaurants while he was here, and we met the Stokers for dinner, too. It was nice to get out of “hospital mode” for a few hours.

I have to say that my head is pretty much exploding. I have decision fatigue, worry constantly, and am not exercising. That said, I think we are doing the right thing for Mom and very soon I’ll be able to go home and go back to work. I’ve had such great support from my office, so that’s one thing I haven’t had to worry about – they just keep saying, “do whatever you need.” I’m so very fortunate in so many ways, despite the current circumstances!

I’d have to look at a family tree, but I think the man in the photo above is Mom’s grandfather. I just wanted to show that cat lovers run in the family!

Mom is back in rehab and doing well, but that still means she can’t use her right arm at all and can sort of move her right leg. Her speech is usually slurred, although sometimes is very clear. Most of the time she totally understands what you say to her; other times she sort of seems out of it. She can’t sit up without help much less stand. But bless her heart, she is giving her all in therapy – even when the doctor – for some unknown reason – gives her a drug that makes her blood pressure drop so low that all she can do is sleep. (That one has been discontinued.)

I was thrilled that John was here last week and sad to see him leave Sunday morning. He let me sleep in and took the breakfast shift with Mom – now I have to get up early – ouch!

Thanks for all the words of encouragement.

Mom has been in the hospital now for two weeks. Since having to go to ICU for observation, she has since been moved back into the rehab section of the hospital.

The therapists say she is making good progress and I can tell an improvement. But we still have a long, long way to go.

John flew up on Friday to spend a week with me. I am so glad he is here – it makes a huge difference to have him here.

Thanks so much for all the calls, visits, and emails – we appreciate it!