Caregiver's sharing thread IV

Hello Mer, just thinking about you. Hope everything is going okay.

Thoughts and prayers..........

Mer, that's a strange thing how a person's MELD can be a 7 and he still be "out of it."  Mine's a 7.  Aside from some memory problems, I'm far from "out of it."  Labs just don't tell the whole story.

Hugs,

Connie

Feeling less nervous about labs tomorrow.  When I asked hubby is he was concerned, he said no, he is feeling good.  Right now he is in the kitchen making soup and singing (loudly) show tunes.  I can feel the smile in his voice.

Emma

No, labs do not tell the whole story. When they calculate MELD store there are only a couple of labs they look at. But, ammonia level can go up at the snap of a finger, etc. My hubby has several things going on with him and when he's out of it we are not sure if it's the liver, or long term issues from all the seizures he was having. His neurologist is sending him for some occupational/cognitive therapy to see if that helps

Hello. I saw my counselor today. To help me relieve stress I have promised to sew (one of my favorite things to do) at least 3 hours a week. I started last Saturday. I was really rusty, as I haven't done any sewing in over 3 years...since hubby lost his 30 year job. Anyway, it was good to do something JUST FOR ME! Today she also had me commit to going to bed 10 minutes earlier, so that over time I can keep adding another 10 minutes until I get to bed by 11pm. I usually go to bed at midnight and am up at 6 to start work at 7:30. I am always exhausted and sleep deprived. If I want to be able to tend to my hubby, I need to be well and well rested.  I am getting over a cold, my third one in 3 months.

Emma

Hi Sandi and Emma,

I can relate to sleep depredation. My body needs 8 hours but I usually only get about 6 or 7. I play catch up on my days off........speaking of which.......I am officially on vacation starting now . Boy do I need it. Don't have to go back until the 13th.

Emma, I am glad that you are going to a counselor. I wish that I had thought to. But I was so wrapped up in things I forgot about taking care of me. That's why I am always telling members to get in some me time.

Have a good night gals.........thoughts and prayers......

sleep?

forget it.

If I get 6 hours it is a miracle.

when I go to bed before I'm exhausted mentally and physically, I toss and turn and worry.

I'm trying to get up at 6 or 6:15 to go to the gym 3 or 4 days a week, because if I don't I feel like the original BLOB.  I'm fighting wiht my weight big time, so I am not at the gym to be a jock or anything, just to stay moving and somewhat strong.  My routine is a joke to real exercise folks, but it is my ME time.

And, my sister lives nearby in the wintertime and she is my escape buddy these days. We try to sneak off during football on sundays and go to the beach, or shopping or to our favorite...films...with subtitles...shhh, don't tell anyone...they already think we are a little nutty.  And she'll listen if the day has been hard.  Good day today, labs and AA and home.

...and I am going to treat myself to a bubble bath during hubby's nap.  Ahhh.  No labs or docs or psychiatrists til next week.  TGIF.

Mama Lama

 

Post Edited (MamaLama) : 2/4/2011 1:22:42 PM (GMT-7)

Oh the ladies are stylin... relaxin... shoppin...bring it on....I hear you about the weight...after losin 100 pounds working construction... it crept back up the last year...doing a more sedentary job...so now workin on those 20 pounds that went back on..Im gettin in down there...have a wonderful weekend ladies... and gents too... Sandi

You think it would get easier... but these anniversary dates......well they're horrible... Valentines Day is loomin up on me...and I just plain miss Mike...well worse than that... guess my daughter and I will have to do something...to help...well just had to say it...Sandi

I get daily thoughts and meditations from Hazelden (they print recovery material) and today's is from The Language Of Letting Go (great book that I've read to death).  Here's a small but relevant portion:

"Our goal is to detach in love with family members. Our goal is to be able to take care of ourselves, love ourselves, and live healthy lives despite what family members do or don't do. We decide what boundaries or decisions are necessary to do this."

Hugs,

Connie

Emma, it's important not to lose your sense of self.  Give some thought to who you are aside from a wife and mother...what interests you and what do you enjoy doing?  It will enhance your relationships to have an identity apart from them.

Hugs,

Connie

I was catching up here as I sometimes forget about the caregivers thread! You know it is hard not to lose that sense of ones self, it is a juggling act with many to balls and you always drop the ball with your own name on it!

I saw hear about sewing, I love sewing but I found if it was to be a relaxing time for me it had to be short quick projects (instant gratifacation).... found a book called "Quilting for those that dont have time" I could make a full quilt in a weekend......all my kids have one or two...... made them for gifts. At one point I had a yard of every dollar a yard cotton fabric I could find, crib quilts are a one nighter, recycled my youngest jeans and made her quilt with pockets and all. I even had Doug helping me! When I started quilting he said he was shocked I knew how to quilt..... I told him I dont but there has to be a book somewhere. Taught myself to crochet too, now I can do everything from lace to afghans. Okay so now my brain is wandering......

I think grey hair sucks out my brain cells......cause I totally forgot what I was going to write here....lol lol lol

Oh well what can I say

Crazy Sue

So I am doing what my counselor said to do...

I have been sewing every week. Not sure if I am hitting the 3 hours, but I am setting aside a block of time. I noted that it wasn't making me feel happy, so a friend suggested I switch projects. Which I did. So...drum roll please...I finished a quilt top today! It is a lap size, pretty simple pattern, but it's done! Next week I will piece together the backing. And the sewing was is feeling better.

Hubby and I went to his sister's for dinner last night. It was very nice to be a guest. In our past life, I always wanted to go out to dinner. Liked the night off cooking, no dishes, etc...also liked having fancy cocktails. The few times we have been out since hubby's dx, I haven't enjoyed it as much. Fretting (as you all know I do) about what might be in the meal...did the waiter really know if there was wine in the sauce or not...how much sodium...etc. I'm a good cook, so it was just as yummy to eat at home...plus no worries. So going to his sister's was really nice. She also made hubby's favorite dessert. So it was a nice Saturday night.

Today my mom and dad went to the coast to get fresh crabs. They cooked them and will be bringing me over crab legs!!! I can't wait!!! So, I am feeling very well taken care of this weekend.

Very nice indeed. :)

Emma