What a great idea this is!

Thanks, Chris, for getting this going. For me, it will be a real "gift" - as I get to share and receive thoughts and reflections about all that is happening to us as a family. Believe me, with what I've been going through this past week, having a "place" where I know I'm supported and can "vent" when I need to -all I can say is this could not have come at a better time! It will also help poor Ralph, as I sometimes take out my frustrations on him...but that's another story! LOL

Pat, I so appreciate what you shared in your post. Your perspective mirrors mine. I have resisted being fully involved in all of Mom's needs as I, too, have been "put off" by her attitude. Thank you for reminding me of the way things were with Mom. I need to remember that this is not the Mom I grew up with - and that so much of who she is now is caused by the disease she now has.

Since Thursday, I have taken on Mom's care almost around the clock. She has definitely been in her "helpless mode" - partly from the stomach problems she's having (and I tend to agree with Debbie - much of it seems to be caused by the amount of stress and anxiety she feels). Yesterday, she was in her chair sleeping (as she so often does) each time I came in to the house. The first time I came, I busied myself with doing her laundry, changing her bedsheets, general cleaning of the kitchen and bathroom, and then getting her lunch ready - and she responded very little other than to thank me. Later, I came back to prepare her for the initial "admissions visit" from the Home Heath Care nurse. She at first resisted ("Why do I need THAT?"). When I reminded her the doctor had prescribed it, she quieted down. I also let her know that the nurse who was coming was a male nurse. She gave her customary "What? A MALE nurse?" in her aghast tone of voice. I told her that there are males who are nurses. Well, guess what! She warmed up to him after a while and started joking with him. When I told her there were a lot of birds feeding on the bird seed (which had fallen from its pouch on the tree), she came out of her chair to see them. My, my --- what a change of demeanor, and in a relatively short time! The nurse was there almost two hours so by the time he left, it was around 6:30 so I made her dinner and sat with her while she ate. (by the way, she actually requested a bowl of soup with toast - she's decided she likes soup after I had fed her soup at our house after her doctor's appt on Friday). This coming week she will be dealing with a weekly nurse visit, a physical therapist twice a week, and the caregiver (Petra) who will be coming in nearly every day for four hours. Let's hope she doesn't resist too much!! Will keep everyone posted on how the week pans out...

By the way, who uploaded the photo? It's also one of my favorites...