Once upon a time the title would have been Mom, Momma and Me, but such is life...
Anyway, Mother (my mother) isn't doing very well. She had been released from the hospital, but within a couple of days, the ALF had decided she needed to go back. Same problems - not eating or drinking and apparently not taking her medications. She was released from the hospital again yesterday and is now back at the ALF, but in a different section than she had been in previously - one which provides a higher level of care. I don't really know anything about this new area, but Jeanie is on her way over to get as much of the story as she can.
Jeanie really is a saint.
It appears as if Mother has just given up on life. I can't say that I blame her. She has alienated everyone who has ever cared about her and has long suffered with various ailments. Nonetheless, it is sad.
Momma (Jeanie's Mom) is at home and doing somewhat better. She is still in quite a bit of pain and still finding that the nights are particularly difficult.
Jeanie is torn between feeling like she needs to be here taking care of me, running to Jax Beach to see what's up with Mother, and wanting to go to her parents to help with her Mom and take some of the burden off of her father.
I keep trying to encourage Jeanie to just go to her parents, but...
Jeanie really is hard headed.
Fortunately, Jeanie's parents do have support from their church and from at least one local relative, and they do have a visiting nurse and physical therapist who come by during the day. Unfortunately, at night, it's just Dad.
And me? I am doing better, but not great. I am no longer cringing in pain - in fact I haven't even taken any pain medication or muscle relaxers today. But, I am still uncomfortable, and avoid certain movements lest I find myself back doing that cringing thing. And I can relate to Momma Melvin - the nights are definitely the worst. I have not slept well since Saturday. I just can't seem to stay comfortable at night. Laying on either side or my stomach quickly becomes extremely uncomfortable, but staying on my back is maddening. I've tried placing a pillow under my knees in the bed, heat, laying on the couch on my back with an extra cushion under my legs, tying a rolled up towel around my waist, ... No matter what, I just can't stay comfortable for more than an hour or two. And it doesn't seem to matter what combination or quantity of medications I take right before I go to bed.
During the day, I can stay reasonably comfortable sitting in my old green recliner with a large memory foam pillow and a small memory foam back wedge behind me. Jeanie suggested I try sleeping in the recliner tonight; it might be worth trying...
Digg It!
Bookmark it!
Posted by David at August 03, 2007 12:38 PM