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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> My Grandma
        
(Message started by: Lizzie2 on May 31^st, 2006, 2:12pm)

Title: My Grandma
Post by Lizzie2 on May 31^st, 2006, 2:12pm

I need to make a prayer/good vibe request. My grandma up in Syracuse is having surgery right now (it was scheduled for 1:30pm) to remove her gallbladder. This happened very quickly over the past few days. They are going to try to remove it laparscopically, but it could end up being more invasive - they won't know until they are more into the surgery.

She's 83 and the past year hasn't been a good one for her. I just talked to her on the phone for the first time maybe since Christmas, and the reason why is that dementia has come on very quickly with her. I didn't know if it would make things worse to talk to her since a lot of the times she doesn't know who is who.

She did make sense at first, but then she was out of it again. She was trying to answer a question she thought I was asking, and no amount of clarification was helping. It made me very sad.... I'm glad I got to talk to her, but still....so sad.

I've known people who have had family members with alzheimers. In fact, my mom is at a viewing right now for her friend whose father died recently and had alzheimers. It always seemed like a slow process to me. But this dementia is very fast - and my psychiatrist just told me that "it often is."

Just a few months ago, there was no dementia. And now, last night my dad told me that she is "out of it more than she's with it."

:'( :'( :'(

Please just say a prayer or send up a good vibe. I have to work from 3-11pm, but my parents will call me at work to give me an update once the surgery is finished. I'll post tonight when I get home from work...

Thanks
Lizzie (the name my dad's side of the family always calls me - which is how I got my nickname in the first place)

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Redd715 on May 31^st, 2006, 2:20pm

You have it Sis.

BTW the fast onset of the dementia is indicative of Lewy Body Dementia, of which my Mother suffered for quite a few years before she passed last fall. It was difficult sometimes to hold conversations with her, while at others she was very lucid.

Your Grandmother is in my thoughts dear...and you take care of you too.

Luv,

Pegg

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by LeLimey on May 31^st, 2006, 2:47pm

You want it, you've got it [smiley=hug.gif]
I'll be thinking of you both, if you need me leave me a message and I'll call you tomorrow.
lots of love
Helen xxx

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Lizzie2 on May 31^st, 2006, 2:51pm

Thanks to both of you.... Redd - I'll read up on the lewy body dementia now that you mention it. Thank you.

Helen - tomorrow is my EGD under anesthesia. (Upper GI endoscopy...) I may be quite out of it, but a call from you is always welcome!! The procedure is scheduled for 10:30am, so I'll be home sometime in the afternoon...Let me know if you need the phone number again. Well, email me at my juno addy - I can check that at work.

Love you guys,
Lizzie :)

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Redd715 on May 31^st, 2006, 3:05pm

http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/lewybody.htm

Probably the most comprehensive breakdown of the disease I've read, and trust me, over the years I cared for Mom after she was Dx, I've read about everything there is, including very bad descriptions and outright wrong ones.

I hope this helps hon.

Love to you and your family,

Pegg

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Mattrf on May 31^st, 2006, 3:40pm

My grandma who is the patriarch of my family has been having mini strokes for about 8 years now and they say that it mimics Alzheimer’s and that she would just drift away.
She did just that so I know how you feel, the last time I saw her was at my sisters wedding about two years ago and she had no idea who I was or anyone else for that matter. It really sucks to see them and know they no longer know who you are. I do think that it also makes it a little easier when they do finally go, since you basically have already said goodbye to there mind and there body now is the only thing left to say goodbye to. It may sound a little cold of me but this is my second relative to go out this way, I don’t know if it is any easier for the sufferer, I hope that inside there mind they really are unaware of what is going on, I can say that my grate grandma seemed very happy before she died even though she had no idea who we where and my grandmother now seems happy, she just has no clue who anyone is. I just hope it is tougher on us then it is on them.

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by maffumatt on May 31^st, 2006, 5:05pm

your and yours are in my thoughts and prayers
Matt

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by aprilbee on May 31^st, 2006, 5:22pm

I lost both my granny's in one year...they were so special to me...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family... :-*

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Jonny on May 31^st, 2006, 5:39pm

:'( :'(

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Charlie on May 31^st, 2006, 8:31pm

Thinking a hoping all goes well with the surgery. I wish the gallbladder removal was her only problem. My grandmother got rid of hers at 80 with no effects.

http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/VIBES & MORE.png

Charlie

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Charlotte on May 31^st, 2006, 8:35pm

I will be praying for you and your grandma. I have been since noon, but I was too sad to respond then.

Did her confusion start after a broken hip or something that might be a reaction to anesthesia, or is it here to stay.

Charlotte

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Sean_C on May 31^st, 2006, 9:45pm

Saying prayers for grandma :'(

Sean............................

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by ShariRae on May 31^st, 2006, 9:55pm

Prayers and vibes comin her way (and yours too)
Much Love
Shari

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by nani on Jun 1^st, 2006, 12:39am

I'm sending vibes and prayers, Carrie. Please don't be alarmed if her dementia gets worse after anesthesia and any pain meds. For some reason, they tend to exacerbate it. hugs, nani

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Jasmyn on Jun 1^st, 2006, 3:38am

((( [smiley=hug.gif] )))

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by minnie on Jun 1^st, 2006, 10:52pm

Lizzie,
How's your Grandma doing.Sorry if you posted and I missed it.It has been a busy week and just catching up on the board now.Hope all is well.
Minie

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 2^nd, 2006, 10:27pm

Thanks you guys,

My grandma is doing okay. :) They were able to remove her gallbladder laparascopically and said that it was infected, so it's good they got it out. Apparently, she's making more sense since the surgery, so we wonder if some of the dementia may have been from sepsis (infection). Either way, I'm glad she's through it! Not glad about the dementia being there at all, obviously, but at least it doesn't sound quite as bad now...

As for me, had my upper GI endo yesterday under anesthesia. It showed completely normal tissue. And I've gotta say, that's good and bad. Great that it's nothing serious but bad because now my doctor probably thinks I'm lying about all the reflux, nausea, and vomiting I've been having in the last few months. He's a great doc, so I hope he doesn't think that - but I tend to worry about such things... Surprised he didn't find a great gaping ulcer with all the stress I feel! LOL I slept all afternoon yesterday and all night.

I was in for vacation #1 today at work, but not only did I not get vacation, I went in to an assignment of 4 babies in the transitional nursery - which is preemie feeder grower, drug addiction, and term rule out land. I don't like working there, and it was my 4th work day in a row there. Plus it was a 12 hour day. And tomorrow is a 12 hour day with the same assignment. And Sunday will probably be another 12 hour day with the same assignment....

At least on Tuesday, I leave for Florida. The only negative is that my grandma down there (other grandma) has been having severe back pain and my grandfather even took her to the ER the other night. They didn't tell my mom because they were afraid that then I wouldn't come. :'( I'm still going and I wouldn't have let her carry my suitcase or do anything too difficult anyways....

Why are they all having problems at the same time??? :( :'(

Man...life really sucks lately......

Thanks again for all the good vibes,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: My Grandma
Post by LeLimey on Jun 3^rd, 2006, 4:47am

I'm glad all is well Carrie, now get yourself set to enjoy that holiday!
Shall I give Jolene a call to warn her you'll be in the area?!
Don't forget the camera, we want bazillions of pics when you get back or else!
Helen