How are you Jo?

[joy]

Hi there Jo. I have been sorta outa of the loop on things lately and was sitting here tonight & started wondering how you were doing ? Good under the circimstances I hope but just wanted to give a shout out to you anyway and ask.

[rumpled]

Jo, I hope you are hanging in there. We are thinking about you.

[joy]

Oh now I am aggrevated at myself. I had intended to get people's e-mail address etc. just in case we ever have another shut down. We know it will happen as it always does. But I failed to ask for anything from several people and now I am wishing I had. If anyone does have contact with Jo regularly will you please fill in for the rest of us and let her know we are thinking about her and hoping things are going okay for her and her family.

Phone numbers would be even better!! I hate that I get bogged down with my own same old same old things that aren't really all that bad and then forget to keep up with others.

[Tootsie]

Periodically, Jo6, gets bogged down in the details of daily health challenges, and busy with things other than the Internet. She will be back when she is available again, I'm sure.

I, too, don't always get to the computer as I do share ours with my husband. Then, too, we changed from a dial up service to whatever they call what we have now! It didn't work for about a week so I didn't have home access to the Internet. Cheerio.

[joy]

thanks Tootsie. I guess everyone has down time. It seems mine is getting to be a bit more frequent tho. Hopefully things are fine and I'll just keep my eyes open for her return. I hate it when I seem to go thru days and weeks of feeling like I'm in a daze and not aware of much.

[Jo6]

I'm sorry I haven't posted sooner. I have had a time, Shingllllllles!! I've been very ill and not sure if I've turned the cornor yet.

Tootsie and Joy and Jenn, thank you for thinking of me. I miss this place.I hope to feel better soon and be back. I hope you all are well and your LO's are doing ok. My MIL is still just hanging on, I don't understand how. Only God knows these reasons.

I haven' been to the NH, but hubby goes 3 or 4 days a week and spends the day with her.

Take care all and hope to be back soon. I miss you all. luv, Jo

[joy]

Oh Jo, I feel bad for you shingles. I hope that is not anything like my neuropathic pain when my nerves die. I know it is very painful as anyone that has had it will tell you. I was also getting just a bit fretful that I'd not thought to make a back up plan in case braintlk went down again.

I hope the shingles move on out and you start to feeling better soon. It is so good to see you posted.

[Tootsie]

Jo, I am sorry to hear about your shingles. They are so incapacitating and the pain so unrelenting. Has your doctor given you anything to help?

There is an over-the-counter preparation called Domboro that is used for skin eruptions. It is basically packets of powder that you mix with water and use as a wet dressing. We used it for our son's poison oak, years ago, and he said it was better than anything else the doctor prescribed.

I haven't been at the computer for almost a week. The current flu virus has paid me a visit and I've been just miserable. I ran a low grade fever, but that gives me awful body aches, headaches, and I'm unable to really sleep. I doze, dream a lot, awaken frequently, cough, and now my belly muscles are protesting from all the coughing. The good news is that I seem to be a bit better today.

I hope that soon, you too, can say that, Jo. Cheerio.

[rumpled]

Oh no - shingles! Did they catch it in time to give you acyclovir? That should lessen the time of the outbreak. I had an outbreak before and it was horrid. Cool packs help a bit, too. I keep those gel packs in the freezer for migraines but it seems they help for a lot of stuff. Just wrap them in a cloth so they are not too cold.
Hang in there... sending good thoughts for you and your hubby and MIL... it is a very rough time.

[Jo6]

I am so sorry so many have been down with the flu! shingles aren't any fun but I seemed to have turned the cornor and started back up. ((i hope))

I miss you all and I see there are new ones here. It's always sad to see others suffering dementia, but this forum and all the very helpful members helps a lot.

MIL is just hanging on, just the liquid and some nutrients . I'm not sure, When I get to go she will look so sad. I see silent tears and it is really getting to me. I won't forsake her, I will go as long as it is safe for her as well as the other patients.

I met up with an uncle and aunt the other day in the drug store. I took 1 look at her and I knew instantly. My uncle(my dads brother) bent down and whispered she was suffering dementia. She was getting restless and they had to go but I will call him soon to see if I can help out.

I guess I am just getting old, but it seems this is the norm these days. It makes me very sad.

Take care all and hope your LO's are well. Jo

[Tootsie]

It is so good to see you posting again! I have thought of you often and was hoping that the shingles were gradually clearing up.

I, too, have been frustrated with just how long it has taken to get over the remnants of the flu bug. While those symptoms seem to have subsided, it has taken longer to get the wheezing from my asthma under control. It has been about 7 years since I first began to wheeze whenever I got a cold or any kind of cough. My energy level is improved but not as good as I want it to be. Perhaps it never will be. Such is the situation as the birthdays accumulate. Cheerio.

[Jo6]

I'm sorry you have bee sick too. About your wheezing and asthma, mine started up about that long ago. It sure can be scarey at times, especially when you can't breathe:eek:

I'm still flirting with this business called shingles!! I've got to go back to dermatologist soon, but may go sooner if things aren't better by next week. I think I am better, then the itching and pure pain kicks in.

I'm about ready to "throw in the towel"!! I hope all are having some relief with the flu germs. I think many are down with flu at NH. I certainly don't want to take any grems there, but neither do I want to bring some home with me.

Tootsie, I do hope you are perky as ever, your old self.;) You are a good person. I've been reading in other forums and you are sunshine every where you go.

Take care all, Jo

[joy]

Hi Jo, something hs gone haywired with my getting notified about new posts made on subjects because I have missed these since you have been back Jo. It HAS to be something other than my own feebleness of mind as I'm still the same as always, lol. I think maybe since I started the post I must not have checked the box or something or I am relying on just scanning the new posts too much (more likley this!).

In any case I am hoping those shingles leave soon as I know from hearing about the pain from others. My own daughter has had them 2 times already in her young life and was miserable with them.

I imagine it saps your strength also but I'm hoping it leaves your body soon and you can feel up to returning to everything in life. You sure have been missed around a lot of places here. I usually just "meet" you here but know you likley post elsewhere as well.

We got a surprise today here where I live. We've been warned about gettig snows so much this winter and have not had any to speak of. Well it sure is coming down here now. The ground is already white. It is not sticking on roads too bad right now but my computer temperature says 30 degress so it just might start anytime.

It is odd to see this in March as we "used" to always get this in January, just in time to have to eat all of duaghter's birthday cake ourselves as no one could slide over, lol. It happned so much I finally learned how to decorate cakes myself so I could have a do-over on the cakes without much trouble.

Hope to see you around more, meaning just hope your shingles clear up and fast!

Take care.

[Jo6]

I haven't given up on her, but that could mean many things. I've heard that gurgling sound . Oh how well do I remember. My heart is heavy, but I can try to comfort K and his sibs. The sibs., don't exactly like me. I've tried to help Mary all these years, at first we did have some good times. When I am there I talk to her just like she is awake and carrying on a conversation.

What can it hurt? Jennifer, I remember you saying you did this for your MIL. I tried massaging her hand and arm. You could just feel her relax. It is all so sad. I pray she is not in pain. She has been this week and they had to give her morphine.

All of you have been so kind and helpful. I get a lot of info from Tootsie talking to new members. Tootsie, you are a good girl, Lucy Brown:p ((Charlies Sister)).

I love you all and will be back as much as possible. Thank you, Jo

[rumpled]

Hopefully your hubby knows you care no matter what you say or if you don't say it - it is a rough time. I don't know what my MIL knew at the end - even once or twice she would even comment about cold hands! So there were definite moments were she was *there* but mostly, she was just... resting. We used to talk to her and just talk in the room to make noise. We also left the TV on a channel she liked.
Take care of yourself, too.

[Tootsie]

I've been around the forums for years, but just how do you get into these "Chat Rooms?" Cheerio.

[Jo6]

Hi Tootsie. I an shill. and on top of that THE

[Jo6]

Tootsie, I am sorry for that last post! I don't know WHERE I WAS, eh? Down right crazy. :D
things are still about the same, her vitals are slowly getting lower. I want to help her, but no way to do that. I try to make her know I care, who ever she thinks I am.
I hope others are doing OK. It's hard for me to even talk myself these days. I pray she isn't in pain. thanks to all of you that have let me lean on thier rock all this time. I love you all for caring. ((hugs)) Jo

[joy]

Just thinking about you Jo. (((((HUGS)))))

[Tootsie]

Hi Jo,
I was relieved to see your post today, even though it had no good news to report. I guess it gives you a real insight into the title of that book about Alzheimer's Disease, entitled, "The Long Goodbye". I never read the book but I thought the title so very appropriate. I think that you are doing all that can be done to let your MIL know how much you love her. Even if she does not seem aware of you, or your presence, on some level, I am sure she feels that love and concern. Know that we all have been in similar situations, and are keeping you in your thoughts and prayers. Cheerio.