Thank you and Merry Christmas to All

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I have been busy as I am sure everyone has been at this time of year, but I

wanted to take a moment and thank you all for your support. I read the

LBDcaregiver emails everyday and although I don't always post a reply, the

stories, struggles and suggestions help me feel not so alone in all of this.

Mom is doing well on the Sinemet and commented that she is moving better. Her

hallucinating is not so great as she exclaimed " don't sit on the baby " when I

was moving something (turned out to be baby clothes) out of the way. She bought

the clothes at a second hand store because the " children " didn't have any

clothes on and she was worried that they were cold...

She has now decided that the caregiver she has during the week, " was a mistake " .

If you can recall, she absolutely loved her and everything she did and so I had

to " let go " the other caregiver who had been off for a gallbladder operation, in

order to keep her. Now, she has decided that this one is no good. And

, who comes on the weekend is starting to be the favorite...I am just

hoping that the caregiver will last long enough to become popular with mom once

again before mom drives her out the door...sigh.

I am having mom into my house for Christmas Eve and will keep her here for

Christmas day and dinner. The caregiver that mom now doesn't like (Theresa),

has said she will be back Christmas day night and so relieved I was that I

didn't have to have mom two nights in a row, I couldn't believe it. It was like

a Christmas gift to me. Now I feel guilty for saying that, but mom can be so

frustrating at times that after having her with me for a few hours I want to rip

out all my hair. Last night I took her to get groceries. I had been out all

day at the zoo with the daycare kids and then out shopping for presents, and got

back with her medicine refilled, to hear here complain that there is nothing in

there that she wants to eat. She couldn't tell me what exactly she needed so I

said " let's go " . Well she only wanted to get a couple of things which would

only last her a day or two, but I insisted and picked out a few things for her.

When we got home, she wanted to carry a bag, it was raining and I just wanted to

get her inside so I could unload the car, get the groceries away and go home and

eat. It was 10:30 at night and I was exhausted. She insisted on standing at

the door in the way, saying she could carry a bag. All that was left was a case

of pop, now can you picture this frail 100 lb. woman with LBD, who loses her

balance carrying that?!! I simply told her that I didn't want to have her fall

and hurt herself and be in the hospital over Christmas. Her reply... " well, I

thought that you might prefer it 'cause it would be less trouble for ya... " Oh

how I felt like driving her to the moon...and I don't mean by car.

Oh well. Such is life with LBD. At least she is able to talk back. And

arguing has always been what we do best. So I will count my blessings for now

and be thankful that I still have her to argue with. I do love her with all my

heart even if she makes me crazy.

I hope all of you have a chance for a rest, have a chance to laugh even if it is

just so you don't cry, and a chance to remember a happier time with your loved

ones. Be good to yourselves, and have a Merry Christmas. I will be away to my

trailer on Boxing Day but will return home to check in after the weekend.

Take care and God bless,

Kath in Toronto