Saturday, August 17, 2013

Very interesting

Hello again

Tonight on the way home. OK let me back it up. I left mom's got on the bus to the train, took the train downtown Vancouver and got off at Granville and Hasting. Then I caught the 160 to Coquitlam.

Anyways, when the bus was getting close , it stopped and picked up this older guy. Every time this guy gets on the bus, he is drunk. Yes I have seen him many times, and so has other regulars. He is obstinate, and can barely stand up. Tonight was no exception. We try to get him to sit, as we all know, what he is like. He refused to sit down. And was standing in front of me.

I have bad knees and the left knee is really in pain when I have it bent. So I try to keep it as straight as possible. I walk with a cane, not because I like to do this. I walk with a cane because if I don't, I don't walk.

So the bus picks this guy up and starts to go, not long, at all, after we are moving again, and tried to get him to sit. I am reading and all of a sudden this guy falls on my knee's. My left knee was extended and he fell right on both knees. 250 lbs of dead weight. I said get this guy off of me. It took over 2 minutes to get this guy off of me. And in the mean time, he is right on my knee's.

Well when I got off the bus, I could barely walk. My right knee had shooting pain and my left knee keep buckling, while I was walking. And it is not any better now, sitting writing this. Walking home was not fun at all. I am in pain. My left knee is extremely painful.  I took all of the information from the bus. Before I could turn around and get the drivers name, he was gone.

That was my trip home. All good until this guy got on the bus. Now I sit in pain and am still going strong on the days without. This makes matters worse. I have to go to the doctors. My knee is not right anymore. Worse than it was. I need a brace, so it doesn't give out on me.


Today I brought mom a couple of burgers from McDonalds. A Jr bacon Cheese burger and a fillet O fish. Mom likes these two burgers. She was also served her dinner. She ate most of the two burgers and 3/4 of her dinner. This is great. At least mom has a good appetite. Of course the smoothie, which she has been going through quicker than normal. I have no problem with this. It has everything she needs, with the supplement added to it.

I arrived in White Rock late, having to go into Vancouver today. So I wasn't able to wash mom's hair. But  it seemed she was to tired for me to wash her hair after dinner. I usually do this before her dinner. I get their earlier. I will just leave 1/2 hour early tomorrow. This translates into 1 hour when I get to White Rock. Just the way it works out by bus, on the weekends. But not during the week.

She motioned for her spa treatment. This is done by mom placing her hand on the side of my face and moving it back and forth. Mom wants me to change her, instead of waiting for the care aids to do this. I will do this, but I prefer not too. But will, if needed.

I want you all to know, I wipe mom's mouth while feeding her. Since I have OCD, this is often. I wipe her hands when she gets them in her dinner. I brush her teeth after wards. Then the spa treatment. Including a foot massage.

You know I know mom is changing and getting worse. She is stable now, and has been for a very long time, but I know this disease. I watched my Grandfather and Father go through it. So I know what to expect. I just choose not to dwell on it. And to live each day with mom, in the moment. This is the best for mom. I know she knows what is happening to her. Of course she does. What am I, an idiot. At times I really think so. I just will not keep reminding mom of this..... that I love her and will always be their for her. This I do everyday.

I have seen every change she has gone through and will be their for every other change in the future. I will only take things on a day to day basis.

Mom is OK and doing well. She is healthy, Healthier than I am. Better blood pressure. It is important for mom to know I love her and I am not going to let her know, I worry about the changes. I worry what happens to mom. And how she reacts to each of her changes.

Anyways, tired, weak and in extreme pain. On top of this I am not sleeping well, at all.

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland

Thursday, August 15, 2013

We are

Hello again

So I barely got any sleep last night. It took me until 4:00 Am to fall asleep, then I woke up at 5 and it took me an hour to fall back to sleep. Up at 9 so I could call the home to make sure mom received her bath today. I phoned and let them know my concern.

They said to me that they will try to get mom her bath for tomorrow/today. Then I received a call back a short time latter, from one of the nurses whom I know. She let me know that mom would get her bath today. And when I arrived mom was in bed and had been bathed.  I found out that mom had the bath shortly after I was called back.

So when I did arrive I found out that my mother's brother and his wife and two of their children came to visit this afternoon. This is his once a year visit. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the fact that he did visit, but come on, he lives 20 minutes away and he has only come twice in the two years mom has been in White Rock. Just like all of the people who only show up at Christmas time.

I had nothing for mom's dinner tonight again. I am really feeling shitty about this. I don't know what to do. I have all of the fruit and drinks for her. But nothing else.

Let me go back to yesterday's blog.  I have never lied about the fact that I receive, for mom, money each week. It all goes on her, plus more. That amount does not cover any meals I make or have made for mom.

Today, while mom's brother was their, the nurse and care aids, plus mom's roommate sang praises about how I take care of my mother. And that he has nothing to worry about with regards to mom's health and dental issue. It seems they had some concern about mom's teeth. The nurse let them know that I am on top of mom's dental issues right away. And there is nothing to worry about. Her son takes care of this all the time.

Yes it is true, I am on top of every single issue that arises and will arise.Nothing gets by me.

So I am feeling really weak lately. I almost fainted today. I felt myself going down and caught myself before this happened.

1 Am again and I am beat, and weak. Time to try to get some sleep. I have been living off of tea.

Pray for a miracle for me. I really don't know what that is anymore.

GOD bless and good night.

Kris Schmuland

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Completly tired

Hello again

After I finished writing this blog last night I was up cleaning. As my roommates do not clean and the place was getting disgusting. Until 1:30 Am Do you believe this. And it was 4:00 by the time I fell asleep. As I was extremely stressed out. And pissed off that, once again I went without. Day 5 or 6 I don't care anymore. Really I don't give a .............................

I will be stating this. I receive $75.00 per week to cover mom's fruit,snacks, drinks and chocolates. I bought her chocolates for the week 7 @ 1.39 Then there is the fruit for 2 smoothies. That was 10.00 Plus I purchased her Papaya's 7 @ 2.69 lb Plus her drinks. Coke 3.49 for a six pack and 3 juices @ 2.49 each and her bottle water 4 @ 2.49 each. And since it is Tuesday, it is Sushi Tuesday for mom. This she loves. And that takes care of the $75.00. So anything above this, as in home cooked meals, comes out of my money. Which I have none of,  at the moment. And it does not seem that mom will be getting home cooked meals again this week. I feel so embarrassed that I can't do this for my beautiful mother. She deserves so much more than what I am able to give her.

I really think I should of jumped in front of a car, to collect the insurance

This the PGT at their best. The PGT, The PGT and the PGT. I did this as they search the Internet to see if their name comes up and what is written about them. Paranoid, a little, don't you think. This is because they abuse their clients. They treat them with disrespect. They, in my opinion, steal their money. And allot is written about them. I do write allot about them.

On we go.

Today I arrived and the first thing I did was to check to see if mom had been given her bath. OK, the first thing I did was give mom a kiss hello. Then we went to her room to check to see if they changed her sheets. Which of course they did not. This is the kind of continuous abuse that is prevalent in seniors facilities. They figure I wouldn't notice. Come on, I can smell. And I do smell her arms to see if they smell like her body wash. Yes I do this.

Mom ate all of the sushi, and the fish cake from her dinner. Plus the fruit and chocolate. Of course the smoothie. And when I put her to bed. I first changed her sheets and then gave her a good wash. Of course I don't wash the private areas. Just her back, arms, legs and belly. And of course her nightly spa treatment. Which includes a face massage and foot massage.

I have to get tough and tell them what I want and I won't be asking.

People kept asking me how am I doing today. So I simply said to them, Do you want the truth or a lie. And of course you don't want the truth. No one want to her the truth and I left it at that.

I am still having difficulties with my hearing. Of course I am, this is not going away. It is only going to get worse and this upsets me as well. The doctor has no idea what is happening. I need hearing aids and can't afford them. So I don't hear all the time. I still have until next March to see the specialist. Ridiculous.

Back to mom. As you can see, my thoughts are becoming scattered.

Tonight, mom fell asleep holding my hand. I try to stay until she falls asleep, but I live so far away and if I don't get on a bus at a certain time, I don't get home until Midnight.

This is so special to me. She has this lovely smile on her face as she falls asleep, Holding my hand tightly.

Well after midnight again, and I am so exhausted and am getting very weak. I notice it in my walk.

Pray that I find what I need to make mom dinners and what I need to move to White Rock

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

It all stays the same

Hello again

So after spending three hours on the bus to get home. I had to scrub the tub, before going out to search. but the three other people who live here could not do this.

A 6' 200 lb man cannot live on nothing.

I am really depressed that I could not bring mom and home cooked meal again. Four or five days now. And the PGT cannot understand that the food is crap and to keep mom healthy and happy she deserves to have a decent meal, daily. They think because the home provides meal that this is good enough. Even though mom will spit out allot of the food she gets. Lucky, tonight mom was hungry and understood that I have nothing in my fridge and freezer. I am so depressed about this, it is not even funny anymore.

Today, when I arrived in White Rock, I went into this store that is a discount store for a major department store. The Bay. Anyways, everything was on extreme sale. I could of purchased mom an entire fall wardrobe for $100.00 Let me give you an example. There was this shirt that was on sale for 50% off the ticketed price plus I would of been able to take another 50% off at the till. When I left the store I became even more depressed. and thought of throwing myself in front of a car, to collect the insurance money. Sure I would of been injured, but what is a few more injuries, when I have a list of many problems. It would solve my problem of moving to White Rock and have a little money. I thought against this, but prayed that it might happen. I really do need the funds.

Mom ate her dinner, I am glad thought that I had the fruit for her. I am out of everything that I keep in the fridge at the home.

I look forward to visiting with mom each and everyday. It gives me a warm feeling when she falls asleep, while holding her hand. With a smile on her face. She knows what she wants

If it were not for me, mom would not be around this long. I make sure mom is healthy, happy and gets the proper nutrition and the items that make her happy. The fruit, drinks, the cosmetics. I provide the love she needs, the touch she needs, the therapy she needs

Sunday was her bath day. Yes once a week they give her a bath. This is why I was her everyday. But since they were short on staff, they didn't do it then. I asked and they told me that it would be today, and of course it wasn't. I noticed this because they never changed her sheets. I made mention that I need mom to have her bath tomorrow and to have her sheets changed. If I didn't mention it, I am sure they would not even do it until this coming Sunday. But we will see tomorrow.

Well, it is late again. I found some of what I was searching for, after cleaning the tub. Time to go

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland

Monday, August 12, 2013

Late again

Hello again

Well it is now after 1 AM and I am just starting to write this.By the time I arrived home and did a few things, this is the time.

Day 3, bloating is starting. by day 5 or 6 this will go away.

Mom was very hungry tonight and I feel even more guilty that I couldn't bring her a home cooked meal. She ate what was given to her.. It was not enough and she really did not enjoy it. I am besides myself at what to do.

One of things that make the day is knowing I can make my mother dinner. Because she loves my cooking. And when I can't do this for her, I feel that I am not good enough or I am not taking care of her the way she took care of me, when young.

This my wish. one of them, anyways. You know the others. Moving to White Rock. Close to her.

I am totally devoted to taking care of mom. This is what I do and because of it, I have lost all of my friends. They don't understand how I feel and think. How there is no one else for her and I refuse to let her be alone for any length of time. I try to be their as much as I can. Everyday. I don't miss any days. This is the way it has to be.

No matter how I feel, the pain I feel. I put this aside and do what is right for my mother.

Pray for me

I have to go, really.

Kris Schmuland

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I just don't know

Hello again

Good evening. How is everybody this night. I hope you are fine. I am OK. Mom is good.

One of the residents wife was speaking with us tonight and said to mom that she is spoiled. Well we both knew instantly, that mom was saying. "And what about it" we just looked at each other and knew that is what mom was saying, with a huge smile on her face, as she said it. Not exactly clearly. but we got it, anyways.

I didn't have anything to bring mom for dinner. And I feel really bad about this. It is driving me crazy. Nothing for tomorrow either. At least tonight her dinner was not, they say minced, but it is actually pureed. And mom just hates this. She had roast beef and potatoes ( Mom gets potatoes every night) and she is sick of them. Plus some soggy squash. It is a good thing I had her smoothie and fruit. Including avocado and her chocolate.

Side note. No matter how many times I spell avocado, I spell incorrectly.  That GOD for spell check. It is an easy word to spell.

Again, I don't care that I have nothing for myself. It is mom who I care about. I really do care that she gets home cooked meals at least once a day. I do everything I can to make mom feel at home. She has her own plates, cutlery, mug and glasses. I serve her meals on these plates. One meal, which I should be bringing on one of the plates and I take the meal that she gets off of the tiny plate that it is served on and place it on the other plate. Yes mom gets two full size plates every meal that I am with her.

I have noticed that I cannot give her large pieces of food. She has a hard time chewing it. Which makes for a hard time swallowing it. I line her drinks up so mom chooses which drinks she wants and each moment. I try to give mom as much choice as possible. The table is organized in such a manner that she can point to what it is she wants.

I wait until she finishing chewing before I give her anymore. Not like the staff do. They almost force feed the residents. Saying that they have others to feed, so we have to do this. NO they don't. This is how problems occur.

They ask me how to do things for mom. How to brush her teeth. Does she drink from a cup or bottle with ease.

Yes mom is changing. I am well aware of this. And it saddens me to see her go through this. But I am not going to let this interfere with our time together. I am not going to dwell on it. I make sure mom is doing well at all times.

My own Alzheimer's therapy. And it is working.

If I was not such a looser and have a place in White Rock. I could have her over and do more things for her. I am in another depressive state now. As mentioned the last one lasted over 4 years, with weight gain of 70 lbs. It feels worse than when the last one started. This time with extreme anxiety. And my OCD is in full swing. I try to hide this from mom. But she knows a little bit of my OCD. Her closet, the way it is organized. Left to right, alphabetically by colour and seasons. No metal hangers, plastic only. The metal hangers leave marks on the clothing. I have this obsession, when my OCD is full on, with crooked pictures. They drive me crazy. I have to straighten them out. No matter what or where I am.

Anyways, we sang. Yes I see mom moving her lips to the music, and put her in bed. The nightly spa treatment and then I just hold her hand while she falls off to sleep. I can't stay until she is completely asleep, as I need to catch a bus to get home before midnight. 

And it is 1 AM now and I really need to just go and do nothing.

I will start to loose weight soon. I guess I could loose a few pounds

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland