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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / November 2005Mom is worried, need some Purrs (OT)
Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". I've already acknowledged he is in early stages of altzheimers. He's a lymphoma survivor and has also had two surgeries for blockages in his legs, one of which didn't "take" so they did a vein graft from one leg and rerouted the artery in the other one. Mom said he hasn't left the house in 5 days. He just sits in bed, reading. Dad has always been very active. At the very least he'll get up and watch the news and read a book while watching TV (and call me to fuss at me about my job situation). Mom says he doesn't even have the energy to do that. She's worried about him. At the same time, I think she has resigned herself to the fact that she's going to be a widow sometime soon. When I told her I wished there was something I could do to help she said, "Jill, there's nothing anyone can do." Fatalistic, if you get my drift. Purrs please, for my dear old Dad... he's a pain in the a.s but I know I'm going to lose him soon. Purrs for my Mom, too, who has been married to him for over 50 years. But she's strong... she'll manage. I'll help her. Jill Lots of purrs and best wishes for your dad to regain his energy, Polonca and Soncek > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Mom said he hasn't left the house in 5 days. He just sits in bed, reading. > Dad has always been very active. <snip> purrs for your dad...:( thinking of you  SignatureThere are many intelligent species in the Universe. They are all owned by cats. Anonymous One cat just leads to another. -Ernest Hemingway > Lots of purrs and best wishes for your dad to regain his energy, > Polonca and Soncek [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Mom said he hasn't left the house in 5 days. He just sits in bed, reading. > > Dad has always been very active. <snip> > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Jill I just had a talk with my "kids" to send purrs your way. Purrs for Miss Persia & Peaches, too, in case you end up relocating to help out. kili <snip> > Purrs please, for my dear old Dad... he's a pain in the a.s but I > know I'm going to lose him soon. Purrs for my Mom, too, who has been > married to him for over 50 years. But she's strong... she'll manage. > I'll help her. > > Jill Lots of purrs for your Dad, most of them are a pain in the a.s sometimes, but you only get one. Purrs for your Mom too. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". Purrs for a smooth transition when it becomes due time Gordon & the FF >Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >Jill Oh Jill. I am so sorry. I don't know of anything I am more afraid of, for myself or my family, than Alzheimers. Purrs for your mom, and you, too. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". I've got all of the furkids revved up and purring their best for your dad and the rest of your family. Dan > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Jill Purrs for you, your Mom, and your Dad too. Maybe his health problems and not feeling well has caused depression to set in. Your mom is kind of right, though. You can only do so much. We practically hog-tied my father and took him to a geriatric psychiatrist. They gave him Effexor and it worked *wonders*. Until he decided six months ago he wasn't going to take it anymore. Now he is worse than he was before. I can't make him take his meds. You just try the best you can. Good luck. Sherry > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > one of which didn't "take" so they did a vein graft from one leg and > rerouted the artery in the other one. <snip> > Jill The one type of "interference" I would recommend for you and your siblings is to *insist* that your father have a complete medical checkup. You can't simply assume that he has Alzheimer's unless he has had that diagnosis (which is still based on an evaluation because AFAIK there still is no "test" for Alzheimer's). However, there are many other medical conditions that can cause similar problems, and your reference to previous surgeries could be a indicator of some of them (poor circulation, for example, or ischemic strokes). Make sure he is checked to rule out the possibility of something that could be treated or at least delayed. I know how hard this is. My father had triple bypass surgery when that was still a "new" procedure but lived 25 years. Each trip to the hospital was painful for all of us and reminded us of how short life is. MaryL > The one type of "interference" I would recommend for you and your siblings > is to *insist* that your father have a complete medical checkup. You can't [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > could be a indicator of some of them (poor circulation, for example, or > ischemic strokes). That is a good point, Mary. Especially when vascular problems are already present in the legs, the carotid artery can become occluded and it really impairs the person's ability to think clearly. Symptoms are a lot like alzheimers. Sherry >> The one type of "interference" I would recommend for you and your >> siblings is to *insist* that your father have a complete medical [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry Mom had laser surgery to clear the blockage in her carotid artery about 6 months ago. For a long time the surgeons were afraid to operate for fear it would cause the clot to break up and go into her brain and cause a stroke. But they did it and it worked wonders and she's fine and dandy and pretty spry at age 79. Dad doesn't seem to have any blockages like that. He's just 'elt' (as my Scottish grandmother used to say). Jill >> Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > has had that diagnosis (which is still based on an evaluation because > AFAIK there still is no "test" for Alzheimer's). With all due respect... he's 81 years old and we know he is not as cognizant as he used to be. He repeats himself constantly and forgets that he has already told me things to the point where he'll call and tell me 3-5 times over again. However, there are > many other medical conditions that can cause similar problems, and > your reference to previous surgeries could be a indicator of some of > them (poor circulation, for example, or ischemic strokes). Definitely poor circulation and possible small strokes, although he can still get around but... he's using a cane after the surgery in his leg. Mom had the same surgery 10-12 years ago and she's doing fine. Dad isn't. He insisted she get out and walk around but he won't take the same advice for himself. > he is checked to rule out the possibility of something that could be > treated or at least delayed. He goes to the doctor once a month (mom drives him, thank goodness). > I know how hard this is. My father had triple bypass surgery when > that was still a "new" procedure but lived 25 years. Each trip to > the hospital was painful for all of us and reminded us of how short > life is. > > MaryL LOL! I'm sorry to laugh, but my boyfriend had quintuple bypass surgery in 2004. He's 59 years young (I'm 45). I hope John lasts another 25 years but if he doesn't I'll blame myself for reasons which are best not discussed here! <EBG> Jill >>> Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". >>> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > already told me things to the point where he'll call and tell me 3-5 times > over again. Yes, this is very common in the elderly. My mother is 89 and has lost a great deal of cognition and short-term memory. However, she can describe in great (and accurate) detail some events from many years ago. I really wasn't trying to be obnoxious, although I get the impression from your reply that it appeared that way to you. I simply know that there are some forms of dementia and other illnesses of the elderly that can at least be allievated somewhat, and many people are not aware of it. > However, there are >> many other medical conditions that can cause similar problems, and [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >> > He goes to the doctor once a month (mom drives him, thank goodness). That's good and answers my concern. I thought from your message that nothing at all was being done, possibly because he wouldn't accept or possibly because your mother was fatalistic about it. >> I know how hard this is. My father had triple bypass surgery when >> that was still a "new" procedure but lived 25 years. Each trip to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jill The reason I mentioned 25 years is that my father had his bypass surgery when it was literally in its "infancy." The surgery was performed by the same medical team that originated it. At the time, they said they "hoped" to be able to give him 5 years, but instead he lived 25 years and it was a far better-quality 25 years than he had for a few years before the surgery. My father was 52 when the first surgery was performed. MaryL Purrs and prayers everything goes well for everyone. Lily & her mama Jazz, RB SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Jill > Purrs please, for my dear old Dad... he's a pain in the a.s but I know I'm > going to lose him soon. Purrs for my Mom, too, who has been married to > him > for over 50 years. But she's strong... she'll manage. I'll help her. > > Jill Many vibes heading across the pond to your Dad. helen s > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > about > my job situation). Mom says he doesn't even have the energy to do that. Check with his doc that he hasn't got clinical depression. What you describe is typical. Tweed Purrs on the way for your parents. Ann Signatureread Sam's blog at http://kittens-3.blogspot.com/ see pictures of Sam at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ann791/my_photos > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Jill Ah, Jill. I'm so sorry. It's hard to watch someone close to you who has been active and interested in things become lethargic, depressed or hurting. My mom has been in ICU for almost 2 weeks now, so I do understand. She was independent and active and now just lays there trailing wires and tubes. Prayers for your dad and for your mom...and for you. -PatM >Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >Jill You got it, Jill. Purrs on the way for everyone in this difficult situation. Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/ http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) >Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >Jill Mega purrs are on the way for your mom and dad. It's hard to watch a loved one go down hill, and even harder to be as far away as you are and get all of the news second hand. I take it he hasn't been seen by a doctor? Purrs and Hugs, Nan and the furkids A wise man talks because he has something to say; a fool talks because he has to say something. > Purrs please, for my dear old Dad... he's a pain in the a.s but I know I'm > going to lose him soon. Purrs for my Mom, too, who has been married to > him > for over 50 years. But she's strong... she'll manage. I'll help her. > > Jill Purrs and prayers for your Dad, your Mom, and yourself. Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe Purrs on the way that it is nothing but the winter doldrums getting your father down! Hugs, CatNipped > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Jill > Mom called me yesterday and said my dad is "not doing well". > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Jill Purrs for all of you. I hope that you guys can make peace. I know how hard that can be, they sure don't make it easy sometimes. SignatureCheryl |
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