a journal about keeping the memories of my mother who suffers with Lewy Body Dementia
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.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Mom Is In The Hospital
She has embolisms in both legs and both lungs. I REALLY thought she was dying Monday night. But, she is still with me. She also has a bed sore. Nurses where great Monday night. She is in a little hospital with only 11 beds. Lots of emotions. I'm not sure which ones are valid and which ones are just me over reacating. I'll write more when I can sort everything out.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mom was a little improved
This post is out of place. I wrote this last week Monday or Tuesday.
Last evening. But, I think I have ticked off some of the staff. I really don't care. As long as Mom continues to improve, I will continue to tick them off.
But REALLY-- it doesn't take much effort to check that she has everything on her tray. Mom didn't have her healthshake. The slip clearly said she gets one. When I asked where her shake was and the NA who "should have" been feeding her just shrugged her shoulders. I went to the kitchen and GOT her shake. Then when I asked for straws you would have thought I was asking for part of her paycheck. But Mom ate good for me. Then I showed that same NA that Mom's feet were purple, who again looked stupid. I said that Mom would have to be put to bed as Soon after supper as possible. I was told that they would put no one to bed until the dinning room was cleared. So I took Mom to the nurse and showed her Mom's feet. I asked that Mom be the first one put into bed. Then I took her to her room and propped up her feet and massaged her feet until they were a healthier color. Soon after the same aid who said Mom would have to wait came in and said the nurse told her Mom needed to be put in bed. I said OK and smiled.
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
Last evening. But, I think I have ticked off some of the staff. I really don't care. As long as Mom continues to improve, I will continue to tick them off.
But REALLY-- it doesn't take much effort to check that she has everything on her tray. Mom didn't have her healthshake. The slip clearly said she gets one. When I asked where her shake was and the NA who "should have" been feeding her just shrugged her shoulders. I went to the kitchen and GOT her shake. Then when I asked for straws you would have thought I was asking for part of her paycheck. But Mom ate good for me. Then I showed that same NA that Mom's feet were purple, who again looked stupid. I said that Mom would have to be put to bed as Soon after supper as possible. I was told that they would put no one to bed until the dinning room was cleared. So I took Mom to the nurse and showed her Mom's feet. I asked that Mom be the first one put into bed. Then I took her to her room and propped up her feet and massaged her feet until they were a healthier color. Soon after the same aid who said Mom would have to wait came in and said the nurse told her Mom needed to be put in bed. I said OK and smiled.
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mom goes to the Dr. Tomorrow
And she is having an ultrasound of her neck. Let's pray that they find out what is causing her neck to hurt so much. She ate all her supper and lunch today. Yay!! She still refuses to wear her teeth. She used to not want anyone to see her without them. But this seems to be a good choice. She eats so much better since they have been pureeing her food.
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mom went to church today
Friday, March 18, 2011
Not much change
Went to see Mom this afternoon. She was asleep. She woke up enough to smile at me. I rearranged her room so I could sit and hold her hand. Tried to ask the nurse how her (Mom's) day had gone. She was busy. I was there about an hour but did not talk to the nurse. I'm tired of fighting for my idea of how things should be.
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
- Linda Shumaker uses BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, March 17, 2011
I Finally Got the Book I Have Been Waiting For
It's a book on Anticipatory Grief -- A really uplifting subject. LOL But I felt I needed a little help. There are no support groups here. My husband does NOT understand what I feel sometimes and I will NOT talk to the staff in my office. Why-- because they cannot or will not approach this on my level which is a daughter who loves her mother very much and as a woman of very strong Christian faith. So I sent for this book. In the first few pages I found two poems that really speak how I feel:
In the darkest place inside,
Something shuddered and took life.
Nothing quite so grand as
a cataclysmic roar
or a howl of anguish
or even a whimper of fear.
Just a h-m-m-m, almost electronic, louder at night.
I will myself to ignore it,
I drown it out with music,
I distract myself, try to relax,
focus on autumn's beauty.
It bides its time.
It whispers of sinister mystery,
unnamed danger,
Finally, in anger and desperation
I demand -- Make yourself known!
You are losing, your are losing her.
From "Singing Mother Home" by Donna S. Davenport
Wanting still to fix things, to make guarantees,
Or at least do these hard months for her,
I hear reality's thunder crash over my wishes.
The current is too strong,
I cannot save her,
There are rapids up ahead ---
whirlpools and undercurrents --
That will surely take her from me.
I hate it, I hate it.
I cry in the car, I kick a trashcan against the wall.
No surprise -- my tears change nothing.
This process does not like me.
It clearly does not listen.
And so, a comprimise of sorts,
A promise:
I will stay with you,
You will not be alone.
Tell me what you need and I will help.
And when you cannot tell me anymore,
When words no longer come,
When you cannot call across the chasm,
I will still be here.
From"Singing Mother Home" by Donna S. Davenport
In the darkest place inside,
Something shuddered and took life.
Nothing quite so grand as
a cataclysmic roar
or a howl of anguish
or even a whimper of fear.
Just a h-m-m-m, almost electronic, louder at night.
I will myself to ignore it,
I drown it out with music,
I distract myself, try to relax,
focus on autumn's beauty.
It bides its time.
It whispers of sinister mystery,
unnamed danger,
Finally, in anger and desperation
I demand -- Make yourself known!
You are losing, your are losing her.
From "Singing Mother Home" by Donna S. Davenport
Wanting still to fix things, to make guarantees,
Or at least do these hard months for her,
I hear reality's thunder crash over my wishes.
The current is too strong,
I cannot save her,
There are rapids up ahead ---
whirlpools and undercurrents --
That will surely take her from me.
I hate it, I hate it.
I cry in the car, I kick a trashcan against the wall.
No surprise -- my tears change nothing.
This process does not like me.
It clearly does not listen.
And so, a comprimise of sorts,
A promise:
I will stay with you,
You will not be alone.
Tell me what you need and I will help.
And when you cannot tell me anymore,
When words no longer come,
When you cannot call across the chasm,
I will still be here.
From"Singing Mother Home" by Donna S. Davenport
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Some Improvement Today
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