Mom's nurse was out and said that if the gas company and the fire department both said that everything is fine, then she doesn't need a blood test to determine if there is still any possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Well, don't I feel sheepish! I wanted to rule out all possibility of there being anything wrong, physically. I guess I better leave things to the professionals and not try to figure things out on my own!
Now the next step for mom is a visit to a psychiatrist. Maybe I need one too! Dang!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Things that make you go Ugh!
Dear Reader, if my blog is too depressing, don't read it! Just sayin'. This is my life and I can't help how I feel. I am not perfect and I have things in my life I am working on too. That being said, read it with that in mind. Thanks!
Got another call from mom yesterday, that she can't breathe and needs to go to the ER. Said she slept all day Tuesday and couldn't wake up and then whenever she tried to get up and do anything, she was out of breath or if sitting, couldn't stay awake. Of course this scared me! Then, she said, but I don't want to go for a couple hours because I don't have any clean clothes. So, then I realized it must not be too bad. Long story short-I think she is missing my dad and got depressed and didn't realize why she wanted to sleep so much. Her nurse had me go pick up anti-anxiety pills for her at the pharmacy last night, but then they gave her the shakes and a headache and now she has body aches this morning.
She mentioned to me yesterday that there MUST be something wrong with her apartment, because every time she leaves it, she feels fine; when she returns, she feels sick. So, before even going to her apartment, I stopped off at the office to talk to the manager on duty. I asked if we could call the gas company out again to double check and see if there is still a leak in her apartment. She was very nice to help us out. We got the gas company to come out, but the guy was a total ---! He was such a jerk! There was a very minor leak, but determined that the ambiant air was fine, no Carbon Monoxide, and everything was in proper working order. Mom had had the sliding door open, so if there was a problem, I don't know if it would have picked anything up anyway. I am not a scientist, but common sense would tell me that if there was a problem, it was aired out by then, after about 4 hours.
In the meantime, the fire department was called out and they brought their little monitors out to check dangerous gas levels, etc. Everything checked out okay. They went into another room of the apartment and it checked out okay too. One of the firemen suggested that maybe she has some allergies to something in the apartment, another suggested it is all mental, and that when she gets around other people, she forgets about how bad she feels; then, when she comes home, it comes back because then she starts thinking about how awful she feels.
I got kinda mad at her and we got into an argument. I told her that there is nothing wrong with her! I have taken her to the doctor and she has had so many tests! They have checked her inside and out! (Last week, she had a colonoscopy!) So, this morning, I asked her to tell her nurse I want a carbon monoxide poisoning blood test done, just to rule that out. I don't want there to be something wrong and find her dead or something! But geesh! I think she is fine. I think there is some mental stuff going on. But, other than taking other people's word for it, I had to discover this on my own and tried to give my mom the "benefit of the doubt".
I hated that we got into an argument, but some things were said that needed to be said. I left her on a positive note, however. I asked her to write down 100 things that she is thankful for and that I wanted to see her list the next time I returned. And I told her that I will get her a gratitude journal that she needs to write in every day and write down all that she is thankful for. The lesson for the day: Don't look back or dwell on the past. The future is bright and wonderful ahead. Look forward to it and be grateful for all the blessings in your life.
I realized from this experience yesterday, that mom and I are so much alike in so many ways. It scares me a bit, but it really should be empowering! Knowledge is power, right? Baby steps...and breathing exercises. :) ha!
Got another call from mom yesterday, that she can't breathe and needs to go to the ER. Said she slept all day Tuesday and couldn't wake up and then whenever she tried to get up and do anything, she was out of breath or if sitting, couldn't stay awake. Of course this scared me! Then, she said, but I don't want to go for a couple hours because I don't have any clean clothes. So, then I realized it must not be too bad. Long story short-I think she is missing my dad and got depressed and didn't realize why she wanted to sleep so much. Her nurse had me go pick up anti-anxiety pills for her at the pharmacy last night, but then they gave her the shakes and a headache and now she has body aches this morning.
She mentioned to me yesterday that there MUST be something wrong with her apartment, because every time she leaves it, she feels fine; when she returns, she feels sick. So, before even going to her apartment, I stopped off at the office to talk to the manager on duty. I asked if we could call the gas company out again to double check and see if there is still a leak in her apartment. She was very nice to help us out. We got the gas company to come out, but the guy was a total ---! He was such a jerk! There was a very minor leak, but determined that the ambiant air was fine, no Carbon Monoxide, and everything was in proper working order. Mom had had the sliding door open, so if there was a problem, I don't know if it would have picked anything up anyway. I am not a scientist, but common sense would tell me that if there was a problem, it was aired out by then, after about 4 hours.
In the meantime, the fire department was called out and they brought their little monitors out to check dangerous gas levels, etc. Everything checked out okay. They went into another room of the apartment and it checked out okay too. One of the firemen suggested that maybe she has some allergies to something in the apartment, another suggested it is all mental, and that when she gets around other people, she forgets about how bad she feels; then, when she comes home, it comes back because then she starts thinking about how awful she feels.
I got kinda mad at her and we got into an argument. I told her that there is nothing wrong with her! I have taken her to the doctor and she has had so many tests! They have checked her inside and out! (Last week, she had a colonoscopy!) So, this morning, I asked her to tell her nurse I want a carbon monoxide poisoning blood test done, just to rule that out. I don't want there to be something wrong and find her dead or something! But geesh! I think she is fine. I think there is some mental stuff going on. But, other than taking other people's word for it, I had to discover this on my own and tried to give my mom the "benefit of the doubt".
I hated that we got into an argument, but some things were said that needed to be said. I left her on a positive note, however. I asked her to write down 100 things that she is thankful for and that I wanted to see her list the next time I returned. And I told her that I will get her a gratitude journal that she needs to write in every day and write down all that she is thankful for. The lesson for the day: Don't look back or dwell on the past. The future is bright and wonderful ahead. Look forward to it and be grateful for all the blessings in your life.
I realized from this experience yesterday, that mom and I are so much alike in so many ways. It scares me a bit, but it really should be empowering! Knowledge is power, right? Baby steps...and breathing exercises. :) ha!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Back in the Saddle Again
I haven't blogged anything in forever! Lots of things happening in my life. I might try this again and see what happens. :)
Let's see...2011 is coming to a close and as I look back, I clearly see the hand of the Lord in my life. I wish I was better at journaling, however. I can't remember everything, but the following are some of the major highlights.
Last school year, I had one child in College, one in High School, one in Jr. High, and the three little ones in elementary school. Talk about strange! But, this year, ALL six kids are in school! I thought I would not know what to do with my time, but I have managed to find plenty!
In August, I helped some friends pack and move. They had to pack up quickly and the mom wasn't sure what to do. They did not take much with them, but what they could fit in their RV and a tow behind trailer and small automobile. I did quite a bit of packing and tried to help the mom maintain her sanity through it all. They made their move and are doing very well, but are sorely missed.
A few weeks later, I packed my mom and moved her from Middleton, Idaho to Pleasant Grove, Utah. I am thankful for the help I had for the first few days, hauling, sorting, and tossing things. It made packing up her home much, much easier. (Thanks to my sweet sister and my uncle.)
Zachary had surgery in October. He had a cyst removed from his forehead and a lymph glad removed from his neck. Thankfully, there is no cancer and he is mostly healed up. He had the stitches on his forehead rupture on the outside, so he has quite a nasty scar. But, with time, hopefully it will minimize a bit.
We had a flood in our basement, that has been ongoing for the last while. It was finally determined that it was NOT the sprinkler system, but that we had the cartridge go bad in the upstairs bathtub faucet and as much water as was spraying out of the faucet, was spraying into the wall. JOY!!! So, when the girl's took a shower or a bath, the water was running down the wall and saturating the carpet in the room below them. Later, it was determined that in 3 of the 4 bathrooms, the cartridges were all bad! So, as a precaution, we had them all replaced.
After months of leaking, and inspections, and mold, and damaged carpet, etc. we had walls removed, mold removal and treatment, heppa fans running, walls replaced, carpet replaced, and the room repainted. Now, all the repairs have been made, a few items replaced, and a few more items still to be replaced, but looking on the bright side...we have a home, we have a roof over our heads, we have warmth and we are truly blessed. Sometimes, things happen that help remind us of what is truly important in our lives. Sometimes, those lessons are not necessarily convenient, but are teaching moments...that help us learn some of life's greater lessons. Count your blessings! And, be grateful!
The kids are playing hide-and-seek, in the dark, in our house as I write this. It is also 10:30pm, so I should probably go for now and get the little ones off to bed. Christmas break...staying up late, playing games, having friends over, having sleep-overs, and just having lots of fun! I love Christmas break! I love having my kids home and am glad to see that they really do love each other. :)
Let's see...2011 is coming to a close and as I look back, I clearly see the hand of the Lord in my life. I wish I was better at journaling, however. I can't remember everything, but the following are some of the major highlights.
Last school year, I had one child in College, one in High School, one in Jr. High, and the three little ones in elementary school. Talk about strange! But, this year, ALL six kids are in school! I thought I would not know what to do with my time, but I have managed to find plenty!
In August, I helped some friends pack and move. They had to pack up quickly and the mom wasn't sure what to do. They did not take much with them, but what they could fit in their RV and a tow behind trailer and small automobile. I did quite a bit of packing and tried to help the mom maintain her sanity through it all. They made their move and are doing very well, but are sorely missed.
A few weeks later, I packed my mom and moved her from Middleton, Idaho to Pleasant Grove, Utah. I am thankful for the help I had for the first few days, hauling, sorting, and tossing things. It made packing up her home much, much easier. (Thanks to my sweet sister and my uncle.)
Zachary had surgery in October. He had a cyst removed from his forehead and a lymph glad removed from his neck. Thankfully, there is no cancer and he is mostly healed up. He had the stitches on his forehead rupture on the outside, so he has quite a nasty scar. But, with time, hopefully it will minimize a bit.
We had a flood in our basement, that has been ongoing for the last while. It was finally determined that it was NOT the sprinkler system, but that we had the cartridge go bad in the upstairs bathtub faucet and as much water as was spraying out of the faucet, was spraying into the wall. JOY!!! So, when the girl's took a shower or a bath, the water was running down the wall and saturating the carpet in the room below them. Later, it was determined that in 3 of the 4 bathrooms, the cartridges were all bad! So, as a precaution, we had them all replaced.
After months of leaking, and inspections, and mold, and damaged carpet, etc. we had walls removed, mold removal and treatment, heppa fans running, walls replaced, carpet replaced, and the room repainted. Now, all the repairs have been made, a few items replaced, and a few more items still to be replaced, but looking on the bright side...we have a home, we have a roof over our heads, we have warmth and we are truly blessed. Sometimes, things happen that help remind us of what is truly important in our lives. Sometimes, those lessons are not necessarily convenient, but are teaching moments...that help us learn some of life's greater lessons. Count your blessings! And, be grateful!
The kids are playing hide-and-seek, in the dark, in our house as I write this. It is also 10:30pm, so I should probably go for now and get the little ones off to bed. Christmas break...staying up late, playing games, having friends over, having sleep-overs, and just having lots of fun! I love Christmas break! I love having my kids home and am glad to see that they really do love each other. :)
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