Last week, my Aunt and I both came down with colds (compliments of our favourite careworker, but what can you say). I immediately went out to get echinacea and good things to nip the nasty thing in the bud, and it worked for Aunt. However, .I went down for the count, was really quite ill, and am still not fully over it. I think I'm run down due to an inability to sleep. I'm actually going to the Sleep Clinic connected with the Foothills hospital at the end of the month. But what I'd like to comment on is the difficulty of caring for a fragile, dependent person when you yourself are not at all in good shape. I'm sure many of you must have had similar experiences. I'm going to invest in more anti-cold bug goodies to see if I can clear up the tail-end of this thing and start feeling more competent again. Has anyone worked out a method to handle a situation like this should it arise again?

Thanks,
Leni

[ October 16, 2001: Message edited by: Leni ]

Jaf, what a wonderful picture that would make. I remember many years ago when my nephew was born (the first grandchild) a picture was taken with my grandmother, Mom, brother and the baby. Five generations in one picture.

My grandmother and Mom are both gone so that picture is very special to me.

Continue to take care of yourself.

Vicki

Jaf,

Be sure to enjoy the visitors. The baby should be a wonderful site to see. Nothing better than cuddling a little infant to pick up the spirits.

Thanks guys for the kind thoughts. My dad is back at the nursing home, but in the Open ward, and has been trying to get out of the wheelchair already! At least they had him in there before and know what to expect. I am doing okay now, both daughters, plus one son-in-law and my 2 granddaughters coming this week for a visit, and so I get to see the latest one who is 2 1/2 months old. Daughter and son-in-law would like to get photos of PaPa with the great granddaughters for the family album. Everyone take care of themselves.

Hello Jaf,

Thanks for your kind words. How are you now, and how is your Dad?

Best Wishes,
Leni

Jaf,

I'm sorry to hear of your two sugeries so close together. That is something that really zaps your energy. It took me 6 months to recover from mine.

It's so good to hear that your family pulled together during this difficult time.

Vicki

Well I had the problem twice in the last 4 months, but not with my dad, with my son who is a quadrapalegic and I am his caregiver and have been for the last 17 yrs. Never had any problems, and in April, I had to have emergency major surgery. I was given one week before the first one to get my things in order, train my hubby to do caregiving for our son, and get my daughter from Calif. to come out and help her dad and brother out. Then just 2 weeks ago, they said another surgery to remove a gallbladder full of stones, again no lifting, so again hubby had to take over. You did some terrific things for your Aunt, my dad was in the nursing home when I had the second surgery, so that helped me not worry about him anyway. Dad was still fairly good before June, that is when he took a bad downhill turn. He did have records he kept, and I had his prescriptions in a list posted in his medicine cabinet. You are sure doing all the right things, some of which I should consider myself, for our son. Hope you are doing well now.

Leni, I am impressed with what you have put together for your Aunt Min. It's always better to have a plan in place should something happen to you.

Good job, Leni.

Vicki

Thanks Friends,
I still have the tail-ends of this cold, but am back on my feet. I've typed up a care worker's book, giving all of the information on Auntie Min's diet, medications, schedule, little rituals around bedtime--just all the information I could think of to describe her day, along with emergency and other telephone numbers, and I've got all her medications in dosettes (as well as listed and explained in the binder). Every time I think of something, I add to it. I also got a "Capsule of Life", which contains all her medical information. It goes in the refrigerator on the wall of the second shelf, and a bright orange 'frig magnet lets the paramedics know it's there. So if emergency Home Care has to be put in, all the information is there. I feel better knowing this information is there.

Best Wishes,
Leni

Leni,
I'm sorry to hear that both you and your Aunt have been sick. To my knowledge there is not a certain game plan you can follow.

I would tell Mom I wasn't feeling well and she would try to limit the number of times she called me into her room. This didn't always work.

Just try and take care of yourself. This too shall pass.

Vicki

Leni,

You are lucky! This time it is just a cold, next time it may be worst. I had to go in for emergency surgery during the last year of caring for Milly. Many other CGs are not so lucky and their LOs out live them. This is especially true with spousal CGs.

There are basically two things every CG needs to do to protect themselves and their LOs. Alternate back up care plans need to be found. This can be a care facility, other family members, neighbors or friends. I had Milly's name on a waiting list especially when she was End Stage. Her name did come up and I just asked that her name be moved down the list a bit. It really helped knowing that there was alternate care plans.

The most important thing a CG needs to do is to take care of themselves (Yep this is my soap box time again). I know this is difficult and seems that it is even impossible but it is vital for the health, well being and life of the CG.

[ October 16, 2001: Message edited by: Edyth Ann ]