Introduction

I am creating this as a way to share information to interested parties on how mom is doing and information what is going on. I only ask as you read any of this, you do so in a non-judgmental fashion, knowing it is not easy to deal with caring for elderly parents and dad adds a whole extra layer of stressors. We do the best we can and if anyone thinks they can do better or feel like they have a better way of handling it then feel free to come take over for awhile. :) But if you are not willing to walk in our shoes then please refrain from criticizing our way of doing it. We are not perfect and the way we do things is not perfect. Things always can be improved on and kind suggestions are appreciated. Most of all, we need your prayers and support. Perhaps I sound a bit defensive and maybe I am. It
is so hard to explain all the things going with dad and why we have to do the things we do but I will try to be open and honest about it all. I know in sharing I open myself up to being critisized but willing to take the risk. :)
 I may share memories from the past. Not sure yet. I will see how it goes.

 

 I she not the sweetest mother ever? Just took this picture with my computer. She ate breakfast and is laying on the couch. She is still very child-like in her mind. Dad was treating her like a child this morning, teaching her how to wash the dishes by bringing her the dishpan to the table and showing her step by step. She did not follow his directions but did tell him he was treating her like a little child (true) then told me as I was taking her to the bathroom that she feels like he thinks she is pretty dumb. I assured her it's not true. I am amazed that she got the way she was being treated but still seems unable to follow directions. Dad says he thinks she understands exactly what he wants her to do but balks at doing it. Not true. Anyway, she is sweet as ever and never cross. No matter how confused she is. She is now on 3 blood pressure meds and it is still running high. I wonder what is going on.
 Mom's abilities vary from day to day. Some days she can walk without a walker and some days she can hardly walk even with assistance. She continues to have almost complete urinary incontinence. The last test for UTI was negative.
 We have temporary guardianship through the court but have to go to court in September for permanent guardianship. Dad has been served about the hearing coming up and is stressing about it. Please pray for a quick resolution to this. Dad feels very threatened by this but it is only so we can get medical care that he wants to refuse. He told me a couple days ago that he was going to take her home and lock the door. He would not admit anyone without a head covering on and he would refuse to allow her to have any medication. He was putting her shoes and socks on and was planning to take her home. I told him. "Oh no you're not."  He says we are making them break their marriage vows. I disagreed. Anyway, he dropped it and has been okay again. Their trailer is right next door to Susie's and he can come and go as he pleases and stay here anytime he wants. He spends the nights most nights and fixes breakfast for mom. Of course we appreciate that but one of us has to be here all the time because of him being so unpredictable. I wish he didn't feel so threatened by all this and understand we are trying to care for both of them.