Mom again.....

Tomorrow (Monday), my dad and my kids are going camping for the week. They go every year and I always stay behind to take care of my mom that week, and my dad gets a much needed break. My dad always sets up the camper the night before (it's a place not so far away), so that they can go early on Monday and have that whole day there, otherwise they can't get there until after 1 in the afternoon. It gives them another whole day there. Anyhow, my mom's health has declined quite a bit in recent years, and even more so since last year, and today, I saw just how much.

I had to get her up out of bed at dinner-time. My dad laid her down this afternoon (her usual routine), then went to go set up the camper. So, I went to get her up and get her some dinner. Getting her out of bed was the biggest struggle I ever had. She has this electric scooter, but she can't control it anymore the muscles in her arms, and even her hands just don't work anymore. The seat on the scooter is a vinyl seat, and her body is just limp, so when I tried to get her up, her body kept sliding down the seat, and I had to keep catching her so that she didn't fall off. I kept trying to get her up and she just kept sliding back down. Finally, I had to try to bend over and hold her on the seat, while trying to "drive" the scooter at the same time. I have back problems, and my back having to be bent in an awkward position like that sent me into back spasms, of all times, while I was trying to move her. All the while, she still kept slipping and I had to keep trying to pull her back. Luckily, my brother happened to be there (he works midnights so he was sleeping), so he heard me calling and he helped me get my mom into the family room and into her chair. She is so nervous this about this week, she was upset and crying, and talking about how she didn't want to go on anymore. (This isn't the first time she'd talked like this.) And I just kept trying to be strong and reassuring, although I was fighting back tears at the same time too.

So anyway, it's going to be a tough week, so if you could think of her in your prayers (her name is Sharon) just to get through this week, it would be so greatly appreciated.

Pam--I'll remember you this week. It is so hard to care for someone that can't do for themselves, but even harder to know its someone you love dearly. Our parents do get older and have all kinds of problems. Try to enjoy the time you have with her and go away with a good memory. Your Dad is really doing something good for your kids as well as himself. He will come home refreshed.
If you run out of things to do stick in a LH dvd! You might both enjoy it alot. Smiles and prayers.....Gin

I'll be praying

Pam,
Your mom, Sharon, will be in my prayers. I'm sorry that her health has declined these past few months. She is lucky to have her family close by for love and support. It must be so difficult for you to see her this way. Your kids will have a fun time with their grandpa this week, and your dad will enjoy himself too. {{{{Hugs}}}}

Thank you so much, everyone.

You're right, Gin, my dad always comes home refreshed and in such a good mood, and the kids love it too. I really think it's good all around: my dad gets a much needed break, the kids get to enjoy the outdoors, it's a change of pace for my mom since my dad doesn't really like to cook and it shows, so I make my mom whatever she wants to eat, and I get to spend more time with my mom. I'm sure we'll make it through just fine, we always do. And it always goes by SO fast!!!

I'm sorry I missed this Pam. :shy: Your mother and you will be in my prayers and thoughts. (((hugs)))

Youre both iin my thoughts and prayers, Pam.

It's so difficult to watch the health of our loved ones deteriorate but when the week is over you'll be so glad to have spent it with your mom, Pam. AQnd your kids will treasure the time spent with their grandad too.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on.

Pam, I'll be thinking of and praying for both of you.

Thank you so much, everyone. We are making it through the week okay. My poor mom has been awfully achy because of her arthritis. She's one of those people who can predict the weather with her aches and pains, and since we've had so much rainy/stormy weather this week, she's been especially achy. But, I've been getting her in and out of bed okay, and she's been eating good this week, so that's a huge plus.

My brother has been helping out as much as he can, and he laid her down this afternoon because I was out visiting the kids. The kids and my dad are all having a great week.

I just wanted to update everyone and let you know that we are getting through the week okay. My back is holding up fine too, lol. I just came back a bit sunburned today though. My fault for forgetting to apply sunblock!!!

I'm glad the week is going well Pam.

That's good news, Pam. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Just saw this, Pam... God bless you and your mom! I hope you can also have a little time of refreshing when everyone comes back.

(Have you ever tried putting an ice pack on your back? It helps so much!)

Thanks again for all of your prayers. We made it through the week just fine!! She's felt well enough to pick on me most of the week, so I know she must not have been doing too bad. It's always good to see her joking and smiling. Now, I'm just anxious to see the kids. I miss them!!!

Pam, glad the week went well for you both.......humor always gets you through anything.......keep smiling........

And hug those kids tight when you see them, and hug dad too, he had his hands full this week..... :haha:

Thats great Pam. I'm happy that the week went well for all. :woohooo:

Sorry I'm just now seeing this thread, Pam. I'm glad you're getting through your week ok! I really feel for you...I have a bad back too (Scoliosis) and used to take care of my grandma who had Alzheimers (and I was much younger then!!). I learned then that the profession I wanted to go into (which was working and caring for elderly) was not going to happen. Even with a brace, lifting that much weight (and quite literally 'dead weight', where she was concerned) was next to impossible for me.

I hope you make it! Must be a nice break from the kiddies though, huh?!

Yeah, Amy, I know what you mean, that's what it's like with my mom too, like lifting "dead weight" since she is unable to help at all. They've showed us the "proper" way to lift her, but I can't do it that way, it's too awkward for me and I ended up dropping her that way one time, which was very scary! I have my own modified way to lift her which works so much better for me, but makes her nervous. Everyone else lifts her from the front, and king of pivots her to where she has to go. I have to go from behind and wrap my arms around her and then slide her onto her seat, or the bed, so with me, she doesn't have the security of having someone right in front of her so she gets the sensation that she's going to fall. I keep telling her, "You're going wherever I'm going and I don't plan to end up on the floor!" But I imagine that would be a very real fear for her. My mom has scoliosis too, as do her brothers and sisters, so I've seen how that can be for them. Yeah, I guess that would make it difficult to work in the medical field like that. But yes, it was nice to have a break from the kids. It was much easier to study for my final, since there wasn't so much activity going on. My mom is a lot quieter then they are! :haha:

Yeah, Rhonda, I bet my dad is ready for a break. He not only brought my kids, but he let both of my kids bring a friend as well. He's a very brave man!!!

Thanks again, everyone.

Great news Pam. I'm glad Mom's feeling better.

I'm Glad your moms feeling better