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, May 10, 2011

Today I am at peace

So what-- this is about Mom -not me, right? But where I am now is unavoidable and part of Mom's dying process. So much of what she was is already gone. She doesn't voice wants or dislikes anymore. She just lays there --waiting. I watch over her, searching for little things, ways to make her waiting easier -- a lip balm with a flavor in it, music (however, staff keeps turning it off). She still enjoys being read to. I have several books at her bedside she enjoys. She stll enjoys teasing. It amazes me how enduring her sense of humor is. I watch for any little sign that she is in pain. But she appears to be comfortable. She receives a low dose narcotic patch that can be increased if she needs it.
I wish I could put everything on hold and just concentrate on her. My life keeps interfering. But I have to work, floors still need vacuuming, clothes and dishes still need to be washed. Grandchildren still need loving. I give her as much of my time as I can - more then I should. I would put everything on hold if I could. I pay bills late (some not at all). I know I am making more trouble for myself down the line but I just don't care. As much as possible my world has stopped.

- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Park Ave,Covington,United States

Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. Kathy LowreyMay 10, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    This is also about you.
    This is about what you experience with your mom.
    This is your way of coming to terms and dealing with Lewy Body. Although I doubt we could ever really come to terms with it.

    This is about a little girl and her mommy, a teen and her mom, a woman and her mother/friend. Even if it took years to become friends.

    This is about the love you have for your mother. Tender and compassionate and abounding with the greatest mercy of letting go.

    This is about two women relying on the strength of the Lord to carry them when they are too tired to walk alone; resting in His peace and love. One will rest eternally where there is no more pain or suffering, the other will rest in the memories of good times that, should she choose, can soften the hurt, one moment at a time.

    This is about you, and your mother.

    {{{hugs}}}

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda ShumakerMay 11, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Thank you Kathy. God knew if I was to have one reader it would be you. I thank God that even though we have not met or may never met God has used you to comfort my heart.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)