Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Once Upon A Time.........


I know, you are saying, "what, is this truly Dazee, come back from the void of time".  

Why yes, yes it is.  

It's been a year.  Or should I say 18 months.  My mom has been through 5 hip surgeries.  Then she had a hernia around her belly button area.  Surgeon went in last fall to fix it, and came out to the consultation room and told me that her poor stomach looked like swiss cheese.  She had seven, yes you read that right, seven hernia's.   He said that is the most he has ever seen at one time.  Like I've always said, when my mom does something, she does it better than the rest.  

My dad, went into the hospital last September.  We thought he had had a stroke, because he just fell and couldn't talk.  He had already been diagnosed with dementia and what we thought was Parkinson's.  At the first of this year, we found out it actually was just dementia with Lewy Bodies.  Just dementia, yikes.  There is nothing like just dementia.  Anydumbdisease, he never came back home.  He ended up in a care/rehab center, and then we finally got him on medicaid so we could move him to a private assisted living center.  I spend the last 7 months watching my dad go completely downhill.  They did a brain scan in March and he had a ton more lesions on his brain.  The doctor gave him 6 months to a year.  It was only 4 weeks later that he passed away.  I, along with a few of my siblings, was there when he took his last breath.  I am so grateful that I was able to witness and finally see my dad out of pain and not being able to do anything for himself. 

So yeah, that's how I've spent my last winter, spring, summer, fall, and winter vacation.   My mom moved in with me and Mr. Dazee in a part of our house that was just made for someone like her.  She has her own bedroom, bathroom, and living room, even her own entrance.  She just has to share the kitchen and laundry room with us.

I have to say, it's been a joy having her around.  Especially because she loves to cook and bake and wasn't able to the last few years when they were living in the retirement place they were in.  Me and the hubster haven't eaten so well.  And the best part.  She feels like it is her responsibility to do the dishes.  I know, right!  


9 comments:

  1. Welcome back! :) I've missed your writing. :(

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  2. It's good to have you back. I checked your blog like 2-3 days ago feelind that you're coming ... and .... hello! :D

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  3. You have been through so much. I'm glad you still have your sense of humor and that you can settle back down into a less exhausting routine. And glad you are back to blogging.

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  4. So happy you are back:)

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  5. So sorry for your very rough year and the loss of your father. How wonderful to have your mom with you now. Happy to see you back DD, and I love the hummingbird up top.

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  6. You are an angel or an angel in disguise. You must have come from a lineage of angels. Your mom has raised you just right. You are blessed, I would say.

    I did not get a chance to care for my parents. My Dad died the day before I went back to India to see him.( as he was suffering from Pancreatic cancer.) They do not wait for the funeral for loved ones to arrive from abroad.. Go figure
    .
    I took care of my mom only for a week when she had a stroke and was hospitalized. They let me stay there.
    As soon as she was able to write, she wrote that my life is with my hubby and kids and I should not stay there and go back to NY. That is our culture and I had no say. My sister in Law took care of my mom for four months till she died. My husband is a darling, I know he would have adjusted. I regret not being there for my mom.

    You had a hard time and I would be very proud of you. I am sure your mom is:)

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  7. OMG! Why didn't you tell me it was Lewy Bodies!? That's what my aunt had. I hadn't ever heard of it and now I'm hearing it all over the place and seeing it in obituaries. Lewy Bodies is really weird, Parkinson like and also afflicting people with dementia like symptoms as well--sundowners, hallucinations. Awful.

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  8. Thanks for this touching post. It's nice to be back in touch after my long absence, then yours. I am so glad you have your mother with you - such a gift! I'll again be following...cj

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  9. Yay welcome back. :) I like your blog changes, they look good. How awesome you were able to be with your dad before the end. :)

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