Hi All,

I jsut had to share today because I am excited. At the end of this week I am heading to the Cape for a week without my dad! It has taking a mind numbing amount of work to get everything to line up, but even that had a bright spot. I found a second caregiver that can come over for a few hours on weekends to give me a break.

So I have an elaborate schedule for next week of who is going to be where when...but I have it all covered...which means I can go, become a zombie for a week and nto of think or worry! I am bringing a bunch of books to read and even leaving my laptop at home!

I want to thank all of you who have helped me keep sane for this! This place warms my heart almost every day and makes me know I am not alone.

Paul

P.S. For those of you who know more of my story, my siblings are NOT helping at all next week...but the Reverse Mortgage closed last week and we have the cash to pay for CG's for the week...and it is NOT coming from my pocket. I had three checks bounce last week becuase of the cash I had to fork over to help pay for my dads caregiver...small price to pay tho!

quote:

Originally posted by Bobcat:
PRCT7777, So glad to hear you had a real break with lots of laughs. I guess since you haven't gone postal, that most things were in pretty good shape when you got home?

Yep, the world did not end with me away! LOL The house was ok, but the older of the two CG's seems to be trying ot submit her dominance. She called the new CG and told her not to come on Friday. I was a little miffed, but the new CG is so wonderful and (keeping fingers crossed) she is going back to school in September and may be able to take over the primary CG role.

Dad, on the other hand, was a little mad that we were away. I have noticed since we got back that his memory is getting worse. He is having trouble remembering words, so he asks descriptions--for example "I want some of that white stuff in my tea (meaning milk)" He is also getting more aggressive. Yesterday he had taken dishes out of the sink and put them away. They were dirty and when I took them out to clean them he screamed at me that he had already washed them. One of the dishes was still full of spaghetti sauce! He got mad and didn't speak to me for a while and then went upstairs to take a nap.

We go to the therapist tomorrow again I believe, so hopefully he will be calmer. Last month, when we went, the therapist said to dad .."so, do you ever say thank you to Paul for taking such good care of you?"...his reply was NO, she said why and he said "he doesn't deserve it, he should just be doing it anyway".

So I know I am not doing this for thanks...not in his mind.

But the vacation helped me so much...I can handle this stuff again!!

Thanks for all the good wishes all!

PRCT7777, Glad to hear you had a good vacation. Cape Cod is BEAUTIFUL and every time I was up there it was restful. I also travel with several books on vacation. I miss the Cape so much but have not had a chance to travel in the last 10 years. My late husband and I went there for our honeymoon and stayed in a cabin where in the morning you went out with sunflower seeds and the birds came and ate out of your hand. I loved the Christmas Tree Shops and we use to eat at a restraunt called Starbucks there. Lots of fantastic memories. One day I'll get back up there. Well hold those memories and glad all worked out at home. Hummm it's a 6 hour ride there for me if I leave there I'll be there for breakfast.

PRCT7777, So glad to hear you had a real break with lots of laughs. I guess since you haven't gone postal, that most things were in pretty good shape when you got home?

Yep, I am back! And the vacation was WONDERFUL and restful and enjoyable and gave me the strength to continue on.

I relaxed byu the pool, read a lot of books, ate what I wanted and even snuck in a movie during the day!

The weather on Cape Cod was beautiful the whole week save a two hour rainstorm one evening...

One really enjoyable moment was going to a comedy club to see Lea DeLauria, halfway thru the program she said it was audience participation time and the audience member ended up being my partner Mike...he LOVED it and had fun. he got to sing with her and do a little dance contest. Needless to say, I was rolling on the floor laughing with tears streaming down my face. The highlight of the week!

PRCT, ya back yet? How did the vacation go? How's Dad doin'? Didjoo have FUN?
Addled minds need to know!