She’s 94, healthy, strong & a total fruitcake. I was denied treatment for anxiety & caregiver stress by a psychiatric group who found me...extra. My dream of traveling in a converted van may end up as me in an electric wheelchair full speed downhill from the nursing home we wind up living.
Whoa. Lot's happening. I used to be a person who didn't believe in miracles. Not anymore. I see them just about every day. I hear you about the food, for sure. Give yourself some slack, if you can. Patience. Be careful with Metformin. I tried a low dose years ago, and my gastric reaction was pretty awful. You amaze me on a regular basis, Jodi, you just keep going, and applying all of your life experiences and love and wisdom (and your fabulous sense of humor). It's pretty awe-inspiring. And holy shit, Ma. You go, girl. Big hugs to you both. And to Kevin Eileen, as well. xo
Eh. Today's psychiatrist meeting went well. As long as I'm putting one foot in front of the other in the right direction, the progress of self-care may be slow, but it's still progress. On the other hand, it's kind of nice to have part of my mother back.🩵
That is lovely, yes! Ian’s mum is in a nursing home with dementia and it’s such a rollercoaster. Things looked really bleak a couple of months ago; now rather better and some days are pretty good. For how long? Who knows? I guess we have to be grateful for small mercies.
That must be a relief about your own Medicare. Glad your meeting today went well.
Aw Jodi, Big hugs hon! Sitting alongside or walking alongside and side-hugging. I hear you. No solutions. Several friends who are caring for loved ones discuss how food is an easy-access/do pleasure when so many things are difficult to orchestrate/access/do in the care routine. I've no smart ideas, just a lot of empathy and resonance. xoxo
Thanks, Victoria. It's all good. I met with a psychiatrist today who asked about my emotional support, and when I thought about it, a lot of my emotional support comes from people (like you) who I've never met in real life. I'm extraordinarily grateful for the platform, the connections and the chance to reach out to someone else dealing with an obstacle on this journey that I may have already encountered.🩵
Whoa. Lot's happening. I used to be a person who didn't believe in miracles. Not anymore. I see them just about every day. I hear you about the food, for sure. Give yourself some slack, if you can. Patience. Be careful with Metformin. I tried a low dose years ago, and my gastric reaction was pretty awful. You amaze me on a regular basis, Jodi, you just keep going, and applying all of your life experiences and love and wisdom (and your fabulous sense of humor). It's pretty awe-inspiring. And holy shit, Ma. You go, girl. Big hugs to you both. And to Kevin Eileen, as well. xo
Oof, that is really tough, Jodi. Glad there are some glimmers. No answers, but sending love.
Eh. Today's psychiatrist meeting went well. As long as I'm putting one foot in front of the other in the right direction, the progress of self-care may be slow, but it's still progress. On the other hand, it's kind of nice to have part of my mother back.🩵
That is lovely, yes! Ian’s mum is in a nursing home with dementia and it’s such a rollercoaster. Things looked really bleak a couple of months ago; now rather better and some days are pretty good. For how long? Who knows? I guess we have to be grateful for small mercies.
That must be a relief about your own Medicare. Glad your meeting today went well.
A reader said, about hospice and dementia care, we're "all riding up and down Hospice Street on the Yo-Yo Bus.”
I think that sums it up perfectly
Yes! That is such a good description.
Added a poem about my mum’s initial dementia experience (she is not a fan) on my Substack.
It – and your postscript – made me cry, Ian (not surprisingly). Really touching.
Yes, too crazy for your pants and your mom with dementia is coherent. Expect miracles, indeed
miracles baby, miracles. Would make a good knuckle tattoo. It's under consideration.
Aw Jodi, Big hugs hon! Sitting alongside or walking alongside and side-hugging. I hear you. No solutions. Several friends who are caring for loved ones discuss how food is an easy-access/do pleasure when so many things are difficult to orchestrate/access/do in the care routine. I've no smart ideas, just a lot of empathy and resonance. xoxo
Thanks, Victoria. It's all good. I met with a psychiatrist today who asked about my emotional support, and when I thought about it, a lot of my emotional support comes from people (like you) who I've never met in real life. I'm extraordinarily grateful for the platform, the connections and the chance to reach out to someone else dealing with an obstacle on this journey that I may have already encountered.🩵
BIG YES, connections are SO important for caregivers. Like-minded souls with tons of empathy xo