Halloween

Today was another semi rough day. Mom still wanted to get up and move around. She put on a costume with me and helped hand out candy. I think she enjoyed seeing the little kids. She is so cute in her inmate costume.

Mom helping hand out candy.

Mom and I.

Trying to have as much fun as possible

Moms not doing well today!

Mom seemed off when I got her up this morning. She refused to eat breakfast, and would have skipped lunch had I not just fixed her something and brought it in to her. She said her hip is really hurting today and part of me fears we did too much over the past few days.  My gut tells me that it may hurt a bit but she is looking for a reason besides the PSP to explain her inability to walk today. Mom can usually get around OK with her walker. Not today. She is really struggling to get any good movement. She can barley keep her eyes open and her speech is very poor today. She wanted to run to the Halloween store we the Kids and I, and asked if we could take her with the wheelchair. She always wants to take the walker. She couldn't even get in or out of the wheelchair. I had to pick her up for all the transfers. I hate these days, and I know that this is a glimpse into what is yet to come.

Another Movie Night

We try to have movie night with mom every week. Tonight was Captain America. Mom said she really enjoyed it. I couldn't help but notice her fighting with her eyes. She gets stuck staring at the ceiling more and more. She always puts her hand over her eyes, like someone does when they are trying to shield them from the sun. She does this to try to refocus as she puts it. I hope she didn't miss to much. This is one of the few things shes has left that she can still do.

Trip To the Mall

My wife and I, along with some of the kids took mom shopping at the mall tonight. This was one of the better days for the week, and mom really wanted to get out of the house. We had a good night. Mom found some new slippers on sale and bought them. I tried to get her to buy some new shirts for winter but she wouldn't. Just gives me more ideas for her for Christmas. Ha. Ha. She did say that the walking made her hip hurt a bit. Hope we didn't over do it. Therapist said that the walking was good for her. All in all not a bad day.

Rough week so far

The nurse came out today. She voiced her concern about mom this week. The Physical Therapist was out yesterday, and caught mom twice during their session. She called the nurse to report, and informed her that, had she not been there she would have fallen. The aid that helps mom shower also commented on her balance, or lack there of. The nurse said she doesn't think mom should go to the bathroom, or anywhere without help. I told her mom will do it anyway. She talked to mom, and told her she needs to call for help on the pager if she needs to get up. Ten minutes after the nurse left, I pop in to check on mom, and she is rolling for the bathroom.

The shower aid was out tonight, and again she said mom got ahead of her and fell. She fell against the wall and the aid helped her up, so she didn't hit the floor. Still too close for comfort.

I don't know if she just doesn't want to listen or if she just forgets. Either way its stressful. I just keep wondering if today is going to be the day she falls and really gets hurt again.

Trip to Sisters House

Today was another good day. I drove mom up to her nieces house to spend the afternoon with her sister, brother and family. I stayed for a little while and ate some lunch, which was awesome. Mom's niece brought her home a little while ago. She really had a good time. They did their nails and toe nails. It is nice to see her happy. Good memories.

Today was a better day.

Mom munching down at Panera

There is so much negativity with this disease, and I need to add a bit of positive. Today was a much better day. Being a good day, Mom and I got out of the house and ran some errands. Mom loves Panera Bread, so I took mom out for lunch.This was a treat, sense Mom gets really self conscious about her symptoms and rarely wants to be in public. It was a laid back day, and I think she enjoyed it. I know I did.

Today Was a Rough Day

Mom is really struggled with everything today. She has spent most of the day crying. Days like today break my heart and make me angry at the same time. I just wish there was something you could do to help.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed her eyes have gotten worse, in the aspect of moment control. Her eyes will "get stuck" looking up and to the left. Its been happening a lot this week, but almost every time I've been in to see her today she is starring at the ceiling, crying. She said she just cant look down.

She has also been struggling with speech today. She'll open her mouth, make some noises, and start crying. I asked her about it, and she said she forgot what she wanted to say, or just cant get the words to come out. Just telling me this was a real chore.

Her other motor skills seem weak too. The Physical Therapist was here, and during the session she would have fallen. Luckily the Therapist caught her.

I hope tomorrow is a better day!!!

Another Sleepless Night

I have litterally learned to sleep with one eye open. Mom has not slept in two days,and most of today or technically yesterday, she spent most of the day barlly able to keep her eyes open. she's been in bed for about 2 hours and shes up and thinks its morning  . She was so upset when I told her it was only 12:30AM.  This insomnia really sucks. I wish they could find something to help this poor woman. Well I better grab a few hours of sleep before the next" false morning"

Symptom Update

I haven't posted in a while. I'm having a hard time the last few days staying positive and motivated. I don't like to post about me, because this is about mom. Unfortunately, my mental state has a direct impact on mom. I focus a great deal of energy on acting upbeat and positive around mom, even if I am screaming inside my head. One new symptom, with mom is sarcasm. She is the sweetest person I know, but for the last few weeks she'll snap at you with this sarcasm. I know its out of frustration and afterwards she'll end up apologizing for doing it. This has been putting me to the test.

I noticed  another new issue over the last few days. Mom has been pressing on her lower abdomen at bed time. I asked her if her stomach hurt. Tonight she final talk to me about it. She told me that shes trying to tell if she has to use the restroom, and that she just cant tell if she has to go or not. I think she is also having trouble urinating. She appears to be straining a lot to go. She hides it well, and will not admit to having trouble.  Shes gone 6 days between bowel movements recently and I wonder if there are similar issues there as well. But again she will not admit it.

I will share all this with the nurse this week when she stops in. Mom will be mad at me for bringing it up, but its part of my job.

Lucky Again

Mom fell yet again this morning. I had just gone in to check on her and start her Kindle, she's finishing listening to "The Notebook". In my room for a minute or so and I hear that sickening sound, that thud and the rattling of my wall. Moms bathroom shares a wall with the bathroom in my bedroom. Again, I'm sprinting down the hall. I find mom on the side of the toilet. Thankfully after thoroughly checking her out, I realized she's ok. I worry about how many times can she be lucky before she gets hurt again. Sometimes I wish I could put her in a bubble.