Hello there. I have just joined and I thank you all in advance for listening to me. This may be a long post but I would really appreciate your advice.
I've been caring for my Mum since 2012, as she had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. She is in the clear now but the resulting treatment has left her very frail. She also has Osteoporosis. Since about August 2015 I've noticed problems with Mum's memory. She started asking 'what day is it?' Repeatedly. I have been to our GP with her. He ordered a comprehensive range of blood tests and all came back normal apart from a vitamin D deficiency, which we knew about because of her Osteoporosis. She's now on a strong dose of vitamin D, however he has referred her for a memory clinic appointment, which could take up to four months to materialise. Since 27 December, she's has a chest infection which came to a head when she was saying I was an imposter and I wasn't her daughter. That prompted me immediately to go to my GP and he diagnosed a chest infection. I've been reading up about chest infections in the elderly and know that hallucinations and delirium is an unpleasant side effect of the infection. She's been on Amoxicllin 500 mg since Tuesday and she's on a 21 tablet course which is due to finish on Tuesday next week (5th Jan). She keeps having bouts of confusion and delirium, and I've found it very hard to cope with. I was so concerned that I phoned the Adult social care team at my local county council. We now have assessments lined up for us both - and the memory clinic called asking if they needed to call out, however, as a chest infection has been diagnosed they said that I'd have to wait for an appointment. The thing is, I work full-time - I've churned the figures over and over in my head and there is no way on this Earth that I can possibly give up work. My Mum has lived with me since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery. Loking after someone who is a bit frail and who forgets to take the odd tablet is one thing, but looking after someone who doesn't know you from one day to another has been very frightening and upsetting for me. I haven't had a good night's sleep since this all came about on 27 December. I phoned the helpline today and the lady I spoke to said that I should phone the GP first thing on Monday for follow up treatment and to phone the Adult social care team in Monday too and insist on getting our assessments as a priority. I'm so concerned I may lose my job - I'm dreading going back to work next week as i've got no-one avaliable to look in on her whilst I'm at work. I texted my boss yesterday and she said I can call her tomorrow - she's always been very understanding of my situation and I'm hoping she will again. I used to suffer with depression years ago, but I can feel all the old feeling I used to have coming back. I'm so frightened about the future right now I feel sick to my stomach. I can't deal with this anymore. I have two Sisters - one tries to help and do her very best when she can, the other eldest sister is in complete denial about what's going on and just shouts at my Mum which is completely unacceptable. I can't give up work and I'm worried about the future. Will I be doing the right thing about phoning up the Adult social care team and my GP on Monday? I can't take much more of this and i cannot give up work. Any advice would be very much appreciated - and big apologies for the long, rambling post. Thank you in advance everyone.
I've been caring for my Mum since 2012, as she had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. She is in the clear now but the resulting treatment has left her very frail. She also has Osteoporosis. Since about August 2015 I've noticed problems with Mum's memory. She started asking 'what day is it?' Repeatedly. I have been to our GP with her. He ordered a comprehensive range of blood tests and all came back normal apart from a vitamin D deficiency, which we knew about because of her Osteoporosis. She's now on a strong dose of vitamin D, however he has referred her for a memory clinic appointment, which could take up to four months to materialise. Since 27 December, she's has a chest infection which came to a head when she was saying I was an imposter and I wasn't her daughter. That prompted me immediately to go to my GP and he diagnosed a chest infection. I've been reading up about chest infections in the elderly and know that hallucinations and delirium is an unpleasant side effect of the infection. She's been on Amoxicllin 500 mg since Tuesday and she's on a 21 tablet course which is due to finish on Tuesday next week (5th Jan). She keeps having bouts of confusion and delirium, and I've found it very hard to cope with. I was so concerned that I phoned the Adult social care team at my local county council. We now have assessments lined up for us both - and the memory clinic called asking if they needed to call out, however, as a chest infection has been diagnosed they said that I'd have to wait for an appointment. The thing is, I work full-time - I've churned the figures over and over in my head and there is no way on this Earth that I can possibly give up work. My Mum has lived with me since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery. Loking after someone who is a bit frail and who forgets to take the odd tablet is one thing, but looking after someone who doesn't know you from one day to another has been very frightening and upsetting for me. I haven't had a good night's sleep since this all came about on 27 December. I phoned the helpline today and the lady I spoke to said that I should phone the GP first thing on Monday for follow up treatment and to phone the Adult social care team in Monday too and insist on getting our assessments as a priority. I'm so concerned I may lose my job - I'm dreading going back to work next week as i've got no-one avaliable to look in on her whilst I'm at work. I texted my boss yesterday and she said I can call her tomorrow - she's always been very understanding of my situation and I'm hoping she will again. I used to suffer with depression years ago, but I can feel all the old feeling I used to have coming back. I'm so frightened about the future right now I feel sick to my stomach. I can't deal with this anymore. I have two Sisters - one tries to help and do her very best when she can, the other eldest sister is in complete denial about what's going on and just shouts at my Mum which is completely unacceptable. I can't give up work and I'm worried about the future. Will I be doing the right thing about phoning up the Adult social care team and my GP on Monday? I can't take much more of this and i cannot give up work. Any advice would be very much appreciated - and big apologies for the long, rambling post. Thank you in advance everyone.
Just wanted to say welcome to TP, keep posting and take care of yourself too xxxx One day at a time - it is amazing the amount of support out there when we reach out.
