Gosh, Ms. Barbara ... I hope things improve for you right away. Without more details, cannot give much more comment. Good luck to you.

One huge thing that keeps getting stressed to us caretakers is that we have to make time to take care of ourselves. I know you want to make sure that your mother is OK and all that. But at what cost?

Cast your plans for next weekend IN STONE! Don't let any calls from your mother or brother get in the way. If they can't handle you having a weekend to indulge yourself then they have bigger issues than can be solved by family.

You have EARNED a lot of "you time". A LOT of it!

I wanted to go to gardens near our home for my birthdsy. July three. There was memorial service for father in law co-worker that day and husband had to take him. It took up most of the day. I told my husband I wanted to go to gardens this Wednesday or Thursday. Well, that didnt happen. His old military base was coming into town to take the kids to the zoo. Husband wanted to go take pictures and talk to people from base. He ended up with toes injured from shoe rubbing and stiff legs. It will probably another week before he can take a long walk around the gardens. I also thought the zoo would help my stress, but cause of difficulties trip was just more stress. Tuesday he promised to do taxes for man in old soilders home. Trying to find the place was stressful, then the man that was to meet us to take us to old soilder never showed up. I was stressed again. Waiting a half hour wondering if we were going to have to make this long trip again.
There is a little more to the story but I will stop for now.
Barbara

Don't think negatively honey. We have to keep a positive attitude when thinking things aren't going to happen or work out, before something has even happened. We are here to support you all the way. And I agree with Pepper as well! Hugs