I've been absent - sorry

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

A lot of you know that I have been taking care of my 95 yr old mother, and stressed out to the max. When I got back from Alaska headed straight back to Southern Pines to check on her. This is a 2 hr drive each way and it really tires me out. She was confused and out of it but glad to see me. The nurse said she is suffering from OTMF (one to many falls). She really banged her head and was in intensive care but is now so much better. I deceided to let her go back "home" to assisted living. I just got back from seeing her and after 2 days she is sooo much better, almost like her old self. She went straight to the smoking room--aaarrrgh She had quit for 40 days, oh hell, at 95 let her do her own thing. Now that she is better, so am I!! I will restart my trip of Alaska latter tonight. Hugs, and thanks to all of you!! shaggy

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Shaggy, glad to see you back. Glad that your mom seems to be doing a bit better. It's hard to see someone you love not doing well. My mom had a stroke a few years ago and had to go in to a nursing home and while se never complained (which was her way) I know that the loss of her freedom to be on her own and come and go as she pleased was really hard on her. She died last November, 6 months after her 90th birthday.
Hope that your mom continues to do better and that you have many more years together.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Glad you are back and your mother is doing better. I know it is a physical and mental drain from experience. Be sure to take care of yourself.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

You have been missed!

Glad to hear your mom is doing better.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Your mom is lucky to have such a caring and understanding daughter....give yourself a big hug...you deserve it! Glad that she is doing better....we missed you.

[susieq Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close susieq]

I realized one thing out of all that (after the fact) and that's that you must take care of yourself and enjoy life. You'll never get those lost years back.

Amen to that !!

Shaggy,
So glad you're back safely, and that your Mom is doing well. I know firsthand how worrying about your parents puts a very big crimp in your life. But I also know that you wouldn't be you if you didn't worry. Take care of yourself!
Sue

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Shaggy......Welcom back. I am so happy to hear that your mom is feeling more like herself, and that things are going better......We missed you, and are looking forward to your Alaska stories, when the time is appropriate.

[hope54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hope54]

Shaggy, thanks for telling us about your Mom. Your story and also the responses to it have touched me.

I helped my Dad take care of my Mom for seven grueling years; she died 20 months ago. And now my Dad is rapidly declining, having multiple 'small strokes'. I am a nurse and I don't think he has along time to live. I am the only family here in Seattle. For me the hardest thing to do is take care of myself - but it has to be a priority. So everyone's advice to Shaggy helps me too!

Thanks.

Hope