No where to turn
Mon, 09/29/2014 - 1:26PMHi Melissa.
Sorry to hear about your dad's complictions. I know it's hard not just for your mom but for the whole family, it's a tough change. All I can say is for her to do the best she can. That's all she can do. Try to get into a routine. For me my phone helps. I have alarms set for everything! As far as getting your dad his fluids, she can set an alarm for it..get him a digital watch and set it to go off at the same times everyday to help him remember it's time to get a glass of water. He will associate that alarm on that watch with the fact that it's time to get something to drink. And give your mom as much support as you can. As a caregiver, it feels like it consumes your life and it's all you do. Just asking her how she's doing and letting her vent makes a difference. Ask her if she needs anything or if there is anything you can help with. Let her know she has support and that she is not alone.
I can give you my email if
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 6:17PMI can give you my email if you would like. I am 34 and my mother has gone through the same. I was not the primary care giver, my father was. But I can empathize with you. My mother got the LVAD in May 2010, and had a debilitating stroke in January 2014. I know I would have liked having someone that understood what was going on, when I was going through everything.
That would be great. It's
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 9:08AMThat would be great. It's hard trying to be a caregiver yet trying not to sound or come off as selfish. I have a new found respect for caregivers. I have read through many of the posts on this site and a lot of people say they got their "second win" so to speak which is awesome. But, my mom never got hers. She had her stroke during implantation. So she went from being able to walk(though short of breath), being able to do for herself, and just basically being able to remember what day it is, to nothing. No walking, memory loss, confusion, and having to depend on someone for everything. SO its hard to describe my feelings about her getting the lvad. Yes, it has kept her around because she may not be here if it wasn't for the device, but at the time she is not living. She just lies or sits there crying sometimes and sad. And as of late, she may have to lose a limb because she is diabetic and there has beencomplications.So I also have been managing her diabetes. checking sugar levels, giving insulin, making sure she doesn't get too many carbs, checking her feet daily ect. Her lvad road has not been an easy one. She didn't get her second win.
Our family is going through
Mon, 09/29/2014 - 9:07AMOur family is going through the same thing. My father has anoxic brain damage from complications after the VAD was placed. He now has short term memory loss and we constantly have to ask him he he "needs to use the restroom" and to remind him to constantly drink fluids. Mom is having a hard time at night w/ him making sure he is hydrated since he can't remember to do this. ANY ADVICE OR words of wisdom for my mom who is a full time caregiver for him and is really starting to emotionally, physically and mentally breakdown :(
Thank you in advance,
Melissa