Mom

Monday, November 3rd, I woke up to a phone call from the nursing home's social worker. She explained Mom had not been eating and told me that we had two choices. One was hospice care and the other was a feeding tube. I, being awoke from a deep sleep, said feeding tube and hung up and dozed off. Then another call came from a nurse explaining I needed to sign some papers the feeding tube procedure. I could come in the next morning to sign. Since I took off work being sick Monday evening, I had to get up and drive down to The Woodlands to sign the papers. Before I left, another call came in. The nurse explained they were calling for an ambulance to take Mom to the hospital. I went back to bed. That evening I got up early and called the hospital to find out what room Mom was in. I was told she was still in the emergency room. I was concerned. I got ready for work early and drove to the emergency room to find Mom kind of delirious. She was kind of chanting and hollering. I calmed her down and went to find a nurse. The nurse informed me they were waiting for an ICU room to open up. Mom's kidneys were shutting down. I called Christina and she came to meet me and Mom. The nurse explained it all again when Christina arrived and stated that we needed to start thinking care and comfort. I felt bad enough now not to go to work. I called in work and told them my Mom was dying. I barely could finish saying that sentence because I was crying so hard. They gave me emergency leave. We stayed with Mom awhile until she was given a sedative and went to sleep. The next morning we went back early enough and waited for the doctor. He said Mom went into septic shock and her kidneys were failing, but they saved her in time and her kidneys would be fine and mentioned long term hospital care after a feeding tube was installed.

Two days later while visiting Mom in ICU, the nurse talked to me and explained that dementia patients have several plateaus and all functions drop between each plateau. What we have been seeing the last few weeks was one of those plateaus. She said Mom would not be getting better and that the family needed to think about just comfort and care. I talked to the nursing home and made arrangements for Dad to come visit Mom, if the worst happened quickly. The nursing home van brought Dad over one afternoon while I slept. I was still recovering from that sinus cold and needed all the rest I could get. Christina was there when Dad arrived. Dad said sweet nothings to his bride of over 59 years. He kissed her all over her face and said "Hi Honey Bunny". Christina said Dad stayed an hour. Way longer then I thought he would. The next day Mom's doctor called (woke me up again) and said to think of just comfort and care for Mom and stated she would be going back to the nursing home. Good I thought. That way Dad could see Mom more. I was surprised to find Mom was back in the same room with Dad. Glory be, thank you Lord for letting Mom be with Dad now.

I decided to get organized with the funeral home. Mom and Dad have 4 plots down in Houston at Brookside Cemetery. Dad bought these in Feb. 1959 for $415 for all four plots. They are now selling for $3995 each, in the immediate area of their plots. Months ago I took Mom and Dad by the local funeral home and cemetery. I asked them if they would like to be buried up here instead of down in Houston and both said Yes. So I was going to sale these 4 plots, but the bad economy has hampered this endeavor. Instead I talked the funeral homes into swapping 2 plots for 2 plots. I also tried to get them to take the third and fourth plots in trade for credit on Mom's funeral expenses. They won't do that. So now I need to find an outlet to borrow about $11,000 for funeral and burial costs. Just to have a simple service at the funeral home costs $7100. Then add a casket and a outer burial container (concrete vault) starting at $595 and $895. All this doesn't include opening and closing the grave, which is another $1200-1400 dollars. This is all above the cost of those 4 plots Dad paid $415 for. So they got you good dollar wise, unless you have an extra acre you are wanting to turn into your own private cemetery.

I plan on calling my 401k plan to see if I can take a catastrophic withdrawal to pay for Mom's funeral and maybe start a pre plan for Dad. Dad is doing well and alert. He has been watching Fox news each time we visit. He is eating hearty and keeps requesting ice cream cones.

This last week Booger was caught by the dog catcher running down the street. Seems his girlfriend up the street is in heat again. The law here in Montgomery County states dogs may run loose in yards, but not in streets. I was lucky that the animal control officer didn't fine me. So for now Booger is in "doggie" jail while hooked onto a cable run that goes across the back yard. I guess I need to take him to the Vet to get fixed. Then maybe he will stop his street side wanderings. Friday morning I came home to see Booger running across the yard chasing a squirrel. Seems his collar broke. Christina had bought him a new RED collar to match everything else that is RED around here! So for now Booger is running around with a RED collar.

The only time I got near the Big RED Beast was yesterday morning. I woke up earlier then planned to visit funeral homes, so I decided it would be a good time to take the lawn mower trailer to Top Flight. I had to crank the 6520 up to raise her loader, so I could pull the trailer out of the barn. I really needed to grade the driveway again after the last heavy rain shower. But Sunday I slept in late and really didn't do anything outside. It was down to 50 degrees and I just decided to be lazy and a couch potato before cleaning up to visit Mom and Dad.

So stop back later to see if Booger gets into more mischief.

Oh yeah, Sneaky learned how to climb into my laundry hamper. Check out his new bachelor pad here!

hugs, Brandi