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.




Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Mom Returns to the Nursing Home Today

I am very nervous about her returning. I have asked for a staff meeting to discuss my concerns. That will be tomorrow at 10:00 am. I don't even know how to write my thoughts for now. It has been such an emotional roller coaster this last week. One day she was about to die and the next she was holding her own. Yesterday she actually WOKE up. She continues to eat very little. Swollowing is the issue. She accepts food into her mouth but then won't or can't swallow. She has aspirated twice in the hospital. The aspiration gave her an infection in her lungs which went to her blood. Add blood clots in both her lungs and legs AND a pretty nasty bed sore and you have a really sick Mom.

It's a strange thing to be happy about but she is being sent back to the NH with an IV. SO she will have to be put on the skilled ward. So maybe, she will get turned when she should be. We will see. I don't want to be difficult but they have to treat her like the fragile flower she is.

My chest is heavy today and I am having a difficult time keeping on task. I NEED more rest. I might have to go to the DR. and ask him to increase my heart meds temporarily so I can handle the stress. But then, if Mom continues to improve and Aaron (our son) gets back to his post in Afganestan I won't need more meds. A mother in destress and a son in a dangerous war zone is too much to handle all at once.

I got an email from my brother. He is giving me full POA for Mom. It's a good thing. He asked and I told him what I needed for Mom's funeral arrangements. I still want all the arrangements made now.

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