Dear Wonderful Blogger Readers,

I won’t be continuing the blog. To be honest, it’s too painful. It’s hard to watch someone in pain.

I recognize that Alzheimer’s is degenerating, but POW it hits me everytime. Being a caregiver needs a manual. Caregiver 101. I would read the whole thing!

My mom did the best job in the whole world caring for my grandmother who passed away in 2008. Mom, I can’t fill those big shoes. Cathy, same with you and Aunt Margie. How? How did you do it?

Man, tears are streaming down my face.

It is really hard!!

Granny is the sweetest, sweetest woman, but it’s getting painful to write about it.

John and I need your prayers in our relationship.

Continuing to care for sweet Granny.

Love all of you so much.

Thank you for all the love you have shown Granny.

Granny is still sore and not feeling too well. Here are some pictures of the patient.

Those pictures make me sad.

Here are some happier pictures.

Last weekend we traveled to Georgia to see my family. Remember this post from last year. We went to the fair again this year.

Granny got to take a picture with the ringmaster.

The flash must have been bright. Sorry Granny! J

Look at the girl eyeing Granny’s funnel cake

The family (Dad is eating a Gyro.)

Sweet lady took a picture with Granny.

The night ended in fireworks. We had a great time! Thanks mom and dad. Thanks Jonathan for taking the pictures. We decided to make the fair a family tradition.

Poor Granny

Poor Granny has been through a lot lately!

She is sleeping now after undergoing dental surgery this morning. The oral surgeon removed her bottom teeth. Her face is swollen and she’s frustrated that she has to talk through a gauze sponge. On top of that, her doctor has put her on full-time oxygen since her last doctor’s visit. Yesterday when the physical and occupational therapists visited, Granny was just plain tired. Each time they asked her to do an exercise; she’d look at them and say, “Do I have to?” She’s a trooper though and did each exercise the number of times they suggested.

I’ll keep you updated.

Shower Power

The physical therapist, occupational therapist and nurse came out to see Granny today. She practiced her exercises and walking. Poor Granny was exhausted!

The occupational therapist suggested this shower chair for bathing and we ordered it today. Over the past year, I have been giving Granny showers in our bathroom and it has been quite an experience. I put on a swimsuit to bathe her if that gives you any idea. This chair is such a blessing!!!

Yo Gabba Gabba

Remember this picture?

My precious niece is growing up so fast!! Here’s a picture of Kati and Granny now.

She is eight months old. Granny and I watched her this afternoon while mommy ran errands. My sister-in-law, Jennifer, put on a show called Yo Gabba Gabba and she was intrigued. Here are the pictures of her watching the show.

She laughed and wiggled to the music. It was amazing! I get amazed by stuff like that and even got to the point where I thought, “How much money would you have to pay me to wear an outfit like that and sing and dance like crazy?” With a response like Kati’s it would be well worth it!

Blogworthy pictures

You might be a redneck

The phrase “You might be a redneck” keeps coming to my mind as I look at the pictures below. I can hear Jeff Foxworthy saying, “Well, you might be redneck, if you fix your backporch ramp at night with your dog and granny right there beside ya.” The scene was even funnier because of Granny’s comments. At one point she asked, “Did John put a gun up to your head so you would marry him?” Later on, she told our dog, Cassie, “to sic’ em” when John was turned around drilling.

We started the project a little late today so we ended up working into the night. As John constructed the backporch ramp, Granny and I were his ‘Vanna White’ assistants.

Here are the pictures. When the ramp is finished, I post the pictures.

Why are there so many good- looking men in my room?

I think this question deserves a definite explanation. Granny asked this question about this time last Thursday.

I can write this now because it has taken about a week to get back to normal. Well, our normal.

Those “good-looking men” were helping granny on a stretcher to go to the ER. The doctor confirmed she had a TIA (mini stroke). It took me by surprise because that morning I had taken her to the senior center’s luncheon at the Golden Corral. She had a wonderful time visiting and eating. Her appetite was great because she kept eyeing foods on my plate that had somehow missed her plate.

When we got home, she called my name clearly and after that I didn’t understand anything she said. I associated it with Alzheimer’s, but she kept talking that way so I got John on the phone to listen to her and he said call 911. We live down the road from a fire station so they were at the house within minutes.

The paramedics drove Granny to the Emergency Room, and the doctors and nurses monitored her closely. The doctor wanted to monitor her overnight to watch for any signs of another TIA or stroke.

The sweet nurse rolled her on the stretcher into a nice-sized room, but Granny did not want to be there. At this point, she is attached to oxygen, tied to a heart monitor, pierced with an IV and just “ready to leave.”

However, she had to deal with crazy John and Monique all night. Her potassium was low and her blood pressure was high. Restless!

Let’s just say, Granny had a few choice words for John for having “put her in this situation.” I was in the corner giggling. I know, terrible.

However, the best part came in the morning. By this time, she was READY TO GO! My mother- in –law, Janice, came in and told Granny to eat her grits. Granny didn’t want to eat so Janice fed her each bite. During the feeding, Granny pulled down her gown exposing a little too much and no one could jump up fast enough. It was like slow motion. Janice yanked up the gown and said, “MOM, YOUR GRANDSON IS RIGHT THERE!!! What are you doing?”

Granny just looked at her and said quietly, “I told you I’m ready to go.”

The doctor released her that afternoon and she is doing much better!

Hide-N-Go Seek

Our dog Cassie is enjoying the cooler weather.

John taught her how to play ‘Hide and Seek’ as a puppy. This morning, we played.

She waits in this position.

I say “Hide!” then I turn around and count.

As I count, she’s off to hide. Boy, is she quick!

Here she is hiding.

I found you.

Mama, pet my tummy.

What is it with dentists and me?

I am 27 years old and I still get nervous about going to the dentist! Why did they have to put an age limit to getting a prize from the treasure box? At least, that would be an incentive!

To prove how nervous I get, the hygienist took my blood pressure as she does at every six month cleaning and my pulse rate was 128! I noticed the pitch in her voice got higher as she exclaimed, “You need to get that checked out, girlfriend!” My face turned white as I thought, ‘Forget the teeth cleaning, take me to the ER!!’ With these thoughts swimming in my mind, I leaned back into my chair and opened my mouth as the hygienist began her magic. My heart leapt with joy to know I did not have any cavities, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my crazy pulse rate.

Later on, I asked my mom about my pulse rate and she suggested I check it again. Of course, this was after she read a large section from her medical book about hyperactive thyroids and high blood pressure, which made me super nervous! After checking and double-checking, my pulse rate was 82. Wow! I’m okay for another six months!

Speaking of dentists, Granny is going to the oral surgeon tomorrow because her teeth have been causing her pain. Might not make it for that appointment! J John, it’s all yours!

Cake and Ice-cream

I mentioned in the last post that Tuesday was Granny’s birthday. Today my friends came over for some cake and ice-cream.

Here are some messages my friends wrote for Granny. I printed out cards with each of their pictures so when Granny reads the messages she can see a face with a name. I’m going to put them together in a book for a keepsake.

Here are some pictures and video from the special day.