Have you heard of Murphy's law? It's a saying like "when it rains, it pours." This story covers my fiancé's surgery in 2016, three months before our wedding, when my mom lived with me, and I sold my home. These major events are stressful one at a time, but I was overwhelmed with three. God … Continue reading Don’t Bypass Joy, My Love
Morphine or Milkshake? Caregiving, Short Story
Care-giving, Short Story
#POLST #alzheimersawarenessmonth #advancecareplanning Last week was a difficult one. Not a complete surprise, but it still overwhelmed me. It was time for changes in our circumstances. My alarm alerted me it was time to get Mom's morning started. I always open her blinds and administer her medicines, then bring her a cup of black coffee. … Continue reading When Things Change
Mom's two-hour trash-pick-up-walks had trickled to treks to the bathroom or kitchen. She hunched over her walker, and said it was painful to be more upright. Her Physician's Assistant listened to my concerns. "Do you think she fell?" "That's possible. Her memory is sketchy and confused at times, so it's difficult to get accurate info … Continue reading Mom’s MRI Questions
Laundry, almost done. Check. Finish up with Mom's sheets. After scanning my list at the kitchen counter, I glanced out the patio slider. Several wildfires were burning in our state, and one was near enough to cast a peachy light. Triple digits again today. Will this heatwave never end? The birdbath on our patio was dry, … Continue reading Water and Tonic
X-rays were ordered for Mom's hip. It was painful, and with her track record of not divulging her falls, we wanted confirmation that there wasn't any fractures. Sis and I transported her to the Medical Building, unloaded her in the Valet Zone, and entered the Radiology Department. After registration, we were taken to a changing … Continue reading Mom Visits Radiology
#wheelchair #siblings #caregivers In my family, I'm the baby. Two brothers and one sister. Sis is almost nine-years older than me. She's the OLDER sister. Mom has been living with me since 2014, when her beloved husband passed away from cancer. She never drove a car, has Alzheimer's now, and is challenged with walking due … Continue reading When Sis Helped
Mom wiggled her little fanny and did a little dance. Her jeans were not cooperating. She yanked on them again. "Mom, what's the problem?" I stood by her bedside table with her steamy cup of coffee. How could this be difficult? She weighs 89 pounds—one pound for each year of life. "Oh...I can't seem to get … Continue reading Mom’s Jeans
My hubby and I took Mom for a walk to a nearby locally owned coffee stand. It sits next to a wetland preserve, so the views are beautifully "springy" right now. Our challenge was rolling Mom in her wheelchair over those yellow lego-thingies to get to the order window. In the past, we made … Continue reading Mom’s Roller Coaster
E.V. Sparrow 