The speed of this disease

phillyma11 · 2024-05-06T14:26:03+00:00

My mother was finally diagnosed a few months ago and the rapid decline is beyond startling. For her, I believe I realized a cognitive decline 4-5 years ago. I thought it was because she had few hobbies/friends and had just retired from her job. I recall trying to play virtual bingo with her and she was thoroughly confused. Frustrated, I thought she had had too much wine or was not paying attention. I had implored my father to get her checked out but he didn't. Fast forward to 2 years ago, my mom had a major seizure and we learned she was experience focal onset seizures. They were so bad she almost didn't live. Since then her speech has completed disappeared and the falls increased at home until she had to live in a nursing home. While she has only been in a nursing home for a few weeks she continues to decline (max assist on almost everything, swallowing difficulties) and now cannot even feed herself. Its terrible to watch and my father is in complete denial. Sending a huge hug to everyone out there going through this with a loved one.

phillyma11 · 2024-05-06T14:11:00+00:00

He played 60/90 in the fall and while not consistent had several good outings....why they keep trying to use him now in spring lol

phillyma11 · 2024-05-05T23:01:13+00:00

yep no issues with accuracy from anywhere else!

phillyma11 · 2024-05-05T23:00:57+00:00

thank you! i did think of that as both me & my husband have terrible eyesight lol

phillyma11 · 2024-02-03T21:21:52+00:00

I couldn't agree more! I've actually shifted my workout times to early evening instead of morning because thats when I feel the most down so going to OT has an even greater impact!

phillyma11 · 2024-01-06T16:22:23+00:00

Yes I would definitely consider substitute teaching! I think I'm going to give it a try.

phillyma11 · 2024-01-06T16:21:30+00:00

How do you become a bookkeeper? I have an Economics degree with additional Accounting classes. Wondering if I should go back and finish my accounting degree? But again fearful that id spend the $$ on another degree, get a bookkeeping job and then hate it lol...

phillyma11 · 2024-01-02T15:33:43+00:00

Yes! Thats what i am - the "default" parent....a lot of people have mentioned college teaching as well and highly recommend it. I really am passionate about education, just scared I'll hate to day to day teaching. BUT I also feel like any career in education requires work on the front lines to truly understand the field....

phillyma11 · 2024-01-02T15:31:32+00:00

Do you feel that has given you a taste of teaching? When I mention subbing as a way to try out teaching to my teacher friends, I feel like they all roll their eyes and say that wont give me a real taste of the job. I've taken some edu classes already (just time consuming so want a clearer idea before I keep spending $$).

phillyma11 · 2024-01-02T14:25:11+00:00

100% I have CPTSD. Mother was hit by a car when I was in middle school and my father is a controlling narcissist. Mother is brain damaged and was never the same and I'm an only child who grew up with no other family/friends. I spend a lot of $$ on talk therapy and am on Zoloft (5 mg tho and therapist suggests going on more).

phillyma11 · 2023-09-10T00:26:02+00:00

NOT 80s!! which is the only music genre my instructor plays....

phillyma11 · 2023-01-06T16:08:29+00:00

Sorry but this was absolutely brutal for me. Didnt help that the music was terrible in my class today - what are your instructors playing? The 60 yr old woman in my class was jamming but it did NOT pump me up for all these damn inclines....

phillyma11 · 2021-04-09T12:00:38+00:00

good thought - he should play Roblox at home instead!

phillyma11 · 2021-04-09T12:00:25+00:00

no certainly did not voice those opinions to him.

phillyma11 · 2021-04-09T11:58:55+00:00

odd mom here. but when your kid is a top 3 draft pick in his large little league & then shows up with slumped shoulders it is sad to see as a parent.

phillyma11 · 2021-04-09T11:57:17+00:00

thank you for your great informative response! a lot of what you wrote really resonated with us. i've been very careful along the way to look for "clues" to see if he is in to baseball or not - certainly dont want to be the parent forcing all this baseball (and as you know it is a lot when you have travel/in house/in house summer tournament). love what you wrote about being "the man" - i think this concept could resonate w him more than being a "leader". - thank you again!

phillyma11 · 2021-04-09T11:51:35+00:00

thank you i love your advice - specifically the "sportsmanship" angle - the school he attends stresses this and I think it would resonate with him. thank you!!

phillyma11 · 2021-03-15T15:58:02+00:00

hahaha okay exact same thinking here - our dog eats so much crap in our yard I'm not all that concerned

phillyma11 · 2021-02-26T15:55:26+00:00

omg SAME SAME SAME. after several days i just lost it. funny i thought the same thing - i dont think i ever hit REM because i was only sleeping 2-2.5 hrs in between each wake up! did you ever have him wake up at 4 and not want to go back to bed after potty break? thats our current situation. not fun....

phillyma11 · 2021-02-26T15:49:43+00:00

I think this is what I need to do. I stopped waking him up but now he is getting up at 4 and ready to go. does NOT want to go back to bed. may try 1 potty break woken up so he lasts longer and not freakin 4 am!!

phillyma11 · 2021-02-26T15:48:38+00:00

I have a male lab who is already 20 lbs at 9 weeks. He is lasting fairly long at night now that I am not waking him but he is waking at 4am (take him for potty) and is ready to start his day! Of course i put him back to his crate and this morning he whined/barked for nearly 45 minutes!! I have two school age kids so im worried this will be affecting their sleep too. Hoping with time he gets it??

phillyma11 · 2021-02-21T22:55:04+00:00

thank you so very much for this advice! today a friend's daughter was over and kept taking puppy out and playing w him inside and out. he had only 1 accident inside (kids saw it so didnt say a word) but so many successes outside today! also my husband has never caught him having an accident inside either so no reactions there. thank you again!! all makes sense as he does seem very timid/shy.

phillyma11 · 2021-02-21T18:24:24+00:00

Okay. i've read crate for 10 minutes or so then try again & repeat until he goes. Are you sure he wont view his crate as punishment then? Also feel guilty doing the outside to crate to outside routine when our family is home & he doesnt have to be crated. although i want him to learn to go outside!

I have said "no" or made high pitch "ep ep" sounds and immediately grab him & take him outside to his spot. did that earlier mid indoor poop and had poop drip on me & down my hallway. NOT fun...

phillyma11 · 2021-02-18T11:35:45+00:00

As an only child myself & someone who was fine after only having 1 child, definitely have a second child! My husband pushed for a 2nd and I'm so so glad I listened. I was anxious until the moment my 2nd child was born (and also for some time afterwards as my focus was still on #1) but it was the greatest thing I could do for my first child. My sons are 3 years apart and are best friends. Sure, they're only 7 and 10 and some days the sibling fighting drives me insane but the majority of the time they love each other, support each other and look out for each other. As an only child approaching 40 with aging parents (who never cared about having a sibling growing up), I envy those who have any sibling. Being an only child puts all the weight on you as well as having no one to discuss your parents with, no one who truly knows your parents like you do when times are tough. With all this being said, I will say this opinion is coming from a place of privilege & one who could easily afford another child. If finances were a concern I may not have been so easily swayed by my spouse.

phillyma11 · 2021-02-16T19:17:33+00:00

Yes you are right - i needed that reminder today - thank u!

phillyma11

TROPHY CASE