Not a great deal happening during the last week. Just the usual changing, grumbling etc. Mum is in a "I want to go to hospital" mode which means we get "I'm very very very very ill" all day and demands for doctors, hospitals etc. The problem is that one day she's going to mean it and it's hard to work out if she's really ill or just looking for attention.
The dog is doing well after having the lump removed from her back. The vet sent it away for analysis and the receptionist left a message on the answerphone to call them. When I called back they told me the vet would have to speak to me so I was really worried. Anyhow I needn't have as the same receptionist called back later to say the test had shown nothing abnormal so the old dog will continue for a while yet.
Another great day has begun - taking out the dog and shovelling up after it, emptying the cats' trays - nobody has thrown up this morning thank goodness - and emptying my mother's commode (nothing worse there either - a dry bed and underwear - so a relatively easy start to the day).
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Sunday pm
Another day gone with nothing too drastic happening. Mum was very quiet for most of the day. We had a bit of a crisis in the afternoon - she had taken off the vlesi pants which she often does and I won't describe the state of the bed. Everything needed to be changed and I had to clean her up. If Michael wasn't here to change the bed it would be next to impossible. No rows thank heavens. Managed to clean mum up and change her nightdress. I forgot to brush her hair so there will be complaints tomorrow when I brush it - I'm not going to wake her up to do it.
It's a bit scarey to think maybe that will be me in 20 odd years. We're starting our retirement and instead of a quiet life growing old doing the things we've always wanted to do - reading mainly - we have to devote our lives to looking after my elderly mum who hasn't much of an idea where she is or what she's doing. We don't have any children so if we get like that we'll have to go into a home - hope it's a better one than the one I took my mother out of which was dreadful. I told Michael we really do have to think about the future and make whatever arrangements we can.
Anyhow all is quiet again - oh she's just asked for a cup of tea so she's awake. I'll just rush up and brush her hair so it doesn't tangle up overnight.
It's a bit scarey to think maybe that will be me in 20 odd years. We're starting our retirement and instead of a quiet life growing old doing the things we've always wanted to do - reading mainly - we have to devote our lives to looking after my elderly mum who hasn't much of an idea where she is or what she's doing. We don't have any children so if we get like that we'll have to go into a home - hope it's a better one than the one I took my mother out of which was dreadful. I told Michael we really do have to think about the future and make whatever arrangements we can.
Anyhow all is quiet again - oh she's just asked for a cup of tea so she's awake. I'll just rush up and brush her hair so it doesn't tangle up overnight.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Saturday am
This morning went really well. No rows when I went to change my mum and she's had tea. She didn't wet the bed and she is getting a bit more lively - she can get to the bathroom. She had managed to get to the commode during the night as well. I use pine disinfectant which I find really good - not so dreadful emptying out the commode which isn't a very thrilling job.
Got mum's hair brushed without a row as well. That's always a struggle as she objects to it being brushed but if it's left it just gets tangled and matted so I have to insist. Found some shampoo on Ebay which is waterless so I can wash her hair in bed. Found some great incontinence pants on Ebay as well. Padded and just like ordinary pants so she doesn't realise what they're for although Michael always referring to them as "nappies" tends to spoil the illusion. They don't always work 100% all the time if she just doesn't want to get out of bed but they do work most of the time and we don't have to change the bed every day which is a huge bonus.
I'll see if I can get her to eat something. It's getting very difficult. We get some great cans from the little local shop called Nurishment which she loves. It's like a milkshake with all different flavours and filled with vitamins and minerals
Mum was wondering if her mother and father were still alive. I had to remind her she's almost 87 and it would be very unlikely!!!! She can't remember them passing away at all - or her brother who died when he was only 27.
The dog took its antibiotics without any problem. I wrap them in a piece of Milky Way so she doesn't know she's taking them.
Lots of demands from mum to "come up to me" "I'm not feeling well" "I want to go to hospital". This goes on all day every day. No matter how often you go in to see her she calls all the time for someone to "come up to me" - unless she's asleep of course when we get a break.
Got mum's hair brushed without a row as well. That's always a struggle as she objects to it being brushed but if it's left it just gets tangled and matted so I have to insist. Found some shampoo on Ebay which is waterless so I can wash her hair in bed. Found some great incontinence pants on Ebay as well. Padded and just like ordinary pants so she doesn't realise what they're for although Michael always referring to them as "nappies" tends to spoil the illusion. They don't always work 100% all the time if she just doesn't want to get out of bed but they do work most of the time and we don't have to change the bed every day which is a huge bonus.
I'll see if I can get her to eat something. It's getting very difficult. We get some great cans from the little local shop called Nurishment which she loves. It's like a milkshake with all different flavours and filled with vitamins and minerals
Mum was wondering if her mother and father were still alive. I had to remind her she's almost 87 and it would be very unlikely!!!! She can't remember them passing away at all - or her brother who died when he was only 27.
The dog took its antibiotics without any problem. I wrap them in a piece of Milky Way so she doesn't know she's taking them.
Lots of demands from mum to "come up to me" "I'm not feeling well" "I want to go to hospital". This goes on all day every day. No matter how often you go in to see her she calls all the time for someone to "come up to me" - unless she's asleep of course when we get a break.
Friday, 7 September 2012
Friday Morning
It's a while since I posted anything here. Time constraints really and tiredness so I havn't got around to it. From now on I will try to post every day as a lot has happened.
At long last we did get some help from Social Services who gave me vouchers so I can get some respite care. I found a fabulous home. It does cost far more than the vouchers will pay for so we still had to pay well over 200GBP per week for her care. We can get four weeks a year which isn't a huge amount but it does at least help. I can get some rest sometimes.
I also found a new doctor who is far better than the previous idiot. He has changed some of her medication which seems to help a little.
This morning was difficult - not least because I'm absolutely exhausted at the moment. One of the pussy cats managed to get knocked down and killed on the roads a couple of weeks ago which was a shock as we loved poor Bertie very much and we're really missing him. The dog who is well over 14 also needed an operation to remove a growth on her back. Took her in to the vet yesterday and it seems to have gone very well. Despite her age she's very sturdy and came through it without any problems. I'm sleeping downstairs for the next few days so she doesn't follow me upstairs which doesn't really work that well as I have to go upstairs several times a day to look after my mum who can be very demanding.
Anyhow this morning was difficult - started off with a wet bed and shouts for attention. Michael, my husband, changed the bed while I changed my mother. Without Michael it would be impossible. Anyhow mum was in a bad temper and I was so tired it all ended up in a big row. Don't like it when that happens. She's changed and back in bed so we'll see how the rest of the day goes.
At long last we did get some help from Social Services who gave me vouchers so I can get some respite care. I found a fabulous home. It does cost far more than the vouchers will pay for so we still had to pay well over 200GBP per week for her care. We can get four weeks a year which isn't a huge amount but it does at least help. I can get some rest sometimes.
I also found a new doctor who is far better than the previous idiot. He has changed some of her medication which seems to help a little.
This morning was difficult - not least because I'm absolutely exhausted at the moment. One of the pussy cats managed to get knocked down and killed on the roads a couple of weeks ago which was a shock as we loved poor Bertie very much and we're really missing him. The dog who is well over 14 also needed an operation to remove a growth on her back. Took her in to the vet yesterday and it seems to have gone very well. Despite her age she's very sturdy and came through it without any problems. I'm sleeping downstairs for the next few days so she doesn't follow me upstairs which doesn't really work that well as I have to go upstairs several times a day to look after my mum who can be very demanding.
Anyhow this morning was difficult - started off with a wet bed and shouts for attention. Michael, my husband, changed the bed while I changed my mother. Without Michael it would be impossible. Anyhow mum was in a bad temper and I was so tired it all ended up in a big row. Don't like it when that happens. She's changed and back in bed so we'll see how the rest of the day goes.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Sunday Morning
Mum has slept a lot for the last few days. I brought her present and card into her yesterday and she thought it was for Mother's Day. She is completely unaware of the day or time or day it is.
This morning she asked when Christmas Day was and I told her it was yesterday. She said she didn't know what day it was so she does know that she can't remember very much - not short term anyway. She long term memory seems to be OK.
Mum woke me up again at 4am wanting me to find her slippers. She also wanted tea but I was too exhausted to make any for her and went back to sleep. It is very difficult not being able to get a full night's sleep. Mum has gone off to sleep again. I will try to clean her room today and give her a wash.
This morning she asked when Christmas Day was and I told her it was yesterday. She said she didn't know what day it was so she does know that she can't remember very much - not short term anyway. She long term memory seems to be OK.
Mum woke me up again at 4am wanting me to find her slippers. She also wanted tea but I was too exhausted to make any for her and went back to sleep. It is very difficult not being able to get a full night's sleep. Mum has gone off to sleep again. I will try to clean her room today and give her a wash.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Thursday Morning
Mum hasn't been feeling too well for the past couple of days. Woke up at 3am wanting pills. She still hasn't had her bath. She's asleep again now. She has slept an awful lot recently. We bought an artificial Christmas tree yesterday and will put it up later today - I thought in the hall upstairs so she can see it from her room.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Tuesday Morning
Gave mum her cup of hot chocolate and pills at around 11pm. She called for more hot chocolate after midnight but I was too exhausted to go down and make her any. She woke me again at 4am wanting tablets. I couldn't give her any for another hour and she'd gone back to sleep by then. She didn't wake up until 10.30 when I gave her some tablets and a cup of tea. By the time I got back with the tea she'd gone back to sleep. When she wakes up again she'll ask for more tea telling me that her tea has gone "stone cold".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)