One Day in the Life of a Wolf - Memorial 7-25-20

[A-1 (imported)]

I did one of my last two mile walks to see mom in hospital. Her doctor said in a few days she will be transferred to a different hospital 40 miles away that specializes in dementia patients. The hospital is covered by mom's insurance.

However, the hospital, being so far away, means no more daily visits and only one bus trip a week at the most. Alas.

MAC,

You need to prepare yourself for the time when you walk into her room and she does not know you, if this 'transfer' goes through. Ask for a 2nd opinion.

Taking an Alzheimer patient out of familiar surroundings hastens their decline. When she gets there she will be too confused to realize that she is somewhere else.

Get a 2nd opinion. This disease is FATAL... no matter how GOOD that hospital might or might not be, the outcome is inevitable. Moving her away from you will only make her worse faster, especially if you are seeing her every day now. After a week you will walk in and you will look like everyone else to her. She will not know you after a while if you are only seeing her once a week.

Ask them to see her CARE PLAN. If they don't have one ask them how they propose to make her better when she has a fatal disease of known outcome. Tell them that she needs to be in FAMILIAR surroundings and THAT is the best thing for her.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

When she was in Hospital a mile away, she often didn't recognize me. She forgot my name long ago but recognizes me as somebody she thinks she knows.

She is "almost" over her pneumonia. Her doctors have her on Aricept for dementia which "might" help and she has a feeding tube in her tummy. They are trying to fatten her up by 10-15 pounds.

She'll be at this new hospital from 13-21 days. She's been there 4 days so far and her nurses hace called a few times to say she's taking some food by mouth now and is conversing with them often.

Sometimes, the nurses say they can even understand her. When she was home, I understood only 10% of what she said.

She has a new doctor. He's good, friendly and informative.

She only weighed 76 pounds upon entering the first hospital. They're hoping to get her up to 90 pounds.

Her physical therapist has her walking everyday.

Her nurse-aide, who bathed her here at home, went to see her today and said mom was glad to her but mom couldn't recall Frankie's name. Her nurses did say mom talks about things from 30 years ago but often doesn't recall things from a few hours ago. They said that was common for dementia patients.

The head nurse did say to me (on the phone) "I don't see how you have cared for her alone for the past four years without help and still maintain my sanity." I almost said (but didn't) "who said I was sane."

I maintain what little sanity I may have thanks to friends on the EA, the Boards, chat room, surfing the web, watching the TV news and recording documentaries. That's my life now besides caring for mom.

Without my computer, printer, TV and VCR, I'd go creaking frazy.

[A-1 (imported)]

When she was in Hospital a mile away, she often didn't recognize me. She forgot my name long ago but recognizes me as somebody she thinks she knows.

She is "almost" over her pneumonia. Her doctors have her on Aricept for dementia which "might" help and she has a feeding tube in her tummy. They are trying to fatten her up by 10-15 pounds.

She'll be at this new hospital from 13-21 days. She's been there 4 days so far and her nurses hace called a few times to say she's taking some food by mouth now and is conversing with them often.

Sometimes, the nurses say they can even understand her. When she was home, I understood only 10% of what she said.

She has a new doctor. He's good, friendly and informative.

She only weighed 76 pounds upon entering the first hospital. They're hoping to get her up to 90 pounds.

Her physical therapist has her walking everyday.

Her nurse-aide, who bathed her here at home, went to see her today and said mom was glad to her but mom couldn't recall Frankie's name. Her nurses did say mom talks about things from 30 years ago but often doesn't recall things from a few hours ago. They said that was common for dementia patients.

The head nurse did say to me (on the phone) "I don't see how you have cared for her alone for the past four years without help and still maintain my sanity." I almost said (but didn't) "who said I was sane."

I maintain what little sanity I may have thanks to friends on the EA, the Boards, chat room, surfing the web, watching the TV news and recording documentaries. That's my life now besides caring for mom.

Without my computer, printer, TV and VCR, I'd go creaking frazy.

Gotta watch what you say, MAC. I once knew a girl named Kerry Hunt.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

I just walked home from the hospital as I was too lazy to wait for the bus and too cheap to use a taxi. I've lost track of time lately. All I'm sure of is Tuesdsay at midnight I called 911, this time for me.

Worst stomach pain I ever recall having. The doctors agreed my pancreas had shut down. They checked for gall stones and found none and they asked how long I have diabetes.

Diabetes? That news to me. I'm off to lie down as my tummy and head feel terrible

[bobbie (imported)]

I am very sorry to here this and am very worried to say the least. Our prayers and best wishes are with you old Wolfie. Get well fast and that is an order. Hugs

[tugon (imported)]

Wolfie as a caregiver you do have to take care of yourself. Stress and lack of sleep can contribute to health concerns. As far as diabetes we have several very knowledgeable members to give advice.

[Daughter (imported)]

*Hug* Keep us posted.

[FianceeUvBigGuy (imported)]

Uncle Wolfie,

I've followed this thread for some time now and have been saddened by the setbacks and elated by the little bits of good news, all too few, that have popped up on occasion. I'm certainly not one to be giving advice but I do echo those who so very much hope you'll take better care of yourself.

I wish I could be there to help look after both you and your mother. I'd even wear the French Maid outfit when doing your household chores:D

Please, PLEASE, begin, and adhere to, whatever regimen of medications, diet, etc., that your physicians recommend so that you can minimize, perhaps even avoid, the effects of diabetes!

Diet and exercise may be all that is needed and I'm assuming that, what with all the walking you're doing...to visit Mom, shop, etc.,...that the exercise requirement is being met and that's a good thing.

I assure you, for what it's worth, that you and your mother are in my prayers.

All My Best Wishes,

Yoli

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Ain't that a kick in the head! Now you will

have to take care of yourself.

If you are not in good shape you can not take care of others. All the best, always. --FLO--

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

I doubt their accurate diagnosis of diabetes. I had almost nothing but junk food sweets two days before as I was feeling week and thought it would give me an energy boost. It didn't.

Tummy is sore tonight but pain level is only a 3 - 4, then again, I took a five mile walk to get my tobacco. Dumb idea = definitely. Necessary = I need my stash, even if it is only pipe tobacco.

Next few days I do nothing but rest my weary bones.