Part 84. Mother-Daughter Journey: The Word Of The Day is “Better”
The last we spoke I was reporting on an issue with my mother that led me to believe that I was viewing a decline in her orientation and functioning. But here’s the thing: that may have been true for that moment but all in all she is doing fine–it seems–she has been to the vitreo-retinal specialist for the second time and I was surprised and happy to see such a remarkable improvement in her retina. if you recall, she takes shots of a medication into the eye and it is working. I am not sure if her vision has improved per se; she is blind in one eye, and still, In the treated eye she still sees wavy lines. I bought her another lamp in hopes of improving the light situation and so she can continue to attempt to do her word puzzles.
She has two more appointments in the near future, one with the opthalmologist I introduced her to who found the problem and the other with the specialist in about a month.
She is holding her own: it seems to me that there are some political issues within the agency that supplies the aides and this concerns me. And as the supervisor may be reading this, read well. I am detecting favoritism and manipulation and I don’t like it. Now that I can stand back and piece a lot of what happened together as described from the previous blog, I suspect some collusion, some nasty handling and inappropriate behavior on the part of the aide who made a big scene and subsequently left. The people who WANT to work there and get more hours are denied: the coordinator takes care of her friends. I don’t know how this is going to play out as I said I wasn’t going to get involved, but the pen continues to be mightier than the sword and I have to be a diplomat. But it just goes on and on and on and it’s just one more thing I have to keep an eye on and take care of. Thankfully for now everything is seemingly as good as it gets.
Except for my issues. [Note: I am not the only person I take care of in addition to myself and my mother.]
Anyway, here’s a word of advice: get yourself an advocate.
Another word of advice: read up on medical stuff and side-effects.
In addition to my on-going issues with various forms of migraine and vertigo, I finally discovered that a visual issue I was having was due to the drug CYMBALTA , a drug which is given to patients with migraine (didn’t do a bit of good but make me worse).
Since I am off CYMBALTA I have no more of the symptoms of “jumpy” vision, “electric-shock-brain,” and “wacky” inability to converge my eyes at times and perceive depth accurately. I still have the other crap, but at least I have the name of a neuro-ophthalmologist. Maybe if I finally get a moment I can see him.
I still go to bio-feedback sessions when able and use the MUSE meditation device which is something my therapist recommends. In short, I am doing what I can do, doing the best I can to take care of myself and the people around me who need help. I try to keep my sense of humor and stay creative–the best medicine of all.
My life is not the best possible but it is a tad better.
Well written and very well done, my friend. I DO hope the aides supervisor reads your post. This unfortunate kind of business is sadly too frequent everywhere. Yes, we all need advocates to make ourselves heard, but you are the best advocate I know, Sue.
Good to learn that you Mother is improving and that you have ended that wrong therapy.
I wish you lots and lots of strength – you are already very strong, but extra strength may help – in managing the complex situation you’re in.
You are a role model.
😚
I am so thankful you are my friend. I really understand the problems you wrote about where your Mother lives. I hope she can see,that alone is awful. I also wondered about your migraines, I know we suffer them but I see others so bad off and deal with my problems with much better, thankfulness from God. Please know I shall always think about you,four Children and all ,we care.lol hugs and thanks love your posts. your friend Joann
((Hugs)). Vertigo this weekend. Oy. Take care. Glad it is better!!
I agree with you,Sue, creativity is one of the best medicine . Mindfulness meditation is another one.