Sunday morning, two days after we stopped the Tramadol, as she tried to make sense of the prior couple of days, Mom asked, “Who’s going to keep me from going crazy?” I was glad I could answer, “I will do my best, Mom, and Doug will help too.”
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Terry, So many emotions surfaced when I read your beautiful thoughts about caring for your mother. My own mother died three years ago at 96. She still lived in her own home, but she had caregivers. Like your mother, she didn’t want to be “a bother”. In retrospect, I wish she had come to be w/us, because her last few months were sad. She was not the happy mother I knew. So Terry, you and your family will never regret having done this, even though it is not what the “empty nest” was supposed to be like for you and your, obviously very kind and thoughtful, husband. What I have learned about you, Terry, is that you are the same very sensitive, kind, and beautiful young woman that I recall when you were a student at C.E.M.S. Keep writing your thoughts, keep caring for your Mom, and keep loving your wonderful family. Special thoughts and prayers going to you from me. Hugs from your old school nurse
Thank you Ms. Lomack for continuing to be there for me : )
You are blessed that she is good natured. Many people become nasty and difficult to please. My siblings and I are struggling to keep our parents in their own home, but my dad is often irritable and unappreciative, and mom is failing quickly. Lots of mixed emotions, feelings of guilt when I get impatient with them, proud that have lived this long (almost 92 and 90). Taking it day by day week by week. Take care.
I get the guilt you describe Laurie – I have felt it too. Patience takes patience. I hope you are well.