Guest guest Posted April 14, 2004 Report Share Posted April 14, 2004 Abby please see the post before this one (Sandie) as I forgot to change the subject line. Kath Sandie > Funny how friendship makes no place feel far. When I think of it > Iowa truly isn't that far. I imagine yours and 's love > transcends the distance as well (of course, you getting over being > stubborn about him paying for your ticket is the surest way to > transcend the distance in earnest. How happy am I that you're > going?? Have I told you that enough???) > > OK - details re: lunch with my dad. In short, it was great. My dad > has had an overall great weekend. Today, I was amazed at how great > even his short term memory was. He remembered what he had for > breakfast and gossiped with me re: one man who lives on his floor > who had a heartattack this week and who was sent home far too early > from the hospital in his estimation. He was as good as he was on the > day of his surgery. My family rejoiced in having him back - if only > for this very special day. As well, he's been trying to walk small > distances with the walker and today he did 3 turns around the great > room we had lunch in. I was holding onto his arm and my husband was > following right behind with his wheelchair but he did great!!! He > was so proud of himself. He even told my husband that he hopes he's > well enough to teach my husband how to make wine in October. Sandie, > it was just such a great day. We ended up staying until almost 7 pm > (from 10:30 am) because we didn't want the day to end. After dinner > though he was tired and couldn't keep his eyes open. He so rightly > deserved to be tired after having such a great day. > > My aunt and cousins came along as well. It was nice because my aunt > (my mom's sister's) husband had a stroke the day before my dad went > in for surgery. She went to be with her husband at the hospital and > then came over at about 4 pm and stayed for the rest of our time > there. The mood was jovial and everyone was pleased at my dad's > progress. He was showing off and I even heard a guffaw coming from > him when my aunt told him she'd never seen a man stand taller than he > was standing today. > > Food --- oh there was lots. We had turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, > broccoli, snow peas and almonds, sauteed mushrooms, salad and > cheesecake. My aunt brought this Italian cake made especially at > Easter time. Yummy!!! And, of course, we had chocolate and each > time someone unwrapped one I thought of you - honest engines!!! > > My dad is doing well. We heard on Friday that the neurosurgeon does > not want to see my dad for a followup and doesn't intend to take any > more MRIs. He thinks a third surgery on my dad would be very risky. > My mom says she's glad of this and doesn't want us to push the issue > and ask why he doesn't want to at least have a followup appt. with my > dad. She said she'd have a difficult time not insisting on surgery > if she knew it was an option. My sister has agreed. I'm happy that > we can rejoice in my dad's condition now and don't want to even think > about what may come tomorrow. I'm totally convinced the only way for > me to live through this is to live for the day and celebrate the fact > that my dad doesn't seem to be in the end stages yet. I know it will > come...but for now, I just want to love him and not grieve for him. > I feel as if I've been grieving for him since August and I want to > focus some more time on just loving him. > > I know you know what I mean Sandie. You've urged me to embrace not > only my faith but also my remaining time with my father and for that > I thank you. > > Glad to know you had a great day with your extended family. Sounds > like fun and food aplenty was had by all. Those two are the markers > of true family fun. I'm especially glad you got some chocolate. I > believe things would have turned ugly had you not found any... > > A very, very big hug out to you today Sandie!!! > > Thanks for being a great friend. Did I really only just " meet " less > than a month ago??? Impossible... > > Abby > > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Sher, Is your mom still on dextral (sp?) My mom had lots of hallucinations with the bladder drug and so we discontinued it... Kath Abby > Dear Abby, > Wow, thank you for sharing with me. I was feeling really frightened > but after reading your story, I know it is frightening for everyone. > Three years ago my mom had bi-lateral knee surgery and did alot of > hallucnating at that time. Then she started having bladder problems > and the Dr. put her on Dextral/sp? and it was shortly after that when > she started seeing things and acting different. It wasn't until Nov. > of this year that I really noticed the changes and things just got > worse. 12/7 she fell and that sent us to the Dr. and a dx of > Hydrocephalus that lead to more tests to see if a shunt was needed(it > was not) which lead to the Dr. dx of depression and respideral/sp? > and a anit-depressent which lead to the vivid hallucnations, which > lead to the falls and confusion and a hospital stay with the dx of > LBD three weeks ago. The rest is history. I thought it interesting > that it was when you dad had his surgery (like mom) that it appeared > to be the beginng of things?? I will say a prayer for you dad, mom > and you. Thanks again, God Bless, sher > > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hi Abby- I am doing ok. Have had a few struggles yet I am always determined to persevere. Taking each day at a time. My trip...I will be flying out of Des Moines in less than a month. Whoa! Haven't packed anything, have bought a few small travel items like shampoos and things. I live near our airport and each time I see a plane taking off my heart races. I have only flown once and that was with someone, to Arizona. Well, this will be quite the adventure. Take Care - and many hugs to ya- Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2004 Report Share Posted April 30, 2004 I love the tips you sent Sandie's way. I haven't made my way through all the messages but I know Sandie must be loving you! That is largely contingent on all the great advice you gave her but it's also partly because nowhere in your message does it say she can't have loads of chocolate. I'm guessing she'll do just about anything so long as she can have her chocolate fix!! Hi Abby- Love your rendition of me wanting and needing MY chocolate. I am just sure I will have some stowed away in my carry on case. I know this goes against watching my caffeine intake, yet, I see no other way of getting around this. In fact, as I type this I have inhaled 3 Hersheys Kisses...yummy!! Great hearing from you Abby -hope you are enjoying your Friday! Hugs, kinda rainy ones, from Iowa- Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2004 Report Share Posted April 30, 2004 Now, the chocolate - that does pose a problem...hmmmmmm Well, I am sure call phone ahead and make sure the pilot has no chocolate to offer!! ^meant to say, I am sure 'will' phone ahead and make sure the pilot has no chocolate to offer!! Well, crap - guess there goes another post of typos chalked up for Sandie - sometimes, I swear - well, and sometimes I do that as well. Hehehehehehe Hugs- Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2004 Report Share Posted May 1, 2004 > > Dear Abby- > > When I talked to yesterday, I told him 'no worries' I wasn't interested in any pilot. We also talked about this pilot being a 'hunk' and I replied with...I didn't know you () knew how to fly a plane. My eyes are focused on New Zealand and only one man! > > Now, the chocolate - that does pose a problem...hmmmmmm > Well, I am sure call phone ahead and make sure the pilot has no chocolate to offer!! > > Thanks for your input - its been great fun teasing about all of this. > Ah ha!!! See I knew it!! You'd never be able to resist a man in chocolate. truly must consider every possibility. It truly has been fun joking about all of this and considering ways in which the untemptable you may weaken. I still think knows he's pretty safe... Love from afar my choco-fiend friend, Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2004 Report Share Posted May 1, 2004 > > Now, the chocolate - that does pose a problem...hmmmmmm > Well, I am sure call phone ahead and make sure the pilot has no chocolate to offer!! > > ^meant to say, I am sure 'will' phone ahead and make sure the pilot has no chocolate to offer!! > > Well, crap - guess there goes another post of typos chalked up for Sandie - sometimes, I swear - well, and sometimes I do that as well. > Hehehehehehe > > Hugs- > > Sandie LOL!!! You are on a roll Sandie!! Have a good one, Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2004 Report Share Posted May 1, 2004 Abby wrote: Part of why you may be needing your parents more lately may have something to do with you needing them to see you happy and making great strides in your life. If it's any consolation, they know! I know they do and they're very proud of who you've become and who you are choosing to spend your life with. Wish I lived closer and could hug you hard enough to make you know they're with you. Since I can't, I'm hugging you from my heart today and hoping your faith will remind you of how they've never left your side - not really anyway. Hi Abby- Sitting here at my computer feeling the utmost gratitude for the words you sent me, feeling myself tucked away in your heart, hugged. Thank you!! Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 Hi, Abby, Thank you so much for sharing your story about your dad's visit home. I have gotten behind with things in the group again, but I am trying to read as many posts as I can. I know the visit home was a bittersweet experience for both you and your dad. In one way it is comforting that your dad is okay in the nh, and he has successfully made the transition. On the other hand, the whole thing just sucks. LBD is just emotionally and physically exhausting for everyone involved, patients and caregivers alike. I wish I had something profound to say that would really help, but I really just wanted you to know I am thinking of you. Hang in there! Sending you big hugs, Piper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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