Held Prisoner by the Past

[mixfinder]

From the Top Down

My dad's sense of well being has the largest impact on mom's disposition of any factor. Since selling their rodeo business dad has felt adrift. Last fall he did a series of lectures and displays of his Western and hose gear. He was engaged and engaging. The local gallery is planning an exibit of some of the art collection mom and dad have and once again dad is invigorated and his happiness seems to roll down hill to mom.

 

[mixfinder]

Double the Fun

Mom had an appointment this week with her GP. In the beginning mom took Airecept and then moved on to Namenda. Each drug's efficacy wanes the longer a patient takes it. The risk of stopping the drug is setting off a more rapid decline. For three months we are going to combine Namenda and Airecept and see if there is a change.

 

[mixfinder]

Collections

Mom and dad traveled the Western states for years with as Rodeo Stock Contractors. Their collection of Western art, South West artifacts, Cowboy antiques, Ranch Oak and Monterey furniture is astounding. It is worrysome to me that mom and ad are quite isolated and for lack of a better term "sitting ducks" for robbery or home invasion.

 

[mixfinder]

Pick a Good Doctor

I used to seek out younger doctors thinking they'd know the latest. As I aged I picked a doctor my age and my size so the lectures would be delivered with more understanding. The greatest fear is now is out living my doctor and needing to break in a new one. I am alive today because of the diagnostic expertise of my own doctor and his connections with the finest specialist available. Dad is petrified to give mom medication or make any judgement calls. Their care giver is a tree hugger and is always adding some new "eye of gnute" to the line up. I bounce mom's condition off my doctor and he has suggested a few medications I could try with mom if I were their to moniter the effect. Mom's hip is deteriated and she has trouble walking so pain plays a factor as well as cognitive issues.

 

[pulltostart]

Kelly,

What an interesting life your parents have lived! Thanks for sharing the photos of their collections. Best of luck with the new double-dose medication.

Lawrence

 

[sudsman]

Kelly

I have not posted here as I really wanted too at first.. As it has hit so close to home for me. My Grandmother and Grandfather both had the same almost 15 years ago. The pain of one is awful but loosing them going at the same time was horrific. She was first and we were told of his illness about a year later. Things then were not near as good they are now.There was almost no help and no one to turn too. Several of the homes would not even take them citing danger to other residents. She suffered for almost a year in the latter mode and times were hard and tough for me and them. I paid a sitter to stay with them during the day and at night I stayed .Grand Pa was the most problems as he would get outside and "walk off" And we would sometimes have to call the police to help search for him. Several nights we looked almost all night. Once he was trying to get back to his childhood home in Weatherford about 30 miles from here .. He tried walking the RR track. Another time he was found in a car at a car dealership trying to go to Chicago for a pizza for Grandmother. Many times I had no sleep at all. I thank God My boss at St Joseph Sister Margaret was a kind loveing and all knowing person. or I would have lost my job. For weeks after her death Grandpa keep looking for her under the bed and in the closet and even in the washing machine and dryer.. he knows she is a hiding here somewhere.. I dont think he ever knew. HE made it 8 months and the end came one night in his sleep.. I hold you in my prayers.. and if you should EVER like to talk E mail me and I will galdly give you my phone number and would be proud to talk to you.. I am one that DOES know also.

 

[foraloysius]

Kelly

It's heartbreaking to read about your mother. I just wanted to tell you you do a great job taking care of her the way you do. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Louis