This year is proving to be the year of change and goodness gracious it's only half over. More things are changing in my life than I can share with you today. The biggest change is that I've picked up a roomie, well really two. Several months ago it became apparent that my mom was struggling living alone. She would often forget what she was doing when she was just washing dishes or even getting dressed. I noticed that several times she'd forget to lock the door or would leave her keys in the the lock so someone could easily have walked in the house. One day she seemed to be falling asleep at the top of the stairs. The thought of her falling down the stairs was unnerving so my brothers, my mom and I together decided that it was best she move in with me.
I knew it would be a challenge having her move in. She like all of us had a lot of stuff but my biggest concern was her little Boston Terrier Lizzie. Lizzie is adorable but she hates other dogs. She once attacked my brothers dog, also a Boston Terrier and scarred that little thing for life. There was no way I was going to put up with that with my Pug Roxie. This was Roxie's house, bottom line. If they couldn't get along and one had to go. Sorry Lizzie. I promise to find a nice home for you.
The first day we brought her to the house we were prepared for a fight. I put Roxie on a leash and my brother had a hold of Lizzie. It was time to see how they would react to each other so we let the chains go and waited for the battle to begin. So what happened? Nothing at all. No barking no snarling no growling just a lot of butt sniffing and that's all. What were we so scared about?
Our fears were not realized which was a huge relief. It was now on to the biggest hurdle, taking care of mom. Everything was going just fine until I noticed she seemed to be having more and more problems. Walking and feeding herself became difficult, she slept a lot, suddenly became incontinent and could still not keep track of what she was doing. One day she seemed completely disconnected. She kept her eyes closed although she was awake. She had developed this tapping motion with her hand that seemed involuntary. She completely loss her appetite had no energy, was very stiff and could barely walk. This really worried me so I called her doctor and he said he wanted to admit her to the hospital. There were no available beds at the time but that evening the doctor called me and said one opened up and to bring her in. This part shocked me a bit. It was like I had to make a reservation. What would have happened if a bed was not available for a day or two.
That evening my mother was finally admitted to the hospital. To make a long story short, after many blood tests, x-rays and MRIs as well as a painful spinal tap it was determined that she had a build up of fluid on the brain which caused a condition called Parkinsonism. I had heard of Parkinson's Disease but not Parkinsonism so I was a bit confused. I still don't quite understand it all so if you want to know more about it, please call your doctor to discuss it. During her stay mom saw several doctors. One wanted to put a shunt in her head to relieve the pressure on her brain caused by the fluid build up but another said the best thing to do was treat her for the Parkinsonism with medication and they all determined that was the best course.
My mom was treated with medication and sent to rehab. We were hopeful she would get better soon but we could see she was getting worse. After a month of watching her condition worsen to the point where should could not eat or drink we told the doctor she was not getting any better and still needed help. She was re-admitted to the hospital where this time they performed the surgery to put the shunt in her head. After a couple of weeks she was sent back to a different rehab center. The therapists and nurses there all worked wonders with mom. They helped her to remember how to eat, drink, read, speak more than a few words at a time and to get the strength to to sit up and eventually walk.
For two months my brothers and I made sure at least one of us was with her everyday for support and encouragement and to make sure things were going well. Seeing my mom in the hospital and not being able to talk with her was very hard on all of us. We were so happy when they released her. Even the rehab center said she was a model patient. She was one of their success stories which I totally understand. Mom's home and although her body is weaker her mind is stronger than ever. Now that she is living with me we are just thrilled.
Love you mom.
Barbara
