Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday Afternoon in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 12 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Tuesday, August 31, 2010 about 12:36 PM Pacific Time

It's Tuesday afternoon and I'm thinking about lunch. I fixed buttermilk waffles for breakfast, but I didn't make them from scratch. Instead, I used the frozen waffles and the toaster. I toasted two waffles for Mom and two for me. I put peanut butter on Mom's waffles and butter with jelly on mine.

I'm worried about Mom because she doesn't seem to want to do anything for herself. She just sits on the couch or the love seat and talks about cleaning house, but that's all she does. I'm sure it has something to do with the Alzheimer's disease. Mom just sits and waits for me to fix the meals. I know she can fix her own sandwiches, but today she doesn't seem to want to do even that. I'm going to attempt to get her to sift the cat litter this afternoon.

This morning, I ask her to sift the cat litter and she got angry. Mom may think she already sifted it, but I can tell just by looking at the litter boxes that she didn't clean them. If Mom doesn't clean them this afternoon, then I will take care of them after she goes to bed because if I sift them while she is awake she will get angry because "I'm doing her job".

I have to start lunch now because I'm fixing squash and canned chicken. I have some leg quarters in the freezer, but I don't want to fix them until Thursday or Friday. September's budget is going to be bit tight because of the power bill, but we'll get by.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The sun is setting in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 11 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Monday, August 30, 2010 about 6:57 PM Pacific Time

Las Vegas sunset
The blue sky fades to gray-white
Monday already

I'm attempting an 8-hour work day. This morning I worked online 4 hours, I don't think I got very much done; however, I did write a 200-word blog ad. In approximately 30 days the compensation for the ad will hit my PayPal account and I will transfer it to my bank account. I won't receive a huge amount of money, but in this economy every little bit helps.

I'm sitting at my computer, looking out the living room window. I'm watching the blue sky fade to white and then gray. Night is approaching on the last Monday in August. I'm weary and I need a vacation, but the closest I will come to a vacation is five hours by myself. I have some time left on a Senior Care grant, which I have to use by the middle of September. I will use it either this Friday or next Tuesday to go to a park or to a movie. I need a few hours from care giving to recharge my batteries.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Last Satuday in August 2010

Jalál (Glory), 9 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Saturday, August 28, 2010 about 4:32 PM

It's Saturday and time to review the past week. Since I haven't decided whether it's been a good week or a bad week, I'm going to review the past month. The doctor increased the Galantamine tablets from 8MG to 16MG. I think the increased dose is helping Mom, but I'm not sure. Mom has taken them for about a week, so it's too early to say if they help. I will have to wait about three weeks before I know if the increased dose is helping.

According to the Doctor and the research I've did the standard Galantamine dose is 24MG. I have to take Mom back to the Doctor in about three months. I will know then if he is going to increase her daily tablet of Galantamine to 24MG. In the mean time, Mom seems to have a better day if we say morning prayers together, so when she sit down on the love seat or the couch I'll get my prayer book and read a couple of her favorite prayers.

Friday, August 27, 2010

A Beautiful Friday Afternoon in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Friday, August 27, 2010 about 12:51 PM Pacific Time

I am making stew this afternoon. I just cut up the roast and put it onto cook; when it is done then I will add some vegetable and other items. I have a package of green bean in the freezer, so that will go into the stew wit the meat later today. I am also going to add some spaghetti or pasta; I am not sure which right now. I have several ears of corn in the freezer, but I do not plan to use those today.

I have to go to the store tomorrow for some groceries. I need to sit down and write a list because I want to make sure I buy everything we need for the next week. Since I no longer work outside the house, I plan to stay home rewrite a novel, unclutter my hard drive and clean house. I should go to the laundromat, but I am not looking forward to the trip. However, if I do not go to the laundromat on Wednesday or Thursday, I will end up doing laundry in a bucket with a plunger.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Organizing My Life

Kamál (Perfection), 4 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Monday, August 23, 2010 about 3:56 PM Pacific Time

I am not an organized person, but at 63, I have to change and become organized. If I don't get a little organization in my life, I'm not going to get continue running in circles. I don't feel I have accomplished anything over the past few days. I seem to perform the same chores over and over without getting anything else done.

I am going to have to organize before the end of the month. At least, partly organized so that I can get my business going. I think I will end this entry here and then write a "to do list". I get the feeling I'm spinning my wheels without making any progress.

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Feast of Names

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Friday, August 20, 2010 about 4:47 PM Pacific Time

Last night, Mom and I attended the Feast of Asmá’ (Names). Before we went to the Feast, I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up Mom's medication and a couple of bottles of Arizona Iced Tea. After we left the pharmacy, we went to the Feast. The sun was shining almost directly into my eyes as I drove west on Charleston, so I missed my turn and had to take a slightly different route to the house where the Feast of Names was held, but we arrived safely at the Feast location.

Mom enjoys going to the nineteen-day feast. Her favorite parts of the Feast are the spiritual portion and the social portion. The hostess severed strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream. Mom ate two bowls and drink coffee. I had forgotten how good homemade whipped cream tastes. I am going to have to make some whipped cream myself.

Mom slept well last night; she did not wake up crying because of a bad dream. Mom always sleeps well after we attend the Feast.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It would be easier to do it myself

‘Idál (Justice), 18 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Wednesday, August 18, 2010 about 3:21 PM Pacific Time

Mom likes to do housework wash dishes, sweep and mop floors, etc. Mom has short-term memory problems and forgets to do some of the housework she plans. Mom has Alzheimer's disease and easily angers. Mom becomes angry when she finds me doing the things she considers "her job" because she thinks I am attempting to take "her job" away.

Mom gets in the middle of a chore, such as sweeping and mopping a floor, and forgets what she is doing. For the past three or four days, Mom has planned to sweep and mop her bathroom floor tomorrow. She finally got around to doing it today, but only after I took the mop bucket into the bathroom. Mom is mopping her bathroom because I started to do the job and she thought I was taking "her job".

It would be much easier and faster if I mopped the floor myself. As it is, I may have to mop the floor in her vanity room after she goes to sleep. If she catches me, she is going to be angry, but that is a chance I am going to have to take. I am going to have to start doing housework at night, after Mom is asleep because there is less of a chance she will catch me and get angry because I am doing "her job". I cannot convince her that doing housework is something we should share because Mom wants to do everything herself.

Monday, August 16, 2010

An Afternoon Nap

Kamál (Perfection), 16 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 16, 2010 about 2:54 PM Pacific Time

I have begun taking afternoon naps because for the past couple of days I stay up until after midnight. I don't get to bed until 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning and still get up when the alarm goes off at 4:00 AM. I could change the alarm, but I would rather take an afternoon nap. If I sit on the couch and doze, I don't sleep very long and I still wake up refreshed.

An afternoon nap
Dozing in the living room
Comfortable couch

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Took Mom to Supercuts today

Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Thursday, August 12, 2010 about 4:50 PM Pacific Time

I took Mom to Supercuts today. She got her hair washed and cut, while I only had mine cut. Since I have to use a special shampoo there is no reason for me to have someone else wash my hair. Mom does not have to use a special shampoo, so she can have the beautician wash and cut her hair. Mom enjoys the luxury of having someone else wash her hair.

Mom looks great with her hair short, she feels better as well. I think the next time we go to a beauty parlor; I will have a color put in Mom's hair. She will enjoy having someone else dye her hair, Mom used to dye her own hair, but I think a professional should do dye your hair. Besides, at 89 Mom should not have to put color in her own hair.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Mom’s prescription for her Alzheimer’s medication

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Wednesday, August 11, 2010 about 6:02 AM Pacific Time

Mom had an appointment with her doctor yesterday. At present, Mom is taking one GALANTAMINE ER 8MG capsule once a day. The doctor is changing the strength to a 16MG capsule once a day. She will take these for about two months and then I take her back to the doctor for a new prescription. I am looking forward to see what effect the new prescription strengtht will have on Mom.

The 8MG capsules have help some of the issues with Alzheimer's symptoms; however, the doctor says that 24MG is the recommended strength. I will see how Mom handles the 16MG capsules for two months and then take her back to the doctor. When Mom begins taking the new prescription strength, I will watch for side effects and the Alzheimer's symptoms. I realize there is no medication that that stop the disease completely, all we can hope for is to slow the progress of the disease.

My mother is 89 years old and wants to live 100. All medical science can hope to do is slow the progress of a disease that will eventually render her completely helpless and unable to recognize her own children, As her daughter, the only thing I can do is give her medication and say healing prayers. Mom's favorite healing prayer is the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah.

Monday, August 09, 2010

My Mother had a dream last night

Kamál (Perfection), 9 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 9, 2010 about 7:44 AM Pacific Time

Mom had a difficult night. She woke up about 11:00 PM wanting to call her parents to come and get her. Mom did not remember that Grandma and Grandpa died over twenty years ago. Mom knew her address here in Las Vegas; she just did not know where she was.

Mom wanted her purse and a telephone so that she could call her parents to take her home. This morning, Mom did not remember getting up and coming into the living room. Mom remembers waking up to find me in her room. Mom is not upset about her experience last night, which is good.

I suspect Mom had a dream, but did not realize it was a dream. This is the first time this has happened this year. Mom had a similar experience last year. I will talk to Mom’s doctor about it on Tuesday. I believe this is another Alzheimer’s episode and I have to get used to Mom waking me up at odd hours of the night.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Researching my Mother's medications

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Sunday, August 8, 2010 about 12:58 PM Pacific Time

My mother has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, August 10, at 8:00 AM; we need to be there by 7:45 AM. This means I have to get everything I need to take with me the night before, because if I do not assemble everything I need then I will forget something important. I also have to write down everything that I want to ask the doctor, so tonight and tomorrow I am researching a couple of Mom's medications.

Mom has Alzheimer's disease and the medication the doctor prescribed is Galantamine. I think the medication is helping, but I am not sure so I have to research to see if I need to ask the doctor any questions about it and other Alzheimer's treatments. Mom has doctor appointments about every three or four months and it is easier to ask the doctor questions at an appointment then between appointments.

The other medications Mom takes are Sertraline (which is due for a refill) Fludrocortisone, an Spironolactone (a water pill). I am researching them in the order listed. The tablets appear to work, but it does not hurt to do a little research before we go to the doctor on Tuesday.

Saturday, August 07, 2010

I discovered something about myself today

Jalál (Glory), 7 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Saturday, August 7, 2010 about 1:36 PM Pacific Time

This is one of those special occasions; I talked about in an earlier entry. Writing about a new discovery is always important, but when it is a personal discovery, it is even more important to write about because new discoveries are part of the process of transformation. I do surveys, today I discovered that I can only do a specific amount before I get tired of doing them. This means I have to unsubscribe to some of the survey panels.

I do not need to fill my e-mail boxes with surveys I will not do. The problem is decided which panels to keep and which to drop. I think I will drop them slowly over the next five months. That way I am sure to keep the panels, I like the most. I am going to have to keep a record of the ones I like to work with. Perhaps it would be easier to keep a record of those I do not care to use.

I think the first place to start is to determine how many surveys I want coming to each e-mail address. This is the easiest thing to do and then all I need to do is decide on the ones I want to keep. That will be a bit more difficult.

Friday, August 06, 2010

Food and my mother

Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Friday, August 6, 2010 about 3:52 PM Pacific Time

My mother needs to gain weight, but she does not eat very much at a time. Mom eats more when we go out then when we eat at home; however, it still is no a lot of food. The doctor gives her prescribed something to increase her apatite and it does increase her apatite. She still does not eat very much at a time.

Mom gets full quickly and once her stomach is full she stops eating, which is what people are supposed to do. I suspect the problem is what she eat, I do not think Mom gets enough variety at one meal. I let Mom get her own meals because it helps her to feel independent. Mom is in a much better mood when she feels independent.

I think one of the problems is that Mom does not cook anymore. When she fixes something to eat, she makes a peanut butter sandwich or eats cereal. If I cook eggs, Mom will eat an egg sandwich. In fact yesterday, she ate a peanut butter and egg sandwich. Mom likes peanut butter and puts it on almost anything she eats.

I will weigh Mom in the morning to see how much she weighs, I think she may have gained a few pounds, but she has not gained enough. Tomorrow for lunch, I am fixing orange barbecue steak, with sliced potatoes. Perhaps if I make special recipes she will eat more.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

I am planning to post every other day

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Wednesday, August 4, 2010 about 6:59 AM Pacific Time

After the difficulty posting I had yesterday, I am planning to post every other day to this blog. I am doing this because of a selfish motive. If I plan to post this way, I do not feel guilty when I miss posting to the journal. I intend making exceptions to this policy if the following occurs.
  1. A Baha'i Holy or holiday Day
  2. A holiday of some other type
  3. A special event occurs
  4. Mom has an especially good day
  5. Mom has an especially bad day
  6. Something wonderful or exciting occurs
  7. An interesting subject I am researching
Right now, these are the only exception I expect to occur. Of course, other exceptions will occur from time to time. The intriguing thing about life is that it is never static, something is always occurring and sometimes these events affect my life and writing.

Monday, August 02, 2010

I made Chicken and noodles last night

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 2, 2010 about 11:31 AM Pacific Time

I made chicken and noodles last night for supper. I made plenty because I wanted enough to warm over for lunch or dinner today. It is easier for me if I make a batch of food and have enough to last several days. Mom does not cook any more, so I have to make something that is quick and easy to heat up. Since the Microwave went out, I am heating everything up in the electric fry pan.

I need to have the stovetop and the oven fixed. So as soon as I get the power bill and the water bill paid, I am going to see if I can get someone in to fix those items. I am tired of cooking everything in either a slow cooker or an electric skillet. A new Microwave or a toaster oven would help, but if I get the stovetop fixed then I cannot buy either a Microwave or a toaster oven.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Spreading my wings on Sunday

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Sunday, August 1, 2010 about 4:06 PM Pacific Time

Today is Sunday, August 1, and I am spreading my creative wings. I am beginning a new writing project called a Journal of a Caregiver. My mother has Alzheimer's disease and I am her caregiver. The new project will contain my experiences about taking care of Mom.

Journal of a Caregiver is a working title for the project. I have not decided on a final title yet and probably will not decided until I have completed the writing. I plan to divide this "journal" into nineteen chapters with a introduction and an epilogue. Originally, I considered making 366 entries in the "journal", I want to divide those 366 entries into the nineteen chapters.