tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post6499797481918851194..comments2024-03-08T05:20:15.941-06:00Comments on The Westra World: When it rains...Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02595982706357639001noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-46432884335623578762014-07-04T12:47:14.283-05:002014-07-04T12:47:14.283-05:00Your mom sure is one tough cookie. Though she must...Your mom sure is one tough cookie. Though she must have been in a world of pain for hours. You could not have possibly given your full attention to you mom if you're ailing too. Hopefully you could get some help at a reasonable price. Let's see if Dr. P can find a good one for both you. Take care!<br /><br /><br><a href="http://wooddale219ck.blogspot.com/2014/06/topnotch-home-care-in-chicago-boosts.html" rel="nofollow">Marcia Sherman @ Comfort Keepers Wood Dale</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688691239238330619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-32957545319798392952014-01-19T07:46:46.185-06:002014-01-19T07:46:46.185-06:00I'm getting ready to leave town for 10 days an...I'm getting ready to leave town for 10 days and I just knew I had to check your blog and now I know why...prayers for your mom, you and your family. Oh Vicky, how I wish I lived closer! I would be right there helping with your dear mom. Congrats to the boys!! I'm so glad you were there to see them. I'm fortunate to have a video feed to watch Rache, but there's nothing like being there. Just know that I'll be praying!! Grace and mercy each and every day, heaps of healing and loved poured down <3 A big hug to you!!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11799585940683734771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-26214379805427508332014-01-16T18:29:56.195-06:002014-01-16T18:29:56.195-06:00Glad your brother offered to come. Take every bit...Glad your brother offered to come. Take every bit of help your Mom needs. There is only so much one family can handle. I think of you often. HUGSJoan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06377295989258923610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-49792573197822865212014-01-16T14:17:31.081-06:002014-01-16T14:17:31.081-06:00Ya When it rains it does pour.
All I can say is th...Ya When it rains it does pour.<br />All I can say is that it is good your Mom still has her faculties and memories and you can still sit and have quiet time together and get to know each other time.<br />I wish I had that with my Mom. I always say it is simpler when you all live together. This way you always have help but if Mom has to live alone, it kinda becomes more difficult, esp at night.A Lady's Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973102350411443282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-77169004169757126662014-01-15T19:17:59.219-06:002014-01-15T19:17:59.219-06:00Vicky--you truly are one of a kindl! WOW....you ar...Vicky--you truly are one of a kindl! WOW....you are one tough cookie. I am keeping you, your Mom, and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Sending many warm hugs, sweet friend.Jen S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00090046916272000696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-89108742458610329502014-01-15T09:42:29.016-06:002014-01-15T09:42:29.016-06:00Hi Vicky, I pray for you every day. My Dad went ...Hi Vicky, I pray for you every day. My Dad went non-responsive 3 weeks ago. Dad's electrolytes were severely off and his brain was starting to shut down. After 4 days in the hospital he was sent to rehab. We were told he has 20 days with Medicare at the rehab center and 20 more days with home health care. The social worker at the hospital set this all up. He is still in the rehab center but will probably get out soon. When the time comes, the social worker at the rehab center will have it all lined up for the physical therapist, occupational therapist and what ever else he may need. My parents are snow birds yet so they are in Florida and I am in Pennsylvania. They have their main home about 5 min. from me now. They just bought it in July of last year. This was my biggest fear with them. My oldest brother is an hour and a half away from them. So a neighbor had to take Mom to the hospital until my brother got there. I am hoping they agree now after this happens they will sell the home in Florida. I am afraid when Dad gets stronger again he won't sell. He may be coming home stronger than before he went in. He has COPD and on oxygen all the time. I did go down the day after Christmas and stayed 11 days until another brother and his family from Seattle came and stayed for over a week. Mom goes at lunch and dinner to eat with him. If need be I will be going back to help out when he comes home. I really enjoy reading your blog. You do give a lot of inspiration!!!Suzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04731432060298716024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-22095231163694585322014-01-15T05:46:59.057-06:002014-01-15T05:46:59.057-06:00Hello Vicky, I have recently started reading your ...Hello Vicky, I have recently started reading your blog. I am a home care physical therapist. First, I think somebody in discharge planning or the m.d. must have dropped the ball. Your mom should have been referred for home care at discharge from the hospital. Your mom's diagnosis is a slow recovery and very painful for awhile. Her functional capacity has changed and she may need some new equipment at home like a commode by her bed, shower bench, maybe even a hospital bed. Some things to watch out for are constipation from pain medication, dehydration/bladder infection, more falls, and general failure to thrive because the pain can be so debilitating. In home care she should be eligible also for at least a social work consultation to help you all plan her care management and find resources. I hope you can involve other family members to provide her primary care. You should not be the main person caring for your mom. Your physical vulnerabilities, primarily the lymphedema, could be exacerbated if you try physically assisting her. The fatigue of caregiving could effect your recovery. Please consider enlisting everyone in your extended family to help. It sounds like your mom is going to need help for quite awhile and may have future problems. She would benefit from a fall alert system for sure but possibly she is at a time in life where she will need on going assistance. I worry for you and encourage you to coordinate care but let others do the work as much as possible. My prayers are with you…you give so much to all who read your blog…so much inspiration and love…please let others help you with your mom at this time…much love and blessings, Candacecandacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11221684135806927351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-67064586471612526172014-01-14T15:27:03.928-06:002014-01-14T15:27:03.928-06:00Praying for the help that all of you need. What a ...Praying for the help that all of you need. What a difficult time.S. Etolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01847206680320012887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-45779917127556502062014-01-14T12:41:30.897-06:002014-01-14T12:41:30.897-06:00Oh my oh my oh my!!!!!! I have never, ever left t...Oh my oh my oh my!!!!!! I have never, ever left the prayer brigade that goes on for you, and I will not stop. Bless your heart and soul. Janayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10094613441023876132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-25702637849679005092014-01-14T06:39:11.954-06:002014-01-14T06:39:11.954-06:00I have been following your blog for about a year I...I have been following your blog for about a year I think and I have been praying for you as I read each post. I live in Iowa and I have 4 kids and I'm a stay at home mom who homeschools her children. I am a fellow believer in Jesus. I work part time as a care giver for people who need non medical care. I work for a company called Home Instead and there are offices all over the United States. We will clean homes, bathe clients, run errands, provide companionship and pretty much anything a client needs that is non medical. I work with one lady 2 hours a week. Another lady I spend the night at her house 2 nights a week. What I'm trying to say is look into your local Home Instead office, even for a respite every week or every once in a while. The company was founded by Christians and we all have background checks etc. and it might be affordable every now and then to help you all. <br />I will continue to lift you, your husband, your kids, your mom and your doctors in prayer.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595966284555394978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-55780755036285253792014-01-14T01:20:35.682-06:002014-01-14T01:20:35.682-06:00Words are failing me to express my feelings sweet,...Words are failing me to express my feelings sweet, sweet Vicky. Prayers for you and for your whole family in these trying times. Hugging you tight and close always in my heart xoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-85794216460171285992014-01-13T21:10:23.456-06:002014-01-13T21:10:23.456-06:00i could cry reading this. I ran into a similar si...i could cry reading this. I ran into a similar situation with my mom a few years ago right after my father passed away. I knew he had been helping care for my mom, I had no idea to what extent. Mom wanted to continue living alone but had no way to continue caring for herself; she was basically bedridden and her idea of help was to call 911 when she fell to the floor. (We later learned she and dad had called 911 multiple times as a back up if dad needed help.) While we ended up having to make a hard decision for permanent supervised care, I learned a lot along the way. Your local senior services may be able to give you some advice on help. Also, as a Medicare recipient, she may qualify for meals on wheels, light house keeping, and partial nursing care for bathing and therapy. I would question the decision that she does not qualify for transitional care because of the age of her injuries. The fact remains that her ability to function with the injuries has been affected now and therefor she needs help.Unfortunately, many physicians are knowledgeable about the treatments from the medical side but are not knowledgable about further treatment possibilities; it is left to the family to be the advice for the patient. Put a call out to her church and yours to see if anyone has handles a situation with a parent recently. They may be your best resource for knowing what is an is not available. You can call the social worker at the hospital as well and see if they can refer you somewhere in your particular area. Praying for your mother and you. These are hard days and hard decisions as well. JennyBChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647734430061941577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-45622131731429849862014-01-13T20:44:59.979-06:002014-01-13T20:44:59.979-06:00So much to bear, Vicky! I know how incredibly exha...So much to bear, Vicky! I know how incredibly exhausting it is to care for a sick family member, but doing that while fighting Stage IV BC kind of puts it at a whole new level! I am praying for you and your mom, as well as the rest of your family. I pray for comfort and healing, and for peace in knowing you are doing everything you can for your mom. Take care, and keep us posted!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03818267577743110088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-14751966820511009322014-01-13T19:30:16.486-06:002014-01-13T19:30:16.486-06:00oh sweet girl….you said it, when it rains it pours...oh sweet girl….you said it, when it rains it pours and let us all just for a moment CHEER YOU ON….as your cup is way and i mean way runneth over. here, you can have all the prayers i have and keep them for yourself and use them however you see best. seriously, i mean it !!!…xobethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094533582512917616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-24873551613865561042014-01-13T17:18:28.129-06:002014-01-13T17:18:28.129-06:00Oh my dear friend,
One of my favorite quotations s...Oh my dear friend,<br />One of my favorite quotations says,<br /><br />Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,<br />It's about learning to Dance in the rain.<br /> -Vivian Greene<br /><br />And I would add to that...sometimes the storm is a typhoon. Oh. my. goodness.<br />How sad to see your Mom's apartment and the reality of how things are going. What a blessing for her that the truth is out and now she can get some much needed help. <br />Those of us who have ben caretakers for our parents know that, as Peggy Sue said, our lives are often put on hold. This season of being a caretaker is not easy, not easy at all. Thank goodness the troops and helpers are on their way.<br /><br />And the Dance in the rain? How MARVELOUS that both Nolan and Colton did a spectacular job at hockey and you were there to see it! Praise God for those "flickers, of light" you spoke about. Thank God that Dr. P found a new OBGYN for you to work with. I'm already praying for her. Does Dr. P have ANY idea how many of us are praying for him? :) And there, holding all of you up, is your beloved Superman, who has been Super-sized. Another flicker, of light.<br /><br />And we ARE praying, big time, and bringing in reinforcements. I just called the Prayer Circles at two churched and asked them to pray for you and your Mom. You are saturated with rain and prayers.<br /><br />I so wish I was close by so I could watch your Mom or cook a meal, or anything to give you a much needed rest. Know that you are so loved, dear Vicky.<br /><br />Love you to the moon and back again.<br />Your friend, Linda<br /> Linda Seppa Salisburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13336969827398454131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-11247068946568368702014-01-13T15:00:16.984-06:002014-01-13T15:00:16.984-06:00You know that saying about God doesn't give yo...You know that saying about God doesn't give you more than you can handle? These are the times I say, "Hogwash" to that little saying. Yes, this is too much God. No, I can't handle it. And yet, think of what you've already handled. Wow! Vicky! You are amazing no matter what you think. You just are. I would have curled into a ball. That said, I'm praying for gallons of grace to pour down along with that sad rain, those tears of disbelief. I wish so much that I were freer myself so I could run over and do something. I have not done enough to ease your burden. :( Please know of my prayers. It's not enough, but I hope it's something. And I hope the thought of Carmel also will be something to lift your spirits and hopes. God bless your mom, too, for all she's been through. She's so blessed to have you and the boys nearby. God, be with this family, please!Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-8996323224892195232014-01-13T14:45:43.548-06:002014-01-13T14:45:43.548-06:00oh sweet friend! i was prompted to wear the prayer...oh sweet friend! i was prompted to wear the prayer bracelet Robin and you and I all have most of last week, but i had NO idea why! now i know, and i wish i'd prayed MORE! will be more intentional this week, and will believe God with you, during this having to dig deep, for the ability to see His gifts even through the veil. hugs hugs hugs...and tell Superman he's fantastic!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04687339205571651753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-46895317305031253572014-01-13T13:22:44.662-06:002014-01-13T13:22:44.662-06:00Sending prayers! Sending prayers! BARBIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02537827307867912139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-20841761787331025892014-01-13T12:54:50.535-06:002014-01-13T12:54:50.535-06:00Bless your heart... and your mom's! When it r...Bless your heart... and your mom's! When it rains, it truly does pour and I am becoming all too aware of that myself.<br /><br />You and your family are in my prayers! I know firsthand how hard being a caregiver is... and it's hard, even when you aren't dealing with your own issues. Blessings dear lady.Ms. Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263882972749791087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-71580468976513950372014-01-13T12:51:52.493-06:002014-01-13T12:51:52.493-06:00oh Lord, Vicky. saying special prayers for you ri...oh Lord, Vicky. saying special prayers for you right now. so sorry you're dealing with all of this. trusting, knowing that God will shine a light on it all and give you relief and comfort.Amanda Parishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427694158578371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-89461333541825929972014-01-13T12:05:29.729-06:002014-01-13T12:05:29.729-06:00A friend in our Sunday School class yesterday morn...A friend in our Sunday School class yesterday morning shared with us something that he smiling said to the Lord this past week. He was only given 6 months to live, and things began piling up for him. He said, "Lord, my plate is pretty full right now, and if you don't mind, I think I'm gonna skip dessert tonight. "<br />Your plate is full, my friend.<br />Praying extra hard for you and for your sweet Mother. <br />Love,<br />Jackie<br />Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214796594702277709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-64096305465469268212014-01-13T11:21:01.770-06:002014-01-13T11:21:01.770-06:00To be a care giver is to put your life on hold...t...To be a care giver is to put your life on hold...to be there for someone else. For the healthiest of people, this can take everything out of us. For you, who are running your own race, and battling cancer, with treatments and surgery..I cant even imagine what it must be like. They say the Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle...but sometimes I have looked into the heavens and said aloud, "can I have a time out please!" Sometimes all you can do is hang onto those threads at the end of the rope...I have never let go of them, but there were moments when I pictured myself like a cartoon charachter...dangling and reaching..dangling and reaching. I am glad you got some time out's! SO IMPORTANT. And that help is on its way. I will pray that somehow the Lord will find a way for your mom to get that 24/7 help she needs. (Maybe contact the leaders in her church, I know there must be people more then willing to take shifts to be with her...when we are in the service of our fellow men, we are in the service of our lord!) I wanted to share something. When you wrote about what you found at your mom's... rotten food in the fridge, garbage piled up... Like you, I also discovered that my perfectionist mom, had not dusted things on high...since her cancer diagnoises I found panties and things behind dressers...and I realized then that my mom also needed more help then she let on. "mom you need more help"...ask us for it. and to my siblings I told them every time they come to visit they also need to offer there services. I guess what I am trying to get at is...the Lord allowed you to be this caregiver for this time, so you could see that she truly needed more help...perhaps a brother or someone else wouldn't have noticed..but you being her daughter, know her and NOTICED. So your word for this year fit's into this.... "To Become aware". And I know in my heart that now, the Lord will send the right people into your life to help with your precious mom! For he knows your heart, your love, and your own struggle and fight with cancer. Hang in there beautiful lady...I will pray very specific here for all of you! Hugs and much Love! (my post was to long so I had to delete a whole section..I will email it to you)On a Wing and a Prayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11254390486126765402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-69452423103065635252014-01-13T09:20:44.300-06:002014-01-13T09:20:44.300-06:00Oh, Vicky! Your title pretty much summed it up. I ...Oh, Vicky! Your title pretty much summed it up. I am so sorry that life is so difficult right now. As if you didn't have enough to deal with! I am praying that your mom starts improving soon and that your brother arrives promptly to help give some relief. So glad you were able to attend the boy's games this weekend at least.<br /><br />Tomorrow is my appointment with the oncologist. Always reason for a little bit of alarm, but praying constantly for peace and calm.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08325898729203111520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-31950858298406156262014-01-13T09:19:04.247-06:002014-01-13T09:19:04.247-06:00I have no words...but I do have prayers and will a...I have no words...but I do have prayers and will add your mom to my list. Love you.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10387707528926322594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795026946181152215.post-81736241885742769712014-01-13T07:25:19.856-06:002014-01-13T07:25:19.856-06:00Reading this makes me wish all the more that I liv...Reading this makes me wish all the more that I lived closer and would be able to step up and lend you a hand. Even if only to help with laundry, cooking or cleaning. Glad you were able to find a OB doctor and hope it works out for you and you like him/her. Liking your doctors helps a lot when being faced with all these things. Prayers and hugs to you, Rick, your boys and your mom.Vernahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08700639166741533028noreply@blogger.com