Journal

Hi Barb, I hope you are able to let go and let God during your short "break" and that caring for the young ones will rejuvenate you. I also want to make a couple of comments about depression. One is that your mom never had it. Sadness and depression - grief and depression - are not the same thing. So many people use the word "depressed" when they really mean sad or something else. If your mom only showed sadness/grief for two weeks after the death of her life partner, that isn't depression - that's just normal grief. What is unusual is that it was so short a time. Consider that in fact she may have been hiding her emotions and putting on a brave front for the sake of her children. Indeed if she was able to go on with a stiff upper lip, she was a woman of admirable fortitude.
Depression isn't just an emotional state. It has an organic cause and exhibits many symptoms. These often include things like loss of memory, inability to concentrate, sleeping too much or too little, lack of interest in things once enjoyed, irritablility, and yes - a low mood - but this later is something that persists for longer than two weeks.
Although therapies for depression are many and varied, one of the best is getting involved in caring for other people. So your caring for your grandchildren may be just what the doctor ordered. I know you have been caring for your mother for a long time, but when you are dealing with a disease that has no real cure, it can go the other way and worsen your depression because of the feeling of helplessness one gets when coping with incurable things.
Anyway - I'm glad you are getting a week away. Don't feel guilty about it either (smiles). God Bless, Marti

Awwwww bye bye! Have fun!!

The time away will be good for you. You need a break! Besides, the grands will keep you busy :) Have fun and we'll catch up when you return.

enjoy your break take care of you then when you get back then take care of your mom

Im sorry you are going through this. I cant imagine the fear and pain of losing my mom. Shes all Ive had in all of my life. My heart and prayers are with you!!! iM HERE IF U NEED ME

I know, at leat I think I know, what you're going through. Over the past few years my father has spent various occations in the hospital. Each time I/we were told to prepare for the worst. At times I felt like I was on a death watch, including this past time when it actually was one. You do tire of hearing it and on some level you just want it to end. IMO, that's not a reflection of our thoughts about our loved ones with Alz but our thoughts about our own mental well being. I hope things improve for everyone, soon.

Ah sweetie you really deserve a little "barb" time soon. Wouldn't it be nice if just once the doctors would say "prepare for the best" ?

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Susan

hi barb, hon you hang in there not all facilities are bad .. You have to trust God and pray someone in that facility that is saved and wants to be there for the residents . God will place someone there for your mother to reach out to her in love so that her time spent there will be good you just have to keep believing. I know we hear it all the time where i work.. one of my supervisors say it all the time if one passes her comment is " well it comes in threes" and then they name off who they think could be next. Its sad but what can you do. So many want to believe statistics instead of hearts. Also so many nurses get burnt out from that field of work from working it for years on end . You just keep your chin up and know that if you have prayed over this then you can trust God to see you and your mother thru it. I will keep you in prayer too .. hugs carrie

What they're not saying is that they can't keep patients as long as they'd like to anymore ... insurance dictates, not doctors. Give her a hug from me! Hugs to you, Pattie

((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))) For everything you are doing for your Mom. She's so blessed to have you.
xoxoxo