Angel Alert (good thoughts please)

[Beth]

I need an angel to help an angel. My Dad called a little while ago to tell me they had to take my mom from the hockey game where they had gone to see my nephew play during halftime to the ER. She got cold and wanted to go to the bathroom. When she got up, she apparetnly started to fall and my dad caught her and they got her into a seat before she went out cold. She is in the ER being checked out now. All I know is that her blood pressure is very low, she is cold and shivering.

It appears she has Alzheimer's and is on Aricept (just since this past summer). It has helped a lot, but I am worried that, in retrospect, she has been dealing with this undetected for a long time. My MIL died of the same disease, and I know that what kills is the fact that the brain gets so bad that it impacts the ability to control the body's regular functions. I've greived over the possibility of a long, torturous fadeout, but this is shocking me. She just had a full body checkup yesterday and has been feeling fine as far as I can tell.

I don't know of her medications could cause this. I don't think her diet would be a problem, but I am wondering if she could have gotten dehydrated. Anyway, I'm just sitting here doing a best case/worst case with myself because there's nothing else I can do right now.

If there's anyone out there, I would really appreaciate a warm hug, a caring angel or a thoughtful prayer sent to Annice at St. Luke's in Houston.

[mom2garret]

Beth: what an awful and scary thing for you to go thru. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time. I hope all goes well with your mom. (((hugs)))
Jodi

[mcgee]

I'm so sorry to hear of this. Sending warm thoughts and prayers your way.

[Beth]

Thanks. I had just gotten my PJs on when we got the call. The only reason I wasn't there was that my son had his Honor Band concert tonight. I can't stand it and am going to stop by my parent's house and graba toothbruch and a few things and go down there to check on her. I'm pretty sure they will be there at least the night (when I passed out nearly 2 years ago, I had nearly 2 days before they finished all the tests and let me go).

About 11-1/2 years ago, my mom jumped on the first plane to come out and see me when I had complications after my son (the one with the band concert tonight) was born. I called her to tell her they were moving me to ICU but not to worry (yeah, like THAT worked) and she said she knew she had to come. She said she knew it would be alright if she came, and it was. I kind of feel the same way now -- and no matter what, I think my dad could use a little moral support.

Thanks again. (((hugs back)))

[Robyncz]

(((Beth))))

I hope you get some good news, or at least a little peace of mind, when you get to the hospital.

[Peggy]

Beth,

I am so sorry to hear your news. I will keep your mother and you and your family in my prayers. Positive thoughts coming your way. Please take care!

Hugs!!

Peggy

[vbak]

Good thoughts coming your way. Take care.

Vicky

[HejazSunKat]

(((Beth))) - I'm so sorry to hear your Mom is going through this. I hope they find the source of the problem quickly and are able to treat her and get her home with her family. Keep us posted on how she's doing. We'll be thinking of her and keeping her in our prayers.

[gabbyh]

Oh Beth! The angels from South Florida are on the way ;-} Hope your Mom is better today and she'll be out of the hospital soon. Please keep us updated.

~Gail

[Mamasue]

Prayers...thoughts and big hug to you Beth....((((((((((Beth)))))))))

[ccooney]

((((((((beth))))))))
prayers on their way

[lhall]

Prayers are on their way! Stay strong Beth.

Leigh

[Natasha]

Beth,

Many, many good thoughts and prayers are coming your way from me to you and your mom.

Natasha

[Jazzmatazz49]

I'm so sorry for you and your family. I pray things will be figured out by the time you read this.

[wallycat]

(((((((((BETH & FAMILY)))))))))

:( :( :(

[stefania4]

BIG HUGS to you and your family. There are some wonderful support groups out there that can help with the practical, everyday aspects of helping someone with Alzheimer's.

[Beth]

Nothing much so far. I was finally able to reach my dad last night just before I was going to leave the house. They were admitting my mom for 24 hr observation and he was planning on leaving soon. It's a good 45 minutes to the hospital she is in, so I figured she should be resting and he would be at home or on his way by the time I could get there and stayed home.

I did not reach my dad by phone this morning, so he is probably on his way back down or already there. I have to help my son complete a service project and then plan to go down later this morning. The only thing I know in the meantime is that her EKG was fine on Friday, but there was a change in the ER last night. Well, that and that one of the firemen with the EMS crew was in the same graduating class as my nephew and one of the medics also works up here in The Woodlands (my dad is quite the personal trivia guy ;) ).

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers. I sat here and typed and felt a little silly last night, but I couldn't reach anyone or do anything, so I did what I could. But now I know from personal experience that a string of small, simple good thoughts really do mean something and make the recipient feel better. Thanks again.

[leightx]

((((Beth)))) More good thoughts coming from me!

[Missi]

Sending thoughts, prayers, and a few angels to your family.

[Kayaksoup]

((Beth and Family)). I am sorry to hear about this. I hope your mom improves soon. take care of yourself too.

[Melman]

Good thoughts and some more angels coming from this direction too!

[SandyM]

Beth,

Please know that your mom and your whole family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.

[Chefzhat]

Hugs to you Beth. It is so worrisome when a parent is ill.

xoxoxoxo

[sneezles]

Beth,
so very sorry to hear aobut your mom. I hope that you get some good news soon. Know that I'll keep you and your folks in my prayers.

[Robyn1007]

Oh, Beth!

I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. You have been such an angel to me and my family, I wish I were there to give you a hug. Please let me know if you need anything, I know my parents would jump at the chance to help you out.

Robyn

[Beth]

Don't really know anything more today -- my dad says they have ruled out some things but will not tell me what. He's infuriating that way. I planned on going down ealier, but found out she was up until about 5 this morning with tests, and then my sister and her son stopped by on their way home from a hockey game in Clear Lake. We're letting her get some rest while we plant a couple of trees and will go down there when we are tired instead. Meanwhile, she seems to be stable and doing well.

Thanks again for your concerns and support.

[Jessica]

(((Beth))) It is so difficult to know that your parents now need you instead of the other way around. Lots of good thoughts heading south on I-35--I hope they reach you soon.

[jellyben]

Beth, sorry you are dealing with this. I wish your mom a speedy recovery. My dad became sick and was hospitalized(twice!) during his last visit, and it is indeed a shock to see a parent so vulnerable.

Good thoughts coming your way.

[tbb113]

Beth: Sorry to hear about your mom.

[CompassRose]

Beth, sorry to hear about your mother. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

Katharine

[Alethea]

Beth, I'm so sorry about your mother. :( You and your family are in my thoughts; I hope you hear some good news soon. Take care.

[phantomcg]

Beth,

I'll be sending lots of prayers to you and your entire family. I cannot even imagine what you all must be going through. I pray that everything will be ok.

Many, many hugs.

Cheryl

[Cookin4Love]

((((Beth)))) Hope your mom is doing better. Prayers coming your way.

[dearamy]

I just saw this thread will send lots of get well wishes to you mother. Hugs to your family.

[lonetree1353]

(((Beth))) Sorry to hear about your mom. Wishing her a speedy recovery and good thoughts for you and your family.

[donleyk]

(((Beth and family))) Hope she is doing better.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Beth
Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers. I sat here and typed and felt a little silly last night, but I couldn't reach anyone or do anything, so I did what I could. But now I know from personal experience that a string of small, simple good thoughts really do mean something and make the recipient feel better. Thanks again.

I know what you mean. :) I think just typing it helps to relieve some of the emotions that are building up when you can't talk with friends or family. Don't feel silly.

Sending good thoughts for your mom.

Chuck is watching his Dad go through Alzheimer's - it's been a very slow progression so far, but it's beginning to accelerate - and it's very hard, especially on his mom. :(

Alysha

[linsleyd]

Sending good thoughts, hope she's doing ok!

[Beth]

Originally posted by lindrusso

Chuck is watching his Dad go through Alzheimer's - it's been a very slow progression so far, but it's beginning to accelerate - and it's very hard, especially on his mom. :(

Yeah, my dad went through a really rough time this summer and he just wasn't himself. He wasn't talking about anything, and it was making him crazy. I think the changes in his personality over the summer were stress-repated, but I am also watching him because his memory is not what it has been and I know he will keep everything to himself.

When we lost my MIL to it, we saw in retrospect how many years she had been hiding things from us when we cleaned out her home. That wasn't until she finally admitted she couldn't keep up the house and moved into a senior apartment complex. The progression was much more rapid after that.

I had a hard time this summer when hearing about my mother because I had been trying to get my dad to take her to the dr for at least a year -- and he said, "For what?" Being a child is a lot like parenting in reverse, and you have to realize that you can only push and guide so far. I'll cry harder, wondering what if sometimes, but there's nothing that would make me ready for this or think there was one bit of fairness in seeing my mom go through this. She just turned 72 weeks ago, and I bet she's been hiding this from us for at least 5-6 years or more now that I can look back. The stigma and the fear is so strong that it makes everything harder.

No further news yet -- just more tests. :(

[Kismet]

(((Beth)))

Sending more good thoughts your way!

[JoanneOR]

Beth, sending lots of prayers and good thoughts your way.

[rosie_one]

Beth, I'm thinking of you and your family too. Sorry to hear this is happening. :(

[KathrynY]

(((Beth and Family))) Sending more good thoughts your way. Take care.

[Kathy B]

So sorry to hear about your mom, Beth, and I hope things are a little better today. It IS hard to try to help your parents (parenting in reverse), because we don't have the same authority that we do with our kids, but I think we feel a lot of responsibility. Not an easy situation to be in. :(

Sending more good thoughts for you and all of your family. Take care!

[Beth]

Quick update: my mom gopt home last night, but my dad said he'd call me back and didn't. I knew my mom was exhausted so I waited until today to call. My mom was still sleeping and my dad is not saying much. He's always been bad about not discussing medical info, so if anything happens where one of us have to step in -- good luck. I don't know if this is that sort of thing or what, but apparently they don't know what caused her to pass out.

I got concerned when I saw her yesterday (still in the hopsital). She looked tired and a bit frail and they said she had been too shakey to walk much. She had gotten sick during the stress test and they had to stop it before I got there. She got sick again while I was there, but then she ate the banana and some strawberries out of the mini fruit basket I took her and that all stayed down. She finished the test and was dismissed, but that's about all I know.

We were supposed to go to lunch on Thursday, and I'm not sure yet if we still will. I hope she's up to it. Either way, I'm still a bit concerned.

Thanks again for all the thoughts, prayers and hugs. My mom is as near a saint on earth as I have known.

[jmarie]

Thanks for the update. This is late, but I do hope that you find out what is wrong, soon and that it is something that will easily be taken care of. We just went through a rough spell with mom and I know how upset you are.
I'm praying for your mom and your family.
Joyce

[cniles]

(((Beth)))) - just saw the thread and wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and your family. I'm glad she's back home - and hope things continue to go well. Hang in there.

[slknight]

(((Beth))), I'm thinking of you and your mother.

[boisewinesnob]

Beth,
I hope she improves and good wishes/prayers for you and your dad too

[Natasha]

Beth,

Thanks for the update and I'm continuing to send good wishes for your mom and your whole family.

Natasha

[Peggy]

Originally posted by Beth
Being a child is a lot like parenting in reverse, and you have to realize that you can only push and guide so far. :(

I hear you, Beth!:( My Dad is suffering from severe dementia (they aren't calling it Alzheimer's yet). All of the kids knew things weren't right and we begged my mother to take charge and get help for both of them. It took several panicky situations before things got worked out. It is soooo hard trying to help your parents as they age and them not wanting your help and advise.

I'm glad to hear your mom is home now and I hope things improve for her and your Dad.

Take care of yourself!:)

Peggy

[Gecko]

I hope that your mom continues to improve. Remember to look after yourself too. I will keep you all in my thoughts.

[Linda in MO]

I have been following your story, Beth, and my heart breaks for you and your family. It's so hard to watch a loved one suffer. Just wanted to let you know you were in my thoughts. Sending hugs your way.
((((Beth and family))))

[Wendy w]

((((((((Beth)))))))
I am very sorry that you are dealing with this and am more so that I am so late in joining in on the thoughts and prayers. Best to you and your's.

[Beth]

I'm not being told a lot, but it sounds like they didn't really find anything in 2 days of testing. If it was similar to the time I passed out a couple of years ago, they probably ruled out heart attack, stroke, seizures and some other things. I talked to her again last night and she is a bit tired (we had plans to go to lunch today and are rescheduling for next week -- a good thing since my 8 yr old is home sick).

Last night was the first time I heard that the night or so before the fainting, my mom ate some fish at home (a frozen protion) she thought did not taste quite right. She ate it anyway and threw out the rest. My dad doesn't eat fish, so he didn't have any. No one else ate it, none left to check, but one of the folks at the hospital told my dad that could have been a culprit. If they ruled out a stroke and her heart is fine, that could also explain why she is tired, was shakey in the hospital and why she got sick suring the stress test. We'll never know for sure, but she is feeling a lot better, has finally gotten some good rest and looks like all is well. Was a good scare at first though.

Thanks once more to all who thought of her, me and my family.

[Linda in MO]

Originally posted by Beth
but she is feeling a lot better, has finally gotten some good rest and looks like all is well. Was a good scare at first though.

That's great news Beth! Thanks for keeping us updated! :)