INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours
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We stopped to see Carol.... She just cried when she saw us.... Glad her Grand-daughter was there, to tell me a little more about what happened.... I guess she was working out in her garden.... She was supposed to go up to Morrison to have Dinner with her Fiance'.... When she didn't show up, he called her Son, who lives close to her... He went over and found her.... Called the ambulance.
I guess when it happened she couldn't move her right side at all... but is slowly regaining some use there! I could understand a couple words, but she would get so frustrated, so I would take over, and talk more, or change the subject! DAMN! My Husband made her laugh a few times.... But that worried look on her face, when she tried to talk..... I guess I just never have been around someone with that damage before....
Rosie, did he get better? I wonder if she will regain use of her arm, or legs, so she can walk? Her right foot is in a "boot" to keep it bent, otherwise it will curl under? She seems to understand everything, just can't communicate very well yet....
We hugged each other, and she just held on and sobbed.... I told her she would be alright, and that I would help take care of her.... It was just such a shock I guess.... I didn't know what to do..... I'll go back, and just talk about everything else..... Thanks for the suggestions..... Does anyone come out of it completely? I mean she lived alone.... Had Glenn, for the last couple years, but they have their own homes..... She volunteered for 3 different places.... had such a full life.... Took trips to every country you can think of!
She was the one who went to Viet Nam, Thailand, Pearl Harbor, India, Pakistan, A train trip through the Canadian Rockies, China.... Everywhere! She loved her life of traveling..... Has been through all the States.... with that Senior tour group.... It used to be called Elder-Hostle.... Maybe she and Glenn can do it again soon........
How precious our lives are! We just pray to God we will be given another day.... for us and our loved ones....
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She will most likely go to a rehab facility. How much she regains depends on how much damage was done. She may get *some* speech back. It IS very frustrating for the person. She could write or type what she wants to say. But it's early days for her, trust her docs.
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Chevy- my mother had one in the front of her brain and recovered a lot (never any paralysis). Her sister had one a few years ago and it was very bad, they did surgery to relieve the pressure of the bleeding on the brain. She did not make it. My sister (a doc) says strokes have a 1/3 ratio- complete recovery, 1/3 recovery with some change in function, 1/3 don't make it. Broken hips go much the same way.
When my mother was in the hospital after her stroke, I went down in the morning they moved her from ICU to the neurology floor. Not long after she was settled in, a woman came in who was someone who volunteered to visit stroke patients and talk about recovery/rehab from a stroke. She told us she had had had FIVE strokes. She rehabed from all of them and seemed very strong in the end.
During rehab time for my mom, there was a woman in her early 50s who had a very bad stroke. She was my mothers roomate and she had paralysis and severe pain in one arm. I saw then how really bad it can be for a person. I remember her daughters being there a lot, as well as the husband. My mother seemed so less injured than that woman more than 20 years younger than her. That will be in my mind forever.
I think where it occurs, how bad the bleed is, etc. and how fast they get care makes a huge difference. My mothers cleaning person came in that day and found her. Had it been a different day, my mother would have died that day. I am glad someone went and found your friend and got her help right away.
I pray Carol gets stronger every day. Your visit seemed to mean the world to her.
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Thanks you guys.... She is in a care-center.... working with her all the time.... She can lift her right arm up with her left hand.... She has no pain.... Was probably out in her garden for a few hours or more, until her Son went over there....
But they said she had no movement on her right side when she came in there.... It's been about a month.... She can move her right hand a little, and her fingers.... I think they are working with her....a lot!
Spookie, she trys.... she can say a word or two.... and then can't talk, and gets that frightened look on her face.... But we just kept on talking to her.....
Jazzy.... yes..... my broken hip is alright, but won't ever be the same as my un-broken one, I don't think.... but I'm doing good, for my age.... It could be a lot worse, I know..... Man, that was NOTHING compared to what happened to her....!
She survived Thyroid cancer.... It's just that I've known her since we were about 12..... So she is like my sister!
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Chevy, Do you know if she can't think of the words? Or can think of them but can't get them out? Some people make good recoveries. I know that frightened look from volunteering in a rehab floor of a hospital. One woman stuck with me because she looked like a frightened rabbit. Then a few weeks later she was playing cards with other patients.
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Well, I don't know.... she just can't say them I think.... I think she might know what she is trying to say, but nothing happens, and she puts her head down.... She STARTS to say something, but then it isn't there... Just one or two words... but we made her laugh.... until we got up to leave.... Yes, I thinks she is really frightened... She must be wearing diapers.... because I know she can't walk yet... But she can use her left hand.....
Thanks Wren... We'll go see her again Sunday! She might be a little better by then?
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So is everything paralyzed on one side? It didn't affect her face... just her arm and leg.... does it affect her internal organs also?
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Chevy my Dad did not get better, but he was dying at that point. My Mom had a stroke at age 30, drooped her face and made her speech odd. She recovered completely. My Grandmother had a stroke, found her in the bathroom. She recovered completely. My Uncle had a stroke that wiped out his entire personality. He literally was a different person,scary. We call my Mom's side of the family "Stroke Central" more folks on that side have had strokes then anything else. The strokes are all different and it depends on where the affected area is, as to how well they do. I have seen folks in the hospital that I would swear wouldn't make it, go to acute rehab and end up regaining much of their strength, speech, mobility etc. Sometimes you have to ride it out. In my experience having access to acute rehab with well organized Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy - those patients regain the most. Another BIG plus is having a support system - friends, family, church, temple that stand by the person because recovering from a stroke takes a long time. Your humor and support is GREAT MEDICINE so just be there for your friend hugs and love and friendship heals. ((((HUGS)))) for you too!
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Thanks i know it is good, but scarey
Sorry chevy bout u r friends hugs
Patty pm me u r number again plz
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Blondie- I am sorry you feel scared. I would be too. Sending you love my friend.
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This is for all the people out there needing a hug tonight.
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Ah thanks Rosie....! Means a lot to hear about other's recovery. She's been like a Sister I never had... always there for me, and she is my Olive Garden Buddy...
We also went to school with Anna, and were always close, but Anna just drifted away, would never return our calls, and just chose to be with her family, and they are all enabling her to just grow old and feeble, and wait on her........I see pictures of her on FB...... I would get a hold of her, but after 5 years I know she MIGHT have someone take her to go see her, but then we wouldn't hear from her anymore AGAIN, so I don't want Carol to have to go through that.....
I don't think this will take her out... because she HAS improved they say... And in her mind, she wants to talk, and tries to find the words, but just has to stop, and look worried, or laughs.... We are young enough to come out of this.... I guess, like you say, everyone IS different.... They work with her all the time I guess....
Seeing her like this really shakes your sense of "everythings okay in this world".... Even my Husband .... just was hard to see someone you are so used to being one way, and then it's all gone..... I'll be there for her.... She DOES have a large family....
She's also one of my friends that has a Daughter, but hasn't seen or heard from her in probably 40 years... I wish they would let her know... maybe that would help her? I don't know what happened, and she has said she doesn't know either... but SOMEthing had to happen back there somewhere.....
Jazzy, Carol must have been outdoors working in her garden, but by the time her friend knew something was wrong when she didn't show up, he called her Son and he went over..... It was probably about 5 hours or more... She was still in the garden.....
Blondie, is it home hospice or are you in a care-center? Will they take care of all your shopping, etc? Glad you are getting help! xoxoxo
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Chevy- we are not sure how long it was for my mother either. The cleaning person came in to the house and my mother was sitting in the chair unconscious and also shaking. She ran to the neighbor and they called 911. They called my SIL who lives in the area, who called my sister. They confirmed a stroke in the ER and she also had a grand mal seizure n the ER. My sister (a doctor) told me she may not recover.
We got on planes that morning and both arrived their independently at midnight. My mother was sitting up in her bed in ICU and said "well you sure got here fast." I honestly expected she might not be alive when we got there.
Cancer is an awful disease, but things that affect the brain can change things like that.
Hugs sister and hope you can continue to keep in touch with your friend and encourage and love her as she works to recover.
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My girlfriend had a stroke while at her son's party. So she got the medicine right away but it didn't help, the stroke was too big. She did really well in rehab, she had her left side paralyzed and had trouble swallowing. But once they moved her into a nursing home she started going downhill. I think once she realized that she couldn't go home, she gave up. It took her a year before she passed. I Miss her a lot. Chevy, I hope your friend makes a complete recovery, many do. Just be there when you can and make her laugh.
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Chevy. Glad you got to see and talk to Carol. I am sure she must have loved your visit. adding her to my long prayer list
Blondie. Pm'd you. Of course your scared. Would love to talk to you. I'll be home and free all weekend. Call anytime night or day.
Good morning all. Today is turning out to be beautiful. Sun is shining. Yes I think out high today is 72. Perfect. Not too hot or too cold. Feeling much stronger today. Ready to find something to get into today. Dh is working but me and ds's are home.
Hootie hoo
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You gals are sooooooo sweet.... ! Thank you for talking about this..... I can remember my Grandfather sitting there after his stroke! Only that one was really serious.... and he didn't make it either.... His eyes were wild, and he just yelled out!
They SAY she is improving.... but man, this is going to be a long haul for her.... It's been a month I guess, and just now starting to move her fingers on her right hand....
When we first walked into her room, I said "CAROL, WHAT THE HELL?" And she laughed! I told her we have to get you better so you can get home...! But then I saw how she couldn't move.... and I asked what that boot was doing on her foot.... I just didn't realize that she also couldn't move her right side. Glad her Grand-daughter was there.... because Carol couldn't have told me.....
Thanks gals.... xoxoxo
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http://news.ubc.ca/2015/04/27/chemo-brain-is-real-say-ubc-researchers/
We all already knew this was an issue, but now some science is finally happening.
Chevy- so sorry about your friend. The fact that you made her laugh right now is not only a sign of improvement for her, but also of your wonderful friendship.
Patty- good to see you are feeling better.
Blondie- love you lady. Glad that you will have a team to support you now. I volunteer for hospice, and see quite a few patients end up leaving because they start doing better, and don't need us for a while longer. They just need some support. Sending good juju your way.
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Chevy - so sorry to hear about your friend. Glad you are able to visit her to lift her spirits!
Blondie - sending thoughts and prayers to you! There are a lot of wonderful and caring people with Hospice.
Weather is beautiful here today...DH cut the grass and it looks so green and pretty. Funny how even if you have weeds, they look great after the lawn has been freshly cut!! DD2 took the SAT today for the 2nd time. Hard to believe my "baby" will be a Senior next year!
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Ms. Chevy, changes from our comfort zone are never easy to take. When sickness strikes, it does knock us out of our "every thing is ok' sense. I hope Ms. Carol is getting the Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy she needs to help her recover. Rose is right about the patients who regain the most are the ones who get good rehab care and a good support system. Your love for her will help contribute to the healing. We all know you can lift her spirit with your wicked sense of humor, so I agree with Ms. Spookie's advice about continuing to be the loving friend you are to her.
Rose, thank your for the correction. For some reason I thought your two younger daughters were adopted. Your middle daughter understands what sacrificial love is. Good for her. I can only hope the same for my two girls.
Jazzy, does it feel good to purge? The longer we live in a house the more we accumulate. My goal is to live like a minimalist, but have 3 (my husband and 2 daughters) in my home who like to save everything...I am outnumbered LOL. Love the pink prickly pear.
Mag, happy you have a new PCP who listens. It is very important to have a good relationship with our doctors. A friend of mine has severe rheumatoid arthritis and in constant pain without her Norco 10. Her new PCP cut her pain med back by 60/month with no justification. I believe her only reason is since Norco is now schedule II, and with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in placed the last few years, her new doctor is concern about the quantity (240/mon) my friend is getting. How could a health provider do that without adding another pain med to control the pain? She is more concern about her reputation then the comfort of a patient with chronic pain. To me it's negligence.
Ms. Blondie, I hope you will get the help you need and that you will be comfortable.
Mel, my older daughter is a Junior in high school too. She is taking her SAT in a few weeks and is cramming for the AP Chemistry and AP Language which will take place next week. Is this the same daughter who got yeast infection in the mouth? Mine has been complaining of stomach problems . I think it's stress. I feel for our kids. Competition is fierce today.
Crazy day for me today. Older daughter has HS swim championship and younger one has piano recital. Got to run. Sorry in advance for the typo.
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Jwoo. - I didn't know you were a hospice volunteer. That's awesome.
Blondie - thinking of you. Hope you are comfortably sleeping with peaceful dreams. Interested in hearing what hospice is doing for you. Are you home or in a hospice house ?
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Patty, thanks. I love it. My grandmother was in hospice care, and I saw how their care helped her. It is the reason I got my massage therapy license, and that is what I have done most (over 10 years now). BC and the LE have prevented me from being active int hat respect, but I still do food deliveries and other things while I work to rebuild my strength. Most of my patients have never had a massage in their lives, and for me, there is nothing more rewarding than (hopefully) making them feel relaxed, ease some pain, and let them know that someone cares.
Blondie- really explore all the services available to you through your hospice! We have volunteers that do hair, nails, massage, all kinds of things!
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Jwoo. A massage sounds great. Btw I love your new pic
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thanks! it is me and a friends baby. We were both wearing Silence of the Lambs tee's and needed to get a photo together!
here it is bigger- he has the cutest fat knees!! it was hard not to gobble him up!
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Hey j that baby is adorable
Thanks i am fine..home hospice, not shopping i can still do that just needca ride,
Thanks all
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JWoo- love the new avatar. WHose the cutie on your lap? Very cool you do hospice volunteering. I did that too for a bit 2008. I stopped when I hadtoo much going on with my own kids health issues etc. I remembered our hospice said no one taking narcotics/ pain meds can volunteer, they must have had issues with it. I thought that was odd since lots of cancer patients take pain meds, and I saw lots of former cancer patients volunteer - maybe none stage 4, don't know. But there was drug testing and all when I started, but back then I didn't take anything so I got tested and volunteered. I never understood what the issue was because in the capacity I volunteered you never saw anyones meds. Since it's been a five years, if I went back I would have to be retested and the pain meds I take would disqualify me.
I thought hospice was pretty amazing the amount of services available - counseling, art therapy for kids of patients/ siblings, grief counseling, spiritual counseling, nutrition support, pain management, social support, ADL support, cleaning, respite, --- the list was long. They even had a separate building with beds for folks who for whatever reason didn't want to die in their homes but wanted support outside of a hospital, beautiful building and rooms. They also had some volunteers who made really interesting "life books", videos and scrapbooks of the patients for their families. Very interesting the life books of folks, moving and beautiful, wonderful gift to leave behind for future generations.
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Sleep well everyone. Hugs to all.0
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Morning gals........ Blondie, I'm glad it is home hospice! and these gals know a lot more about it than I do!
Did I ever tell you what happened with my SIL's Mother? See she was living alone, and had to go to the Hospital for something... But then they thought she was doing really bad, and moved her to Hospice.... Well she just kept getting better! She was thriving, and nothing really terribly wrong with her.... So after a year, they kicked her out! Seems her Daughter's couldn't take care of her either, even though they weren't working.....
But she couldn't take care of herself, or didn't want to, so she went back to a nursing home... and then she passed away about a month later...
No-one just ever knows when we can't handle it anymore...but I thought that was a good story.....
JWow! I printed off another of your pictures, so glad to have a new one! Wish I had pictures of all you gals... for my little book...
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Jwoo. I love the pic. The baby is adorable and u r too.
Blondie. - you sound good Good to hear.
Gm all. Today my niece who is 21 and from IL is coming by with 3 of her girlfriends for a couple hours visit. They are all going on vacation together and wanted to stop and see her old , boring aunt. I feel blessed she wanted to include me in their vacation. I bet all their excitement will be contagious ( at least I hope so ). Hope y'all have a great Sunday
2nd / just a shout out. Hope you are lurking.
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Hi ladies- I had a fun day of play yesterday. Took my personal trainer to breakfast for a thank you/bon voyage as she wraps up a the gym. We have been working together since last Sept to get my fitness truly back since the two major surgery events in 2012. She is moving to the west coast to be near her son and our last training is next Friday. She shared some pearls of wisdom/reminders with me based on our time together to help me remember to take good care of myself!
Went to a nice dinner last night and dinner on a patio with a fellow consulting friend and we both enjoyed some healthy eats. I had the best kale ceaser salad topped with a piece of fresh grilled salmon. I love a good salad with some protein on top. YUM! Then we went to see Bill Maher at the convention center down town. I laughed for two solid hours.
Today back to work on the yard, patio and house!
Loveroflife- yes, it feels great to purge because of the things I am getting rid of really have needed to be looked at for awhile. I did some renovations in the past year with repainting and flooring, and it sort of forces this issue by making you take things out of the room and look at things you are storing in spaces that need to really be used as rooms and as not closets. Here in NM, the houses have no basements or attics, so storage in the house is limited. I have most of it in the garage (along with two cars), so I have worked to get the house stuff taken care of first. Been donating, taking things to consignment, shredding, throwing out stuff damaged or not working, etc. for months now. This last round is to go through some older storage to clear out some old boxes of professoinal paperwork, etc. I have had with me for 25 year or more and a lot of it could just GO! I had been staring at some of those boxes for awhile. Doing a big clean out is overwhelming so you just have to say "I will do 1-2 boxes a week." Just chip away at it.
Today I will do more work to consolidate what I need to keep and store. I am almost done!
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Blondie....While it saddens me that the time has come for hospice, I am happy you will be getting help with all your needs and that you can have it in your home.
Chevy....Sorry to hear of your friend's stroke. I'm sure just your visit helped. You're a good friend.
I have the mirror frame assembled. Now it needs putty and paint. I also need to remove and cut some glass from an old storm window. That sounds like
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