tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post7894166682569420480..comments2023-11-14T00:05:35.172-05:00Comments on One of Life's Little Surprises: Brain FailureCarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-58458494318603510422018-05-07T20:41:14.766-04:002018-05-07T20:41:14.766-04:00Hi Kay! Thanks for your sweet comment. I remember ...Hi Kay! Thanks for your sweet comment. I remember you saying that you had a parent with dementia, I believe. I'd like to think that awareness is increasing. Every opportunity I get, I try to educate and share with others what I have learned. <br /><br />I'm starting to think of my new place as my "home sweet home". Jim is here with me in spirit, and remembering that helps me to stay strong. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-4828396061605632192018-05-07T20:20:14.189-04:002018-05-07T20:20:14.189-04:00Your new condo sounds like a perfect place for you...Your new condo sounds like a perfect place for you, Carole. I love how you have a community close by that you can access easily. A home definitely takes too much attention and finance to maintain. I've been gone on a trip and just getting myself settled again. I did attend a Dementia workshop last week and really learned a lot about what it is and how to deal with it. There are so many challenges. You are the best of caregivers, Carole.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461569436322815787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-31506459853840997402018-05-07T19:55:29.569-04:002018-05-07T19:55:29.569-04:00Hi Christina. Thanks for your best wishes. I hope ...Hi Christina. Thanks for your best wishes. I hope to get a post up soon. Jim is content, and of course that makes me happy. Still a bit overwhelmed with getting settled, and some other things that have popped up just to keep it interesting of course! Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-37061522093307872352018-05-07T11:33:26.843-04:002018-05-07T11:33:26.843-04:00I am glad too that things have settled down for yo...I am glad too that things have settled down for you. It's a lot to go thru. Hope a post is coming soon. Best to you,Jim and your Mom ...tahoegirl.bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02018956654761369565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-67007142410923961242018-05-01T09:47:27.680-04:002018-05-01T09:47:27.680-04:00Hi Carol! My mom is doing better; recovered from p...Hi Carol! My mom is doing better; recovered from pneumonia and doing ok with her new chemo pill. <br /><br />My house sold, I closed on a condo I purchased, and I'm in the process of having some painting and carpentry done on the condo. Hopefully by this weekend I'll be able to settle in, clean, arrange furniture and empty boxes. Oh my goodness, sooooo many boxes! <br /><br />I hope to get another post of soon. Thanks for your comment Carol, hugs to you too.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-16851957387240752192018-05-01T02:03:57.802-04:002018-05-01T02:03:57.802-04:00So sorry to hear of your mother's health probl...So sorry to hear of your mother's health problems. I hope she's recovered and feeling better. Like Margaret, I've been missing your posts and wondering if everything was alright. I'd forgot you were in the process of selling your home. Combined with your mother's health issue, I know why you haven't had time to post. Take care of yourself and write when you can. Hugs, CarolTehachaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973382680508334105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-26005053289863048992018-04-16T11:05:36.768-04:002018-04-16T11:05:36.768-04:00Hi Margaret! Yes, it's been a long time since ...Hi Margaret! Yes, it's been a long time since I have posted. I hope to get another post up in the near future.<br /><br />My mom has had some health issues recently with another brief hospitalization. She's needed some additional support, so my brother and I have shared those responsibilities. I've been busy downsizing by about 75%! Quite a bit has been sold, but also able to donate many items as well. Closing date is still up in the air, but could be any day now. <br /><br />I've been able to still see my sweetheart every day! Visits are a little shorter, but still grateful that I am able to spend time with him every day.<br /><br />My house looks like a hurricane hit it! Boxes everywhere, but that's to be expected with a move like this.<br /><br />Thanks for your sweet comment Margaret. Sending love and hugs right back to you in Vermont :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-51798513153231298182018-04-16T09:39:55.875-04:002018-04-16T09:39:55.875-04:00Hi Carole, How are you doing? You have been throug...Hi Carole, How are you doing? You have been through so much. I am worried about no posts for over a month. After moving, you will be busy, you have to recover your energy. But I'm still worried. Sometimes people hang on and keep going as long as they have to, then collapse and have to take more time to recover. I hope you are well. (Email from work.)<br />Love and Concern,<br />Margaret in VermontAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-70460178478868290582018-03-21T18:30:50.194-04:002018-03-21T18:30:50.194-04:00Hi Jude. I remember reading about your big move. ...Hi Jude. I remember reading about your big move. It was a huge undertaking, especially going across the provinces! Yesterday I was sorting through some stuff and I found all of my paper calendars (remember those?) where I would keep track of my work schedule as well as my personal life events. I decided to just dispose of all of them. Today, no regrets over doing so. Trying hard to keep detached from too many physical things and focus on the memories. <br /><br />Yes, looking forward to settling in. My friend Sharon lives close by, and we are already planning our hikes on the trails in the village park. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-24718544023038882052018-03-21T18:20:38.055-04:002018-03-21T18:20:38.055-04:00Hi Sharon. Good to hear from you! Thanks for your ...Hi Sharon. Good to hear from you! Thanks for your well wishes. I know that the timing is right for the move, but I still have my moments where it feels so incredibly sad. But I think that is natural, given the situation. Looking forward to when the move is done :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-19479623306749870752018-03-21T14:16:10.602-04:002018-03-21T14:16:10.602-04:00Carole, best of luck with the move. When we moved...Carole, best of luck with the move. When we moved across provinces last year, we decided that we were not going to take everything with us. I found it hard to sort through and get rid of stuff, especially all of my boxes of career-related materials. It was very emotional moving on to the next stage of life. Your downsizing may come with lots of emotions too. I am glad that you have found a nice condo in a great location, with all those walking trails nearby. Settling in there will be something to look forward to. <br /><br />Thanks for the link to “Welcome to Dementialand.” Her point about dementia being not just about memory loss, but a process of brain failure really states the matter well. <br /><br />JudeDr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-23385650257291002702018-03-21T13:08:00.991-04:002018-03-21T13:08:00.991-04:00Glad that Jim has stabilized.
I am happy you foun...Glad that Jim has stabilized. <br />I am happy you found a place to move. I hope you will be comfortable there.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02743921972328074980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-72988208052475843892018-03-21T11:32:17.898-04:002018-03-21T11:32:17.898-04:00Hi Gigi. Yes, I'm happy to have found a place ...Hi Gigi. Yes, I'm happy to have found a place that is "right-sized" for me, and yet still close to Jim.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-21005454690212332112018-03-21T09:26:24.157-04:002018-03-21T09:26:24.157-04:00I am glad you found a condo to live in. It sounds...I am glad you found a condo to live in. It sounds lovely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-46296236553430815142018-03-16T06:38:39.550-04:002018-03-16T06:38:39.550-04:00Hi Carol! My unit is on the first floor. There are...Hi Carol! My unit is on the first floor. There are 3 floors to the building, but each unit is only on a single level. The elevator goes from the below ground garage up to each of the 3 floors. But my individual condo of 1000 square feet is all on one level. <br /><br />I do hope you and your hubby are recovering ok from your respiratory illnesses. It's been a tough year for this type of malady. Take care Carol, and thanks for your comment.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-59237874274991168292018-03-16T04:47:20.341-04:002018-03-16T04:47:20.341-04:00What a lovely view, and the sound of the water in ...What a lovely view, and the sound of the water in the creek will be soothing. My only concern is does your unit have three levels? Are there stairs? I may have misunderstood the layout. I do like the idea of the closeness of shopping and walking trails. Nice! Glad the staff at Jim's care facility have agreed to call you before they change his medication. Perhaps you can get some kind of variance to these arbitrary regulations. One would hope, anyway.Tehachaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973382680508334105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-40377455707757893432018-03-15T21:06:24.050-04:002018-03-15T21:06:24.050-04:00Hi Ray. Change can be so hard! A year ago I never ...Hi Ray. Change can be so hard! A year ago I never dreamed that the dementia would progress so fast, and that I would be faced with so many decisions about Jim's future and my future. <br /><br />I know you have some real challenges and plenty of uncertainty for you and your wife ahead of you. Hang in there Ray, and accept whatever support you are able to get along the way. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-10139348153803438312018-03-15T20:02:12.191-04:002018-03-15T20:02:12.191-04:00It's encouraging how you've be able to ada...It's encouraging how you've be able to adapt to your changing circumstance. As I peer into the future the though of some of the changes I'll need to make fill me with dread. Still what will be will be and I will adapt and change....troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-66451208248603474582018-03-15T13:51:42.059-04:002018-03-15T13:51:42.059-04:00Hi Mage. My reaction is the same as yours! Once/if...Hi Mage. My reaction is the same as yours! Once/if I get the call from the Director of Nursing, my plan is to request speaking to the physician first. If I am overruled, I plan to offer immediate feedback to them following any dosage reduction, so as to provide them with an "acceptable" justification for keeping him on his usual dose.<br /><br />The condo is 3 stories high. But there is an elevator. I have an arthritic knee, so the elevator was an important factor. Thanks for your comment Mage :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-90786579864468576682018-03-15T13:40:53.684-04:002018-03-15T13:40:53.684-04:00Can you talk to his doctor about those government ...Can you talk to his doctor about those government regulations. I am horrified by this.<br />The condo sounds perfect. I hope it isn't 3 stories tall. We bought one that is and I have trouble with the climb. Magehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17333086721654817750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-47266051443531521602018-03-15T13:14:39.349-04:002018-03-15T13:14:39.349-04:00Hi Friko. Thanks for stopping by. I've lived o...Hi Friko. Thanks for stopping by. I've lived on the west side of the city for most of my adult life. I'm familiar with the area, shopping, and most importantly it is where most of my friends and supports are. And close to Jim! <br /><br />Thanks for your comment and your well wishes Friko. I think of you often, knowing that you too have walked the journey with losing a spouse to dementia. I appreciate your support. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-52417676347123028842018-03-15T13:11:06.181-04:002018-03-15T13:11:06.181-04:00Hi DJan. Yes, in many ways it feels good to downsi...Hi DJan. Yes, in many ways it feels good to downsize. I'm looking forward to enjoying village living, in a community of caring folks, while still having my own small space and privacy. I remember reading about your living situation and the relationships you have developed within your community. Hoping for something as good as that :-) Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-53865594762096239962018-03-15T12:39:35.911-04:002018-03-15T12:39:35.911-04:00As you say, a perfect size for one and if it is as...As you say, a perfect size for one and if it is as pleasant a place as you say then you are very lucky to have found it so quickly. <br /><br />Nothing will be easy but being settled makes for a much calmer life. One problem off your mind, there are plenty of others. Good luck and the strength to cope!Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-28760922820600570822018-03-15T08:48:03.291-04:002018-03-15T08:48:03.291-04:00It sounds perfect, and the picture shows a very pe...It sounds perfect, and the picture shows a very peaceful scene. I'm glad it's working out so well for you, and that Jim is again stabilized. I just don't know why the care facility has to mess with his medications like that. I am glad you are downsizing. :-)DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-12074119481654936612018-03-15T06:40:25.671-04:002018-03-15T06:40:25.671-04:00Hi Valerie. The move will add only 5 minutes to my...Hi Valerie. The move will add only 5 minutes to my drive, so still pretty close to him. I'm so fortunate that I can see Jim every day. The only thing that keeps me away is snow storms. We received another foot of snow last night! But the plows are good about getting the roads cleared.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.com