Yesterday

Saturday, January 28, 2012

We visited the LTC nearest my parents... only 4km away. Has everything going for it, save for the fact there are 4-bed rooms as it is an older facility. We (dad, 3 daughters) have agreed that if mom is placed here, we'll put her on the list for a 2-bed room and pitch in to pay the difference.

My sister and I then saw a retirement home's respite room.

We've phoned the folks to get the wheels in motion. She will either go directly to the LTC (our preference so mom is only moved once) or first to a respite room while she awaits going to the LTC (more likely this will happen while we wait for all the paperwork to be done).

And when my dad visited mom yesterday afternoon, she's (I would say) grieving because she won't be going home. She doesn't want to be bothered getting out of bed (even though her heel / leg infection is going away so the intense pain from this while trying to walk has gone away too).

This is so hard ... if we could take her home we would, but we all know this would take us down too, and our homes just aren't suited for her safety either. We wish we could snap our fingers, have her placed in an LTC and fast forward 2 months so she is settled in and realizes it's gonna be ok.

I am not looking for judgment, advice, sympathy or even hugs... not for me anyway. If you read this and you feel led to, please say a prayer for and/or send positive thoughts to my mom. That she will continue to accept all these changes with grace and dignity and peace. For until these last few days she's been a brick, but her mortar is starting to crumble a bit now.

She has been getting continually more frail for the past 2 years, there isn't much time left for her as she fades away. But if she loses hope, her time here will be even shorter than it can be if she doesn't.

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for mom. I am blessed to be a part of this community of friends that I've never met!
Blessings to you all.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ELLFIN3 1/28/2012 4:57PM

My thoughts and prayers are there for You Mom! I one wish for Her is She figures out that this is for Her health and is what will be best! I can only guess how She is feeling! (((((HUGS))))) to Her and to Your whole family!!! Susan Report Inappropriate Comment

SUE_2U 1/28/2012 8:08AM

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KALIGIRL 1/28/2012 7:52AM

Sending comforting thoughts and prayers to you both. Report Inappropriate Comment

TENACIOUSTRISH 1/28/2012 7:35AM

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Body Flow, eh?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Well, I went back to the gym this evening to try the Body Flow class - a combination of Tai Chi, yoga and pilates. And I made it through about 40 minutes out of 60. There are just too many moves I can't do; however, though I left the class early, I put in some more valuable minutes on the stair master before I left the gym. Added to my regular workout this morning, that gives me 90 min of fitness today! Woo Hoo!

Will be doing 2 tours tomorrow ... checking out facilities for my mom.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

THEPASTISPAST 1/28/2012 5:04PM

Try Bodyflow again! It takes several classes to get the hang of it. But you are guaranteed to get stronger each class! And don't feel pressured to keep up with others...it's your workout so go at your own pace :-) I did Bodyflow a bit at our gym that recently closed...but our new gym has teachers who have moreexperience. I'm surprised how much iv been loving it~ Report Inappropriate Comment

TENACIOUSTRISH 1/28/2012 7:35AM

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SUE_2U 1/27/2012 6:35AM

Still sounds like you got a good workout in and stretched things out before getting on that stairmaster. Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHIMANGA 1/26/2012 10:27PM

I guess it didn't Flow-t your boat? :o) Ha. Lame joke, sorry. IT sounds like Body-Balance which is what we call it here in NZ. Its a great class if you need a stretch. Try it again some time it is awesome once you get into it. But sounds like with the Stair master there is no holding you back! Go you! :o) Report Inappropriate Comment

Today

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Lunch with one of my sisters and my dad, then off to the hospital to see mom and to have the family conference meeting.

Results? We now have to look into a respite room for mom and tomorrow I'll be trying to set up tours of 2 homes in the area. AND there is a very, very short waiting list at the nursing home closest to my parents' home.

So, after I dropped my dad and sister off tonight (they were going out for supper), I went to this nursing home. And ... it's nice! Homey, small, warm, large pond which attracts waterbirds in the warmer seasons and the residents can sit out on the deck in summer (they put a big awning up). There is a resident cat there too (that's something we haven't seen at the other homes). So, I'll be phoning this place tomorrow too, to see if they will give us a tour on Friday.

Lots going on, but we are slowly but surely moving in the right direction I think.
Thank you to all who have sent positive thoughts and prayers out for mom and for us as we deal with all this. Please continue to do so if you're able... my mom has an infection in her heel which is very painful. They have started her on antibiotics today so sure hope this intense pain dissipates soon - extra prayers never, ever go amiss!
Blessings to all!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRACYZABELLE 1/26/2012 8:44AM

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FREETHEGODDESS 1/26/2012 12:55AM

Saying a prayer for your mother and your family for strength during a difficult time. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUE_2U 1/25/2012 9:49PM

Oh that sounds lovely! A resident cat and a pond. I know that some people do really enjoy the social activities in a home, because they had gotten so lonely after their kids grew up and moved away. I hope this works out well for all of you. Report Inappropriate Comment

Points to Ponder

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Before you talk, listen.
Before you react, think.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
~Donnita~

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RICCILYNN 1/25/2012 12:11PM

love it! Report Inappropriate Comment

VIAFREE 1/25/2012 7:43AM

Powerful thoughts. TY Report Inappropriate Comment

FREETHEGODDESS 1/25/2012 1:03AM

Sounds good. Now I just have to do it. lol Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

Who ME?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Today, after doing my usual 45 min cardio workout, I went to the gym with my daughter. While she did her routine, I spent time with a staff member learning about the gym, costs, and some of the machines. I have a free 7 day pass and hope to attend at least one "Body Flow" class (mixture of tai chi, yoga and pilates) to see if I can do any of the moves. After that I went on the stair master, 2 hip abductors, and several other machines. Right now, though I'd love to go to the Body Flow class tonight, I think I've had enough for one day! I want to be able to walk tomorrow!

Tomorrow we meet with the hospital staff re my Mom's future... we have added 3 more LTC homes to our list ... we shall see what their waiting lists are like...

Blessings of peace!
Azurelite

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

THEPASTISPAST 1/28/2012 5:00PM

Bodyflow is awesome! Like any group fitness class, I go at my own pace and don't feel like I have to do exactly what others are doing. I like how it is low impact, too. A bit better than Zumba and sh'bam, which i love, but probably arent the best for my newly discovered arthritis in my foot :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

FITFABJENN 1/24/2012 5:16PM

Enjoy the "Body Flow" class and that free pass! Report Inappropriate Comment