What Did You Do Today?

[gja1000]

It's so hard Janet, it sounds like her body is just so tired.

[Janet]

You're right Gayle. I just called her and she sounded so weak. She's not speaking as clearly as she was so I asked her if she was thirsty. She said her mouth was a little dry so I told her to take a drink. I can tell she is just worn out. She ate a couple bites of mac and cheese, but basically just sucked the cheese off and took the macaroni out of her mouth. Same with the chicken salad...didn't even eat a tsp. size and took it back out of her mouth. She says she hasn't had any thing else to eat...she's not hungry. They have to make her eat something.... I'll be heading over first thing in the morning.

[judy]

It is so good that you can spend the days with her. I am sure she feels safe with you right there.

[Janet]

I'm at the hospital with Mom. They just took her down for a swallow test a few minutes ago. It looks as though she may have had a light strike or TIA. When I came in this morning her speech is really bad...like she can't control her tongue. She is also complaining her right arm is heavy.
I also had to tell her 3 times within 3-5 minutes where they were taking her.

[gja1000]

It does sound like a stroke, oh dear, I hope they can help her feel better

[Janet]

I think she is getting a bit better from the stroke. She can now smile without the right side of her mouth staying closed. She couldn't do that this morning. Her arm didn't feel heavy later in the afternoon, but her speech is still bad.

They are going to do the Swallow Study again. When they tried giving her pudding, she would gag and cough and couldn't catch her breath. Then everytime they gave her anything...it would happen again so they stopped and will try again.

Her memory is really bad, she asks the same thing over and over. I have PT tomorrow morning and then get my eyes checked and hopefully new glasses. I won't make it back over to see Mom until noon or after. I hope I see some improvement.

[judy]

I am praying Janet.

[gja1000]

I'm glad to hear an update and for you to say you think she is a bit better. It must be so hard.

[Lindsey]

I'm so sorry for all you're going through Janet, but it is good to hear she has improved a little. After my mom had a stroke, it took about 5 days for her to get back to almost normal, and the whole time the doctors couldn't say how much she would actually get back.

[Tiramisu]

Janet, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Hang on.

I had an awesome weekend with my son and his family. We did backtoschool shopping along the way and had one more stop this morning to get Abby a couple pairs of jeans. While in Penneys, someone broke in my son's truck and stole everything ... Luggage, dirty clothes, new clothes, shoes, everything ... Except his bible laying on the console.

[gja1000]

Well now, that's just the pits Sandy! It makes me so mad that some people think they can just take anything they want.

I'm so glad that you had a fun time though, before that. I know you love being with your family and I bet you had a great time. I thought of you this weekend as we were in Houston to see our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. My daughter had shingles so she didn't feel well and we didn't do much except go to Abigail's volleyball games.

[Janet]

Today I had PT and then went and had my eyes checked. Just can't believe a pair of glasses cost so much money. I had been saving up since April (after I bought my IPad2) and now will have to start saving for the next thing.

Made it to the hospital about 11:30 AM. Mom's speech is still bad and her motor skills are going downhill. She has trouble holding her head up for very long. We ordered her some lunch and then two minutes later she asked me if she had ordered lunch yet. When it came she took a couple bites, made an awful face and took it back out of her mouth. We visited and I could tell she was tired. The nurse and aide got her back to bed and she fell right to sleep.

She woke about 10 til 3 and looked over and saw me and said in a very happy voice..."Hi Janet....when did you get here"? I reminded her that I had been there for quite some time. She looked at the clock and saw the time then said..."oh my....I've never slept this late before, I've missed lunch". Again, I reminded her we ordered lunch but she didn't eat it. She didn't remember. I asked if she would like me to order her something and she said she wasn't hungry.

My heart is aching so bad and I cried all the way home. I got a text from my brat brother saying that a Dr. came in and scheduled a CT scan for tomorrow to see what damage there is. I'll be bringing the bus home tomorrow morning and then heading over to be with Mom. She's not remembering anything within a 30 - 60 minute time frame and longer. Doesn't remember if a Dr. came in or if anyone has visited her.

I think for the very first REAL time....I realized I'm actually losing my Mom. It's so hard and I just don't think I'll be able to stand it.

[gja1000]

Oh Janet, my heart just breaks for you. I still have my mom, but I was closer to my grandma than my mom and when she passed, it was so hard. Like your mom she had a stroke and was in the nursing home for 3 months before she died. I was a nine hour drive away, so I only saw her twice in that time. Her death was bittersweet and by that I mean, I was so glad that she was no longer suffering, lying in that bed, unable to get up or even talk. On the other hand I didn't want to let her go and it was so hard, so very very hard. In the end though, I think I was more relieved that she was no longer suffering, than I was sad she was gone. It makes me teary eyed now to think of these memories and she left me in 1989. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.

[Marilyn]

Janet, my heart goes out to you. I remember going through tough times with my mom before she passed. In the end, I was upset that she was gone, but relieved that she was no longer in such bad condition. So so sorry you are going through this!!

[judy]

This is such a sad time, Janet. You are in my heart, and in my prayers. My Dad only lived for 7 weeks after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but he had not been feeling well for about a year. I went down to Florida 4 times in that time. I was with him at the doctor when he was diagnosed. That will always be with me. It was the last time I saw him walking outside, and enjoying life. After it was over, I was so glad that he had such a short time to suffer. I would not have wanted him to stay if he had to suffer. I miss him every day, but he is with his brother, my mom, and the rest. I still fell the connection with him, and feel that he is still here, just in Heaven.