Welcome!

This is a journal of our lives with my mom, affectionately known as Little Mama. In her 90's, she is a sweet, spunky, spirited, sometimes exasperating, tiny little lady that now lives with moderate dementia and macular degeneration. These journal entries show the good times and the not-so-good times.

Little Mama's type of dementia is age-related and is not hereditary. Sometimes, she appears to be perfectly normal. Other times, it is obvious that something is amiss. It is her desire to remain in our home rather than live out her days in an assisted living facility. It is my prayer that we will be able to honor her in this way. We feel blessed...and challenged...that she lives in our home. This is not easy, and important things rarely are easy. It takes an emotional and physical toll on the caregivers. I've been through the 7 stages of grief at least once if not more! If you are in a similar situation, you understand what I mean! Fortunately, our family helps a lot both physically and emotionally. It takes a team.

The fourth commandment tells us to honor our parents. That is done in many different ways. If you are struggling with a decision, please pray and ask for guidance and wisdom. Our Lord will let you know how He wants you to honor them. Regardless of the way you honor your loved ones, you will need support. So build your team, whether it is from members of your family or a support group.

I am finally learning that: I can't fix it. I can't change it. All I can do is accept it, trust God, and roll with it. (My condensed version of the Serenity Prayer.) We are learning to relax, laugh, and savor every moment we have with my mom on this side of Heaven.

So, scroll down.... read the entries...laugh and cry with us.

Blessings!
Lisa

















Saturday, April 20, 2013

Catching up....January and February 2012 journal entries


January 13, 2012:
Supper was soooo good!!! My little mama loves fried chicken. So I fried chicken...and we had rice and cream gravy, and English peas. We were too full to eat the homemade apple crisp. Man, was it ever good!!! So glad I joined a gym.... gonna need it just to maintain my overweight status. :)Supper was soooo good!!! My little mama loves fried chicken. So I fried chicken...and we had rice and cream gravy, and English peas. We were too full to eat the homemade apple crisp. Man, was it ever good!!! So glad I joined a gym.... gonna need it just to maintain my overweight status. :)

January 15, 2012:
Oh, my goodness! I am going to have to SERIOUSLY exercise daily to avoid a huge weight gain. Cooking - and eating - a lot. But you should see how much my little mama is eating! Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 sausage patty, a small helping of grits, 1 and a half pieces of toast with grape jelly. She's on her 2nd cup of coffee. Much stronger than this time last week!

January 20, 2012:
Soooo pleased with my mom's progress. Eleven days ago, she walked 5 feet, her legs gave way, and she collapsed into my arms. She needed help with everything. Fast fwd to this morning.... She walked out of her bedroom, fully dressed (and matching...done without assistance), went to the kitchen and got herself a cup of coffee. Stronger and less confused by the day. Awesome!

January 29, 2012:
My little mama went to church with us today! It's a long way from the parking lot to the pew in the sanctuary...but she did great!!! I think she really enjoyed herself and was so surprised and pleased with the greetings she received. Then she played with her great grandchildren. Great day!!

February 2, 2012:
Took my mom to PT. She's at 40% in strength and endurance. We have room to grow but definitely will get there! PT 2 x a week plus walking here is a great start.

February 5, 2012:
Oh, my.... I think it is going to be an interesting (and long) night. My mom didn't believe me when I told her it was time to go to bed. I helped her get her pj's on, brush her teeth. Then she says, "What am I supposed to do now?" I said, "Go to bed....it's almost 10:30." She says, "Ahhhkkk.... I guess if I have to." I ushered that tiny person into her room and tucked her into bed. Wonder how long she will stay there.... 

February 24, 2012:
UPDATE! My little mama had a check-up today. She has gained 8 pounds since January 9th. Bp, blood work - everything - looked great. She hoisted herself up in the big Tundra truck. That is no small feat...especially for someone who, on January 9th, collapsed in my arms after walking 5 feet. Thank you, Jesus, for her improvement.

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