Hello again
I arrived today to find mom extremely tired. So it was quick to give her drinks and get her dinner into her so I could get her into bed. She was leaning and just plain tired. She was, what I call sleep eating, tonight. Eating with her eye's closed. She trusts me enough to know that I am not going to give her anything she doesn't like or do her harm in anyway. Just feed her, let her chew, and then give her some more to eat and drink.
Afterwards, I got the dishes done and off to her room we went. The care aid just wasn't coming in and it was almost 7 pm so I just put mom to bed myself. They really don't like me doing this. But to bad. Mom was tired and I am not going to make her wait until who knows whenever the care aid decided to come.
As soon as I got mom in bed. She stretched out and just relaxed. Even though she needed to be changed. And when I say changed, I mean her diaper.
The care aid finally came in and as soon as she was finished, mom was almost completely asleep. So I just gave mom the quick spa treatment tonight. Which is just washing her face and her arms. Putting lotion on them as well. That was all she wrote for mom. Out cold. I packed up and stayed for half an hour. Sang to her and left.
:I really am tired of living in Coquitlam. I am mostly packed and now waiting to find a place.
I am done for the night. I am still very tired and I don't know why. I am not sleeping well at all. Waking up all night long. To stressed I guess. Well I know I woke up once last night because the piece of foam shifted and I was stuck with a spring. I got up and moved the foam back into place and went back to bed. Only to wake up 2 hours later.Oh well.
Pray if you wish for a place now that I am packed. Just a few drawers to go and the rest of the clothing I wear on a regular basis'
Oh yea. I found what I was looking for. The half try arm rest. Now to find the money to pay for it. This is a need for mom. Without it mom will continue to lean to the right and will eventually hurt her back and neck.
Mom's neck was very stiff tonight so I gave her a neck massage.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Friday, December 12, 2014
A day in the life of
Hello again
So today I got my stitches out. It is going to leave a nasty scar. No more palm reading.
Well I arrived to see mom, I got their early, and mom was leaned back in her chair. No glasses on, and directly under the light. This is not good for her eye's. What are they trying to blind her now. Or this is there goal all along. Mom has glasses and I have asked them to put them on her many times. Or not lean her back directly under the lights.
And of course this makes mom very tired. Which she was this day/evening. I gave her something to drinks as fast as I could. It really seems that they give mom nothing to drink in the afternoon. Since she is so thirsty when I arrive.
I then brought her to her room to get everything together for dinner. And off we went. Since mom was so tired, it was difficult to get her to eat. She just didn't want to open her mouth wide enough for me to get the fork into her mouth. We managed though. And she did eat. Very slowly. And because she was so tired, it took her a very long time to eat. When mom is tired like today, she chews and chews and chews. I have learned to be very patient with her. I just let her chew and just talk and talk to her. Eventually she swallows her food.
When done, it was a matter of getting her changed. Also when mom is tired, she tends to lean to the right. And today she was also very stiff. Her neck was hyper extended backwards and to the one side.And no matter how I tried to adjust her in her chair. As soon as I turned away, she was back in the exact position I just moved her from. I really don't know how she does this so fast. So it was difficult to change her tonight. But I managed. The staff put her to bed and when I came back I expected to see mom half asleep. But it seems that mom was over tired tonight. And we all know what that is like. No matter how tired we are, we just stare at the ceiling. As mom was doing. All through the spa treatment and even while holding her hand, before I left. I tried my hardest to calm her down to the point where she wanted to close her eye's and go to sleep. But nothing. She just stared at the ceiling.
This is when I get really worried. With her neck hyper extended like it was this evening. I did not put her bed down all the way. Instead left it up on an angle. I even explained to the nurse about mom and how she was over tried and was not falling asleep and that her neck was hyper extended and she was coughing. This is why I left her bed upright. I asked them to watch her.
Now I have been thinking about how to stop her from leaning and asked one of the nurses about this and he pointed out that mom is leaning as her arm is not even on the arm rest. I didn't even think about this. I was going to get her something to stabilize her body. I just need to get mom an half tray with a lip on the one side to keep her arm on the tray. This way she can keep her arm on the half tray/ arm rest. So when she pushes with her left arm. Which is why she ends up leaning to the right. She will just adjust herself to the upright position. Now she pushes with her left arm and there is no support to stop her arm from coming off on the right side. So with this she will automatically center herself.
I found it on line tonight after I got back to Coquitlam. I just need to find a local distributor. And all will be fine with this one solution.
I didn't right last night, as I was so tired I was falling asleep everywhere. On the bus, on the sky train. Even standing. So I was out cold by 1:30 after making mom dinner. And I am there again.
I need to go and get some rest. I have been exhausted lately. I don't know why. I am, however, very stressed about not being able to find a place. I only have until the end of January. Then I am homeless. The landlord is going to renovate and just rent rooms to students.
I can afford a place of my own, provided it is cheap enough. I will barely make it, but at least I will be in White Rock. I won't have anything for my place. OK a few things. A bedroom suite. But again my bed is trashed. As I explained the springs are sticking through. I did put a piece of foam over the area. OK for now. It is a need in my mind. Maybe a want, since I do still have a bed and there are others who don't.
Got to go.
Pray, please.
GOD bless and good night.
So today I got my stitches out. It is going to leave a nasty scar. No more palm reading.
Well I arrived to see mom, I got their early, and mom was leaned back in her chair. No glasses on, and directly under the light. This is not good for her eye's. What are they trying to blind her now. Or this is there goal all along. Mom has glasses and I have asked them to put them on her many times. Or not lean her back directly under the lights.
And of course this makes mom very tired. Which she was this day/evening. I gave her something to drinks as fast as I could. It really seems that they give mom nothing to drink in the afternoon. Since she is so thirsty when I arrive.
I then brought her to her room to get everything together for dinner. And off we went. Since mom was so tired, it was difficult to get her to eat. She just didn't want to open her mouth wide enough for me to get the fork into her mouth. We managed though. And she did eat. Very slowly. And because she was so tired, it took her a very long time to eat. When mom is tired like today, she chews and chews and chews. I have learned to be very patient with her. I just let her chew and just talk and talk to her. Eventually she swallows her food.
When done, it was a matter of getting her changed. Also when mom is tired, she tends to lean to the right. And today she was also very stiff. Her neck was hyper extended backwards and to the one side.And no matter how I tried to adjust her in her chair. As soon as I turned away, she was back in the exact position I just moved her from. I really don't know how she does this so fast. So it was difficult to change her tonight. But I managed. The staff put her to bed and when I came back I expected to see mom half asleep. But it seems that mom was over tired tonight. And we all know what that is like. No matter how tired we are, we just stare at the ceiling. As mom was doing. All through the spa treatment and even while holding her hand, before I left. I tried my hardest to calm her down to the point where she wanted to close her eye's and go to sleep. But nothing. She just stared at the ceiling.
This is when I get really worried. With her neck hyper extended like it was this evening. I did not put her bed down all the way. Instead left it up on an angle. I even explained to the nurse about mom and how she was over tried and was not falling asleep and that her neck was hyper extended and she was coughing. This is why I left her bed upright. I asked them to watch her.
Now I have been thinking about how to stop her from leaning and asked one of the nurses about this and he pointed out that mom is leaning as her arm is not even on the arm rest. I didn't even think about this. I was going to get her something to stabilize her body. I just need to get mom an half tray with a lip on the one side to keep her arm on the tray. This way she can keep her arm on the half tray/ arm rest. So when she pushes with her left arm. Which is why she ends up leaning to the right. She will just adjust herself to the upright position. Now she pushes with her left arm and there is no support to stop her arm from coming off on the right side. So with this she will automatically center herself.
I found it on line tonight after I got back to Coquitlam. I just need to find a local distributor. And all will be fine with this one solution.
I didn't right last night, as I was so tired I was falling asleep everywhere. On the bus, on the sky train. Even standing. So I was out cold by 1:30 after making mom dinner. And I am there again.
I need to go and get some rest. I have been exhausted lately. I don't know why. I am, however, very stressed about not being able to find a place. I only have until the end of January. Then I am homeless. The landlord is going to renovate and just rent rooms to students.
I can afford a place of my own, provided it is cheap enough. I will barely make it, but at least I will be in White Rock. I won't have anything for my place. OK a few things. A bedroom suite. But again my bed is trashed. As I explained the springs are sticking through. I did put a piece of foam over the area. OK for now. It is a need in my mind. Maybe a want, since I do still have a bed and there are others who don't.
Got to go.
Pray, please.
GOD bless and good night.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
It was a good day
Hello again
I arrived at mom's early again, so I could get her drinks done and start our dinner. The roommate issue has been solved. She is out, reading. At the end of the hall. Plenty of room for her guests to visit. And the room is empty for mom and I. Then we get privacy while I get mom ready for bed and her spa treatment.
Tonight we ate in the room. I turned the Christmas lights on, turn the lights out on the other side of the room. So the tree looks good. Which it does. It is on a table now, and I have decorated under the tree as well.
While I was feeding mom, I saw her looking at the tree and I could feel that she was a little depressed. She loves the tree, but it is not Christmas anymore. No family gathering. People stopping by. Just no one. Not even her own children or her brother.
There has to be at least 20 or more around, but no one shows up. And since the girls already gave mom her Christmas present and card. They aren't going to be around until the new year. This is when they do their Christmas shopping. They raid mom's closet and take clothing. As they have done year after year. And no one does a f....ing thing about it. Even though I say they are not to take anything. NOT A SINGLE THING I will be putting up signs again and I will bring up to each and every staff member. That if they allow anything to be taken, they are responsible for it's replacement.
I really don't give a crap what they think. My mother's daughter's are not getting anything. Stealing from there own mother, like that. When they can't even visit her during the holidays. I know this, as last year was the same thing. Came weeks before Christmas and never showed up until the new year and then helped themselves to mom' clothing.
Well back to this evening. as I said I could see mom getting depressed. The room is looking good, warm and inviting. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. But wasn't able to hold them back completely. I just apologized to mom and held her hand even tighter.
Tonight mom did not want to let go of my hand. When I tried to pull it away, to cut something or do something. Mom just held onto my hand even more.
As mentioned, I apologized to her, and said that it is just you and me mom. As usual. Mom I will always be here for you, no matter what. As I have been .
It is an honor to be able to look after mom like this. She still says that she is a baby. Tonight I just said to her. You are not a baby, you are a full grown women. Who happened to have some strokes and has a bit or more of Dementia. I am only here to help you out. Assist you as much as I can.
You see. it is a little bit more difficult taking care of my mother. Most Dementia patients just have their memory problems. They still speak, sometime incoherently, but they still speak. Mom doesn't speak. I just have a gift of being able to read people and know what they are thinking.
And in most cases, know allot about them. It is a gift that has been developed over time and with education. /Sometimes I just try to turn it off, with no luck. I say I don't want to know that about them. It creeps me out sometimes. Knowing to much about people.
But this is, what I believe, is one of the reasons I have been given this gift. To read my mother and to take care of her. To know what she is saying and what her needs and wants are. It is a perfect fit. I can read people extremely well and mom needs me to be able to discern what she is saying and thinking.
So this year I need to make sure mom has a great Christmas. I will sing as much as possible. She enjoys it. Or just tolerates it. I am not sure which one. But that is OK. I will continue anyways.
I wish someone else would help me out to make mom's Christmas Great. That won't happen. It is up to me.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
I arrived at mom's early again, so I could get her drinks done and start our dinner. The roommate issue has been solved. She is out, reading. At the end of the hall. Plenty of room for her guests to visit. And the room is empty for mom and I. Then we get privacy while I get mom ready for bed and her spa treatment.
Tonight we ate in the room. I turned the Christmas lights on, turn the lights out on the other side of the room. So the tree looks good. Which it does. It is on a table now, and I have decorated under the tree as well.
While I was feeding mom, I saw her looking at the tree and I could feel that she was a little depressed. She loves the tree, but it is not Christmas anymore. No family gathering. People stopping by. Just no one. Not even her own children or her brother.
There has to be at least 20 or more around, but no one shows up. And since the girls already gave mom her Christmas present and card. They aren't going to be around until the new year. This is when they do their Christmas shopping. They raid mom's closet and take clothing. As they have done year after year. And no one does a f....ing thing about it. Even though I say they are not to take anything. NOT A SINGLE THING I will be putting up signs again and I will bring up to each and every staff member. That if they allow anything to be taken, they are responsible for it's replacement.
I really don't give a crap what they think. My mother's daughter's are not getting anything. Stealing from there own mother, like that. When they can't even visit her during the holidays. I know this, as last year was the same thing. Came weeks before Christmas and never showed up until the new year and then helped themselves to mom' clothing.
Well back to this evening. as I said I could see mom getting depressed. The room is looking good, warm and inviting. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. But wasn't able to hold them back completely. I just apologized to mom and held her hand even tighter.
Tonight mom did not want to let go of my hand. When I tried to pull it away, to cut something or do something. Mom just held onto my hand even more.
As mentioned, I apologized to her, and said that it is just you and me mom. As usual. Mom I will always be here for you, no matter what. As I have been .
It is an honor to be able to look after mom like this. She still says that she is a baby. Tonight I just said to her. You are not a baby, you are a full grown women. Who happened to have some strokes and has a bit or more of Dementia. I am only here to help you out. Assist you as much as I can.
You see. it is a little bit more difficult taking care of my mother. Most Dementia patients just have their memory problems. They still speak, sometime incoherently, but they still speak. Mom doesn't speak. I just have a gift of being able to read people and know what they are thinking.
And in most cases, know allot about them. It is a gift that has been developed over time and with education. /Sometimes I just try to turn it off, with no luck. I say I don't want to know that about them. It creeps me out sometimes. Knowing to much about people.
But this is, what I believe, is one of the reasons I have been given this gift. To read my mother and to take care of her. To know what she is saying and what her needs and wants are. It is a perfect fit. I can read people extremely well and mom needs me to be able to discern what she is saying and thinking.
So this year I need to make sure mom has a great Christmas. I will sing as much as possible. She enjoys it. Or just tolerates it. I am not sure which one. But that is OK. I will continue anyways.
I wish someone else would help me out to make mom's Christmas Great. That won't happen. It is up to me.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Monday, December 8, 2014
The meeting
Hello again
Today I meet with the manager and the director. We discussed 3 items. One being a fridge for mom. and I was given the typical corporate brush off . We will have to look at the.... The others were grandfathered in.... etc.....etc....... In other words, no fridge for mom. So this Christmas there will be no place to store mom's items.
The second was the night gowns. No ownership was taken by either the management or the staff. Everyone denies that anything has taken place or they blame mom, for being a difficult person to dress and undress. Well they don't get her ready for bed at night. I do. They may, and I mean may some time change mom during the day. But rarely does this happen. Only if mom gets sick. I made my complaint know on how I want them to dress and undress her. Not grabbing her left arm and pulling it straight over her head. Then complain that mom is difficult. They are injuring her each and every time they pull her left arm over her head. And do you think this will stop. Not from what I heard. We will get the OT to re access her to see where we are at with doing things differently, the way we change her.
I explained that the staff are just grabbing mom's clothing and pulling them straight up over her head and this is how the night gowns are being torn. So they say to me, well the staff find it easier if you use adaptive clothing.
My response is I am not paying that kind of money for junk, the ugliest clothing around. Everyone, just look up adaptive clothing and you will see for yourselves what I am speaking about.
We sort of settled on the home mending the nightgowns the way I wish them to be and in the future to get something a few sizes bigger to be able to have them adapted. Which I will do myself. But in the mean time, the staff will just continue to abuse mom's clothing.
Again, what is being said is they are protecting the staff and nothing is going to be done about it.
They could kill my mother, maim her, knock her out. Whatever and nothing will be done about it. They tell me there is a process for this and it takes time. Well any other organization will suspend the individual until the process has been completed. Due coarse. But not her or any other seniors home.
The staff deny it, and keep denying it. As the director said to me, no one has come forward to admit anything. Of course not. They are cowards.
I lastly spoke about the bruise on mom's head from the lift bar. I said I want this person fired. Of course, you guessed it. Protect, Protect, Protect the staff. Blame mom, blame everyone else but the one who actually hit mom with the lift bar.
We have a process, That was their go to answer. And there is confidentiality. We cannot disclose the name of the individual we are investigating. Of course I replied, but if I want the name of this person I can easily get it. "How", they replied. Well it would be as easy as filing a small claims case against said person and you would be compelled by law to produce there name. Or... I left it at that. I showed them the photo of the bruise and told them I have photo's of every bruise mom has gotten since being here.
Yes I take photo's of everything. I take notes of everything. I just happen to have an great memory when it comes to conversations. So I write it down on here and in my notes. I keep track of everything. And will continue to do so.
What I walked away with, is that they are protecting their staff no matter what and will continue to do so. There are no consequences to their actions. Beat them, injure them, then deny it over and over again. And nothing will be done. Just as the time I saw a staff slap a resident. Nothing was done to her. So it is the same. It is Fraser Health. Deny and tell the person there is a process that has to be followed. Not tell the person if anything was or is being done.
OK I had to end the meeting as it was starting to get near to mom expecting me. Mom is first. I can always get back to them .Which I will tomorrow.
Now mom was very happy to see me, big smiles. Her hair was done today, being Monday. I made her another nice dinner and she ate most of it as well as a good portion of the served meal.
I needed to leave a little early so we got the dishes done and for once the care aid came in early and put mom to bed. I gave mom the full spa treatment and still was able to stay with her holding her hand for a long time, before I needed to leave.
I will speak more about mom tomorrow and let you know what else happened when I speak to them again.
I know I will be seeking legal advice. I will be filing a complaint with the patient care quality office.
I mentioned last night that one of my needs is a new bed. Yes it is a need, the mattress is sagging and the springs are poking through in certain spots. I did put foam over those spots. I am not sure if is a need or a want. Thought I would just throw that out there. Please pray for me anyways. If you could. But, again, I am grateful for having a mattress to begin with.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Today I meet with the manager and the director. We discussed 3 items. One being a fridge for mom. and I was given the typical corporate brush off . We will have to look at the.... The others were grandfathered in.... etc.....etc....... In other words, no fridge for mom. So this Christmas there will be no place to store mom's items.
The second was the night gowns. No ownership was taken by either the management or the staff. Everyone denies that anything has taken place or they blame mom, for being a difficult person to dress and undress. Well they don't get her ready for bed at night. I do. They may, and I mean may some time change mom during the day. But rarely does this happen. Only if mom gets sick. I made my complaint know on how I want them to dress and undress her. Not grabbing her left arm and pulling it straight over her head. Then complain that mom is difficult. They are injuring her each and every time they pull her left arm over her head. And do you think this will stop. Not from what I heard. We will get the OT to re access her to see where we are at with doing things differently, the way we change her.
I explained that the staff are just grabbing mom's clothing and pulling them straight up over her head and this is how the night gowns are being torn. So they say to me, well the staff find it easier if you use adaptive clothing.
My response is I am not paying that kind of money for junk, the ugliest clothing around. Everyone, just look up adaptive clothing and you will see for yourselves what I am speaking about.
We sort of settled on the home mending the nightgowns the way I wish them to be and in the future to get something a few sizes bigger to be able to have them adapted. Which I will do myself. But in the mean time, the staff will just continue to abuse mom's clothing.
Again, what is being said is they are protecting the staff and nothing is going to be done about it.
They could kill my mother, maim her, knock her out. Whatever and nothing will be done about it. They tell me there is a process for this and it takes time. Well any other organization will suspend the individual until the process has been completed. Due coarse. But not her or any other seniors home.
The staff deny it, and keep denying it. As the director said to me, no one has come forward to admit anything. Of course not. They are cowards.
I lastly spoke about the bruise on mom's head from the lift bar. I said I want this person fired. Of course, you guessed it. Protect, Protect, Protect the staff. Blame mom, blame everyone else but the one who actually hit mom with the lift bar.
We have a process, That was their go to answer. And there is confidentiality. We cannot disclose the name of the individual we are investigating. Of course I replied, but if I want the name of this person I can easily get it. "How", they replied. Well it would be as easy as filing a small claims case against said person and you would be compelled by law to produce there name. Or... I left it at that. I showed them the photo of the bruise and told them I have photo's of every bruise mom has gotten since being here.
Yes I take photo's of everything. I take notes of everything. I just happen to have an great memory when it comes to conversations. So I write it down on here and in my notes. I keep track of everything. And will continue to do so.
What I walked away with, is that they are protecting their staff no matter what and will continue to do so. There are no consequences to their actions. Beat them, injure them, then deny it over and over again. And nothing will be done. Just as the time I saw a staff slap a resident. Nothing was done to her. So it is the same. It is Fraser Health. Deny and tell the person there is a process that has to be followed. Not tell the person if anything was or is being done.
OK I had to end the meeting as it was starting to get near to mom expecting me. Mom is first. I can always get back to them .Which I will tomorrow.
Now mom was very happy to see me, big smiles. Her hair was done today, being Monday. I made her another nice dinner and she ate most of it as well as a good portion of the served meal.
I needed to leave a little early so we got the dishes done and for once the care aid came in early and put mom to bed. I gave mom the full spa treatment and still was able to stay with her holding her hand for a long time, before I needed to leave.
I will speak more about mom tomorrow and let you know what else happened when I speak to them again.
I know I will be seeking legal advice. I will be filing a complaint with the patient care quality office.
I mentioned last night that one of my needs is a new bed. Yes it is a need, the mattress is sagging and the springs are poking through in certain spots. I did put foam over those spots. I am not sure if is a need or a want. Thought I would just throw that out there. Please pray for me anyways. If you could. But, again, I am grateful for having a mattress to begin with.
GOD bless and good night
Kristopher Schmuland
Sunday, December 7, 2014
I can't believe it is only a few weeks away.
Hello again
Beautiful day today in my part of the world. Sunny, but a storm is expected.
So I manged to get out to mom's early today. The traffic was good, the bus was almost empty and not to many people to pick up. This is a first for this run. Usually it is packed. I liked it, change of pace.
Got to White Rock and it was an hour and half early. So I just grabbed what I needed and off I went. Mom was a little surprised at me being early Gave me a puzzled look, but none the less reached out her hand to me and gave me one of her great smiles. It was off to get her drinks and to her room.
The tree looks good. I had a few more decorations that I brought with me. For the wall and door. Found them cleaning up last night. What a clean up that was.
Well I gave mom as much to drink as she wanted, plus the daily chocolate from her Lindt advent calender. Day 7, Wow.
I had extra Chicken from the other day, so last night I made individual Chicken pot pies. I had everything I needed in my fridge, so why not. I really enjoyed it. So I knew mom would, as well. Plus she had the left over salads from last night.
We managed to get out to our table and start to eat before the other's, so by the time the served meal came. Mom was almost done eating. It was, at this time, a matter of having dessert. Which was a lemon pudding cake and her fruit and Lindt chocolate.
After dessert mom was still hungry.Lucky I don't throw anything she doesn't eat, before her dessert, away. Then she finished this off. I am not sure if she just wants her dessert, or. When my father had his stroke and developed Dementia, he would eat dinner, then go to the bathroom. When he came back, he would say "Whats for dinner" Forgetting that quick. I don't think mom is like this yet, but one never knows. I really think she just wants her dessert.
I tell her all the time, eat what you want, as much as you want, and if you want dessert first, So be it. As long as you eat. I doesn't matter to me which order you eat in.
So we finished early, got the dishes done.
I spoke with the nurse about using an end table to put the tree on. So by the time we arrived back to her room. He had already put the tree on it. I just needed to fix it up a bit. I brought a star, that lights up, for the top of the tree. Man does it look good. Have to take a photo of it and post it.
She was put to bed, and I gave her a complete spa treatment tonight. She already received her nightly medicine while I read to her. So when I finished mom was already asleep. I mean fully out. I had plenty of time, so I just held her hand and stayed for a while.
On my way back, I knew the bus driver and he was asking me if I did all my Christmas shopping. I replied that I have only a few more presents to get. He also asked what I wanted for Christmas.
I had to think. As no one has asked me that question in a very long time. Well I said to him, that the best Christmas present I could get was being able to spend another Christmas with my mother and to be able to cook her Christmas dinner. Spending time with her. This is everything I need, I said. Just mom and I will be spending Christmas together. As usual.
But after I got on the sky train, I though about it. And what I could use, not what I want, is a new mattress. You see mine is getting old. The springs are starting to poke through. I roll over and Ouch . This is something I could use, a queen size mattress and box spring. But I am dealing with it. As I can't afford one, so I just put this piece of foam, I have , over the spot where the springs are poking through. Good enough.
One day I might get a new mattress, GOD knows it has been long enough. But I get to spend another Christmas with my mother..
That alone is the best present I could ever ask for. I don't know how many more Christmas' mom has, so I will be thankful for each and every one I get to spend with mom.
As a matter of fact. I am extremely grateful for each and every day I get to spend with mom. I am grateful for each dinner I get to cook for her. I am grateful for each day I get to hold her hand, while she falls asleep. And I am grateful, that mom enjoys my singing. Sometimes I think she just tolerates it because I am her son.
I am grateful that I am healthy enough to be able to travel to and from White Rock. And I am grateful that I even have a bed to sleep on. There are allot of those out there that don't have this. Even though I don't want to be living here. That I don't even like coming back. But I at least have a place to come back too.
:Last, I am grateful that I have a GOD that loves me and protects me. How else would I be able to do what I do for my mother. If it were not for the grace of GOD.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
Beautiful day today in my part of the world. Sunny, but a storm is expected.
So I manged to get out to mom's early today. The traffic was good, the bus was almost empty and not to many people to pick up. This is a first for this run. Usually it is packed. I liked it, change of pace.
Got to White Rock and it was an hour and half early. So I just grabbed what I needed and off I went. Mom was a little surprised at me being early Gave me a puzzled look, but none the less reached out her hand to me and gave me one of her great smiles. It was off to get her drinks and to her room.
The tree looks good. I had a few more decorations that I brought with me. For the wall and door. Found them cleaning up last night. What a clean up that was.
Well I gave mom as much to drink as she wanted, plus the daily chocolate from her Lindt advent calender. Day 7, Wow.
I had extra Chicken from the other day, so last night I made individual Chicken pot pies. I had everything I needed in my fridge, so why not. I really enjoyed it. So I knew mom would, as well. Plus she had the left over salads from last night.
We managed to get out to our table and start to eat before the other's, so by the time the served meal came. Mom was almost done eating. It was, at this time, a matter of having dessert. Which was a lemon pudding cake and her fruit and Lindt chocolate.
After dessert mom was still hungry.Lucky I don't throw anything she doesn't eat, before her dessert, away. Then she finished this off. I am not sure if she just wants her dessert, or. When my father had his stroke and developed Dementia, he would eat dinner, then go to the bathroom. When he came back, he would say "Whats for dinner" Forgetting that quick. I don't think mom is like this yet, but one never knows. I really think she just wants her dessert.
I tell her all the time, eat what you want, as much as you want, and if you want dessert first, So be it. As long as you eat. I doesn't matter to me which order you eat in.
So we finished early, got the dishes done.
I spoke with the nurse about using an end table to put the tree on. So by the time we arrived back to her room. He had already put the tree on it. I just needed to fix it up a bit. I brought a star, that lights up, for the top of the tree. Man does it look good. Have to take a photo of it and post it.
She was put to bed, and I gave her a complete spa treatment tonight. She already received her nightly medicine while I read to her. So when I finished mom was already asleep. I mean fully out. I had plenty of time, so I just held her hand and stayed for a while.
On my way back, I knew the bus driver and he was asking me if I did all my Christmas shopping. I replied that I have only a few more presents to get. He also asked what I wanted for Christmas.
I had to think. As no one has asked me that question in a very long time. Well I said to him, that the best Christmas present I could get was being able to spend another Christmas with my mother and to be able to cook her Christmas dinner. Spending time with her. This is everything I need, I said. Just mom and I will be spending Christmas together. As usual.
But after I got on the sky train, I though about it. And what I could use, not what I want, is a new mattress. You see mine is getting old. The springs are starting to poke through. I roll over and Ouch . This is something I could use, a queen size mattress and box spring. But I am dealing with it. As I can't afford one, so I just put this piece of foam, I have , over the spot where the springs are poking through. Good enough.
One day I might get a new mattress, GOD knows it has been long enough. But I get to spend another Christmas with my mother..
That alone is the best present I could ever ask for. I don't know how many more Christmas' mom has, so I will be thankful for each and every one I get to spend with mom.
As a matter of fact. I am extremely grateful for each and every day I get to spend with mom. I am grateful for each dinner I get to cook for her. I am grateful for each day I get to hold her hand, while she falls asleep. And I am grateful, that mom enjoys my singing. Sometimes I think she just tolerates it because I am her son.
I am grateful that I am healthy enough to be able to travel to and from White Rock. And I am grateful that I even have a bed to sleep on. There are allot of those out there that don't have this. Even though I don't want to be living here. That I don't even like coming back. But I at least have a place to come back too.
:Last, I am grateful that I have a GOD that loves me and protects me. How else would I be able to do what I do for my mother. If it were not for the grace of GOD.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
It is just real
Hello again
My hand hurts and my arm from the tetanus shot. Oh well. Things happen. I know I am not the only one who is a klutz.
Bath day for mom. So when I arrived, the lights were out in the room and most likely that way all day. Mom was very hot. They had so many blankets on her. I immediately stripped the blankets off of her. And hurried to get the drinks out of the bags, I gave her cold drinks ASAP. Cold ice water. And she drank allot of this.
Mom was hungry today, as she didn't eat as much as usual last night. I got her some of her favorite salads and a large burger. On top of being to hot, she was also tired. Who wouldn't with the lights off all day. As well as it was raining out and cold.
I finally finished her tree and decorations. I am not sure if I wrote last night. I have been staying later and being very tired when I got home. I just needed to just eat and relax. I barely was able to watch one show. Had to keep starting over from where I remember drifting off to sleep.
Now back to mom, Being so tired,as she was. Mom only wanted a quick spa treatment. Her face and arms only. Afterwards is when I finished the tree and decorations. All the while mom was reaching out her hand for me to hold it while she falls asleep.
I felt very guilty that I couldn't do this, because of finishing up her Christmas decorations. I stopped and grabbed her hand, gave her a kiss and let her know that I am trying to finish as quickly as I can. But when I did finish it was almost 8:30 pm. I still needed to pack up everything. I did this quickly. And held mom's hand as long as I could. But needed to leave. It doesn't matter what time I got home.
Mom has been feeling good. Happy and smiling allot.
The other day, this one women sat down to speak with me, and stayed for 10 minutes. And mom did not like this at all. When I am their mom does not like me speaking with anyone. I don't blame her. She is alone all day. As she doesn't speak. Others don't talk to her. The staff ignore her, Mom will squeeze my hand tighter and pull at me. To stop me from speaking with others. She will get vocal in her upset manner. I understand what is happening. Others have no idea.
We listened to Christmas music tonight. And while I was finishing up the decorations I sang along with the Christmas music. I heard mom singing along as well. I saw her smile brightly,when I came over to her to sing to her. ..
I am and can be goofy, and will sing in this manner. She laughs and smiles. I let go and just be, for mom. I don't with hold any emotions from her. I let her see the real me. No one else has or cares to. Mom knows.
Tonight I needed to clean up a corner in my room. Pack it up. It was mostly garbage. Things I don't need or haven't used in a very long time. Just finished before writing this.
It is now getting late and I still need to eat and just sit back and relax. My hand need the rest.
I ask again if you would pray for me to find a place ASAP that is affordable for me.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
My hand hurts and my arm from the tetanus shot. Oh well. Things happen. I know I am not the only one who is a klutz.
Bath day for mom. So when I arrived, the lights were out in the room and most likely that way all day. Mom was very hot. They had so many blankets on her. I immediately stripped the blankets off of her. And hurried to get the drinks out of the bags, I gave her cold drinks ASAP. Cold ice water. And she drank allot of this.
Mom was hungry today, as she didn't eat as much as usual last night. I got her some of her favorite salads and a large burger. On top of being to hot, she was also tired. Who wouldn't with the lights off all day. As well as it was raining out and cold.
I finally finished her tree and decorations. I am not sure if I wrote last night. I have been staying later and being very tired when I got home. I just needed to just eat and relax. I barely was able to watch one show. Had to keep starting over from where I remember drifting off to sleep.
Now back to mom, Being so tired,as she was. Mom only wanted a quick spa treatment. Her face and arms only. Afterwards is when I finished the tree and decorations. All the while mom was reaching out her hand for me to hold it while she falls asleep.
I felt very guilty that I couldn't do this, because of finishing up her Christmas decorations. I stopped and grabbed her hand, gave her a kiss and let her know that I am trying to finish as quickly as I can. But when I did finish it was almost 8:30 pm. I still needed to pack up everything. I did this quickly. And held mom's hand as long as I could. But needed to leave. It doesn't matter what time I got home.
Mom has been feeling good. Happy and smiling allot.
The other day, this one women sat down to speak with me, and stayed for 10 minutes. And mom did not like this at all. When I am their mom does not like me speaking with anyone. I don't blame her. She is alone all day. As she doesn't speak. Others don't talk to her. The staff ignore her, Mom will squeeze my hand tighter and pull at me. To stop me from speaking with others. She will get vocal in her upset manner. I understand what is happening. Others have no idea.
We listened to Christmas music tonight. And while I was finishing up the decorations I sang along with the Christmas music. I heard mom singing along as well. I saw her smile brightly,when I came over to her to sing to her. ..
I am and can be goofy, and will sing in this manner. She laughs and smiles. I let go and just be, for mom. I don't with hold any emotions from her. I let her see the real me. No one else has or cares to. Mom knows.
Tonight I needed to clean up a corner in my room. Pack it up. It was mostly garbage. Things I don't need or haven't used in a very long time. Just finished before writing this.
It is now getting late and I still need to eat and just sit back and relax. My hand need the rest.
I ask again if you would pray for me to find a place ASAP that is affordable for me.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
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