She has Diverticulosis. That is why she keeps going to the hospital for her tummy. She is also having Transient Ischemic Attacks, which are small strokes. I am very worried about her. My Mom said that she is slowly deteriorating(sp?). She is 84 years old now, and I know that the day will come, when she will no longer be here with us, but it is so hard to try a prepare yourself.

The whole family is taking turns of keeping her during the day, because she has to be watched. My day is Friday. My Mom and my Aunt are looking into assisted living for her this week. She is in a retirement home, but not in assisted living yet. Hopefully, they can work things out for her. It is going on 2 years this July since her husband passed away, and I had a gut feeling that she would go down hill, after he left. I just hope that nothing bad happens on my clock on Friday. I don't think that I could handel it, if something happened and she was in my care.

Well, hopefully, she will get better, but I don't know. I am cluless when it comes to what she has.

By Lauram on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 09:09 am:

Diverticulitis is what the drs thought I had this summer. It can be fixed with antibiotics. As far as the other one, I don't know anything about that.

I hope she gets better soon!

By Rayanne on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 10:06 am:

I just talked to my Mom and she said that something mentally has happened to my Grandma. Last night, they cought her using the bathroom in my brothers closet, and then she covered it with newspaper.

She is also talking to my Grandfather, saying that she is coming. She gets so angry over the littlest things, and my Grandma does not get mad. I am so worried. Chris said that he didn't feel comfortable with her at the house on Friday, but I told him that she was coming over, because if this last time I get to spend with her, I am going to take it.

By Emily7 on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 10:42 am:

It sounds like a little dementia has set in. Have they done any kind of a brain scan? Her behavior sounds like that of Alzheimer patients I cared for.
I will keep her & your family in my prayers.

By Kernkate on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 11:01 am:

{{{Rayanne}}} So sorry to hear about your Gram
My mom had TIA's for 17 years before she passed away. My mom behavior changed each time she had a TIA for the worse. They say with each TIA it damages the brain. It does mimic Alzheimers but is caused from the TIA's.
Just have alot of patients with your Gram I know with Mom she got mad over the littlest things.
I will keep all your family in my thoughts and prayers.
There is alot of information on the Web about TIA's. I did ALOT of research when my mom had them.

By Pamt on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 11:09 am:

If she's had a lot of TIAs she could have multi-infarct dementia. The unusual behavior is more the effect of dementia than a TIA. TIAs can affect memory, emotion, speech, muscle strength, etc. but they do not cause you to do really unusual things. If she does have a history of TIAs (as determined by an MRI), she will probably be put on a blood thinner, or at least an aspirin to decrease the risk of more. If she has high blood pressure or diabetes, then those need to be carefully monitored because they put her at greater risk for more TIAs or a CVA.

My dear, dear grandmother will be 94 in September. She has advanced Alzheimer's so I feel your pain. She now required total nursing care. I will get to see her on Mother's Day. I cry every time I leave her because she's just not *really* my grandmother anymore. She can't even carry on a conversation now, so I usually just rub her arms and hands down with lotion, give her a manicure, and show her family pictures and tell family stories. It's so hard.

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Rayanne, I'm so sorry. My great-grandmother died in 2003 after 6 years or so of rapidly advancing Alzheimer's. She would often do strange things like talking to her husband who had died in 1990, using the bathroom and playing in it much like a toddler would, biting people, etc. It's the hardest thing any family can go through, any form of dementia is heartbreaking. On one hand, I have to wonder if Chris is right, because sometimes people can become angry or violent, and often require a lot of attention. My grandmom was already in a nursing home by that point, but I can understand Chris' concerns, especially with Rylee. I'm sorry, I'm not saying that to hurt your feelings, you're just in a difficult and emotional position here. (((Rayanne)))

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

My dad had multiple TIAs, resulting in multi-infarct demention. He chose to neglect taking his blood pressure medications. There were definite personality changes - the man whose life-long rule to my brother and I was "don't upset your mother" threatened to hit her with his cane, cursed her, and so on. The person/personality that was my father was gone two years before he died. The saving grace was that the Parkinson's Disease (which he also had) caused enough motor problems that he could not walk out of the house without assistance and didn't wanter.

None of which helps you very much except to say that yes, there are probably some rough times again. And, you and your mom and aunt have my deep sympathy.

I strongly recommend getting the paperback version of The 36 Hour Day. It was first published by the Alzheimer's Foundation for caregivers of persons with Alzheimers, but mom and I found it very helpful and I think it is good for anyone who is dealing with a family member with any kind of dementia, whether you are actively involved in caregiving or not.

The assisted living is a good idea, if for no other reason than to be sure she takes her meds and eats properly.

By Beth on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 02:19 pm:

Hugs to you and your family. I really don't have any advice because I have not had to deal with much of this yet. My granparents died when I was young. My parents are getting up there in age though and it is scary. I hope you have a great time with her Fri. Maybe a friend would be willing to take Rylee for you. Not that I think grandma might hurt her but give you that much needed time.

By Maddysmommy on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 05:24 pm:

rayanne, so sorry to hear about your grandma...my grandfather was having mini strokes and everytime he did it would take grey matter from his brain and he was doing weird stuff, he was in the nursing home where i worked and they couldn't keep clothes on him and he went down hill rather quick, so sad. i will keep you and your grandma and family in my thoughts and prayers.

By Tink on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 08:02 pm:

My grandmother also had TIA or Alzheimers', it was never determined conclusively. I would want to have her visit if I was in a similar position. Lots of hugs. It's an awful position for you to be in but I'm glad you'll have a little more time with her.

By Jelygu on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 08:13 pm:

Rayanne, I am so sorry. I am glad you get to spend some time with her, I will keep you all in my thoughts.

By Rayanne on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 11:03 pm:

She was put into an assisted facility tonight. I will not have to watch her on Friday, but I am going to go and visit her this week.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 10:42 am:

Rayanne, maybe that will be easier on everyone and she will get the care she needs.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 01:13 pm:

I think that it will be easier on everyone too. My Dad's Mom, whom I adore deeply, went and saw her today. She said that she seems to be doing good. That made me really happy. I am extremely close to my Dad's Mom. She is my best friend. My Mom doesn't like her Mom there, but I keep reassuring her that it is for the best. My Mom feels like she has failed her Mom by putting her there, but she hasn't. My Mom is a nurse, and she takes care of cancer patients all day, so I know she feels the need not only as a daughter, but as a nurse to take care of her Mommy.