Every Breath You Take...

You all that have children, do you remember the first time they slept all night? If you were like me, did you jump up and ran to make sure they were breathing? Well, unfortunately, I am there all over again with my mother. She will be so tired and when she is finally taking a nap, I find myself watching her chest to make sure she is breathing.

She is oftentimes tired and won't nap, but when she does nap, and her mouth is open and head in a weird position, I am always checking. Now I know it is not her time, but I guess her age makes me do it as well. I heard to many stories of how love ones will lay down for a nap and passed away in their sleep. And I know that is my mother wish, is to go in her sleep. But am I truly ready for that?

Currently I'm dealing with some serious sundowning and this hasn't happen for a little over a month. Of course, if there is a need to breathe, it is during these moments because it becomes very chaotic! Nothing I say or do will redirect her, and everything I say or don't say is a lie, so I can't win. Oftentimes during these moments, her vision changes, she doesn't see me when she looks at me. I try my best not to let it get to me  because I know it's the disease. Be honest, who wouldn't be in their feelings when their love one doesn't recognize them?

However, I can finally breathe for a bit, for it appears we have turned a corner. For how long, I don't know. Granted she is still having moments of not seeing me, and I am doing my best to power through it. I thank God for every quiet moments I have with her, because when serious sundowning hits, I realize I hold my breath for a long time.

💨💨💨...

Here we go...

First, Happy New Year to you all! Life with mom is starting to get back to her baseline of normalcy. Now I know, I must brace myself for the aftermath of fireworks and shooting guns to celebrate a holiday, do to my mother.

You would not believe the level of confusion that started at 12:30 am new year's eve!! I handle it the best way I could in a calm voice, but how I wish I could find a way to silence the noise for her And it's just about that night, it alter how her brain process situations and it will be days before it changes back.

Today, almost a week later and still having issues. Granted it's not as bad, but somethings are irritating and I am still working on how I react to the state she is in. The one thing I got to remind myself, that it is the disease and not her that has her behaving and thinking the way she does.

Although she is going through major changes, I am going through them too and more. I am doing my very best to keep a level head and maintain my level of sanity! I see where so many Caregivers are going through it mentality with their love ones, and I won't lie, I was too at the very beginning of this journey. I am better, but there are moments where I could just scream and trust me, I have done that. People tell me it will happen and that's okay, but I will feel bad too. Now when I do lose it, I apologize to her later once her mind has calm down. I also ask God for forgiveness too.

That may sound crazy to some, but it's about peace of mind and besides, she's my mother and yelling at her is so disrespectful, but I can't allow this disease to make me crazy too and most of all, disrespect my mother. She needs me in so many different ways. So my prayer is that she get back to a base where it is less stressful for the both of us.

Happy New Year!...

65 and wasn't expecting this....Dementia

On my 65th birthday, I should have been celebrating a mile stone, you know finally made to getting rid of health care premiums and no longer paying for medications!!! You know, Medicare...🎉🎉🎉  

Instead, on my birthday, I had to stay with my mother, because she was release from the hospital, due to a health issues, which we now learn is Dementia. 

So, I was told that she shouldn't be left alone for now, with me being the only one not working, on my birthday, December 6th, I started staying with my mother. Has it been easy....hell no!! But, it's my mother and I am trying to do my best to care for her. It is not easy at all!! I have never experienced so much stress in my life!!

I am a diabetic, and I know stress and not eating properly isn't good for me, so it's like I am a caregiver for two people!! Do I want to cry? YES!!!  Do I want to scream? YES!! Do I want give up? YES!! But will I??? No, but I will do the best I can, until are able to have her in a place that can do more then I can. But, I will still be there for her throughout the journey!!

Love you momma! 🥰💞