Today has been tough! It started last night when a nurse from my dad's facility called and said he wanted to go to the hospital because his stomach was hurting. He has done this before a few months ago. During that time the nurse said they tried to get him to take something for his stomach and he refused. The nurse also said if he went, they would probably send him right back because there was not anything wrong. So I convinced him to take the meds and he felt better. Last night they gave him some medicine but he kept saying he wanted to go to the hospital. So the nurse told me that she would call back if he did not feel any better after the meds and still wanted to go. I did not get a call back last night but a nurse called this morning and said he was still talking about going to the hospital. He did develop diarrhea and she said he vomited some, So the nurse consulted with the doctor and she recommended he go. Well then he changed his mind and even ate breakfast. So long story short, he called me twice while I was church and started talking about the hospital again. So I called the nurse and he changed his mind again. Now he says says he will wait until tomorrow. I know there has been a virus going around and I'm not trying to say he is not sick but he often does this especially when he knows I'm about to be off work for a holiday. I also know he is declining cognitively. I now have a migraine.
Stopping the panic does make you feel better. I have been working on that. Dad will not answer phone sometimes when I call. He use to always answer or call me right back.
Now when I call mom, and she doesn't pick up, I can stop the panic inside me, by talking myself down. It takes time , and work, but it sure can be done.
And if you can stop that one panic feeling, it gets easier and easier, and your head feels more clear, your thinking is better.
And gradually those what ifs will just be little glitches and maybe a few skipped heart beats.
Think of your brain, on anxiety, it's just a snarelly over grown bush. With mindfulness, meditation, therapy, and positive affirmations, it can grow to be a beautiful tree
Your words are so true. I do have the "But what if it is REAL this time" syndrome. I definitely can't give up my life because of it. But I'm just worn out.
I think we often tend to suffer with the "But what if it is REAL this time" syndrome. And the fact is that it may be some day. That doesn't mean you can live your life on this tilt-a-whirl without getting pretty sick of it.
Good to hear from you. Wish the news was better.
Do go on your trip as planned. Something someday WILL happen to your dad. That can be banked on. And you can't meanwhile give your life up because that some day could be this day. That's wouldn't make sense at all.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will leave it open. I definitely have a lot going on.
You have a lot going on. Let us know how tomorrow goes, also.
I'm at the end of my rope. I want him to be taken care of if he is sick, but I know he likes attention. Thank you for saying that I'm doing the best I can because I really am.
Evidently he is telling people that he is going be admitted to the hospital tomorrow because a friend of his just called and said he told him he's being admitted tomorrow. He has had so many tests run already and they were all good.
I get it, I go through spells where I just can't take one more issue.
Faithfulbeauty, you need to take care of you, and try to not worry so much. Dad has people being paid to do that. Your doing the best you can!!
Lea, your story made me giggle 🤭
This reminds me of the time dad was in the hospital with a broken hip, getting "attention", and mom decided she had way too many black & blues on her arms and needed me to take her to the ER. She was taking a blood thinner, btw, which was the reason for the bruises. I was seeing red. I took her to the ER and the doctor said, Josephine, what are you doing here? You're taking blood thinners and questioning BRUISES?
Mom says, I'm not questioning anything, my daughter insisted I come to the ER.
I truly thought my head would explode at that point.
Tell the AL not to call you unless dad decides to go to the ER. And then you'll meet him there. That's what I'd do with my parents, let the ambulance take them. He will get triaged much faster that way too.
Good luck to you.
I had stomach cramps Thursday that hurt really bad but I did have any other issues. He says he wants to go tomorrow to have tests run but when they wanted to send him today, he refused. It is just tough not having anyone to lean on which is why I love this forum. I really can not afford to miss work if there is nothing really wrong and I do not have anyone else to send to check on him. Hopefully it is just a bug.
Yes there is a bug, and mine started with cramps, after I was done barfing, every time I ate the cramps would come back, so see if you notice that and maybe a bit week in the knees kind of feeling.
I hear you though, it could be the bug or it could be nothing.
You are just plan tired of the problem, completely understandable.
One time I took Mom to the pharmacy, the next day she called and said her pills look different. My thoughts where, ugh she just want to go back and putter around rite aid, but I also new , ya don't mess around with scripts.
So I took her back. Low and behold. They double her meds that lower her heart rate. If she took them things could of gone very bad.
But in your case if it is the stomach bug, there isn't anything much can be done. Id just monitor him, and increase his fluids. Unless it gets worse.