Friday, August 10, 2012

MY WEEK


I am SOOO happy that it is Friday, haha!  What a long week.  Or maybe I am just getting old...don't know, doesn't matter.  I had another good week with my mom.  Here is what is happening now.  My sisters took my mom to a new primary care doc last Mon.  I am soo glad that they did.  I have felt for months now that mom was just WAY too drugged, and yet every time she had one of her little seizures, they would increase the medication even more.  By the time my mom got out of the convalescent hospital she could barely stand on her own, needed assistance with EVERYTHING, and was even having to ring a bell to have someone help her out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  She was confused, forgetful, and soo far from her old self it was just downright disturbing.  Anyway, to make a long story as short as I can, they have stopped her seizure medication completely.  At the end of the day you have to decide what you want for the quality of your life.  Sometimes all the side effects from these medications just aren't worth it.  It wasn't really stopping them anyway, and what is the point if you can't even function in your own life?  Anyway, the doc said it would take 10 days to get the drug completely out of her system, but she could maybe start seeing some changes in 2 or 3.  Well, let's just say she is a new woman.  She is walking just fine WITHOUT her walker much, can use the bathroom, shower and dress without assistance and is thinking clearer than she has in months.  She is to see a new neurologist next Friday and we will see what they have to say about this, but so far we are all sooo pleased.  Of course we don't have any idea if this will affect the seizures in any way, so we will have to wait to see if this is going to work, but what a relief it has been.  Now don't get me wrong.  She is hardly how she was pre-stroke.  But sooo much closer.  She has not had another one since the morning it caused her to fall last week.

On her birthday yesterday she was totally up for doing something fun, so I told her it would be "her choice" on everything we did on the day.  We headed out to lunch at Market Broiler as she had a craving for one of their special yummy California Rolls. One of my sisters met us over there, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch complete with wonderful conversation.  After that she really wanted to see a movie as she just couldn't remember the last time she had been to one.  We decided on the new Meryl Streep one as we all love her.  By the time we got home from there, we had about 45 minutes to rest up before my hubby got home and we went to the Red Lobster for dinner.  We all enjoyed ourselves and the food was great.  I have to tell you though it was the first time we have been out to dinner with mom since my step dad passed away, and it was sooo weird.  We have done that hundreds of times of course over the years and it was just soo obvious he was missing.  It really bothered me, so I can just imagine how it bothered mom.  She didn't mention it though, so neither did we.  I kind of let her take the lead there and talk/cry about him whenever she wants to, but I don't initiate it.  I hope that's the best thing to do, but it seems to be working well so far.  But for me last night, it was the giant in the room nobody was mentioning.

I wanted to get my mom some new gold hoop earrings for her birthday as she had mentioned more than once she needed wanted a pair.  My mom just LOVES jewelry.  But with everything I had going on with her, I just hadn't had a chance to look for a pair.  My hubby offered to look one day on his lunch break, and I decided to take him up on his offer.  OH MY GOODNESS, is all I can say.  He got her just a beautiful pair, and she LOVED them.  He really does have a good eye for nice jewelry.

HER NEW EARRINGS


ALL READY FOR HER DAY...LOOKS GREAT FOR 80 DON'T YA THINK?

WE HAD THE STAFF SING FOR HER...SHE WAS SOO FUNNY.  THE MINUTE THEY SAT IT DOWN IN FRONT OF HER SHE BLEW OUT THE CANDLE, HAHA.  I TOLD HER "WAIT UNTIL WE SING MOM,"  THEY RE-LIT THE CANDLE BUT SHE DID IT AGAIN...SOO FUNNY


This morning my sister came to pick her up to take her back to my other sisters until Mon., and we spent quite a bit of time trying to hang some pics in her room and finish that all up.  They left about 2 and here I am.  I did work on laundry while they were here, but I am suddenly just done, haha.  I am looking forward to an entire week-end just looming ahead with NOTHING we have to do!  Doesn't that just sound wonderful?  Hope you all enjoy yours too!


7 comments:

  1. Your Mom does not look 80!! Wow, she has been through so much in the last few months and she looks so good.
    I am with you on the medication. I think the only thing doctors know how to do is give medicine now.
    I am so glad you have a nice quiet weekend store for you. I think you need one of those. :)
    I hope it cools off soon don't you?
    It is 106 right now. 109 tomorrow. I feel like such a baby.
    Anyway it is always nice to see some good news.

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  2. Yup, she's as cute as a button ...a beautiful dresser and the new earrings are terrific. Glad that she had a wonderful birthday. When a gal turns 80, I think it should be her Jubilee year. ;>

    You have a great weekend. I hope that you get to sit and read or listen to music or just be without too much do.

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  3. Your mom is gorgeous for 80 y.o. I'm so glad to hear that you've changed doctors - closer to your home, I'm hoping. Sometimes you have to choose quality of life ... sad, but true. I think you made the correct decision, and I'm sure it does your heart good to see her more like her normal self. Hope you have a nice weekend, one spent doing what you love with the people you love. ;-)

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  4. Hi Debbie, What a blessing to hear that your mom is doing better off the drugs. She is so beautiful and looks so good! O.k. girl, you didn't mention anything about the movie though, was it good? It looks so funny and I love Meryl Streep so am anxious to hear how it was.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  5. Your mom looks amazing for 80 years old. I know that medication can be used for good but sometimes the side effects can impact quality of life. It's a decision that must be made between patient, family and doctor. But it sounds like she's doing much better mentally off the medication.

    Btw, how was the Meryl Streep movie? I have been thinking of going to it as I saw the previews.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  6. What a special day you gave your mother. I hope I look that good at 80. She's beautiful and your husband did do a good job with his shopping, too.

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  7. She is beautiful..and as for you, I just can't say enough! God pours His grace through you during your challenges and then you pour it on us, so that we can look up and see His faithfulness.

    You are a great daughter and I pray your weekend was blessed also, with joy and refreshment

    Yea on detoxing from the drugs and her recovery...God is faithful

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!