Granny's gone and done it again

[microchick]

Looks like a bumper crop!
Howdy all, Feeling like crap of course.
Tom got up just as I was going to bed. I made it to my room and was just sitting on the edge of the bed when I heard him. Back up again and found he had broke his stat-lock.We didn't have more so Robert played Macgyver and rigged something up.

I don't know what else I can offer to you dear lady except a hug and then more hugs.

@troyer Bing cherries....mmmmmmm....

 

[microchick]

I honestly didn't feel like I gave up. He was refusing baths. Getting outside without me knowing and me running around out there calling his name. More.
Hospice helped. They help up to 2 years, then if the person is still with us, they reup it for 2 more years. It isn't just for end of life. I thought he had plenty of time. The meds? Mild at first. Probably more mild than what Tom is on. Nothing strong until needed. In fact most were his normal ones until he didn't need some he had been on for a while. I didn't have to take him to the dr. They have drs and the nurses report to them and then are directed.
He got bathed. Got into the shower for them. Not sure why not me. They came to check his vitals, and answered any questions I may have had. They helped me figure out things that would work best for him that I hadn't thought of. We were thinking about putting locks at the top of the doors for example so he wouldn't get out. Taught us how to handle his choking. So so many other things. Without us having to go to the dr. I was told he more than likely had 2 years left. But then, him having strokes took him faster.
Trust me, this was still my job, and I did it all until I got help from Austin and Bronwyn as he got worse. It was constant work. Thankful I got the helps from Hospice in what could be done to make things easier.

You know also and are a blessing. You were lucky to have help. I didn't. I have an older brother but he 'had a life' in his wife's words, so I was working 8 to 9 hours a day (he did check in on him while I was working) then went home to take care of dad, the house, dogs, yard, you name it. When dad almost burned the house down one night while I was at work, and then three days later I came home to the house covered in human feces, I knew I couldn't do it any longer. I didn't give up, I just faced facts. Told my brother that there were three choices. I quit my job and he chip in money to help keep the house running, he take dad home with him and take care of him there or dad had to go back to the nursing home because I was to the point of collapse. Brother was clueless but declined the first two so dad went back to the nursing home. The aids who took care of him went to one of the nurses and said they didn't understand how I was able to take care of him and work also and the nurse told them, because I had to.

Not really, he was my daddy even though I was in my 40s early 50s and I loved him and mom. The bible says, Honor thy mother and father and I took that seriously. To this day I believe God got me through those almost 20 years of being their caregiver. I would have never made it without Him.

 

[Rambling Iris]

Looks like a bumper crop!
Howdy all, Feeling like crap of course.
Tom got up just as I was going to bed. I made it to my room and was just sitting on the edge of the bed when I heard him. Back up again and found he had broke his stat-lock.We didn't have more so Robert played Macgyver and rigged something up.

Granny, you are doing a great job! Like the others said it's no shame to ask for help when you need it and it is available. I worked for hospice before I retired, we would go everyday if necessary to take care of the patient and give the family time to rest. There were some that had a nurse 24/7, some only a few hours a day, whatever the family needed. There is a nurse and doctor on call. About the stat-lock...have the nurse bring you some extra so you can fix it when needed.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I went picking cherries Saturday, this is how loaded the trees are.View attachment 4178833View attachment 4178832View attachment 4178834View attachment 4178835

Beautiful, troyer! Sure brings back memories! I picked Lamberts. So rich and sweet, big, almost black cherries up near Flathead Lake, 1975.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree, Granny, listen to these gals. Look, without backup from hospice it's practically guaranteed that a time is coming when something will happen that you can't manage and you won't have anyone to call except 911 and neither one of you wants that. With hospice, you call them and they come set things to rights and you carry on. You're not Superwoman, you do have limits. That doesn't make you a failure, it makes you human. Taking care of Tom the best you can also means knowing when it's time to call in reinforcements as needed. Be kind to yourself.

 

[microchick]

Granny, you are doing a great job! Like the others said it's no shame to ask for help when you need it and it is available. I worked for hospice before I retired, we would go everyday if necessary to take care of the patient and give the family time to rest. There were some that had a nurse 24/7, some only a few hours a day, whatever the family needed. There is a nurse and doctor on call. About the stat-lock...have the nurse bring you some extra so you can fix it when needed.

I was juggling the idea of going to work for Hospice while I was working. I saw the work they did with my residents and when the time came, with my father. I finally decided that I stood a chance of becoming too emotionally attached to my 'people' and decided against it.

When I went to work with my husband I said it was the best nursing job I ever had. No stress, no demands, the people were wonderful. To this day I call it my gravy job. Plus I got to work with DH!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I don't know what else I can offer to you dear lady except a hug and then more hugs

Ill take them!
Listen ladies, I know you are worried about me and maybe even think Im foolish for not accepting the extra help. I had hospice for my mom here. She passed with me holding on to her so yes, I know. I know about the sleepless nights and trying to slip off into the night. I kept for a while as she lay dying. I changed her and I kept her clean and fed even when I had to hand feed her. Even with hospice I had ne help. They took all her meds and offered her 2. Morphine I dropped on her tongue and another for when she had the rattle. They showed me at the end how her skin was turning purple where she laid on it meaning she had but hours left. I watched them take her away even though they tell you not to. I did it all. I'm not ready for them yet. I'm sure the day will come but its not today.

 

[microchick]

@Granny Hatchet, I understand.

I do have a question for you though. Do you have a plan in hand should you be facing surgery? Who is going to step in to help you afterwards because you will be taking care of you 24/7 and in all likelihood not be able to take care of Tom and Robert at the same time. Is there any way you can get respite care for them while you are recuperating?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

@Granny Hatchet, I understand.

I do have a question for you though. Do you have a plan in hand should you be facing surgery? Who is going to step in to help you afterwards because you will be taking care of you 24/7 and in all likelihood not be able to take care of Tom and Robert at the same time. Is there any way you can get respite care for them while you are recuperating?

yes, for Tom anyway. Robert would stay here. He has peeps 2-3 xs a week come in and he can feed himself. He already does the shopping. Im not sure about myself. Maybe they will let me share a room with Tom. lol Normally this type of thing is outpatient and home same day.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

dinner time. bbl