Where we are now....

[Guest guest]

This is a note I just sent to Mom's neurologists. I'll let me know when I

hear back and I'd love to hear what you all think.

Gladys

-------Original Message-------

From: Gladys Stefany

Date: 9/10/2008 12:41:17 PM

We started Mom on the salt tablets, but haven't seen much improvement. She

is still falling almost daily now. It's like her legs just give out because

we always find her in a side sitting position on the floor.

She requires assistance with almost all daily living skills at this point

and she sleeps 80% to 90% of the day. We have to wake her to eat and to

shower and she complains vigorously when we do. Her legs are very stiff and

hard to move. We got her a walker but, cognitively she can't figure out how

to use it.

A few days ago, she said " I didn't think this would take this long. " I knew

what she was saying and I know she knew what she was saying. It broke my

heart to hear her say it, but I understand. I would feel the same way in

her position.

I'm just confused. I only want to do what is best for her and that means,

to me, what will make her the most happy and comfortable. She can't read a

book, follow a TV show, or a conversation. She hates being outside and does

not want to walk anymore. We have to force her outside and try to make her

walk up and down the ramp we had built on the back of the house but, she no

longer sees the point and gets angry at us for making her do it.

She does NOT want to shower anymore and its becoming a problem. We think

she is terrified of falling and extremely embarrassed because we have to

wash her hair and help her in and out. She used to be a two shower a day

person and now its a battle to get her to shower or change her clothes.

Also, we can't shower her unless there are two adults in the house because

she panics and fought my daughter the other day and Ruthie was terrified

because Mom was wet, slippery, and Ruthie was afraid she couldn't hang on to

her.

I'm not sure what to do. I would appreciate it if you could take a good

look at her meds to see if there is something we could be doing better. I

do not want the hallucinations to come back (she still has mild ones)

because when they do she is agitated, irritated, and frightened. Her

quality of life really suffers when the " people " are present. Perhaps there

is nothing we can do and just letting her comfortably sleep is the best

thing. I just want to be sure I'm doing the right thing by her.

Thanks for listening and always being there.

Gladys Stefany