Battling MI whilst caring for someone with MI

[Bella1978]

@outlander and @utopia

im just about to hit the sack (sad i know as its not even 9pm yet lol!) ... will respond to both of your messages tomorrow xxxxxxxxx

[outlander]

Sleep well @Bella1978 xox

[utopia]

@Bella1978. Sweet dreams

[Bella1978]

@utopia

Hey sweets, how are you?

Yeah, it was pretty full on with all those docs, etc in the meeting. And it is the first time I have had a ‘family meeting’ like that before. Very true that delirium can take a long time to recover. Past few days she has been pretty good actually, not getting upset which has been really nice. I even took her for a drive on Friday which was lovely.

They still haven’t ruled out dementia. They are going to do cognitive function testing. They had to wait until she stabilised to do the testing otherwise, the results wouldn’t be accurate if she was still experiencing delirium.

You make a lot of good points – thanks luv. I do worry about her coming home. this break has been good for me. mum is in a good place with round the clock care, and she is socialising with her peers. OMG – she even did some colouring in!! I was so proud of her utopia … I tried getting her to do some when I visited her – she wouldn’t have a bar of it! I actually had tears in my eyes when the nurses told me – it was so nice that she started doing those things.

Thanks for the tip re: the book … ive just googled it – is it called ‘the brain that changes itself’ by norman doidge? That refers to plasticity of the brain. There was a book that Sophia1 mentioned in a thread about carers looking after themselves – ive ordered that one online, just waiting for it to arrive.

Yep, mum’s neurologist said that when mum had the stroke, other parts compensated for what had happened. Im so pleased your brain got on the job and did what it had to do! Hehe 😊 you know the strange thing is luv, mum’s memory wasn’t affected after her stroke however, as I look back on the past 18 months I think her brain has deteriorated with her depression/anxiety and I saw that she wasn’t coping as she was. It is only now that I can reflect that I see that.

I agree that I shouldn’t focus on worst case scenarios. I’ll be honest though – I have been thinking about the future – for both mine and mum’s, and the different scenarios that may eventuate and what needs to be done practically. Im someone that likes to organise and know what is happening. At this stage, I can research but not put anything in place – frustrating but something I am getting used to as I have to! Lol

You’ll be so proud of me 😊 I had my massage yesterday (finally lol!) which was nice and then went for lunch with my friend. I was trying to be mindful while I was being massaged. I used to be good at it, um, not so much anymore! Haha

So pleased you did your walk yesterday, and you’re improving with your time! Feels good, doesnt it?? how was Dog after the walk? No doubt exhausted but loving his mama!

Im the same luv, I feel better in the warmer months – not a fan of the winter, and im noticing my joints aint liking it either!

What you up to today?

How is your mood luv? do you feel a difference with the increase of meds? Have the side effects decreased? I hope so. How is your son? is he behaving or still stressing you out? Tell him Bella1978 said not to stress his mother out, okay? Good 😊

xxxx

[Bella1978]

@utopia

ooh, just found another book called Neuroplasticity: the secret behind brain plasticity by david douglas. could it be that one??

xx

[Bella1978]

@outlander

Hey luv. im ok with it cause I know they are doing further testing and not rushing it. they are ruling everything else out before saying it is dementia. It is hard as I cant plan for when mum is discharged but I need to patient.

Im going to see mum in a couple of hours. Im trying to just go every second day instead of every day, was getting too much.

How are you feeling luv? I did respond to your thread in ‘worried’ … I hope what I wrote helps. How is your pop? Being a carer gets so overwhelming and I have burnt myself out many times however, not realised it at the time. Hope to hear from you soon luv. and sorry I haven’t been online the past few days. I do think of you often and wonder how you are going xxxx

[utopia]

@Bella1978. It was definately the first book you mentioned. Not the last one. A really good book and easy to read.

As I was reading about you getting the massage, in my head I'm saying finally, and there it was written at the end of the message. lol. Great minds think alike.

I read up a bit on vascular dementia. The main thing is to try and prevent further strokes. I don't think your mums high blood pressure helped.  I think my stroke was from high blood pressure - undiagnosed and a blood clot that we found in my leg. It was 16 cms long when that was discovered. I know. Wow.

Glad to hear Mum haas been doing so much better the past few days. And she finally went on a drive. Where did you go?

I was up all night last night. Pain in my hip from the walk. Finally took some over the counter pain mes at 4.30 this morning. Was on a facebook site where there was a very intense conversation going on about whether people have the right to take their own lives. Mainly those of faith were adament that God will take you when he's ready and that it's a sin to suicide. I definately was on the other side. Then a lady commented that she had depression ONCE and she didn't even think of suicide. Well that set me and another lady on high alert. Spent hours educating people about Depression and telling the truh about preconceived ideas. Like all MI's can be treated. etc. Anyway triggered a lot of childhood memories. So was really hard to finally fall asleep.

I slept all day, only waking up for two 15 minute times to check on the boy and go to the loo. Finally woke up at 5pm.  Then took my meds I was meant to take this morning. Looks like maybe I forgot to take them yesterday. oops.

Very tired still. Hope I can sleep tonight.

[outlander]

Hey @Bella1978

Ok im glad they are doing everything they can to work out what is happening.
Going every second day sounds like a good idea and more manageable for you too.

Oh yes, i do remember reading but was tired so will go and have a look over there. Thank you.

Hoping today was a good one for you. And also no need to apologise for not being here as much. Youve got alot on your plate.
Hugs ❤

[outlander]

Morning @Bella1978 i havent seen you for a few days. Hoping your ok... 

[utopia]

Hello @Bella1978. I hope all is well and that you are not on the Forum because you've been taking a few days to look after you. 

Hope your mum is still improving.

Sending my love.