Just a quick note: Nurse will come once a week, aide twice a week, and hospice will call me for appt. to come out. She performed brilliantly while the nurse was here...wet two pads, threw up, but had normal temp. and bp. And so it goes.
That's good news about the nurse and aide, TJ, -- and especially good news about finally having a hospice evaluation scheduled -- we've been so pleased with hospice services since we started them five weeks ago. Good luck on getting some badly needed rest and an occasional change of scenery.
TJ, so glad she cooperated! It's so great that you are getting some much needed help. Take all you can get and then some! Hope you can get some rest now.
TJ, I'm in there pulling for you and holding your hand even though I haven't been typing much. My emotions are still too much right now. I've got you in my thoughts and prayers, and I've tied a few more knots in our rope!
Gourdchipper, I am so pleased that you have help. I'm getting Hospice starting tomorrow. With mixed emotions. <sigh>
Thank you all, my family, for all the good thoughts and support. I feel exhausted...never felt like this before...I wonder if it is my med. Might also be that it's almost midnight. Good night all, and thanks again.
Hospice just left (social worker)...looks like she will qualify..just need the dr. order to make official, plus nurse evaluation. Oh boy, at least 6 months of help. StuntGirl..........:)
Do not blame your meds. They won't kick in for several weeks. Don't stop them. You were feeling exhausted before you began taking the meds. You've been running back and forth to the hospital, home, dealing with meds, - the stress has worn you out.
Stay the course, TJ, secure your rigging and hang on to the line. You're on the way to a better place, trust me.
I won't stop Nancy, I'm cutting back half (dr. said to). This fatique is much more than before I started, plus the hot flashes, although they seem less today than yesterday. Could it be PMS? No, I had a vasectomy 30 years ago.
Hi Joe, glad to hear thngs are getting settled for you and DW...and that you will be getting the much needed help....try to get some rest, when someone is t here with your wife, try to get out and do something that you enjoy, it will do you a world of good. YOu have been under extreme stress. Bless you. Rosalie
I agree with Nancy, Joe. Do what your doctors say, but don't stop taking them. It really DOES take a while to experience the good effect of some of these medications. Don't be discouraged too soon......even in a couple of weeks, if this isn't helping you to cope better, there are lots of other Rx's that can be tried. Don't give up. We love you, really, really. Hang in. Jen
Joe glad to hear you will be getting some help! :) How is the yeast infection? Did they give you any advice on that? Going to go pour me a rum and coke, want one? lol
Nikki, the nurse saw the yeast infection and said "wow", but that I was doing the right thing with the Monistat. She even has it in her armpits, bless her heart. I do! Pour away, girl. I'm sure you'll have lots of others want to join in.
Good! I am very glad the nurse had a look at it. When I had the nurse coming to the house I loved it! Saved many trips to the doctor. Lynn truly hated going, and the hospital was even worse! Once he thought the screen they use to view xrays was a window.. and he tried to jump out of it! Eeeeek..don't miss those days!
The rum is Captain Morgan, that work for you? I LOVE it :)
Oops! I just remembered, can't drink when taking antidepressant, right? That spiced rum sure sounds good though. How would that be in a Pina Colada (sp?)?
JOE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????????????? Of course you can drink with Zoloft! I betcha almost everyone on this site takes something for stress and depression, and unless they don't drink for other reasons, they DRINK cocktails and wine. All in moderation of course. With all my talk about cocktails, I don't dare get to the point I feel I couldn't drive, care for DH or think rationally. That's another reason to hop onto Phranque's cruise ship. None of the above would apply...and I'd be the one sitting on top of the frozen margarita machine!
A hot tub! Devine! Wish I had time to read it now! You all have such great senses of humor. Refreshing and needed! Thanks for the breaks from reality :)
TJ, when we’re in crisis mode, we can move mountains if necessary. As soon as everything settles down, we crash—of course you’re exhausted—expect it—you’re human.
I’ve been busy moving and unpacking so I just now have read this whole thread. Joe, in my book, you’re INCREDIBLE!!!!!
Another thing, Joe. After taking antibiotics, it would help with the yeast infection if she would take a good probiotic--in capsule form. She needs more than what she can get in yogurt.
Joe so glad you put the call in to hospice. I hope they offer the same respite in your area that Mary can get. You certainly need and deserve a break my friend. How is DW's yeast infection clearing?
Thank you all for your concern and support. Lori...what book is that..Marvel Comics? Incredible train wreck, maybe. Yes, I agree, and I will ask hospice to supply something. Nikki, it looks better now, but not gone, and I'm running out of the Monistat cream. Again, I'll ask hospice for some more. It looks like she has it on her neck now, 'cause she hangs her head down to one side all the time. Great place to grow stuff. I'm glad I'm going to have a 'manager' now to handle things...I'll just be their employee and reporter.
Good news about the infection. Glad it is clearing up! Have the nurse take a look at her neck while she is there. :) I loved what you said "I'm glad I'm going to have a 'manager' now to handle things...I'll just be their employee and reporter." You will of course still have stress, but you will have back up now. VITAL!
At the nursing home they have a nickname for my "new position" in Lynn's care. They call me the task master. LOL Cracks me up.
I just feel, Joe, that there are very few people who would have done all that you have done--no matter how much they love their spouse. I really feel that you are a gem.
I am a real momma bear. But I always try honey before I pull out the vinegar *wink
I am very active in Lynn's care. At first when I got there I would always stop at the nurses station for an update. Now like bluedaze, they meet me at the door to give me today’s "run down". Wonderful group of people :)
Actually the reason they call me the task master because of how I can get Lynn to do what they can't. Yesterday the nurse brought him in his medication with a glass of twocal. It is packed full of vitamins and calories, he needs both! He was very pleasant but only took a small sip. The nurse said how about another sip for me? He nicely said no.
I don't give him options. So I handed him the glass and nicely explained it was his medication and he needed to drink all of it. He took another sip and tried to hand me the cup. I kindly, yet firmly reminded him he needed to drink ALL of it. He rolled his eyes lol but he DID do it. :)
When he was first placed he wouldn’t do anything for them. Not allow them to change him, bathe him, nothing! I would go in and their frustration was obvious. They were kind! But they had run out of ideas. One of the nurses came in to watch me “in action” she said. He didn’t like that, but he did let me help him dress. When he did get difficult and swore at me, I said if he didn’t be nice and get dressed I would have to leave. He hung his head much like a child would, said sorry and proceeded to let me help his get dressed.
The nurse thought that was a great trick and decided to try it the next day. When he refused her care and got mad at her… she said if you swear at me I will have to leave. His reply? I wish the hell you would!!! LOL Still cracks me up :)
Nikki is this major manipulation? It sounds like he is willing to do anything including starve to keep you with him. It seems amazing that they can still push our buttons when they can't do anything else.
A bit of a stretch,here Nikki, but when I was concerned about my dog not eating, I was told by the Vet that the oly two species that will never starve themselves to death are dogs and human beings. Eventually, they will EAT.. Now, that being said, if someone goes on a hunger strike and faints from weakness, (haven't you heard that?) then in a way, they would have made it. I can see how my husband manipulates me..without saying a word. I find myself scurrying around to get his breakfast tray to him before he gets impatient, knowing that it's easier to keep the peace. Yet, I'll admit, he's never gotten realllllly upset when food isn't sitting there waiting for him. He sighs quite a bit, looks at me with "that look" so I hurry. Now your husband is only eating if you are there. Is that manipulation - can he still "manipulate" is the question?????. I just wonder if they can intimidate, manipulate, etc., -- or do we do it to ourselves? We will never know, I suppose.
He is far too gone to even know what manipulation is. The poor bugger just thinks he already ate and is full. I had the reverse trouble before, he wouldn't stop eating! He didn't think he had eaten all day, and he was on his 4th dinner! No, it is just the disease. Another tragic part of it.