Re: liver Cirrhosis

[Guest guest]

Welcome Stefanie,

I'm sorry that your mom is ill. I was caretaker to my mom who passed in Feb 08.

You are in the right place for support. If you have questions, sing out, we are

listening and will share what we know.

Hugs,

Pamela

liver Cirrhosis

Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with Advanced Cirrhosis of

the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes of Encephalopathy over the

years. She has been in and out of the hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

stayed at a care facility for a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter

and I. She has had 5 varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy

and dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she takes 4 doses

of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her stomach twice now. I

really need some support and advice.

[Guest guest]

The more fluid they drain the better she will feel. I have been drained twice in

8 days for a total of  20 litres. When that fluid builds up there is alot of

pressure in the stomach. It is also very difficult to breath so a person may

have the sensation of  slowly suffocating. Sleeping can be very difficult. To

date I don't think I have encephalopathy. Most Dr.s won't even check my amonia

level  with a blood test as they say " you seem very lucid to me " ?

 

Hopefully her Physicians are keeping a close watch on those esophageal varices.

Upper endoscopies are pretty much a routine procedure when they find those. I

have been banded several times. One can have significant bleeding when one of

those tear or bust.

 

I live 3 miles from my local hospital and I had a big one bust one day and when

they wheeled me into the hospital I had zero (0) blood pressure. Now, because of

my cirrhosis history the attending Physician and Staff knew exactly what the

problem was and was able to get a blood pressure back. A good GI Dr. will keep a

close eye on those buggars.

 

Good Luck.

 

My Best Wishes

Subject: liver Cirrhosis

To: livercirrhosissupport

Cc: stefanieputnam@...

Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 1:53 PM

Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with Advanced Cirrhosis of

the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes of Encephalopathy over the

years. She has been in and out of the hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

stayed at a care facility for a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter

and I. She has had 5 varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

encephalopathy and dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

takes 4 doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her stomach

twice now. I really need some support and advice.

[Guest guest]

Thanks we need all the luck we can get. Her doctor has her blood draw

once a month to check her levels. And we had her varices checked again

about a month ago. I can not believe that you don't have Hepatic

Encephalopathy with all of the fluid build up you are having. Are you

one a strict diet and water pills? My mom is and she still gets

ascites, but not as bad as when she wasn't taking them. Its good to

talk to people who actually have Cirrhosis. It helps me to understand

more of what my mom is going through. Plus I have researched a lot on

the internet.

>

>

> Subject: liver Cirrhosis

> To: livercirrhosissupport

> Cc: stefanieputnam@...

> Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 1:53 PM

>

> Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with Advanced

Cirrhosis of

> the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes of

Encephalopathy over the

> years. She has been in and out of the hospital 7 times in 3 months.

She also

> stayed at a care facility for a month. She now lives with my

husband, daughter

> and I. She has had 5 varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> encephalopathy and dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills

daily and she

> takes 4 doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from

her stomach

> twice now. I really need some support and advice.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stefanie,

I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's illness. Caring for a

terminally ill loved one can really drain a person. Having her with

you 24/7 can become overwhelming. Don't feel guilty when you feel

angry or bitter toward her. Those are normal emotions that pop up

when we are stressed and there is nothing more stressful than caring

for someone we love who is terminally ill. Whether that takes 6

weeks, 6 months or 6 years, we question ourselves constantly about

whether we're doing all we can for our loved one and yet we often

feel resentful of all they're taking from us...time with our family,

time for ourselves, just the pure frustration of having to constantly

be responsible for another adult.

These are all natural reactions to your circumstances. I faced them

when my Mom was dying of renal failure, now with my husband who is

dying of cirrhosis, with my MIL who is aged and not completely

mentally competent and with my aged Dad who has end stage COPD.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Give yourself permission to have a bad

day or week. Frustration may be your constant companion for a while

yet, so learn to let it be your friend.

Recognize that you are frustrated with the circumstances, NOT your

loved one. Don't feel guilty because the circumstances have no

feelings and cannot be hurt by your frustration. Find a way to vent

your frustration, and often anger, without having to vent it on your

Mom or your family.

For me, that vent is prayer. For others, it has been meditation or

just a brief walk...something that will take you mentally and

physically away from your circumstances even if only for 5 minutes a

day. Just learn to be as kind and forgiving to yourself as you are

to those whom you love and care for daily. You and your family are

in my prayers. God bless.

Love and hugs...........

Diane C. from TN

>

> Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with Advanced

Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes of

Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility for

a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has had 5

varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she takes 4

doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mac

I am so sorry to hear about your wife. It is so hard to watch a loved

one die. My mom as you know has cirrhosis. She has been so sick this

week. It started with a UTI, which she got antibiotics for. She slept

most of the week. She has been having bad headaches and abdominal

pain. It is so awful to go through this. She is in so much pain and I

feel so helpless. Yesterday she felt a little better, but she started

back up with the anger. She keeps yelling at me and my daughter. I

love her so much, but I feel helpless.

Hi Stefanie,

>

> As for sleeping too much, I don't know. As for keeping her awake, I

> have tried that with my husband, but with no good results. He is

> just so exhausted that he cannot stay awake. Also, when the toxins

> are high, it causes a coma-like state that requires him to sleep.

> Our doctor told us that, in the end, he most likely will sleep more

> and more and will just " sleep " himself into a coma. When that

> happens, death is immiment. He sometimes sleeps for 20+ hours at a

> time. When he is awake, he's very confused and disoriented and often

> sees and/or hears things that aren't there. He can be very easily

> agitated at those times as well.

>

> I'm sorry I can't offer more encouraging news, but I've learned that,

> for me at least, I do best to know exactly what to look for and what

> I need to prepare myself for in the future.

>

> If I can help you in any way, please feel free to contact me

> personally at dianechandler@... . God bless!

>

> Love and hugs........

>

> Diane C. from TN

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Diane

Sorry about your husband. I haven't been a member of this group for

very long, but it seems to be a good group. My mother has had a bad

week. It started with a UTI, which we got antibiotics for. She slept

most of the week. Thursday she started to have a lot of pain in her

head and abdomen. Her ascites in her belly is starting to swell again.

Most of the week I had to help her shower and use the bathroom. She

had the runs and she was also throwing up. She has been moaning and

groaning constantly. She kept crying and saying she was so tired of

the pain and wished it would end. We finished the antibiotics on

Saturday night. Some of her energy has come back yesterday and today.

She is now very agitated and angry. She yelled at me most of the day

yesterday. I had to go upstairs to get away from her and let us both

have some time alone. Well early this morning we were all woken up by

a hammer pounding and my mother yelling. She was getting upset at the

bathroom door down stairs because it would not shut properly. I am

almost afraid of what she could do. It is so weird how her moods

change so often and are so intense when they do. She is not an angry

person. I know it is the toxins and the disease itself that is causing

her anger. I think the Encephalopathy is starting to get worse again.

I feel so helpless. I feel like I just zone through life now, like I'm

a zombie or something. I don't know what is real any more. Well I am

taking my mom to the doctors this morning. Hopefully we can get her

ascites drained again. I wonder if there is some infection in there

and that is what is causing her so much pain. Thank you for being

willing to listen.

Stefanie

> > > >

> > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> Advanced

> > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes

> of

> > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

> for

> > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> had 5

> > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> takes 4

> > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Praying for you and your mom Stefanie, I'm so sorry she is so ill.

I hope the doctor can give her some relief for the encephalopathy and ascites.

I am really missing my mom today.

Pamela

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Diane

Sorry about your husband. I haven't been a member of this group for

very long, but it seems to be a good group. My mother has had a bad

week. It started with a UTI, which we got antibiotics for. She slept

most of the week. Thursday she started to have a lot of pain in her

head and abdomen. Her ascites in her belly is starting to swell again.

Most of the week I had to help her shower and use the bathroom. She

had the runs and she was also throwing up. She has been moaning and

groaning constantly. She kept crying and saying she was so tired of

the pain and wished it would end. We finished the antibiotics on

Saturday night. Some of her energy has come back yesterday and today.

She is now very agitated and angry. She yelled at me most of the day

yesterday. I had to go upstairs to get away from her and let us both

have some time alone. Well early this morning we were all woken up by

a hammer pounding and my mother yelling. She was getting upset at the

bathroom door down stairs because it would not shut properly. I am

almost afraid of what she could do. It is so weird how her moods

change so often and are so intense when they do. She is not an angry

person. I know it is the toxins and the disease itself that is causing

her anger. I think the Encephalopathy is starting to get worse again.

I feel so helpless. I feel like I just zone through life now, like I'm

a zombie or something. I don't know what is real any more. Well I am

taking my mom to the doctors this morning. Hopefully we can get her

ascites drained again. I wonder if there is some infection in there

and that is what is causing her so much pain. Thank you for being

willing to listen.

Stefanie

> > > >

> > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> Advanced

> > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes

> of

> > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

> for

> > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> had 5

> > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> takes 4

> > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Dear Stefanie, did you ever read Ardis' story? If you haven't , I'll link it

here.

http://robertwalkingeagle.googlepages.com/home

It might make real for you a simple fact- when your mom acts so angry and

unreasonable, and MEAN, it is not your mom talking at all. It's her liver. this

is why I have a blog called " billybob's wild ride " .

http://billybobswildride.blogspot.com/

Because a sick liver can develop it's own personality, and take over at certain

times. The person affected seems almost like they are possessed by a demon or

some other spirit. Well, I don't think it's a demon, but I did see a whole bunch

of STRANGE manifestations with my loved one, Ardis. One morning I arrived at her

apartment only to find the rocks below her apartment full of empty lactulose

tubs. I used to steal a stack of little black tubs with lids for ketchup from a

local Mc 's so I could measure out her doses, and then I could sometimes

talk her through taking it over the phone. I couldn't be with her 24 hours a

day, but I made sure that the medicine was there for her. All of her yogurts

were splattered down there too, as she lived on the second floor. I asked her

how it was going and got a litany of curse words. Later in that same week, when

she was more oriented, we listened to another friend of hers from her church on

her answering

machine,. He was speaking very slooolyyy into the phone and telling her how he

cared about her but " said " I juuuust caaaaant taaaake allllll the cuuuuursing "

Her and I rolled on the floor laughing. Literally. We hurt ourselves laughing at

him. Because she had NO recollection of ever cursing to him. This was a very

prim and proper lady, of good Welsh stock, and she did not make it a habit to

cuss like sailor, but when her ammonia got elevated, whew, look out! Please

know that your mother is not being mean, her liver is. She probably has no

control, or recollection of this. For me, three loose stools a day, and I have

almost no signs of this, but if not, eell then, I only find out about my

rudeness by reading emails, and or having someone tell me. And still sometimes

they dont get it that I sometimes say things I have no recollection of, and

therfore how could I control what it is that I said? I'll tell you that one day

I came into Ardis' room at the

nursing home to find her talking to me on the phone, only the " phone " was the

TV remote, and she was only imagining she was talking to me. That was really

creepy.

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Diane

Sorry about your husband. I haven't been a member of this group for

very long, but it seems to be a good group. My mother has had a bad

week. It started with a UTI, which we got antibiotics for. She slept

most of the week. Thursday she started to have a lot of pain in her

head and abdomen. Her ascites in her belly is starting to swell again.

Most of the week I had to help her shower and use the bathroom. She

had the runs and she was also throwing up. She has been moaning and

groaning constantly. She kept crying and saying she was so tired of

the pain and wished it would end. We finished the antibiotics on

Saturday night. Some of her energy has come back yesterday and today.

She is now very agitated and angry. She yelled at me most of the day

yesterday. I had to go upstairs to get away from her and let us both

have some time alone. Well early this morning we were all woken up by

a hammer pounding and my mother yelling. She was getting upset at the

bathroom door down stairs because it would not shut properly. I am

almost afraid of what she could do. It is so weird how her moods

change so often and are so intense when they do. She is not an angry

person. I know it is the toxins and the disease itself that is causing

her anger. I think the Encephalopathy is starting to get worse again.

I feel so helpless. I feel like I just zone through life now, like I'm

a zombie or something. I don't know what is real any more. Well I am

taking my mom to the doctors this morning. Hopefully we can get her

ascites drained again. I wonder if there is some infection in there

and that is what is causing her so much pain. Thank you for being

willing to listen.

Stefanie

> > > >

> > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> Advanced

> > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes

> of

> > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

> for

> > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> had 5

> > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> takes 4

> > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

When the ascites starts getting bad a person is in pain and there is nothing

other than a paracectisis that will give a poor soul some relief, as far as I'm

concerned. For me the lasix won't even budge the ascites it does keep my ankles,

face and hands from swelling to bad.

 

Take it from experience, when a person is swelled up, in pain, uncomfortable day

after day after day it will have the tendency to have a person snap at you. I

went 44 years and never had an unkind word to say about any other human being,

as I started getting sicker there is no telling what crap would come out of my

mouth. As my personality changed I would bring it to the attention of my GI Dr.

and he would order my amonia level be checked. Almost all of the time my amonia

level was low and encephalopathy was ruled out. I was just sick and tired of

being sick and tired.

 

The procedure of a paracentisis is a peice of cake but it does not come without

it's share of worry. I have chewed my fingernails down to the quick worrying

over the upcoming pc  because my labs are always just inside the acceptable

range to have it done. I always have a high risk of bleeding and any pc has a

risk of infection. What is the alternative? ...Pop open?  A day before the pc I

start conjuring up all the worst case scenarios and worry till I'm sick to my

stomach. I have among everything else  OCD so thats just me I guess.

 

Best of luck.

 

Your Mom is in my prayers.

 

CLE

Subject: Re: liver Cirrhosis

To: livercirrhosissupport

Date: Monday, August 4, 2008, 12:24 PM

Diane

Sorry about your husband. I haven't been a member of this group for

very long, but it seems to be a good group. My mother has had a bad

week. It started with a UTI, which we got antibiotics for. She slept

most of the week. Thursday she started to have a lot of pain in her

head and abdomen. Her ascites in her belly is starting to swell again.

Most of the week I had to help her shower and use the bathroom. She

had the runs and she was also throwing up. She has been moaning and

groaning constantly. She kept crying and saying she was so tired of

the pain and wished it would end. We finished the antibiotics on

Saturday night. Some of her energy has come back yesterday and today.

She is now very agitated and angry. She yelled at me most of the day

yesterday. I had to go upstairs to get away from her and let us both

have some time alone. Well early this morning we were all woken up by

a hammer pounding and my mother yelling. She was getting upset at the

bathroom door down stairs because it would not shut properly. I am

almost afraid of what she could do. It is so weird how her moods

change so often and are so intense when they do. She is not an angry

person. I know it is the toxins and the disease itself that is causing

her anger. I think the Encephalopathy is starting to get worse again.

I feel so helpless. I feel like I just zone through life now, like I'm

a zombie or something. I don't know what is real any more. Well I am

taking my mom to the doctors this morning. Hopefully we can get her

ascites drained again. I wonder if there is some infection in there

and that is what is causing her so much pain. Thank you for being

willing to listen.

Stefanie

> > > >

> > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> Advanced

> > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several

episodes

> of

> > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

> for

> > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> had 5

> > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> takes 4

> > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Stefanie,

My heart goes out to you! I can read the desperation in your

message. I can so identify with the things you are thinking and

feeling right now.

There are days when I'm not sure if I can go on or not. Your heart

aches for your loved one but you also feel your own limits and know

you're precariously close to having taken all you can and be able to

hold it together.

It's a scary place to be. Then, you feel awful because you start to

chide yourself for being such a weenie and thinking about all your

loved one is going through. You feel weak and inadequate and angry

with yourself for not being stronger. And you're thinking " What in

the world is wrong with me? " ! Please know that I've been there so,

so many times.

I know the anguish of watching someone you love slowly leaving you.

I know the questions in your mind, the doubts about your own

abilities, the questioning of everything you do, think or believe. I

have learned this, you ARE stronger than you think. You WILL be able

to do whatever it takes to care for your Mom. You are HUMAN and

doubts are NORMAL.

Have you discussed your Mom's mood and personality changes with her

doctor? There may be something they can give her to help with that.

If it's bothering you, you know it's bothering her too. Inside

herself, she's probably upset with herself, yet cannot control the

emotions. I surely would talk to her doctor about it.

I just want you to know that I know and understand what you're going

through. I am praying for you, your Mom and your family. These days

are difficult, but you will make it through.

One more thing, as hard as it is, it sounds to me like your Mom has

reached the place where she is ready to go. I've had to say goodbye

to my own Mom and I know how painful that is. The hardest thing I've

ever had to do was sit beside her on her hospital bed and tell her it

was okay to go. That I loved her, we all loved her, and always

would, but we would be okay and that we would take care of Daddy. I

told her it was okay for her to go when Jesus called. Within 24

hours, that call came and Momma went with the Lord.

I miss her more than words can express, but I'd never bring her back

to suffer again, even if I could. But, I'll tell you honestly, it

took a while to really feel that way from my heart. My head felt it,

but my heart still screamed " No, I want her back, NOW, HERE!!! " .

It's been a little over 2 years now and I can honestly say that I am

happy that her suffering is over and I WOULD NOT BRING HER BACK. I

will see her again someday and I can't wait for that reunion!!!

Please try to give yourself a break and don't be so hard on

yourself. You are doing a wondeful job of taking care of your Mom.

You are giving her what no one else in this world can and when the

time for her leaving comes, you will be so thankful that you were

able to do so.

Love you Stefanie, and I'm praying for you.

Love and hugs........

Diane C. from TN

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> > Advanced

> > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several

episodes

> > of

> > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care

facility

> > for

> > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She

has

> > had 5

> > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy

and

> > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> > takes 4

> > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from

her

> > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Bob

That was a sas but inspiring story about your friend Ardis. She had

some of the same symptoms and reactions my mom is having. I wish I

could fix everything and make it better for my mom but I can't.

Thanks

Stefanie

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> > Advanced

> > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several episodes

> > of

> > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

> > for

> > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> > had 5

> > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> > takes 4

> > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

We went into the doctors today and my mom has to have a paracentisis

done tomorrow morning. I hope it goes well. They are also going to

check it for infection. She still has a UTI so they gave her some more

antibiotics. She just can't seem to get better. Her labs from last

week looked pretty bad also. The home health people are coming today

to set her up on oxygen. She is also yellowing, jaundice. Life if full

of struggles. I feel like I have lost myself. This is all consuming.

Stefanie

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> > Advanced

> > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several

> episodes

> > of

> > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care facility

>

> > for

> > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She has

> > had 5

> > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy and

> > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> > takes 4

> > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from her

> > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Diane

Thank you so much for the kind words of support. I feel so many of

those things you talked about. I took my mom to the doctors today. She

still has a UTI and they gave her a shot of antibiotics and another

prescription of them. Her labs from last week look really bad. Liver

bad and kidneys bad. She is starting to yellow (jaundice). A home

health care company is going to bring her some oxygen because her

oxygen is low. She is going in to have a paracentisis done in the

morning and they are going to test it for infection. I absolutely hate

watching her to go through this. I talked to our Relief Society

President in our church if she could come visit and also send visiting

teachers. I really need some help and support from others. I can't

deal with this alone. Both of my sisters are so afraid of her

condition that they don't visit often enough. My mom's sister refuses

to see her this way. I wish I could just run away some times. I love

my husband so much, but some times he doesn't seem to understand me. I

feel so alone. Thank you for being willing to listen, I know I really

need to let it out. I feel so much anxiety inside. I walk around like

I am in another world, just zoned. I can't figure out where time has gone.

Thanks for the support

Stefanie

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was diagnosed with

> > > Advanced

> > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had several

> episodes

> > > of

> > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in and out of the

> > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at a care

> facility

> > > for

> > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter and I. She

> has

> > > had 5

> > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI, encephalopathy

> and

> > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills daily and she

> > > takes 4

> > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid drained from

> her

> > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and advice.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Diane

Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so bad.

She was awake for two days. She was also very anxious and could not

sit still. It was very hard to keep her still. She was hallucinating

and believed that she was a baby at one time. She also told us to call

her dad who has been dead since 1990. She was doing so bad. She kept

getting into everything and putting things in her mouth. She was also

hysterically confused. It was very traumatic. She ended up in the

emergency room. Which they did nothing but test her blood and check

her urine. She still had a UTI. Well I left her in the ER to call my

husband and when I came back in the ER I found her walking around half

naked and dragging her torn up clothes bag around on her foot. The

doctors and nurses were just standing there doing nothing. I ran to my

mom and wrapped the hospital robe around her and took the bag off her

foot and walked with her. They ended up giving her a shot of haldol. I

was so upset with the ER. They would not admit her to the hospital.

Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation center she was in before

and we took her there. She was there for about 5 days. She is now back

at home and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

them. I hope all is going well for you and your family.

Your friend, Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> diagnosed

> > > with

> > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had

> > > several

> > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in

> and

> > > out of

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at

> a

> > > care

> > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter

> and

> > > I.

> > > > > She

> > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills

> daily

> > > and

> > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> drained

> > > > > from

> > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and

> > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Stefanie,

I'm so sorry to hear about you and your mom's experience with the ER. Where is

the compassion! How is your mom's encephalopathy now?

I agree Hospice folks are wonderful!

Praying for you, I know what a difficult time it is, you are not alone.

Pamela

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Diane

Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so bad.

She was awake for two days. She was also very anxious and could not

sit still. It was very hard to keep her still. She was hallucinating

and believed that she was a baby at one time. She also told us to call

her dad who has been dead since 1990. She was doing so bad. She kept

getting into everything and putting things in her mouth. She was also

hysterically confused. It was very traumatic. She ended up in the

emergency room. Which they did nothing but test her blood and check

her urine. She still had a UTI. Well I left her in the ER to call my

husband and when I came back in the ER I found her walking around half

naked and dragging her torn up clothes bag around on her foot. The

doctors and nurses were just standing there doing nothing. I ran to my

mom and wrapped the hospital robe around her and took the bag off her

foot and walked with her. They ended up giving her a shot of haldol. I

was so upset with the ER. They would not admit her to the hospital.

Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation center she was in before

and we took her there. She was there for about 5 days. She is now back

at home and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

them. I hope all is going well for you and your family.

Your friend, Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> diagnosed

> > > with

> > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has had

> > > several

> > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in

> and

> > > out of

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also stayed at

> a

> > > care

> > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband, daughter

> and

> > > I.

> > > > > She

> > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills

> daily

> > > and

> > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> drained

> > > > > from

> > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some support and

> > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Pamela

My mom has had a couple of good days. She has been sleeping a lot of

the time. Today she seems to have gotten some energy. She is a little

anxious right now. She is still a little confused, but I believe she

will always have that. I just hope her confusion doesn't get as bad as

it was last weekend. She kept talking about babies falling from the

sky. She would tell us to open the da...... door and let them in. She

was so confused. She is a very modest, spiritual person the swearing

and running around half naked was not like her. When she came out of

the deep confusion after a few days, she told me she felt like she was

sitting on a fence watching someone else in her body doing weird

things. It must be so hard for her to accept. I love her so much. I am

so glad I got hospice for her, I could not do it alone. It is kind of

weird sharing with people on the internet that I don't even know. I

just don't have anyone to talk to. My husband keeps telling me that I

don't have to feel the way I do. That I don't have to have anxiety and

depression. That I can change it. I hate it when he says those things,

it makes me so angry. Help?

Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> > diagnosed

> > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has

had

> > > > several

> > > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in

> > and

> > > > out of

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

stayed at

> > a

> > > > care

> > > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband,

daughter

> > and

> > > > I.

> > > > > > She

> > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills

> > daily

> > > > and

> > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> > drained

> > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some

support and

> > > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

(((Stefanie)))

I know how you feel. Those feelings are real, we do feel them and I think it

can be hard for others to understand. I think it is hard on husbands to see us

hurting so bad, they want to fix stuff. I don't know exactly what to do with

those feelings of depression and anxiety. I know the Lord tells us to cast all

our cares on Him, so praying and trusting that He is in control and will carry

this load if we will leave it with him. Beyond that, I don't know what to do.

I continue to tell my mind that the Lord is in control, but some times my heart

just doesn't hear and I carry this burden that isn't mine. I hope you find

peace.

Today is my birthday and I miss my mom so much. I wish I could have one more

day, one more chance to kiss her face and hold her hand. I know it is very

hard right now, and your mom is so very blessed to have you, hang on Stefanie!

I'm glad you have hospice to help you. I hope your husband can let you cry in

his arms and not try to fix you. I had to ask my dh to stop trying to fix me

and just let me cry, that helped things alot. He didn't know what I needed and

felt frustrated because he couldn't help, this gave him something to do, just

put your arms around me and let me cry, he can do that, be sure to ask!!

Pamela

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Pamela

My mom has had a couple of good days. She has been sleeping a lot of

the time. Today she seems to have gotten some energy. She is a little

anxious right now. She is still a little confused, but I believe she

will always have that. I just hope her confusion doesn't get as bad as

it was last weekend. She kept talking about babies falling from the

sky. She would tell us to open the da...... door and let them in. She

was so confused. She is a very modest, spiritual person the swearing

and running around half naked was not like her. When she came out of

the deep confusion after a few days, she told me she felt like she was

sitting on a fence watching someone else in her body doing weird

things. It must be so hard for her to accept. I love her so much. I am

so glad I got hospice for her, I could not do it alone. It is kind of

weird sharing with people on the internet that I don't even know. I

just don't have anyone to talk to. My husband keeps telling me that I

don't have to feel the way I do. That I don't have to have anxiety and

depression. That I can change it. I hate it when he says those things,

it makes me so angry. Help?

Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> > diagnosed

> > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has

had

> > > > several

> > > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has been in

> > and

> > > > out of

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

stayed at

> > a

> > > > care

> > > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband,

daughter

> > and

> > > > I.

> > > > > > She

> > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water pills

> > daily

> > > > and

> > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> > drained

> > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some

support and

> > > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Stefanie,

I am so sorry for your awful experience at the ER! I swear, I don't

know why some of these places call themselves hospitals!!! It is

unconscionable the way the treated your Mom and the way they allowed

things to transpire!

I am so glad you got your Mom into the Rehab facility for a few days

and allowed yourself time to de-stress a little. For me, the best

news however is that you now have hospice care. I am so relieved for

you! I can tell by the way you have written that it is already a

great relief for you. You know your Mom is receiving the best care

possible and you have help so that you don't feel alone in this. I

feel as though prayers have been answered for you and your Mom and I

praise the Lord for that!

Things have been pretty hectic here with my husband's illness as well

as taking care of my mother-in-law and my Dad. Daddy had to have

what we thought would be a minor surgery to repair an inguinal

hernia. Well, it turned out to be more complicated than we had

originally thought. He was hospitalized for a week and very sick,

but thankfully he is home now and doing so much better!

We are in the process of moving my MIL from the nursing home to an

assisted care living facility. We had to put her in the nursing home

back in March when she fell and broke her hip. She's so much better

now and is able to be in a more home-like and more independent

environment. She would like to come home, but I just can't do that

because of my husband's illness.

I never know when I will have to be with him at the hospital, which

would necessitate leaving her at home alone. Although she is much

better, she still needs someone with her 24/7 and I wouldn't have

anyone to call on at a moment's notice since my husband is an only

child. So, we think she will be much happier at assited care living

and we can still know she has someone with her 24/7.

Thankfully, during all of this, Terry (my hubby) has been doing

better and has been able to be at home alone for extended periods

while I'm out making the arrangements to move his Mom and while I was

helping at the hospital with my Dad. It seems the Lord has, yet

again, taken care of us! I am continually amazed at how good He is

to us!

Thanks for keeping me updated. I will continue to pray for you, your

Mom and your family. The disease is still there, but at least you

have help with her daily caregiving now and that is such a pleasant

relief! God bless you all!

Love and hugs........

Diane C. from TN

>

> Diane

> Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so

bad..........I left her in the ER to call my husband and when I came

back in the ER I found her walking around half naked and dragging her

torn up clothes bag around on her foot..........They would not admit

her to the hospital. Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation

center.....She was there for about 5 days. She is now back at home

and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

them..........

[Guest guest]

Diane thank you so much for your support. It means a lot to me. You

seem to have a heavy load yourself. I was wondering how old you are.

If you don't mind me asking. I am 31 years old and my birthday is on

the 25 of this month. Time goes by so fast. That is good that you

could get your mother in law in a care facility. Some places are very

good at taking care of people, I hope it is a good place. You have a

strong faith and you seem to be able to succor those in need. That is

a good quality. My faith is usually strong but at times it is very

weak. I know I need to trust more in my Father in Heaven and let him

take the heavy load I carry. It is so hard to accept things we don't

like and can not change. My husband keeps telling me that I don't need

to be depressed or anxious. That I need to have more faith. I feel so

angry inside when he tells me this. Last night I slept on the futon in

our office and I cried myself to sleep. I need Duane's support so

much, but I don't think he knows what to do for me. I also know that

he is also feeling pain for what my mother is going through and

doesn't know how to express himself. He has his job to escape to.

Well have a good weekend and I hope things go well with your mother in

law.

Your friend Stefanie

> >

> > Diane

> > Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so

> bad..........I left her in the ER to call my husband and when I came

> back in the ER I found her walking around half naked and dragging her

> torn up clothes bag around on her foot..........They would not admit

> her to the hospital. Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation

> center.....She was there for about 5 days. She is now back at home

> and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

> them..........

>

[Guest guest]

Pamela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I hope you had a good day today. Thank you for your support. I know my

husband loves me so much, its just hard to hear him tell me that I can

change the way I feel quickly. I feel a wall building between us. Well

have a good weekend and do something nice for yourself.

Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> > > diagnosed

> > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has

> had

> > > > > several

> > > > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has

been in

> > > and

> > > > > out of

> > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

> stayed at

> > > a

> > > > > care

> > > > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband,

> daughter

> > > and

> > > > > I.

> > > > > > > She

> > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water

pills

> > > daily

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> > > drained

> > > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some

> support and

> > > > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have

been

> > > > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Stefanie, I am appalled at the ER for letting you down so . I have witness a

similar thing with my father in law. Two years a go he was in an ER out here

with a UTI and he was very confused, I was in the waiting room alone, as they

were strict and would only let two at a time back with him, but there were three

of us there. So his wife, and my wife came out for a break and to see how I

was doing, and he woke all confused, got himself out of the gurney, and tore

out the IV line, and bled all over the floor. He had a bleeding catheter, and

made a huge mess. Well, the ER staff scolded us for leaving him. Like it was our

job to watch him! That is not the worst thing I have witnessed in the ER but

it's right up there. I am the biggest antifan of ER's. Hate em. At this point

I think id rather die than need their services. I do mean that. To me there are

worse things than death. Giving up our dignity to a bunch of jaded cynical half

doctors to me

is worse than death.

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Diane thank you so much for your support. It means a lot to me. You

seem to have a heavy load yourself. I was wondering how old you are.

If you don't mind me asking. I am 31 years old and my birthday is on

the 25 of this month. Time goes by so fast. That is good that you

could get your mother in law in a care facility. Some places are very

good at taking care of people, I hope it is a good place. You have a

strong faith and you seem to be able to succor those in need. That is

a good quality. My faith is usually strong but at times it is very

weak. I know I need to trust more in my Father in Heaven and let him

take the heavy load I carry. It is so hard to accept things we don't

like and can not change. My husband keeps telling me that I don't need

to be depressed or anxious. That I need to have more faith. I feel so

angry inside when he tells me this. Last night I slept on the futon in

our office and I cried myself to sleep. I need Duane's support so

much, but I don't think he knows what to do for me. I also know that

he is also feeling pain for what my mother is going through and

doesn't know how to express himself. He has his job to escape to.

Well have a good weekend and I hope things go well with your mother in

law.

Your friend Stefanie

> >

> > Diane

> > Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so

> bad......... .I left her in the ER to call my husband and when I came

> back in the ER I found her walking around half naked and dragging her

> torn up clothes bag around on her foot........ ..They would not admit

> her to the hospital. Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation

> center.....She was there for about 5 days. She is now back at home

> and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

> them........ ..

>

[Guest guest]

Happy birthday, Pamela. Love, Bobby

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Pamela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I hope you had a good day today. Thank you for your support. I know my

husband loves me so much, its just hard to hear him tell me that I can

change the way I feel quickly. I feel a wall building between us. Well

have a good weekend and do something nice for yourself.

Stefanie

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, My mother is 59 years old and was

> > > diagnosed

> > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > Advanced

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Cirrhosis of the liver in feb. 2008. She has

> had

> > > > > several

> > > > > > > > > episodes

> > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > Encephalopathy over the years. She has

been in

> > > and

> > > > > out of

> > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > hospital 7 times in 3 months. She also

> stayed at

> > > a

> > > > > care

> > > > > > > > > facility

> > > > > > > > > > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > > > a month. She now lives with my husband,

> daughter

> > > and

> > > > > I.

> > > > > > > She

> > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > had 5

> > > > > > > > > > > > > varices banded, she has ascites, edema, UTI,

> > > > > > > encephalopathy

> > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > dementia symptoms. She is now on 5 water

pills

> > > daily

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > > takes 4

> > > > > > > > > > > > > doses of Lactulose. She has had to have fluid

> > > drained

> > > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > > > stomach twice now. I really need some

> support and

> > > > > advice.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have

been

> > > > > removed]

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

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> >

[Guest guest]

Diane,

That is good news about your dad and that your husband has had a good week.

I hope your MIL adjusts well to the assisted living situation.

It is so good to hear what God is doing! Glad He is helping you and being your

strength!

Blessings,

Pamela

Re: liver Cirrhosis

Stefanie,

I am so sorry for your awful experience at the ER! I swear, I don't

know why some of these places call themselves hospitals!!! It is

unconscionable the way the treated your Mom and the way they allowed

things to transpire!

I am so glad you got your Mom into the Rehab facility for a few days

and allowed yourself time to de-stress a little. For me, the best

news however is that you now have hospice care. I am so relieved for

you! I can tell by the way you have written that it is already a

great relief for you. You know your Mom is receiving the best care

possible and you have help so that you don't feel alone in this. I

feel as though prayers have been answered for you and your Mom and I

praise the Lord for that!

Things have been pretty hectic here with my husband's illness as well

as taking care of my mother-in-law and my Dad. Daddy had to have

what we thought would be a minor surgery to repair an inguinal

hernia. Well, it turned out to be more complicated than we had

originally thought. He was hospitalized for a week and very sick,

but thankfully he is home now and doing so much better!

We are in the process of moving my MIL from the nursing home to an

assisted care living facility. We had to put her in the nursing home

back in March when she fell and broke her hip. She's so much better

now and is able to be in a more home-like and more independent

environment. She would like to come home, but I just can't do that

because of my husband's illness.

I never know when I will have to be with him at the hospital, which

would necessitate leaving her at home alone. Although she is much

better, she still needs someone with her 24/7 and I wouldn't have

anyone to call on at a moment's notice since my husband is an only

child. So, we think she will be much happier at assited care living

and we can still know she has someone with her 24/7.

Thankfully, during all of this, Terry (my hubby) has been doing

better and has been able to be at home alone for extended periods

while I'm out making the arrangements to move his Mom and while I was

helping at the hospital with my Dad. It seems the Lord has, yet

again, taken care of us! I am continually amazed at how good He is

to us!

Thanks for keeping me updated. I will continue to pray for you, your

Mom and your family. The disease is still there, but at least you

have help with her daily caregiving now and that is such a pleasant

relief! God bless you all!

Love and hugs........

Diane C. from TN

>

> Diane

> Wow it has been a hard two weeks. My mom had Encephalopathy so so

bad..........I left her in the ER to call my husband and when I came

back in the ER I found her walking around half naked and dragging her

torn up clothes bag around on her foot..........They would not admit

her to the hospital. Well I ended up calling the rehabilitation

center.....She was there for about 5 days. She is now back at home

and on hospice. The hospice people are so helpful, I love

them..........

[Guest guest]

Stefanie I am more than happy to be of help if I can be. I'm sorry

your and your husband are having problems through all of this. These

stressful situations can be difficult on those we love the most. I

find most men are wired to want to " fix things " , even those things

that cannot be fixed by human hands. It's all part of their God-

given nature to help and protect us and that means fixing our

problems.

When Momma was sick and dying, Terry was always trying to " help " me

by trying to take my mind off things and make me laugh. I know he

meant well and that he loves me, but there are just times when you

can't " take your mind off it " and laughing can't help you. As you

say about your husband, I know he was suffering too and he just

wanted to make me feel better.

My only real comfort during the whole process was knowing that the

Lord was always at my side and that He understood everything I was

going through. Also, I think there are just times when the only

answer is to grieve. It is a natural part of our humanness. Even

Jesus wept when he heard that his friend Lazarus had died.

As Christians, we are expected to be superhuman and never have

troubles or feel the burdens of our humanity. We're just expected to

remember to take those cares to Jesus and know that He can handle

what we can't. I'm no superChristian. I have moments of weakness

and I fall down a lot. But He has always been there to pick me up

and I know I can depend on Him to keep doing that. As long as I have

that assurance, I know I can face whatever I need to. Without that

assurance, I would crumble into a mass of mental depravity.

The new assisted living facility we have chosen for my MIL is

wonderful. My sister's FIL is already there and they are so happy

with the facility. It is so much more home-like than the nursing

home and she can regain a degree of her independence without

endangering herself. We are so excited about it and she is beginning

to be excited about it as well. That makes so much difference.

Try to enjoy your weekend. Maybe even find the time for you and your

husband to go out one evening and spend some time together while

someone with hospice looks after your Mom. Just a couple of hours

can make a real difference. Love you always! God bless!

Love and hugs..........

Diane

>

> Diane thank you so much for your support..............

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pamela and btw, Happy Birthday!!!

Love and hugs........

Diane C. from TN

>

> Diane,

>

> That is good news about your dad and that your husband has had a good

week............