| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 03 2007 : 07:13:41 AM
Things have been very busy here lately. I am the "mater" between two pieces of bread. I have read about women juggling responsibilities of children and aging parents, but never thought I'd be here. My daughters are such loving dear girls (7 and 9). They are taking mommy being busy with grandma with such aplomb! (always wanted to use that word in a sentence! LOL) Mom is weakening day by day and it has become a true 24/7 care with her. I shall never regret any moment that I spend with her. I shall always see her as 36 years old. I shall always remember how she would braid my long pigtails and run her fingers through my hair. I'll never forget the many times I scared her by hiding in the house and jumping out, giggling as she walked by. She would jump and scream and giggle every time. So no matter how confused she gets, how difficult it is to get her frail body out of bed to the commode, no matter how many times she wakes during the night, I shall be here for her until the end. I thank heavens for the privilege of being here to care for her. My sister says that my life has been guided in this direction for years. My training as a nurse, was always meant to be here to care for our mother. She might be right.
It is hard to see what will be on the other side of all of this. At times I feel I don't ever want to go back to the hospital to nurse again. At times I want to just be a seamstress, or a bookseller or a blogger or just me. The hospice has already offered me a job when I am available. I've been having to draw the labs on my mother, because they don't have anyone who can stick Mom successfully. So that just expands my roll here. I thought it would be difficult, but I just put on my nurse "cap" and be the nurse for a few moments and just do whatever it takes. I know that I can stick her without hurting her, so I do it.
Anyway, thanks for hanging in there with me farmgirls......If I owe you a package, just know that I have not forgotten, and I thank you for being patient with me. I shall NOT forget, it just might be very, very delayed. I am on schedule with the wedding dress though...never fear, it shall be completed!! I love working on this project....gets my mind off of things a bit!! I have been working on the headpiece...what fun it is!! Anyway, thanks farmgirls!!!
G
oh and one more thing....my husband,s auntie is on life support and is holding her own. I am very glad that I have been able to help over the phone with answering their questions about care for her. My nursing background has indeed come in handy in the past few months!
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lamamama |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 1:40:47 PM
How I admire you, Georgann..... your generosity and strength is really amazing. Reading your updates almost feels as if we are all keeping vigil with you - and in a way, I guess we are.
Please don't feel that you are whining - far from it. Instead, I thank you for your courage to let us know, with real honesty, what it is truly like to attend to someone - especially a loved one - as they experience the closing of this life.
I'm glad to read that you are getting some aid from your family. Remember that someone has to help- or you will become utterly depleted. Do take care of yourself.
You & your Mother are in my heart and prayers.
Melanie |
| shelle |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 6:00:07 PM
(((Georgeann and her mom)))
You, your mother and your family are all in my prayers. Your mom is very lucky to have such a wonderful caring daughter like you to take care of her in her final days. Please take care of yourself and continue to keep us updated when you can.
Big Hugs
Shelle
http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| MustangSuzie |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 12:34:31 PM
Hugs, peace and strength to you (((G)))))
Blessings....
Sarah
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -From The Great Law Of The Iroquois Confederacy.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!!!!
http://mustangsuzie.wordpress.com
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| cinnamongirl |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 06:56:31 AM
Peace and strength be with you and your family. I think of you often and your mother. I pray she is also at peace and able to make the transition easily and remember we only loose the physical being the spirit remains within us.((( Lots of hugs and prayers))) |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 05:54:49 AM
Mom is resting peacefully right now. I have the shades open so she can see the white dogwoods and the pink crabapple blossoms. The birds are singing their morning Spring songs for her today. I hope that when she wakes she will enjoy these gifts from the creator.
I honestly think that she has fought the good fight and is now near to being called home to be with dad. It may not be today, but her time is near, I do feel the gathering of angels.
Thank you for remembering us in your prayers.
Georgann
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| abbasgurl |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 10:21:36 AM
I continue to pray for you Georgeann. ((hug))
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
| cinnamongirl |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 08:42:26 AM
We are all glad to be updated and you are not whinning we are here to listen and help in anyway!! I am glad to see you will have some family there!! It is ok to get help I understand u want to be there every minute just take care of yourself is all we ask. You DH sounds wonderful but do listen to him perhaps with your brother there you will be able to squeeze in some naps. Take care cause we care!!! I will keep sending prayers of strength (hugs) |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 04:16:55 AM
Georgann - My prayers are with you and your family. Your mother raised a wonderful daughter. I so admire what you are doing, and how much courage you have. God bless you.
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 11:56:41 PM
I am continuing to think of and pray for you and your family. I wish you the strength of a thousand farmgirls, the love from a loving God and the peace and warmth of a mother's embrace. (((HUGS))) and as you wear that nurses cap, know that you are doing all nurses and most of all your mother proud!
Hugz n Prayers Always,
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 6:07:12 PM
Thank you gals! I'm really OK. I hope I don't sound like a whiner. In one way, I'm journaling here. I plan on copying this and pasting it in a journal later. I am really ok now. I have a new determination and strength. I feel mentally refreshed by just finding my nurse deep inside there and pulling her up. Mom is actually not fighting me. I just put on my nurse face and treat her like I would a patient in the hospital. I have always tried to make each one of my patients feel like they are the only person I have. I have always tried to do my very best and always in the back of my mind thought. What if that were my mother or my sister or father lying in that bed right now. Well, now it is! Please don't worry friends. I truly am OK right now. I feel this strength bolstering me. I have the worlds best DH and two DD's. He has really stepped up to the plate the past two days and is taking over the girls and the kitchen and is planning on doing the cooking tomorrow evening when my brother and SIL are here so that I can just take care of the girls and Mom. Gosh I do love him. It is like I told the Hospice nurse and chaplain. This has a definite ending point....and my nursing gut says it is only a few more days that I will have my sweet mom to take care of and to feel her warm hand, and to stroke her soft gray hair, so I am not going to complain anymore!!! Buck up little soldier....(I'm telling myself that.) Run the good race and fight the good fight. I guess I am doing no more than so many other women have done here. I just whine alot...LOL. I knew what I was taking on when I stepped up to the family plate. But it is still hard to see mom like this....oh, and that red spot is almost gone....phew....disaster averted!! I have just pulled out every old nursing trick in the book...many that new grads have never even heard of! LOL.....anyway. Thank you to all of my farmgirl friends. Ya'll are the best!! Oh, and Mima, you are not overstepping your boundries. I think what you said is very kind and loving!!
I hope everyone had a great Easter!!
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| newheart |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 6:03:51 PM
Georgeann, You are in my Thoughts and Prayers tonight and will be from now on.. You never mentioned your troubles to me before so I feel bad not offering comfort before this time...
(:(:(:HUGS:):):) and love to you...
NEWHEART
margie
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| mima |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 5:41:49 PM
Oh! I,m so sorry for all your pain! I wish you could get a little help so you could get a little rest. Please don't be so hard on yourself. You seem like you are doing way more than humanly possible.Would it be possible to get a litlle help a couple days a week. I hope I'm not over stepping my boundaries, but we are all worried about you! Please take care! Lots of prayers and hugs! |
| Kim |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 09:30:45 AM
(((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) from across the miles.
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 08:16:13 AM
Thanks again everyone.
Okay, today, the daughter must leave and the nurse MUST take over now. Mom doesn't know who I am. She stares blankly at me. I have been in such a grieving state that I have been unable to really do what Mom needs at this point. I was so exhausted last night, (my old back injury was throbbing....I've been lifting and turning her by myself she weighs about 225lbs., I took some Tylenol to help with the pain), emotionally and physically and spiritually that I fell asleep for about 6 hours. Now Mom can't get out of bed, but she can roll herself over to her favorite side. I have been so careful about keeping her turned, under her protest, keeping her clean, dry and moisturized. Keeping her hydrated and oxygenated, then with my falling asleep, she got over on her side, where she loves, pulled off her oxygen and stayed there for six hours, while this slacker slept. (I've barely slept in over a week.) So anyway, I was bathing her and turned her off of her side, and there it was.....a red spot on her right lateral hip......ARGH!!!!!!!!! Basic nursing care.........keep them turned at all costs, especially when they are not eating or drinking well (which she hasn't for two days now.) The skin is not broken, and it does blanch.....but dear God, I've let her down. My DH says, you can't do it all George.....I told her this morning while bathing her that, her daughter must let the nurse take over and now I was her nurse and she must do what I say. (She has been slightly belligerent and agitated the past two nights.) So I must put the grieving aside and let the nurse step up to the plate. I pray for strength and I pray for stamina and I pray for insomnia so that I may keep the 24/7 vigil. This can't happen to her, not now, and I will pull out all of tricks to keep this from getting any worse. Thanks friends for letting me bare my soul and get this out of my system.
I'm working frantically now to get a guest room ready for my brother and his wife. They just let me know yesterday that they are staying here for a couple of days to be with mom. And may possibly stay here and drive back and forth to DC househunting this next week.
georgann
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| mima |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 07:50:27 AM
I hope you have a wonderful day with your precious family. I think pizza sounds like the BEST Easter dinner!!! You can really just relax, enjoy the day and your family. Hugs!!! |
| Kim |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 4:26:43 PM
Thinking of you, your family, and keeping you in the warm folds of loving light.
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 4:12:23 PM
Update....again.......
Mom is pretty much bedbound now. She doesn't know who I am, but she does know that it is a loving hand caring for her, because she is responding to me. I tell her I love her and she says she loves me. She is comfortable, and resting quietly at the moment.
Tomorrow is Easter. My husband went out to get things for the girls, but I forgot to make a list of Easter dinner things to pick up, so I have nothing to put together for dinner......but I guess we will have an Easter Pizza. The girls will love that!! LOL....we did squeeze time together to make a bunny cake today. It is really cute and the girls and I had alot of fun making it. We are going to eat him tonight! *g* Mom is not eating much now....little yogurt, half of a popscicle and sips of water...so I don't really think I'm up to fixing a big meal anyway.
Thank you for your continued prayers, love and healing light,
Georgann
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| sewgirlie |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 3:36:47 PM
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have been a fulltime caregiver for someone in the past and it was both the most rewarding and most heartwrenching thing I ever had to do. You are a blessing to your family and I admire you so much.
XXOO Sheryl-lyn |
| lamamama |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 9:31:08 PM
Georgann, here is a big Farmgirl & Nurse (((((((((HUG))))))))) for you.
And a sincere expression of gratitude for the reminder of the very real dangers of the sun.
I'm so sorry to hear of how you Mom has suffered from MM.
May you be blessed with strength & deep peace,
Melanie |
| abbasgurl |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 11:42:26 AM
Praying for you & your sweet momma too Georgann.
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 10:27:30 AM
Bless your big heart! We're all with you, Georgann. Lots of strength to you.
We make a difference. |
| cinnamongirl |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 09:26:12 AM
I am now crying for u and wrapping you in white light. I know it is hard but value every moment u have left. I am so sorry but know sh e is going back to God and will always be with u and waiting for your return. It is one of the hardest things in life letting go but we only make it harder for others by not letting go!! You still have time to let her know all you need to remember, hearing goes last!! If there is anything I can do let me know I am here for you!! More ((((hugs))) |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 08:51:03 AM
Carrie, I am so sorry for your loss....It is so hard, no matter what the circumstances. My being a nurse can sometimes be a detriment. I sometimes miss the tree through the forest. *g* And no you aren't overstepping your boundries! I hope I don't sound like some beg know it all....because I am so NOT!! Thank you, you brought up a great point. I think I am entering the rhelm where I need to let go so that Mom will know it is OK to let go too!
Thank you all again......farmgirls are the greatest!!
Oh, and Mima......go girl!!!
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| mima |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 07:59:47 AM
Thank you GeorgeAnn, you are not overstepping your boundaries at all! I truly do appreciate it. It is always a huge concern for me about her and my other three children. I'm going to be bugging her alot more after this I can tell you! Thank you and lots of hugs going your way!!!! |
| cinnamongirl |
Posted - Apr 05 2007 : 07:48:29 AM
I know this is very hard as I just went through the process a little dif. not a nurse but what got me through was knowing she was returning to God and my job was to let her know it was ok to go! It was ok to stop fighting and everyone else would be ok. You are strong that is why u carry this load. I am sorry u have to endure this but your faith will get u through. I hope I am not over stepping boundaries just trying to help ((((hugs))) |
