Stroke

[amoeba15]

Packerbap,

You and your mom are in my prayers. I am glad that your mom has decided to sell her place and stay with you. It is incredibly difficult to separate an older relative from a home which has so many memories.

When my Grandmother refused to leave her home in Philly, PA, I made sure that she received Meals on Wheels, medical care and a person who came in once or twice a week to clean her house. In the early 90's, such services were available to senior citizens who required assistance and did not cost my Grandmother any money. Hopefully, your mother has similar opportunities, but I am sure that the current economy has caused many cutbacks.

Hopefully, there is a way to recapture some of the costs that you are spending on meds. for your mom. Contacting your local elected officials and/or senior citizen groups might provide some additional insight, although, I know that you are very resourceful and have probably done your homework.

I am certain that Harley is a heart warming addition to your family.

God Bless.

[packerbap]

Got the news today that Mom is clear of C-Diff. Now we can go places and move forward with her future.

Still working on that sleep thing. Last night she was up 6 times and my niece 2 times. At least Harley can sleep through everything.

[thegreenmeanie]

I am very happy to hear about the C-diff. That stuff can be quite evil, and it will definitely be a boost for her with it gone. I hope the sleep thing gets better and good luck to you both!

[amoeba15]

That's great news.

Now, to address the sleep issue --

Amoeba's Hot Toddy recipe for a good night sleep:

1 tbsp honey
3/4 glass tea
2 shots Jack Daniels
1 slice lemon

OR...

A Glass of Warm Milk: The Universal Cure for Lack of Sleep
Chamomile Milk Tea at Bedtime for a Deeply Restful Sleep
Chamomile and Lavender Quick Bread
Vervain: Known as the Holy Herb of Protection and Divination
Lavender Herbal Sleep Pillow
Herbal Solutions for Sleeping Difficulties
Chamomile: Calming Herbal Muscle Relaxant provides Tension Relief
Hops: The Herb of Deep and Restful Sleep
Motherwort: Sedative for the Heart
Lemon Balm: A Panacea which Both Calms and Lifts the Spirit

www.absolutecomfortonsale.com/a-recipe-for-sleep.htm

[packerbap]

Mom will be going to the adult day center for the first time tomorrow. At first they told me she needed two more negative stool samples but then changed their mind...yea! At some point this week the for sale sign will be posted at the house. My brothers, nephews, friends, and I spent Friday and Saturday cleaning and relocating items. The bed from my guest room which I've had since 4th grade was taken to Good Will to make room for my mom's bedroom set. She's so excited to be sleeping in her own bed.

She is telling her friends that my house is now her home and plans on staying here until I can't take care of her. I'll keep figuring it all out. Thank goodness for family and friends. My neice spent a few days and wants to come back. Looks like things are in place until summer. We'll see.

I'm going to unsticky this thread. The support from all of you has helped through a difficult time. Please if you think you or someone else appears to be having a stroke assume they are and seek medical help. I've also found that there is not enough support for family members of those who have suffered a stroke and/or develop vascular dementia because of a stroke.

[packerfanfran]

Bap..if you unsticky this thread, please let us know how things are going every once in a while. OK?

[TW]

There are several stroke support groups on the internet. They spend as much time dealing with the caregivers needs as they do the actual survivor of the stroke. They have some darned good advice, and you can ask questions, and get straight answers from people who have been there, and are living in the moment related to strokes.

There is a support group in Milwaukee, and they can give you info about other local groups, even closer to where you are. Here's the info on the Milwaukee group at St. Luke's

St. Luke's Stroke Club
2901 W KK River Pkwy #106
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215
[phone]

You'll find there are a lot of help forums for caregivers. You have to pick and choose which ones work best for you.

I was one of the founders of Stroke Connection, and left there after being part of it for four years. It's grown enormously, but the guy who is responsible for most of it is Steve Mallory, who has been a survivor/activist, despite being a parapalegic due to his stroke.

He's never let anything stop him, and the people he talks with, and works with, are about the most knowledgeable in the field, because - as I said - they are living the life.

You can google a lot of sources of information and forums out here. There are some good ones. If anyone has any questions about a particular forum, just ask. I'll be more than happy to do what I can to get information about it. I still have a few friends in the field.