Hello again
We here in Vancouver have been going through a cold spell. - 5, -8. Cold for here. The average winter temperature for Vancouver is 10c and raining.
And my landlord is not turning the heat on. The thermostats are covered up. So we don't cause him to have a huge hydro bill. And turn them up all the way. To bad. Cold needs heat. Another reason I need to move to White Rock.
I am packing and am almost packed. Just feel this is what I need to do.
Anyways it is Saturday and mom is in bed after her bath. I arrived and she had taken most of the covers off. But still she was hot. I hurried as fast as I could to get her something to drink. And mom drank allot tonight. Not just when I arrived, but through out the night.
After dinner and brushing her teeth, I changed the sheets. It is not easy to change sheets when someone is in the bed, as with mom. But I am getting better at it. And I really don't have to roll mom much at all. There is a way of doing this.It took me a few times to find the best way for me to do this. Without having to roll mom much at all. Getting much better and quicker at it.
Changed her nightgown afterwards and mom was all set for the spa treatment. Just needed for the care aid to come and change mom's pad. Diaper. They call it a pad.
I do have to mention that because of the cold, my hands are extremely dry and rough. And it hurts to do anything.
Mom was full and very sleepy, so I was quick about giving her the nightly spa treatment. Afterwards I just held her hand, as usual, mom squeezed and held on tightly to my hand. All good
After she started to snore, I knew it was time to go. And by the time I arrived back in Coquitlam it was -6 c.
So I am done for tonight. Going to eat and then watch a movie. OK, make dinner and watch the movie while I am eating. With my ADHA, It will take me twice as long to watch this move as is it`s length.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Oh Friday
Hello again
Again I will say that this is what I truly know is what I am suppose to be doing right now. I get, aren't you sacrificing allot. I am not sacrificing anything. In fact I am gaining everything. So I lost friends along the way. I am alone, and busy. And yes loneliness is not fun, but I was lonely before looking after my father and now my mother. So it is no big deal.
Mom is ignored by the family, and most people in the home. So I am their to make sure mom has company, that she can rely on, and know that will be their each and everyday.
Because mom doesn't speak, I really don't know how far advanced she is with Dementia. It could just be the strokes. But I know mom has Dementia, but how bad. At what stage is she at. It doesn't matter anyways. I have watched her decline over the years. But it looks like she has stabilized, for now. The doctors don't even know.
At least mom is responsive to me and will answer my questions. Through body language.
Tonight mom was overly impatient. This is a huge problem for me. I don't do well being rushed. I usually will just slow right down. But I can't do this to mom.
It is just when I arrive, and mom is very thirsty. She wants a drink right now. I haven't even taken my bags off of myself. Or even removed the drinks from the fridge. I have to let her know, that I need to get everything off my back, and dig your drinks out of the backpack.
What I carry is extremely heavy. Lucky I am strong. The average person could not carry what I carry daily..
Mom was OK once I gave her drinks and she got something to eat. Lately I have asked mom if she was full and wanted dessert. And she shakes her head yes and clearly says yes. So I give her dessert.
Then afterwards, mom wants more dinner. After I have thrown away the rest of the dinner I brought, and put the tray of the served dinner on the rack to be taken away. Now I have nothing left to feed her. I have now, put aside some of mom's dinner. What is left when she wants her dessert. And when she finishes her dessert and wants more to eat. We have some for her to eat.
Mom eats very slowly. So sometimes we need to go and get her hair washed or get her into bed. She is a very slow eater. I am slow. I do understand. Mom needs to chew her food more than us. There is a time limit to our evening. I need to leave at a certain time. 7:45 pm. To be able to get up to the main bus loop. This gets me home at 10:30 pm. I can push it until 8:00 pm, which gets me home at 11- 11:30. This is late. considering I write this when I get home. I make dinner for mom and myself. Answer some emails. Download some shows etc... It is late after this.2:00 or 3:00 am when I finally get to sleep. Up at 9:00 am. Every day.
Yet I will continue to do this and will not stop. Mom needs me. She has no one else. And I need her.
Time for me to go now. 12:30 am. Need to eat and just relax.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Again I will say that this is what I truly know is what I am suppose to be doing right now. I get, aren't you sacrificing allot. I am not sacrificing anything. In fact I am gaining everything. So I lost friends along the way. I am alone, and busy. And yes loneliness is not fun, but I was lonely before looking after my father and now my mother. So it is no big deal.
Mom is ignored by the family, and most people in the home. So I am their to make sure mom has company, that she can rely on, and know that will be their each and everyday.
Because mom doesn't speak, I really don't know how far advanced she is with Dementia. It could just be the strokes. But I know mom has Dementia, but how bad. At what stage is she at. It doesn't matter anyways. I have watched her decline over the years. But it looks like she has stabilized, for now. The doctors don't even know.
At least mom is responsive to me and will answer my questions. Through body language.
Tonight mom was overly impatient. This is a huge problem for me. I don't do well being rushed. I usually will just slow right down. But I can't do this to mom.
It is just when I arrive, and mom is very thirsty. She wants a drink right now. I haven't even taken my bags off of myself. Or even removed the drinks from the fridge. I have to let her know, that I need to get everything off my back, and dig your drinks out of the backpack.
What I carry is extremely heavy. Lucky I am strong. The average person could not carry what I carry daily..
Mom was OK once I gave her drinks and she got something to eat. Lately I have asked mom if she was full and wanted dessert. And she shakes her head yes and clearly says yes. So I give her dessert.
Then afterwards, mom wants more dinner. After I have thrown away the rest of the dinner I brought, and put the tray of the served dinner on the rack to be taken away. Now I have nothing left to feed her. I have now, put aside some of mom's dinner. What is left when she wants her dessert. And when she finishes her dessert and wants more to eat. We have some for her to eat.
Mom eats very slowly. So sometimes we need to go and get her hair washed or get her into bed. She is a very slow eater. I am slow. I do understand. Mom needs to chew her food more than us. There is a time limit to our evening. I need to leave at a certain time. 7:45 pm. To be able to get up to the main bus loop. This gets me home at 10:30 pm. I can push it until 8:00 pm, which gets me home at 11- 11:30. This is late. considering I write this when I get home. I make dinner for mom and myself. Answer some emails. Download some shows etc... It is late after this.2:00 or 3:00 am when I finally get to sleep. Up at 9:00 am. Every day.
Yet I will continue to do this and will not stop. Mom needs me. She has no one else. And I need her.
Time for me to go now. 12:30 am. Need to eat and just relax.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Waiting/not there
Hello again
Well tonight was the first time in many years that I was not able to bring mom a meal. Not even a papaya or an avocado. The only thing was that she at least had her favorite chocolates.
I explained to her that I have nothing and am waiting. That I am extremely sorry. I feel guilty as hell. It is the first time. My fridge and cupboards are empty. Sundry products only . But that is OK, I want to loose some additional weight.
Anyways she ate the served diner. And this went down within five minutes and mom was still hungry. So off I went in search of something else in the place. I spoke with the serving lady and there was chicken cacciatore with rice and green beans. I said great, mom is still hungry.
And mom ate all of that as well. Now dessert. She has the smoothie, but needed something else. Ice Cream it was.
Then she was full. WOW! That was allot of dinner. It is a good thing mom has such a great appetite. I think she was looking forward to the fish and chips, I was going to bring her. Another day.
Now it is another day to wash her hair. This time I didn't sing everything I was going to do. Very difficult to do that.
And we got her changed and into bed. By the time I got back from making some tea, Mom was already falling asleep.
But not enough to not want her spa treatment. It is a beautiful thing, watching mom just become so relaxed as the spa treatment is under way. And ready for lights out, when finished.
When done, I read to her some more. Mom does not like it when I read to her in bed. She likes it when she is in the chair, covered up with the blanket and holding my hand, while I read to her.
The rest is as usual. I just hold her hand, watch some TV, with the volume off, closed captioning to understand what is going on, and just letting mom drift off into the night of slumber.
Being cold, I needed to put on layers tonight. This took a while. Sang our good night song and gave her kisses good night.
And off I went. .
I am having to end for the night, I just want to go to bed and watch something to fall asleep to, Waiting for a better day tomorrow.
GOD bless and good night.
Kristopher Schmuland
Well tonight was the first time in many years that I was not able to bring mom a meal. Not even a papaya or an avocado. The only thing was that she at least had her favorite chocolates.
I explained to her that I have nothing and am waiting. That I am extremely sorry. I feel guilty as hell. It is the first time. My fridge and cupboards are empty. Sundry products only . But that is OK, I want to loose some additional weight.
Anyways she ate the served diner. And this went down within five minutes and mom was still hungry. So off I went in search of something else in the place. I spoke with the serving lady and there was chicken cacciatore with rice and green beans. I said great, mom is still hungry.
And mom ate all of that as well. Now dessert. She has the smoothie, but needed something else. Ice Cream it was.
Then she was full. WOW! That was allot of dinner. It is a good thing mom has such a great appetite. I think she was looking forward to the fish and chips, I was going to bring her. Another day.
Now it is another day to wash her hair. This time I didn't sing everything I was going to do. Very difficult to do that.
And we got her changed and into bed. By the time I got back from making some tea, Mom was already falling asleep.
But not enough to not want her spa treatment. It is a beautiful thing, watching mom just become so relaxed as the spa treatment is under way. And ready for lights out, when finished.
When done, I read to her some more. Mom does not like it when I read to her in bed. She likes it when she is in the chair, covered up with the blanket and holding my hand, while I read to her.
The rest is as usual. I just hold her hand, watch some TV, with the volume off, closed captioning to understand what is going on, and just letting mom drift off into the night of slumber.
Being cold, I needed to put on layers tonight. This took a while. Sang our good night song and gave her kisses good night.
And off I went. .
I am having to end for the night, I just want to go to bed and watch something to fall asleep to, Waiting for a better day tomorrow.
GOD bless and good night.
Kristopher Schmuland
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Didn't wear the right coat
Hello again
I was thinking of wearing my heavy coat, but decided against it. What a mistake that was. There was very cold, for us, plus allot of wind. I was cold. I even had an extra sweater with me, didn't help much on the way home.
And it was the opposite in the mom's place. To hot. Better than being cold. So I got their a little early and mom loved this. More time for her.
Made her a new smoothie today, and mom likes it when it is on the colder side. So when I am finished making it, I put it in the freezer. And being cold today, it stayed that way. I spoon it into her mouth.
I gave her allot of drink this evening. Very thirsty. And since it was a holiday today, we didn't have to go find a place to eat dinner. Usually on Tuesday we eat in the room. But this new roommate doesn't seem to get out of bed, or she is put in bed before dinner. Now we have no privacy at all. We have to close the curtains.
Anyways, I was able to get mom a burger. Not been flush for the last week. I think if it wasn't for GOD I would not be able to bring mom a dinner, each of these nights. I haven't had much for myself, but I don't care about myself. Only that mom gets a nice meal each night. And this has been happening each day. All these nights I have been thinking of what I will bring for mom the next day. Then just let it happen. Which it did.
It will all work out this week. I am sure of it.
Mom, as usual, was ready for bed, right after dinner. I got her changed as quickly as possible. But mom gets anxious and impatient. I don't do well being rushed. Usually when rushed I slow right down. I didn't do this or try not to do this around mom. But I do have to let her know, I am going as fast as I can. And repeat to her that I am injured and it takes me a little longer.
The rest is what we always do. The spa treatment, The washing. The exercising of her legs. Tonight it took mom a little longer to fall asleep. I was their for her.
The music tonight was very relaxing. Kept a smile on mom's face. I just held her hand and listen to music. I left later than usual and made it home tonight even earlier than normal. Go figure.
It was a nice day. Though cold, still a nice day.
GOD bless and good night.
Kris Schmuland
I was thinking of wearing my heavy coat, but decided against it. What a mistake that was. There was very cold, for us, plus allot of wind. I was cold. I even had an extra sweater with me, didn't help much on the way home.
And it was the opposite in the mom's place. To hot. Better than being cold. So I got their a little early and mom loved this. More time for her.
Made her a new smoothie today, and mom likes it when it is on the colder side. So when I am finished making it, I put it in the freezer. And being cold today, it stayed that way. I spoon it into her mouth.
I gave her allot of drink this evening. Very thirsty. And since it was a holiday today, we didn't have to go find a place to eat dinner. Usually on Tuesday we eat in the room. But this new roommate doesn't seem to get out of bed, or she is put in bed before dinner. Now we have no privacy at all. We have to close the curtains.
Anyways, I was able to get mom a burger. Not been flush for the last week. I think if it wasn't for GOD I would not be able to bring mom a dinner, each of these nights. I haven't had much for myself, but I don't care about myself. Only that mom gets a nice meal each night. And this has been happening each day. All these nights I have been thinking of what I will bring for mom the next day. Then just let it happen. Which it did.
It will all work out this week. I am sure of it.
Mom, as usual, was ready for bed, right after dinner. I got her changed as quickly as possible. But mom gets anxious and impatient. I don't do well being rushed. Usually when rushed I slow right down. I didn't do this or try not to do this around mom. But I do have to let her know, I am going as fast as I can. And repeat to her that I am injured and it takes me a little longer.
The rest is what we always do. The spa treatment, The washing. The exercising of her legs. Tonight it took mom a little longer to fall asleep. I was their for her.
The music tonight was very relaxing. Kept a smile on mom's face. I just held her hand and listen to music. I left later than usual and made it home tonight even earlier than normal. Go figure.
It was a nice day. Though cold, still a nice day.
GOD bless and good night.
Kris Schmuland
Colder even
Hello again
Not allot to write about today. Mom was sort of sleeping when I arrived and when she heard me, a huge smile came upon her face.
They tend to put her chair back, and I am always letting them know that these lights bother her eye's. This is why I ask you to put her sun glasses on her. But do they listen.
I am getting very tired of sewing the nightgowns up. It isn't torn where I sewed it. It is right beside it. I will be paid for my time. Again there has to be action taken. These staff member need to have something done to them. No respect for my mother's belongings. I want them replaced
There was a power outage in White Rock today, so mom didn't end up getting her hair done. Well after dinner I washed it for her. Needed to be done.
The rest you know. Got her ready for bed, the staff member came in and put her to bed. Gave her the nightly spa treatment. Then mom was out like a light. Didn't even want me to exercise her legs. Just wanted to sleep. I barely finished and mom was a sleep.
It was early when she fell asleep, so I stayed, actually later, and held her hand. Yet I ended up getting home at the same time.
Tonight it is almost 1 am and it is time for me to go
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Not allot to write about today. Mom was sort of sleeping when I arrived and when she heard me, a huge smile came upon her face.
They tend to put her chair back, and I am always letting them know that these lights bother her eye's. This is why I ask you to put her sun glasses on her. But do they listen.
I am getting very tired of sewing the nightgowns up. It isn't torn where I sewed it. It is right beside it. I will be paid for my time. Again there has to be action taken. These staff member need to have something done to them. No respect for my mother's belongings. I want them replaced
There was a power outage in White Rock today, so mom didn't end up getting her hair done. Well after dinner I washed it for her. Needed to be done.
The rest you know. Got her ready for bed, the staff member came in and put her to bed. Gave her the nightly spa treatment. Then mom was out like a light. Didn't even want me to exercise her legs. Just wanted to sleep. I barely finished and mom was a sleep.
It was early when she fell asleep, so I stayed, actually later, and held her hand. Yet I ended up getting home at the same time.
Tonight it is almost 1 am and it is time for me to go
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Sunday, November 9, 2014
A cold crisp day
Hello again
It was a beautiful crisp day today, and now it is raining. What a drag. I am OK with rain. I like it. I like the sound of it, I like the freshness.
It was another day of GOD's miracles. Thank you GOD
And being Saturday, mom was in bed, as it was her bath day. Once a week is all they give her a bath. Thank GOD I wash her every night and wash her hair every other day.
But when I get their on Saturdays mom is extremely hot and very thirsty. She can't wait until I get the drinks unpacked and give them to her. The same today as each day, but Saturdays are worse.
I gave her drinks and then dinner. I am not understanding, this week mom has been more hungry than usual. She is eating what I bring plus the served dinner. Then dessert. And after dessert she wants more to eat. More dinner. By this time she has finished what I brought and if there is anything left on the tray, it has already been picked up. So I find something for her.
And tonight the morning staff did not change her sheets again. So I changed her sheets and then her nightgown. I am becoming very proficient at changing her sheets.
Which then followed by her spa treatment. On Saturdays, when she finishes her dinner and I finish her spa treatment. Mom was ready for sleep. I stayed, holding her hand while she fell asleep.
I left a little early, but I needed to get home early to do mom's laundry. So I am not up to late. I also want to watch a movie. But it doesn't seem like I will be able to do that tonight. It is already after midnight and I still have things to do.
Need to go..
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
It was a beautiful crisp day today, and now it is raining. What a drag. I am OK with rain. I like it. I like the sound of it, I like the freshness.
It was another day of GOD's miracles. Thank you GOD
And being Saturday, mom was in bed, as it was her bath day. Once a week is all they give her a bath. Thank GOD I wash her every night and wash her hair every other day.
But when I get their on Saturdays mom is extremely hot and very thirsty. She can't wait until I get the drinks unpacked and give them to her. The same today as each day, but Saturdays are worse.
I gave her drinks and then dinner. I am not understanding, this week mom has been more hungry than usual. She is eating what I bring plus the served dinner. Then dessert. And after dessert she wants more to eat. More dinner. By this time she has finished what I brought and if there is anything left on the tray, it has already been picked up. So I find something for her.
And tonight the morning staff did not change her sheets again. So I changed her sheets and then her nightgown. I am becoming very proficient at changing her sheets.
Which then followed by her spa treatment. On Saturdays, when she finishes her dinner and I finish her spa treatment. Mom was ready for sleep. I stayed, holding her hand while she fell asleep.
I left a little early, but I needed to get home early to do mom's laundry. So I am not up to late. I also want to watch a movie. But it doesn't seem like I will be able to do that tonight. It is already after midnight and I still have things to do.
Need to go..
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
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