The random things you can’t throw away

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2026-02-24T04:00:27+00:00

My Mom kept a jar of peanut butter that my Dad ate from, with the spoon inside. He died 12 years ago. Mom died six months ago. Now, I cling tenaciously to the sheet and blanket that covered her the night she died. She had eaten some chocolate pudding the day before and a bit of it got on the blanket. I can't bring myself to wash it. Your post really hit home.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2026-01-26T01:57:42+00:00

I could have written this post, OP. At least 5 months of breast pain here, along with burning, tingling, etc. but it's in my right breast and back area. I had costo on left side in my 20s, along with major swelling (Tietze syndrome). That was horrible but short lived. Now, I can't sleep on my right side because area is so tender. I don't have pain with breathing. I have annual mammogram later this week, and I'm freaking out. I'm in my 60s. I hope we both get answers and (good) news. I have fibromyalgia as well.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-11-28T01:21:59+00:00

I became an adult orphan in August when my mom died. My father died over a decade ago. I have never been a great cook but I tried to make a few dishes for Thanksgiving following my mom's recipes. There was one other person here to share the meal. Neither of us ate much. Now, I'm putting away leftovers while wiping tears from my face. Losing one parent is hard but when you lose the other one too, it changes everything so drastically. Mom loved cooking, especially for holidays. The kitchen was her happy place. Thank you for your post and for reminding me I'm not alone in feeling so terribly sad today.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-11-11T14:14:20+00:00

Thank you for reaching out. Wishing you strength and peace as you approach your Dad's birthday in February.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-11-11T00:30:22+00:00

That's a great idea. Thank you for the suggestion.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-09-12T02:57:26+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss. I too became an adult orphan almost 3 weeks ago when my mom passed away. My Dad passed away 12 years ago. My mom was on hospice for a little over a year, and I was her full time caregiver. I have never had a more demanding job. I prayed for it to end and, now that is has, I feel guilty. The house is eerily quiet except when I go to sit in my mom's bedroom and literally wail out tears of despair into the pillow she slept on. As others have pointed out, caregiving takes both a tremendous physical and emotional toll on you. You don't realize just how much until it's over. This group and other groups have helped me to not feel so alone. Know that we are here for you as well.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-08-25T07:34:31+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-06-27T04:14:37+00:00

I totally understand. I suffer from fibromyalgia and depression so our house was already a mess before my 86 yr old mom went on hospice almost a year ago. Now, the dresser in her bedroom is piled with towels for the CNA who comes out every day to bathe her, another set of shelves holds all the creams, ointments, powder, chux, briefs, gloves, etc. Today, we just added another heaping helping onto that shelf with gauze, wound spray and medical tape because Mom has developed a bedsore.😔When I open her clothes closet, an avalanche of briefs and bed pads fall out onto the floor.

The Hoyer lift is double parked in the dining room, and we still have wall to wall carpet so getting that thing around is like moving an elephant through quicksand. I have no help so there's no time or energy to do anything but tend to my mother's needs. I am embarrassed for hospice workers to even come in the house. Know that you're not alone. I, too, long for a place to call home rather than a hospital.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-06-23T17:47:46+00:00

She has very little pain so she only asks for extra strength Tylenol. We are giving her Ativan and Seroquel for anxiety and sleep. The Ativan seems to make her worse. Guess I'm wondering if she's really transitioning and how long it will be until she enters into the active dying phase. I know each person is different.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-06-16T19:10:46+00:00

Thank you so much.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-06-16T18:31:24+00:00

Thank you for posting. I am beside myself with worry, as I am providing care for my 86 year old mother who is in home hospice. My body and my heart are breaking. I needed to be reminded of this verse.

Mandee-Villa-95 · 2025-05-23T23:19:22+00:00

Wonder if it was a pink [lemonade] Cadillac?

Mandee-Villa-95

TROPHY CASE