Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2003. Mattie was a year old and this was his first trip to the beach. It was a tough visit, as Mattie spent most of his time playing with the hose on our the deck. He was deathly afraid of the sound of the ocean and didn't like the feeling of the sand. That changed the follow year that we visited! I am glad we kept at it, because Mattie loved building and playing in the sand and we made many wonderful memories in North Carolina.
Quote of the day: A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve. ~ John Maxwell
It was another busy day! I just couldn't get up this morning. Right before my dad went to sleep last night, he had a bout of diarrhea. I assure you at 10pm, this is the last thing I have the energy for. Unfortunately the diarrhea continued today. Typically I refuse to give my dad Imodium, but today I had no other choice. Of course trying to figure out what caused this is another story. I suspect he ate something at the memory center the day before, but I can't be certain. At one time we could control my dad's irritable bowel syndrome better with diet. Now there is no predictability. This makes it very difficult trying to take him out, when even at home it is hellish to manage, as he goes all over himself.
This morning, I made an appointment for two weeks from now with a neurologist for my mom. She has many symptoms that need to be evaluated and frankly I need to understand better what I am dealing with and how to more effectively support her. Her decline since I saw her in Los Angeles (April of 2021), is significant. Though Peter feels my mom's decline since she has moved in with us in December has been steep. So I am trying to be pro-active, because honestly both of them are candidates for an institution. I am trying very hard to manage their care so they can live in the community with us.
This afternoon, I took my parents back to the hospital so that I could attend an occupational therapy session with my dad. While we were in therapy, I left my mom in the hospital atrium with a hot tea. Today's therapy session was intense and now I see the benefits of outpatient therapy. They can do more things given the equipment they have access to than can be done in our house. The question however, is will my dad benefit from this? After all, he did not remember even going for a therapy evaluation last week!
There is never a break! My parents need constant supervision and support. I can't let them converse with a doctor or therapist alone, and certainly any therapy sessions require my support. It is a huge responsibility that has physical and emotional ramifications for me and PETER!
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