Just need to talk to my friends (195)
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Praying all rockers are safe after tornado outbreaks and stay safe for what's to come.
Ron
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good morning
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Good morning, we're on the way to Pawhuska. We were supposed to drive through Bartlesville but it was hit by the tornado. We have a beautiful clear blue sky now. I'll post photos later, I'm on the bus now.
Iris
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Good morning Rockers.
Iris I'm so glad that you checked in. Did you have a very stormy night? When you were in Dallas you were within 45 minutes of us! I wish I would have known, would have been fun to meet briefly. Next time.
Waiting for Lorita to check in.
eagle
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Morning, I'm here but sleepy Got to.bed about 3.
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Still haven't gone back to bed,but will. Checked the rain gauge and we got 3" of rain last night. That makes 9 3/4" if I remembers correctly. I have it written in my journal so will check. Lots of damage in Barnsdall and Bartlesville.
One tornado formed about the same place west of us as it did a couple of days ago. I heard there was some damage in the little town about 7 miles north of here. It's beautiful, warm, pretty humid day. Ponds are full and running over. Darwin called about 7 to check on me and he said he had never seen his creek as high as it is today. He was going back to.bed.
Iris, you have had a couple of pretty days in Oklahoma and a taste at night of our spring storms and how violent they can be. Where do you go from here and is your travels on a bus? You said no OKC or Amarillo so how do you get back to California if you're on a bus?
Going to watch the noon news and take a long nap.
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Interesting morning watching the trial. Wish I had gone to law school. Is 83 too late to start???
Hope allis well with Lou today.
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Never too late, Judith. I watched a little of the discussion during the lunch break. Sounds like she went into great detail. Just saw the defense has asked for a mistrial.
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Hello everyone, I do not who has been following my history with Dementia well I went to the neurologist today and I got some good news that I DO NOT HAVE PARKINSON'S . (thank you for your prayers) The meds she gave me should help me to have nice dreams and not the nightmares that I have been having. I sure as hell hope that they work.
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That is great news David! Hope the meds work.
Lorita and Judith are referring to the trial in NY? If so, how are you watching it? I'm following it o twitter.
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Thank you I also hope that they work.
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CaroLynne…MSNBC…I like their experts…mostly experienced attorneys
David… good news
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David,good news that you don't have Parkinsons. I lost a cousin to it about a year ago. Hope the meds work for you.
Caro,it is that trial. I get it on CNN. I haven't been watching. I heard Daniels testified today but didn't see her, only the reporters talking. Judith, do they show the people who testify?
Sandy, fina!ly heard from Sarah, indirectly. Todd called. She's in the ER. Has been seizing, can't eat, vomiting and not sleeping. Feeding machine not working, The doctor who dropped her case only gave her 30 days of meds so she's out of them. Had appt. With new doctor yesterday but the doc postponed it until tomorrow. Slept about an hour this afternoon. Going to bed early tonight if the weather permits- don't believe it will be bad until tomorrow.
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Good news David.
Received a call from the nurse and Lou will not be coming home till next Monday. Still working on her medicine, will do more lab Saturday, have results Sunday and discharge her Monday. I was told the dr will put in a order for hospice home health. I miss my wife!
Ron
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Oh Ron, I hear your pain. Just rest assured she will be coming home with appropriate meds and the assistance of hospice to help both of you. Try to take care of yourself and rest up for her return xo
Thanks Lorita and Judith. I watch the nightly recap on MSNBC, I too like their experts. This is not a political forum so will say no more 🙊
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The weatherman just said the tornado last night was a EF4 with winds of 175 mph. One person was killed and a man is still missing. The sulphur tornado last week was an EF3.
Ron, sorry that it will be a while before Lou comes home. They're trying to get her medicine fixed to help her more. Glad hospice will be on hand to help. You need to rest as much as you can. I know how you miss Lou. Without her the house seems empty. I know how that feels - so many of us share those feelings.
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Continued prayers for everyone in this stormy weather
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Lorita hope the storms quit messing with your sleep schedule soon. I’m glad you’re safe and hope everyone else is too.
the yard got mowed yesterday by the people I hired. My sister says it looks really good that they did a very nice job. I’m so thankful. I hated her house looking like that. The guy that my mom asked to marry her several years back, he’s very sick now. But, his son and him help mom with anything they can help her with and are really nice to her. So they cut down a small tree that she wanted cut down and they resowed the grass and everything. The son does it at his dads is no longer able. I took straw with me yesterday evening to put down on it but I forgot. They’re giving rain and it could be heavy possibly this evening so soon as I get my lunch ate I’m gonna run over there and put the straw down. She said his son tells her to call if she needs anything. He brings her treats too. Usually a small little pie of some sort.
JeriLynne hope you are doing OK this morning. HB you’ve been quiet for a day or two to hope you’re OK also.
I found two or three zinnias up this morning so that encourages me, I’ve planted several. I see one Mexican sunflower has made it up. I still have quite a few seeds to put out if I find the time. Planted one more tomato plant and I think that’s probably all the tomatoes plants I will have . I have four tomato plants and two peppers. I have been eating lettuce and cilantro that I am growing. Should have some onions pretty soon. They are giving it sort of cool this weekend, so I’m kind of waiting and holding off to plant my flower plants. The tomatoes, peppers and watermelon that I put out earlier have back ups inside in case they would get killed. I don’t have any back ups for my flower plants. They’re not giving it low enough to kill anything right now but you know how that goes.
wrote this at lunch and forgot to post it.
I did get the straw put down and the guys did a great job that mowed, I’m so happy. The only thing they don’t know what to do with is the garden, and I don’t know what to do with it either. Not gonna get into explaining why, too complicated. I completed weeding and mulching the west side around her house today and I started on the northside and I probably have a fourth of that done. I’m gonna have to take a break for a few days though because my back is feeling stiff.
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Caro…agree…one reason we get along is no politics…
I am facinated with learning about trials and how they "work'. Also with the gamesmanship…the predictions of what each side is going to do and the analysis. My husband was an aviation attorney but rarely went to court.
Ron I know you miss your Lou like crazy. She will be coming home and with hospice you will have additionsl time to spend just being with her.
Jeri….update???
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This has been such a fantastic trip! We have gone to so many interesting places. I started to post on the bus but the reception was weak. We had a tour of the Lodge where Pioneer Woman is filmed. What a place! It started out as as housing for university people doing agricultural research in the 1960s - 1980s. Then it became housing for ranch hands until the show started in 2010. Here are a few photos.
Two sets of stoves
Farmhouse sink
Family picture
Iris
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Here are photos of the living area and one of four bedrooms, now used for the crew of the show.
The huge pantry
The view from the porch
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Hello again Friends. I tried to read a bit but only made it to the Porch. A (not so) quick update before I fall in the bed.
Judith, you were not blunt. You were giving your best advice. And I appreciate it. Mint, I re-read your post several times and you also were right.
I do have a clear picture of my FIL's wishes as he has long had a Living Will, a signed Alabama Natural Death Act and more recently with his move to AL, an activated DNR.
My struggle is probably more with ME than with him. He was never "close" to his son, my late husband. They just didn't see eye to eye on many things, but they loved each other. Given that, FIL and I were never close. They lived away. We were raising children, etc. But when his son died, I was left with both a legal and moral obligation as POA to someone I didn't really have relationship with. I've worked hard to get closer, but by the time FIL came to us in 2020, he was already showing signs of dementia. In fact, I'm the one who took away his keys because DH, his son would not. He wasn't safe anymore. And he was already showing signs of lack of empathy. He pouted because DH was taking chemo and radiation so didn't feel up to ferrying him 25 miles one way to the Senior Center. Then he chose to go to the facility where he had friends and "be around people my own age". Made sense to me and I was trying (again) to deal with and fix the unfixable. DH with Stage IV lung cancer.
All that to say: DH left me with a job to care for his father. And, I'm a fighter. If you're my family (or my patient for that matter), I will not back down until I get the answers, get you what you need and do every single thing I can to take care of you. So, that's why I had to ask the questions. Thank you all for your support and care. You've really helped make this more bearable. I took care of both my parents, my DH and now FIL. So, this isn't really unfamiliar ground - but it's different to me because the relationship is different.
So, we made it to the SNF last evening late. Today was first day of evals. PT, OT, Speech, Recreation and Dietary. The Staff commented that FIL "perked up and performed better" when I stepped forward to reinforce their instructions. He's still confused. But pleasantly so until he has to urinate. He doesn't understand the whole diaper thing and not strong enough to stand without a two person assist. And the urinal doesn't work either. So he gets agitated. But today, I didn't deal with that. I went and got the Nurse. And I explained, " I'll wipe his butt, but I will NOT hold his penis for him to urinate, you'll have to deal with that... That crosses my boundary." And they smiled and said they understood.
Got him settled. Went over his orders with the Nursing Staff. Got his clothes in the closet. Rearranged his furniture so he could see his ALZ clock. And left $50 worth of candy and treats at the nursing station.
Then: I got a mani/pedi. Then: I went to see my Counselor that I haven't seen in over a year. We talked about guilt, frustration, forgiveness and Jesus. And I'm better.
And we'll get up and do it again tomorrow. The best we can. Thank you again, truly from the bottom of my heart.
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Lorita, everywhere I looked reminded me of you. They have 6,000 Brangus cattle on 66,000 acres. I see why you are so attached to your home. I understand moving the girls from field to field. Here are some cows.
Eaglemom, I was able to meet two of my cousins in Dallas, one who lives there and one who was visiting. I'm sorry I couldn't have met you. Our trip was jam-packet with activities and sightseeing.
David, it's great that you don't have Parkinsons.
Ron, I hope Lou will be settling in more with her medication. Are you resting?
Lorita, we left Tulsa and are changing planes in Las Vegas, on the way back to the L A area. We flew into Austin last week and picked up a tour bus from Village Tours to ride around in. I have to rest tonight, then pick up my cats from the pet hotel tomorrow.
Iris
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WOW!!!
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Bartlesville OK was heavily damaged by the EF4 tornado with winds to 175 mph, with one death reported. We were about 30 miles away, the sky was dark but it was not very windy. We did see a few downed power lines and downed trees.
Iris
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Hello to everyone. Have been reading, but was not able to Post due to some technical glitch, but it finally seems fixed. Have been reading and keeping up, especially re our friends in the "weather" concerning territories. Sounds like thus far, everyone is doing alright. We here in SoCal are of course in the usual weather. Very nice spring time temps - a gift before the boiling days of summer hit us.
JeriLynn, I am so sorry for all that is happening; it must be so deeply concerning. If only we had a magic wand . . . . no matter what, those evals can be helpful in placing a bit more insight on matters. So much happening; perhaps in time, as things settle, there will be a bit better adaptation. That sort of dynamic was part of my step-dad's outcomes. Yours may need adjustment to treatment plan or perhaps an evaluation and possible adjustment to meds to help things along as changes evolve.
One thing that drove me a bit batty . . . there I was; RN with Masters Degree, tons of hands-on clinical experience, Administrator of Patient Case Management, and yet . . . unable to make a difference in my LO's condition. One thing: RN or not, no one has given us a crystal ball. Drats! You are doing the right things and all the evals will help paint a bit clearer picture. I always ensured that if at all able, all was done to rehab what could be done. Often, it was surprising at how that positively responded, but sometimes sadly not. We never know. Sure wish for a crystal ball . . . . .
Best to have all eval's done and then make a choice for setting - and of course, that setting can be changed as your LO moves forward. We never know how things will evolve and that can be surprising.
Ortho Units in acute settings are geared for action and short stays - surgery - and then up and at 'em and discharge or transfer asap. Sometimes was surprised patients weren't given rocket ski's for their backsides so they could be slid at warp speed down the stairwells!
Ron; I am glad to hear Lou was going home on a Monday. I never liked patients with issues or flexing needs to go home on a Friday or weekend day. If something should arise at home, it is hard to get the help one needs across a weekend and to even get one's own MD on the phone until Monday rolls around. On call knows nothing and it leaves us fairly bare. As for the Speech Therapy not coming on a Sunday; in most facilities, there is no PT, OT, ST, on weekends. Some may do Saturdays, but in many settings; especially non-acute, the weekends are empty. Never made sense to me. If one belongs to an HMO, that can be different depending on the HMO and their contracts as they have a mission to save bed days and get the patient discharged asap; it is about saving the HMO costs.
Mint; you are a lovely person and a very dear daughter to your mother. She is certainly blessed to have you as her daughter. You are working hard keeping all going under trying circumstances; I am really impressed.
Lorita, oh my; please stay safe in all the tornado warnings. You are pretty good with all of that. Just wish you had a bit more option other than the bathroom, but you are doing all the right things. Will be glad when all that passes away from your area.
David, it is good to hear that thing appear to be doing better; I hope that the med adjustment works well and makes a big positive difference for you.
My own response to the meds I now take due to new onset of fibrosis is not the happiest. Side effects include weakness and feelings of "BLAH!" So not me, but yes, now me. Have a lot more adjusting to do. As my kids said, it doesn't affect the mind and I am still perking full on that, so I must remember to be thankful for that. I am, but I do miss the "old me," but DH is quick to remind me that I AM an "old" me. So quick with the compliments; but that is okay, I will catch him with a good one soon. Helps to keep laughing. Or sometimes just cackling . . . . he is nine days older than me and his birthday is on the 19th, so he is older than me for nine days until I catch up and then I have to shut up. If he just stuffs some birthday cake in my mouth, it will have same effect but be more pleasant.
Ron; I will be watching closely for your Posts; you are on my mind and I care very much. Big hug being sent to a fine person who is like the never ending warrior under heavy circumstances. Hope things move along well and hope you can get some assistance and rest for yourself, I think that would help so much and it sounds as though it is time. Please remember to take care of you too.
Well; off I go, it is now almost 8:00 p.m. PST. Time to get to some things before bed. Wishing a good sleep and lovely dreams for everyone.
J.
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David so nice to hear that you don’t have Parkinson’s.
Ron hope you find hospice helpful. Know you are carrying a heavy load and have been for awhile.
So nice to hear from you JoC. Sorry you are having to deal with steroids. Know that is hard.
Jerilynn speaking of forgiveness, knew a lady once who had been through something and she said she had to forgive because if she didn’t it was going to kill her. All we can do is the best we can. I wish I could do more to make things better for my mom, but I’m not able. I have to try and remember that I didn’t cause the problem and I can’t fix the problem. I wish I could either live with her or her live with me, I want to take care of , but so far her personality is such that I don’t have the strength to do that. I just ask Jesus to help me and to take care of her for me. I took her a piece of my cream cheese pie with the strawberry sauce on top. She seemed to have really enjoyed that.
hope each one got safely through the night. We got 1.58 inches of rain so glad i got the straw on the grass seed.
See it is suppose to warm up after the weekend, so maybe then I can start planting my flower plants
i’m going to edit my last post. I’d like to dictate when I’m short on time but boy I really do need to remember to go back and edit it. But I just said the reason I dictated was I was short on time.
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Morning
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Good Morning Porch Friends,
@Jo C. A fellow CM Director!!!!! So good to hear from you! Glad you were able to post. Glad and grateful for each good day that you have. You are so right about the evals (about everything). I've been very clear with the Staff re: the rehab goal we must meet if we are to stay. I also have an alternative placement in case we don't. I'm trying to preserve quality of life. I was impressed with the Therapy Staff (also former Inpatient Rehab Surgery Director here) and they also seemed very caring. That alone was reassuring. Almost "Happy Birthday" to your DH. Eat the cake🤗
Mint, how right your friend was about forgiveness. I just needed a little perspective yesterday. While the situation has nothing to do with FIL, I just needed to talk it out in the midst of all that is happening. I have forgiven the person involved in the situation that happened when I was a child. I won't go into details, but what I needed help with was to understand the concept that even if you forgive, you don't have to allow that person access to your current life to hurt you again. I'm better this morning.
Thank you. Iris, your trip looks amazing. I wish I had gotten the farmhouse sink with two compartments instead of one. And that STOVE!!!! Love it. I used to watch PW and still use some of her recipes.
David, that's wonderful news you got! I'm happy for you.
Ron, Hospice can be Godsend. I pray it is for you and Lou. JoC is right about weekend discharges from hospital.
Haven't looked at the weather yet, but the storms are moving this way. Lorita, Beth, everyone, praying for your safety.
Today, we must take my sweet AnnaBelle the Jack Russell to the Vet. It's time for her to cross the Rainbow Bridge and "go to sleep". Hard decisions all around. But merciful given her situation. She's been my friend for a long, long time. This dog has travelled with me coast to coast twice, lived in 5 different states while I was working, and has been the feistiest, most courageous little dog I've ever had. She's the last of the "inside" dogs. Oliver the Cat will rule the house now, along with Bird the Cockatiel. I'll miss my friend.
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Good morning rockers.
It's gray here with a thunderstorm in the area. Things should clear up later this morning.
David— that is wonderful news that you aren't dealing with Parkinson's.
Ron— You must really be looking forward to having your dear Lou back home. I hope adding hospice to your team makes the day-to-day care a bit easier going forward.
Iris— I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. Those pictures of the kitchen are amazing. I am trying to imagine a scenario in which on might need a dozen burners— yikes. And that pantry is covetable. How was the sewing machine museum? I can't wrap my mine around that and I sew. That said, the guy who used to service mine collected vintage toy sewing machines and they were amazing.
Jo C— How nice to hear from you. I'm sorry you're not feeling as you would wish to. I'm not sure if you're on steroids, but I know when my mom was on high dose steroids for vasculitis, she was pretty miserable. Prednisone is like the best of medications and the worst of medications at once.
Lorita— I hope this dangerous weather is over for you (and others in the path) soon. It must be exhausting to be on alert days on end to say nothing of watching communities torn up nearby.
I hope Sarah gets some relief soon.
Jerilynn— Your situation with FIL certainly is unique. I bet you never in your life would have imagined the sentence "I'll wipe his butt, but I will NOT hold his penis for him…" dropping from your mouth.
I'll be thinking of you as you say goodbye to Annabelle. It's always sad, but sometimes the kinder choice to make.
Mint— It must feel good to have the lawn tidied up. It's a lot you have going on taking care of 2 households as you do. I can barely stay on top of my yard.
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I had a quiet start to the week. My dentist canceled on me yesterday which annoys as it pushes it into June when things will be busier. Oh well.
I've been puttering around in the yard and catching up on house cleaning since Mom didn't have any appointments until today. She sees her psychiatrist this afternoon and then I'll take her for a pedi and maybe some annuals for her garden since the fancy garden center is near the nail salon. I still have to figure out Mother's Day. Maybe dinner here; I don't go out on the that particular day.
Both my BILs had stent procedures last week. DH's brother's was anticipated, but my idiot BIL was something of a surprise. I do hope he does well as my niece doesn't need anything else on her plate from him. DH's brother did well with the procedure but ended up with bronchitis while in the hospital. Poor guy. He's itching to get back on the golf course and he's just not there yet.
My BFF has finally accepted that she needs to have the preventative surgery and is pushing for it to be done asap. I'm glad she's decided to do it. She's in the middle of a kitchen remodel that's gone sideways with contractor complications so it would be nice if that was wrapped up first. She has a kitchen in the basement, but she won't be up to stairs.
HB1
Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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