On November 13, 2010 I gladly became the primary caregiver of my mother. She has Lewy Body Dementia, the second most common memory loss condition after Alzhiemers. I knew nothing about Lewy Body Dementia until I brought Mom to Indiana to live with me. My mother is a resident at the Waters of Covington, a rehabilitation center near our home. I would like to have her live with us but her care is more then one person can provide. The staff at the Waters fell in love with Mom immediately. She may be losing her memory and her ability to care for herself but she hasn't lost her sense of humor or her gentle grace. This blog is meant to be a journal of our days together.



On May 15, 2011 My Mother peacefully and fearlessly passed into the here after. Now I journey alone, yet not alone. I have a lifetime of memories.




Sunday, March 13, 2011

Pain relief









I went to the drug store and bought Mom a "bed Buddy". You can heat it up then wrap it around her neck to help relieve pain. It looks like it might be helping. I hate it when she is in bed because she doesn't talk to me, but she was so miserable-- I couldn't take it. I got her to drink almost a can of ensure. That's about 200 calories.

Tomorrow is Monday. Time for me to raise some Cain. I am determined to get Mom some serious pain relief. I may have to take time from work to get it done.

I am having to work hard at being aware of my emotions . I have discovered that not many people understand about anticipatory grief. So I am using old survival skills and I am picking my "safe" place to cry. This blog is a good outlet (I knew it would). I also MUST take care to allow myself to cry or the grief affects my job and my boss is not understanding at all. She expects perfection at all times. I HAVE to be able to put my sorrow, my concern for Mom safely away when I am at work. I'm really concerned about that. I'm not sure I will be able to shut the sorrow down as Mom gets worse. I have sent for a book about anticipatory grief. I hope it helps.

I want her to stay but I don't want her like she is now. She is sad, she is in pain, she is not who she was. I pray I am strong enough to let her.


- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone






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