Angel, post: 334674, member: 100 wrote: over hear mom and her friend yacking about me and mom bragging and saying what a real Angel I am, how she knew I'd come take care of her and she could count on me after she saw how I took care of her brother and sister-in-law, how proud of me she is, etc... Felt very humbling to say the least and it made me smile. 🙂
me too.
Sorry to hear that. We are praying for both of you. Hope all goes better than expected.
Somethings are just way bigger than our rants about surveying!!
Here's todays update, courtesy of my laptop. B-)
Today has been an OK day. I got up, checked on mom, then I showered, drank my protein shake, and got moms stuff and food ready for dialysis. Then I took mom to dialyis, got her settled in, made sure her BP was ok, and headed off to run errands. I came by the house and my dad & step brother were home from hunting so I had lunch while I yacked with them for a bit. I learned ALL about dove hunting, probably more than I wanted to. They are trying to talk me into eating BBQed Dove breasts...Yuck!! +o( The only Dove I like is Dove Chocolate!!!
Before I knew it, it was time to head back to pick mom up. Well, I left a little early because I like to make sure she comes off the machine OK. Plus, I run out when she's done and start up the A/C in the car and pull right up to the door so she doesn't have to walk or get into a hot car. Anyhow I came home, dropped mom off, and headed back out to run those errands I was suppose to run but never got around to running. o.O
Right next to moms dialysis center is a nail salon. I saw a sign in the window; "Pedicure Special. $15". Now normally I would NEVER pay $15 for toe nail polish treatment when I can do it myself for $1.00, but I think on Friday I will splurge and get my toes done.
I took moms car to the car wash and got it gassed up, washed, and waxed. Then mom calls me. "Want some Ambros?" This is very rare for mom to want to eat so soon after dialysis, so I am very surprised! So I head over and meet parents for dinner. Mom was craving fish and fries...and actually ate more than usual! Dad the garbage disposal ate the rest.
After that I went to Target to get moms OCD fix of having to have a closet full of paper towels, toilet paper and body wash. She's also been looking for a kids insulated thermos so she can take her coffee to dialysis, but didn't want to spend the $. I splurged and spent the $15 and got her a cute Hello Kitty one. She loves Godiva caramel chocolate bars but also won't spend the $$ for them so I got her one of those as well. I got a smile out of her for both goodies. 😀
I made the mistake of buying some Round-Up for the yard and handing the spray contraption to dad. He put it together and off he ran, spraying all the weeds. It was like letting a kid loose in a toy store. *I* was going to spray the weeds! Oh well...maybe tomorrow I'll get the back yard ones sprayed.
I came home and flicked on the TV and watched the Cardinals game with dad. Mom started to not feel good so she went to bed. Her feet are so swollen; they look like elephant feet. :-/ She's been in bed ever since. Dad says she needs the rest; I agree.
After my game was over, I went out and walked almost 3 miles. As I walk around the neighborhood, I think of all of the things I take for granted living up in Oregon that are a normality here. My mom lives by 2 freeways and there's always the constant buzz of cars, trains, helicopters, etc... And then there's the smog, the nasty water, the traffic, the pollution, the RUDE idiots, etc... But, in all of this, I did manage to snap a couple of cool photos of some night blooming flowers. I'll attach them at the end of this post.
After my big walk, I decided to walk over to Barnes & Noble to browse the magazines. It's literally a stones throw from moms house, only a 15 foot high brick wall separates us from them. Before I leave, I get the lecture from dad. "Are you armed? This is no place to be walking around at night. Take your knife or tazer." So I go get my tazer and dad gripes more..."You need to take it out of the case, leave the case here, and turn that thing ON and hold it in your hand at all times. Case does you no good if you have to remove the tazer to use it." DUH dad! I swear sometimes they think I am still 10 years old. Of course he waits up for me and then when I am home safe, he goes to bed. Ahhh...I can now take my bra off. :woot:
I just checked on mom one more time and she is still resting comfortably. I think I need some rest too so I am going to go climb in bed, read a little bit, and then sleep hopefully! Night to all. |-)
Cacti Bloom.
Not Sure Bloom.
Hang in there Angel.
Listen to your Dad too. From experience, some of the most unsavory kind of people lurk in and about bookstores.
Your Dad was gentler with you than I would have been.
When I take a walk, those that would try to mess with me would be quite thankful if I had a Tazer to use. Most of my stuff really HURTS.
Don't push too hard and give your folks our wishes of better times.
:good:
Stephen Johnson, post: 334995, member: 53 wrote: Your Dad was gentler with you than I would have been.
When I take a walk, those that would try to mess with me would be quite thankful if I had a Tazer to use. Most of my stuff really HURTS.
Don't push too hard and give your folks our wishes of better times.
:good:
Well I would have taken my gun but...I didn't bring it down here with me. 😐
Good evening everyone... Here is todays update.
Mom has been sick today. She got up last night due to "intestinal difficulties" and had an accident. I was wondering if the fish and chips were going to do that to her. I got up in the AM and she was in bed resting. I soaked her clothes and got them all clean for her. Dad came out and said she had been feeling dizzy, hot, cold, etc... I said that's what they told us what would happen as the heart struggles to work. He then looks at me and says "We know we're dealing with a 1 way street for her...if it isn't her heart, then it is the cancer and if it isn't that, it's something else. I'm glad you are handling this well and glad you are here. I don't know what else I'd do. I just don't want her to suffer. I want her to go fast, like my parents. I couldn't stand to watch her suffer." Then he toddled off to make us breakfast.
He's starting to be realistic now...it's heartbreaking. Hell all of this is breaking my heart. I can't even begin to describe the mental and emotional pain that is flowing through my soul. Those of you that have been through this probably understand best; and those of you that have taken care of loved ones in their end of life stages also understand. But I have a double wammy here... It's my PARENT. It's my MOTHER. :'( It's the human being that brought me into this world on Sept. 13, 1970 @ 8:32 AM. She's only 64!! There's so much I have been able to share with her, but there is so much more that I want to share. My 1st trip to St. Louis when they win the World Series; my Hawaii trip to the Hindu Monastery; me making my first million $$ (hey a girl can dream!). :-$
Ya know what my mom wants most? She wants to see my daughter love me and treat me better and appreciate me and hopefully realize one day that I am not this horrible person that my daughter keeps thinking I was. 😐 Mom said that's what she wants the most and that it is crushing me being treated how I was and it is what broke moms heart; seeing me hurt by my own child. I didn't realize it hurt mom so bad...I figured mom just looked away and didn't want to hear it or get involved. Boy was I wrong!! :-O
Mom said she was sorry she ever treated me like @#$%, and that I really am a good kid, I'm her Angel, her watchdog, what a blessing I have been to have around, my heart is too big for my body, etc... VERY weird to hear her say these things because if you knew my mom years ago, it was NOT this way. But I am glad it is now. I just wish it could be this way for another 30+ years or so.
Dad asked mom what she wanted for dinner. She said ham-hocks and split pea soup. (YUCK!) SO dad spent the next 3-4 hours cooking it and baking cornbread. Mom ate 2-3 bites and spit it out. 🙁 Her appetite is just about gone...I can see her struggling to try to suck down her Nehpros; I didn't think she'd be able to get the soup down but I am glad she at least tried. She said she started feeling dizzy again and went back to bed. *Sigh*
Well, I was getting a bit depressed so I decided to do what I do best to kick it in the butt: I cleaned the house. I asked my mom "Do you mind if I clean the living room?" She said, "Are you kidding me? Knock yourself out!" And so for the next 5+ hours, I cleaned. I vacuumed normally and then vacuumed every nook and cranny with the baseboard thingy; I windexed every window. I washed ALL the curtains, linens, etc...I cleaned all of the light and switch sockets. I cleaned the door frames and doors. I polished all wood furniture. I cleaned the lamp, including the shade. I washed it down outside and let it air dry. I cleaned the little green leave things in the mirror. I moved all furniture and vacuumed behind it. I even cleaned moms mail opener. Then I went outside and sprayed the weeds.
After I was finished and the living room was spotless, my parents decide that they are in shock and that they actually DO like a clean house. Imagine that?? Dad keeps calling me the "Cleaning Robot." Then he says the robot needs to shut down for the night. So I made a ham sandwich and now here I am, typing away.
And...a BEE just flew into my neck, buzzing!! :excruciating: I flew out of my chair so fast and started yelling at dad to get it!! I am SEVERELY allergic!!! I dunno how I managed to not get stung when he ran into my neck but I didn't, thank God. (Someone must be watching over me!!) Dad says how the hell does a bee fly at night? I said the bee came in during the DAY, dad, through the open screen I told you to fix, and hid in the fan light. Anyhow, bee is gone now, but he had his stinger out when dad swatted him! Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-O
I think it's time for me to check on my mom and then go relax and soak my sunburn in the tub. It's finally healing but man does it itch! Good night everyone. Thank you as always for all of your kind thoughts, prayers, warm fuzzies, etc...that you have been sending my way. I truly appreciate it more than I could ever express on here. :angel:
PS: Here's a cat and mouse. Really!!! B-)
Hoping for the best for you and your Mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Keep on keeping us posted kiddo. I can call you that, you are 199 days younger than me.
Edit: sweet, this post is the 69th in this thread. As you were.
Life has many turns
Life has many ups and down
Life can be hard
Life has many memories
Life is Life
Life is Joy
Life is the why we are here
Life is Love
Life is to say I'm sorry
Life is to forgive
Life is the first thing we see in the morning
Life is the last thing we feel going to sleep at night
Life is what we are thankful for
Life is our gift
Life to look forward to tomorrow
Life is to look back and know you lived to be the best person you could be
Prayers for you, Angel. It's so difficult to watch a parent go through times like this.
Angel, post: 335049, member: 100 wrote: Well I would have taken my gun but...I didn't bring it down here with me. 😐
Well considering Commiefornia, that was probably, at least in a legal sense, a good decision.
However, Mace, pepperspray, tazers and a good walking stick (or a pick ax handle) are nice to have if you don't have a firearm.
I like my 6.5 feet long Oak walking stick (aka Quarterstaff).
Stephen Johnson, post: 335658, member: 53 wrote: Well considering Commiefornia, that was probably, at least in a legal sense, a good decision.
However, Mace, pepperspray, tazers and a good walking stick (or a pick ax handle) are nice to have if you don't have a firearm.
I like my 6.5 feet long Oak walking stick (aka Quarterstaff).
I brought my tazer...I showed it to my dad (retired LAPD) and dad says HOLY S**T THAT THING CAN KILL SOMEONE!! :-O
Umm...yea. I'm not going to carry around some pansy tazer. I also brought my military knife. B-)
Good update.
Just letting you guys know...I am alive, I am back in Oregon getting my eyes straightened out and taking a much needed break from Southern Crapafornia!! I was SO exhausted after a days end that I just did not have the time or energy to post daily updates. :-/
Mom is stable for now...so I was free to go, but I will be returning within a few weeks to keep helping her out. She is going to try chemo if she can get stronger and gain the weight required for her to even be a chemo candidate. We shall see... I am just glad she is back home doing her own home dialysis again and eating again. It's a miracle she's still alive, actually!! :woot:
As for me, I am ok...I think. I just have been mentally, physically and emotionally drained. Heck I had a birthday in Sept. and my friends had to BEG and BRIBE me to go out, otherwise I would have just stayed in bed!
Yesterday Wendell and I did our first 10K walk. I needed the exercise but MAN were my feet sore!!! But it was worth it!! My lungs needed the fresh, clean Oregon air. So did the rest of me. 🙂
Here's some pics...The beads/angel stuff are my rewards for completing the 10K. ALL of this stuff was hand made by African villagers. The beads are made out of wood and hand painted. The Angel is made out of some sort of straw. I picked a red necklace cause of my Cardinals. 😀
It's great to hear from you again. Happy for you that you still have a mother to bug the heck out of you.
Holy Cow, post: 338223, member: 50 wrote: It's great to hear from you again. Happy for you that you still have a mother to bug the heck out of you.
Me too!! 😀 She is definitely bugging me, too, but I dont mind. Angel do this Angel do that Angel where did you put this Angel how much $$ do I owe you? (I didn't let her spend a dime of her $$ while I was down there.)
Welcome home kiddo. Beer hugs from all around the world for you.
Aloha, Angel:
Thanks for your updates and nice photos!
We are praying.
Nate
