Mom's Caregiver

[dewdrop]

Hello Everyone,
I have been lurking around on here for a while now. I have been trying to learn more about dialysis for my mom. She is 76 and has been on in center dialysis for 2 years now. She has suffered with hard to control high blood pressure most of her life. She now lives with me and I try my best to take good care of her. She also has suffered a stroke and although she didn't suffer any physical effects, she does have neurological impairment in the area of cognitive thinking. It is hard for her to reason things out properly or do things in a logical order. We have always been close so we try hard to stay positive and have a sense of humor about all she is going through. I don't feel like she can be alone for large periods of time. She forgets a lot (leaves stove on etc) and doesn't know what to do in some situations. Anyways, I just wanted to say hello and I am very grateful for a place like this. Things have been getting worse here lately and I am trying to be strong for mom but it is so hard sometimes. Money is very tight because I am not working and I just don't know how to make it better. I feel like I am just keeping my head above water. I am going to post what has been going on in the other board. Hopefully, I can figure out how to help her feel better. Thanks for listening and thanks for this site.

[billybags]

dewdrop, First of all welcome to the site    I really feel for you, looking after your mum with all her problems must be a night mare for you. Is there any help that you can get to take the pressure off a bit. Can you speak to your neph about the bleeding, is she on too many blood thinning tablets. Doctors just seem to throw tablets at you now days. This can not go on, you must speak to some one, get some answers.You sound like you are doing your best for your mum bless you.

[papacat]

  dewdrop

from papacat

[MooseMom]

We have quite a few members who are in your exact place.  Being a caregiver is hard work and is emotionally draining.  Bless you for looking after your dear mother.  I'm sure she is grateful.  I hope you both continue to find some humor in this difficult situation.  I'm glad you've found IHD.

[Poppylicious]

  dewdrop!

[dewdrop]

Thank you for all the kind words. Just got back from the hospital. The fistulagram showed no narrowing or blockages so that's good news. They are going to take her off the Plavix completely and see how just the Coumiden and Aspirin works. She will be coming home tomorrow. Another adventure under our belt! 

[boswife]

I wish i had words to let you know how amazing i think you are for taking care of your mom.  I too took care of my mom (not dialysis) for years and i tell ya, it was hard on me.  It takes a special person do do that!  (hay,, does that mean i was special too  .. hehe )anyway, Hubby did most of the work with her as i was still working and they had a great relationship.  I on the other hand, had a very difficult time switching rolls and being her 'mom'.. Im not proud of that!!! and it really took a toll on me where others find it so rewarding...,,,  but, now im taking care of hubby, and it's a whole nuther story..lol....  He IS on dialysis, and we have lots of work fixen him all the time, but this comes natural for me. Well, not for my heart, but the physical part of it.  The stress of all this,,,, well, im soooooooooooooooooooo grateful for this site here as the support always brings ya through.   anyway  and theres so much to learn on here and so much to soothe your fears with..   

[CebuShan]

     dewdrop!
Bless you for taking care of your Mom! Too many people nowadays think that older people are "throwaways".
Are there no other family members around that could give you a little respite?
Best of luck to you & your Mom!

[Wildrose]

 
I think its wonderful you are taking care of your mom, what a blessing you are to her!
I'm practicing taking care of my mom, emmotionally though not physically. Her husband died a month ago and shes lonely so now I get to juggle homeschooling, housecleaning, cooking, dialysis, childcare (my own kids, hehe) and spending as much time with my mother as she needs. 

[Big E]

I was a caregiver for my mom for awhile, but unlike you I wasn't particularly gracious about it. It's a very difficult job, physically and especially emotionally. I wish you and your mom the best. Also, I'm glad her fistulagram was OK.