In bed again

Hello again

So I arrived knowing it was mom's bath day and she would be in bed, again. Mom was so tired. I really am sick of mom spending so much time in bed. She doesn't want to eat properly. Takes forever to chew anything.

They have her where she can't even see the TV, and it is on. It is not mom's fault, it is the staff who have no idea what is what or even if mom can see the TV or not.

This I will be bringing up with the manager on Monday.

I am not picky as some would say, I do everything for the benefit of mom.

I did get her to eat, it took a while, but she did eat. A fair bit. And of course mom loves her fruit. This I am very happy about.

After dinner, mom was ready for bed, but we had the spa treatment yet to do. Mom was mostly asleep while I was doing this for her.

I bought mom a fan, and set it up after her spa treatment. In the lower Mainland, it has been extremely hot. Hotter than what is for this time of the year. 34 c at noon. So I decided mom needs a fan.

It was not that hot in her room. At least they had the fore site to leave the drapes closed through out the day. But the fan is there.

When I was finished with that mom was asleep. Her grasp of my hand was loose, yet as soon as I started to take it away, she grasped my hand tighter.

I stayed late, actually.

I need to move. I need to find a place. Yet I have had an add on Craigslist for a very long time. And nothing. OK. I have found a few places, but as soon as I am honest and tell them I am a smoker, and I am an outdoor smoker only. They say no.

I try to be honest. I think I will lie and get an e-cigarette.That way if I need a puff I can take care of that without having to go for a walk.

Today my arm is really bad. This is taking forever as I am typing left handed and it is a slow process. I can barely turn my neck to the left.

OK Done

Please pray that I find the funds necessary to get mom the ROHO cushion and I find a place right away. I really hate being here and I don't even want to come home at night.

I think I will print up and add and make a bunch of copies. Walk around and put them up at the hospital, laundry mats, grocery stores etc......... See what that may bring.


GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland

A little upset

Hello again

Today when I arrived at mom's she was in bed. Apparently mom threw up this morning, so they left her in bed. Had to do with the bowels not being emptied. Has to come out the food in her tummy.

So I gave her lots to drink, she did eat a little of this, a little of that. Which made for a complete dinner, plus of course her fruit and smoothie.

She was tired though. I gave her the spa treatment, exercised her legs. Mom's legs are bending now. A little bit at a time.

And she was ready to sleep. Mom wanted to sleep, so she threw me out. No, I asked her if she wanted me to leave so she could sleep, and clear as a bell, she said yes, with a smile on her face. Just tired.

I am OK with this.

So I made my way home.

Mom didn't eat the dinner I made her. she ate a little bit of it. So I don't have to cook tonight. Which is good, as it is hot out. 32 c today. Way above normal for here.

For m, my neck is very sore today and my back is killing me. And using my right arm today was very difficult.

Have to go.

GOD bless and good night

I ask again for assistance to get mom the ROHO cushion for yesterday's blog.

Kris Schmuland

Now what..........

Hello again

Today I spoke with the occupational therapist regarding mom's seat. We spoke about mom sliding down,leaning to one side and the sores on her bottom. How this ROHO cushion might be of benefit to mom. First it is filled with air and will conform to mom' s bottom. Making mom feel like she is seating on air. Very comfortable.

The OT is going to write a recommendation letter. So I can submit it to mom's extended health policy for reimbursement of 80 % of the total. If they approve it. I am not sure if I already sent in a receipt for a cushion or not. If I did, I don't think they will reimburse me again

We decided that this is something mom should have.

So now comes the biggest challenge.

The cushion is very expensive. Like $589.00. Yes that is right. I looked at them the other day. Plus tax of course.

I don't have that kind of money. Do any of my readers wish to contribute to this cause. That is the price and I could use some help with this.

Other wise mom's sores on her bottom will never heal. As they haven't yet. When they do heal, within a few days they are back.  This is something very serious, they can get infected and then there are going to be problems.

This is to make mom more comfortable and to heal her sores. This way they won't come back.

Mom is stuck in a wheel chair. She can't get up and walk about. This is her life.

My address is listed and I will post the receipt.

I am going to pray that GOD finds a way of helping to get this cushion for mom. It will make her life so much better.

I do have a pay pal account. Never used it before, so I am not sure if one would just look up my name or what.

If any of you wish to help with this, mom and I would  greatly appreciate it.

I am going to do my best to do something to find these funds.

I am just worried about mom and the sores on her bottom. Nothing they do is correcting the problem. So this is the only way to solve this.

It is to much pressure on her. The cushion she has now, is just to hard. You try sitting for hours and hours on a cushion that is hard. It would be like sitting on a wooden chair for 8 hours, each day and everyday.

Mom is well this day. Happy to see me, as I am happy to see her. It is a hot day here, so mom was especially thirsty today. I am glad I have many different drinks for her. Including ice water.

And she ate and ate. Plus lots of fruit. A mango, papaya and a gold kiwi And was ready for bed. But first I read more of her book, The life of Pi. It is just getting exciting.

Please, if you can, help out. Or just pray I find the funds for this cushion.

I am done begging.

GOD bless all of you and have a good night

Kris Schmuland

We are here to serve

Hello again

So today while giving mom her spa treatment, it dawned on me, that one of these days I will be giving mom her final spa treatment. I try my best everyday not to think like that. To not let that interfere with my day to day activities with mom. How I look after her and care for her. It just happened. A tear or many came to my eye's.

I know that one day, GOD bless it is not anytime soon, mom will move on to be with dad. Not now, though. I quickly turned the tears off and looked away from mom while clearing them from my eye's.

While feeding mom dinner, there was this guy who I have seen around. Works for the hospital. He had a sling on for the longest time. And tonight it was gone. I brought this up and said must feel good to be using both arms again. He then turned around and said to me, that he mentioned to his wife about this guy who is their everyday, taking care of his mother. And that he hopes he can do the same for his mom when it is time.

I have never spoken to this man before tonight. I just brought up the fact his sling was gone. And he proceeded to praise me.

Once again I am not doing this for any accolades, what so ever. I am doing the right thing. Mom needs to know she is loved and someone actually cares about her. To feel secure in her day to day life. This alone makes it all worth while. Just mom wanting to hold my hand ( Even though I really don't like to be touched and makes for a lonely existence)  and the smile mom has on her face, when she falls asleep. Makes everything worth while.

I wasn't able to make anything for mom last night. So I got her a chicken pot pie and a seafood salad she likes. Mom was really hungry. She ate everything, plus some of the roast beef that was served to her. And the papaya, gold kiwi and avocado. Of course her 3 pack of Lindt chocolates.

I really do wonder sometimes where she put it all. I know mom eat way more than I do in a day. And she is thin.

I bought these pants for her a few weeks ago. I asked if they would try them on her first before they go for marking. To make sure I have the right size. When I bought them I asked the women if a medium was a size 16. She said yes. Today mom was wearing these pants and they were to small for her. To tight around the waist.

This is how they do things. I ask so I know if I have to return them. They don't bring anything up, and I assume that they fit. They are marked and now I can't bring them back and exchange them. OK I got them on sale, but still paid good money for them.

I will have to go back and get another, larger pair. Trust me I won't be letting the home have them to give to someone else. I will be bringing them to this home for displaced women. Let them have them. Or leave them for mom's daughters to take home. Or just let someone in the home, who is less fortunate then mom have them. Whatever I do I just know I have to get another pair. I really do like these pants. They looked good on mom. provided that whoever dressed mom has any idea how to dress someone.

They really do a bad job dressing mom. They haven't a clue what looks good together. I am picky how mom is to be dressed and what is bought for her. I have been buying mom's clothing since she went into a home. I have taken her with me when I could. Mom likes my taste in clothing, so she is OK with what I get her. And if she doesn't like it, she will let me know. Yes all of her clothing. OK my mother's daughters buy somethings. They have no taste either. Brown and I dislike brown immensely.

Mom is healthy otherwise. In good spirit. Enjoys me singing to her.

I have used my right arm to much today. I really have to get in and get the ex rays done. I have an appointment with a lawyer tomorrow, but the ex rays are far more important. I have a year to file a law suite. So lots of time.

But as I was saying, I used my right arm to much today and now I have a burning sensation through out my  right side and my arm is numb. That is my bitch about me for the day.

Please, I really do need everyone to pray for me, that I find a place that I can afford right away. As my faith is still day to day. Even though I read the word. Or pray that I receive some financial help or GOD guides me to the right people, place or thing.

GOD bless and good night

Kris Shcmuland

The long and ............

Hello again

I made mom a nice fish dinner tonight and she enjoyed it immensely. They had mom facing the other way today when I arrived, so she couldn't see me coming. But as soon as I moved her wheel chair, she knew it was me.

I brought her down to her room for the usual. Drinks and getting everything for her dinner. Her plates, fruit, wet cloths and napkins. I noticed that my mother's daughter's had come to visit. A plastic floral array was their.I am not sure if both were their or not. I am glad they took time out of there busy schedule to visit their mother. LOL!

Being Tuesday, we were able to get our usual table. The people that use it on Tuesdays were out on the deck. I forgot anyways, that on Tuesdays we usually eat in her room. Good thing. Brighter for mom.

I have been using my right arm to much and it is getting numb, and doing weird things. But I have to use it to feed mom. she just won't take anything from my left arm.

I was looking around for a better seat cushion as the one mom has now it to  hard and causing sores. The one I am thinking about is air filled. There would be no pressure on mom's bottom. It is a ROHO filled with air. No pressure points.

Dinner was done, did the dishes and got mom ready for bed. We had to wait a bit for the care aid, so I just continued to read to mom. We are moving along nicely with her book. I sit beside her, hold her hand and read to her. Mom has her eye's closed and just listens to me.

After the aid put mom into her bed it was the usual spa treatment for mom. And I also exercised her legs. They are very stiff and I want to see if I can get them bending again. So far so good. Mom's legs are starting to relax and bend a bit. Mom is noticing it as well

OK I am done for tonight. I do have more to say. But I am very tired tonight. Not sleeping well. The pain and rolling over onto my right side all night long and waking up.

My faith is still very much day to day. I do need to see something, anything that reassures me that I am guided and helped by GOD

GOD bless and good night

Getting much better at using my left arm for most things and one handed typing.

Kris Schmuland

The end of the week

Hello again
Sunday and this week it will be hot, by our standards. 27c. that is hot for us. I need to get mom a fan to keep her cool at night or during the day.

I have been downloading Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movies for mom. And now some Carol Brunett shows. These mom likes and I asked her tonight if she wanted them.

Mom was tired tonight, but I did manage to get her to eat most of the pasta meal I brought her. Of course she ate all the fruit and chocolate without a problem.

I was in a singing mood today, so I sang allot to her tonight. A smile on her face, tells me she liked it.

And of course I talked her ear off. Told her about my day and what the week is like. I always ask mom questions to keep her part of my life. She understands and answers in her own way. I read more to her tonight. We are coming along pretty well with the book. It will take a few months to finish it.

One thing I did want to say. Is to keep your loved one involved in your life. Tell them what is going on. And I tell mom everything of what I am doing. As in "I am going to change your now" "We are going to your room to give you drinks and get ready for dinner."

When I was holding mom's hand, while she was falling asleep, I was also falling asleep.

Today was a bad day of pain for me. So I took an extra painkiller. The only problem with this, is I don't feel it, so I do more and feel it the next morning.

My faith is day to day. I really can't stand being here  and I now dislike the roommate I had to bring in, to keep me living here until I found a place.

Well at the end of this month I am giving notice. I guess this is the only way to leave. Well I don't really have a choice. Can't afford to live here anymore. The roommate that I brought in, is going back to work overseas.

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland

Another day has gone by...................

Hello again

Today, being Saturday, is mom's bath day. So of course they get her up, give her a bath and put her back to bed. Without the TV on. Just the stereo. Music is great, but visual stimulation is also important. she has a nice TV, Blue Ray player. I have brought some nice disks, with wonderful scenery. Bob Hope movies. Some with Bing Crosby and others with just Bob Hope.

I like the Bob Hope movies. The one I really like is Call me Bwana. Funny and stupid at the same time.

This is the way residents are taken care of. NOT! Maintenance, just plain maintenance. As you can tell I am not happy about this at all. It is on my list.

So the first thing I have to do on mom's bath day, when I arrive, is to remove some of the coverings they have her under. She is so hot and sweaty, it is not funny. And then give her lots to drinks. Some of the 8 different types of beverages I have for her.

Since I brought her dinner, and it was hot, I didn't have to go anywhere, but feed mom. Of course I turned the TV on and put it on Man Tracker. We both seem to like it. Mom was interested and kept her eye's on the TV. Two girls trying to out wit the cowboys, and they did.

Since mom was already in bed, I just proceeded to give mom the nightly spa treatment before the staff came to change her. And I changed her night gown.

Being a male caregiver to my mother, things are a little different than how a women would handle things. When I change my mom, I make sure she is always covered up. While dressing her or undressing her. I put the new night gown over the old one and take it off one arm at a time. As soon as I remove the one arm, the new one goes on. So mom is not embarrassed. I have changed her pad. And yes at first it bothered me. But it didn't seem to bother mom. She was OK with me cleaning her. Once I put on the gloves it becomes sterile, so it is somewhat OK.

I really don't or haven't done this that often. It is my mother after all. But if it needs to be done, I will do it.

So we finished everything. I held her hand while she listened to music. And I did sing along with the songs. I know them and I do say, that I have a good voice.

So my right arm has not been working that well today. I have dropped many, many things. I still have a headache, getting use to it. But I shouldn't have to .

Using my left arm as much as possible. But I shouldn't have to become left handed. This is what the insurance company thinks.

You can still do things, but with your left arm and with great discomfort and pain. So that is OK, we can't help you with things.

By the time I cook dinner for mom, I am not hungry. So I go to bed and just watch something. I usually have toast. Easy and quick.

Need to go now.

GOD bless and good night.

Oh yea it seems so very old friends who I haven't spoken to in a very long time, are sending me notifications on you know. I won't say it.

But I am very easy to find and I don't use the sight.

Again

GOD bless and good night

Kris Schmuland