Happy Couple Pics

Came across these photos today and thought I would share in celebration of the 50 years!  These are from the BVI trip in 2008.  Enjoy.

Sunrise; Sadness & Serenity

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers oe'r fraught heart and bids it break" - William Shakespeare

I had a restless night. Thoughts of Mom and the days past bouncing around in my head like a ping-pong ball.  Night-time is scary - shadows close and afar, leap out at me reminding me of what I've lost, of what I'm afraid of, and what I will forever miss. 

 Oh Mom...I hope you don't find the nights scary, afraid and wondering where you are and what's happening to you.  I want more then anything for you to be at peace knowing you are well cared for. Knowing how much you are loved.  Love is the antidote for fear. 

When my eyes fluttered open at 5:45 am and I noticed a faint light under the bedroom door, I felt relieved.  I padded out to the living room feeling exhausted.  Bella thumped her tail at me a few times and then retreated to the bedroom where I just came from, and to the comforts of Les' light snoring, and my warm pillow.   

I sat down on the couch taking in the beautiful Kin Beach sunrise and pondered my sleepless night. Monkey brain (as my Bro calls it) is a curse.  It robs me of all things precious that can only be reaped when I'm in the now...like sleep!  When I am in the now, I'm less sad and anxious and most at peace despite the heartache and grief I can't seem to escape.  I can accept the tears and the sadness, and appreciate all that I'm grateful for.  I'm so aware of life. So aware, that I can taste it; the salt of my tears and the sweetness of Bella's thumping tail and this beautiful sunrise.   

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Mom settles into Cumberland Lodge today

A tough day for all of us - Mom was transfered by ambulance today from St. Joseph's to her new home - the Cumberland Lodge.  Mom had a sleepless night last night - anxiousness, and therefore was pretty out of it for the entire trip. Once in her new bed, she slept all day.  Dad and I followed her to the lodge with some of her clothes which had to be labeled with her name, along with her beautiful new quilt made by Gil Alford, and a few pics of her family.

While Mom slept, Dad and I met with two of the nursing staff and went through a fairly extensive in-take process/orientation; reviewing history, meds, preferences etc.  There was some confusion about the Meds which we'll need to get sorted out over the next few days.  Great people - everyone we interacted with was super friendly, interested in Mom's story and in her well-being.  The lodge has a Team Lead who is an RN, RN's, and LPN's as well as support staff - kitchen, admin etc. There are 3 resident Dr's, so Mom will be cared for by a new Dr - Can't recall her name, but we'll most likely meet her next week.  There is also a physiotherapist and occupational therapist who will work with Mom to rehabilitate her to a new norm.  The next week or so will be about settling in, assessment and  the development of a care plan for Mom.

At lunchtime, Dad and I ventured into the little town of Cumberland. We had a great lunch at a place that was recommended to us called Mar's on Main.  We met Mar (short for Marilyn), who opened up the place about a year ago. Great menu and excellent food!  And that's what we needed - some good food and a bit of breathing space.  As we waited for lunch, we talked about how stressful and emotional the morning had been for both of us.  We know it's the best move for Mom and we are amazed at how fast she got into a facility- grateful for this and at the same time, very sad knowing this is Mom's new forever home.

We're not sure what Mom is comprehending.  Does she know where she is? Dad stayed with her all day where as I left around 2 pm to tend to Bella and do a few things, one being pick Les up from the Shuttle - YEAH! Les is here!  I then took Les up to see Mom around 4:30 pm -  dinner arrived at 5 pm and I managed to nudge Mom awake with Les' help. We repositioned her in bed and fed her dinner, which, she gobbled down - including dessert.  Hungry she was, having gone all day without any food.

We left shortly after as she very quickly fell back to sleep.  I said good bye and I love you, which she responded to. I said I had to go home for dinner and would see her soon.  Mom then asked me if I could take her with me -- AHHHH GOD - my heart is breaking.

Phil & Di's 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Saturday August 31st is Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary!   Lots of love to you both...

True love is spending one day getting married... and the rest of your life feeling glad you did.

 Unknown

To me, fair friend, you never can be old, For as you were when first your eye I eyed, Such seems your beauty still. 

William Shakespeare

I have heard that whoever loves is in no condition old.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Happy Birthday Bro!

Happy Birthday Scotty Poo - hope your day is as special as you are!

Looking good for 28!  

Mom transfers to Cumberland Lodge Friday

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, Dad met with a gal at St. Joseph's by the name of Tracy - a hospital liase for home and community support.  Tracy let us know they have found a bed for Mom in the Cumberland Lodge - one of the 4 facilities operated by Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA).

Cumberland is a small community within the Comox Valley that lies just north of Courtenay, and is about a 30 minute drive from Mom & Dad's place.

Mom will be moved by ambulance to her new home on Friday morning - Dad will travel with her.  I plan to meet them at the lodge to help settle her in.  Here's a link:

http://www.viha.ca/hcc/residential/locations/cumberland_lodge.htm

Birthday Pics!

Mom's surprise B-day party complete with fish and chips, DQ cake and of course, friends and family.

Linda helping Mom show off her new Pashmina 

Scott and Phil - hurry up and take the pic so we can eat!

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Happy Birthday Dianna!

Today is Mom's 72nd Birthday.  Here are some great pics that Vicky shared with me of Mom in her younger days...

Dianna moves to the Transitional Unit

Mom was moved to the transitional care unit in St. Joseph's today - 2nd floor.  For those visiting, she's in room 204, bed 4.  Scott, Dad and I visited today and she was in relatively good spirits.  Mom has her moments though. There isn't a day that goes by without a tear or two.

When I was sitting with her this afternoon, I was wondering if  she was aware of the change in her surroundings?  Another change....

It felt a little weird - it seems like over the past week and half of visiting Mom on the 1st floor Inpatient ward, we'd gotten used to the routine and rhythm of the ward. The nursing staff new us and all loved Mom.  They were absolutely awesome -  I have a new found respect for the work they do.   I'm sure we'll adjust - we always do, and I know we'll get to know the staff here if time allows, as they'll get to know us and Mom too.  This move is another step closer to a full time care facility.

Scott's planted himself at camp Caswell for a bit this week and visited with Mom and I this afternoon.  It's great having you around Bro!

Aug 27, 2013 - A Tribute to Phil

Dad has been amazing since Mom's diagnosis (not that he wasn't before :-), taking on Mom's every changing, ever increasing care-giving needs with lot's of patience and love.  Mom loves music of all kinds and when she hears a song that she likes, Dad sweeps her up to dance...

Mom and Dad dancing at the house early August

Aug 26, 2013...Mom Loves Visitors!

Mom's friend Yvette from the her days on the base visits...

One of Mom's dearest friends - BJ Harding has been visiting Mom at the hospital. So has Cheryl (another of Mom's old Base friends) been enjoying recent visits with Mom - enjoy your cruise Cheryl and we look forward to seeing in September.

The nurses at  St. Joseph's suggested visiting at meal times is a great for social interactions and to assist with feeding Mom her meals.  Thanks everyone!  Keep on visiting!!

Aug 24-25, 2013 - Darren Klingbeil visits Dianna

My good friend Darren came up from Vancouver Saturday to see Mom.  The weather was great, so we decided to take Mom outside for some fresh air and sunshine...

Aug 23, 2013 Dianna isn't coming home

Today, St. Joseph's Hospital Social Worker, Cheryl Christenson confirmed for us what we had been hearing from the on call Dr's - Mom's care and safety is now best handled by the professionals at St. Joseph's until a time in the future (near future we hope) when she will be moved to long-term care facility in the Comox Valley or surrounding areas.

We don't know how long the wait will be.  Currently Mom is in the 'inpatient emergency ward' of the hospital until they find her a bed on the 'transitional ward'. This is where people who are either transitioning to go home or to a care facility are placed  - there is emphasis on re-hab on this ward.

Aug 20, 2013, Dianna has had Mini Strokes

Here is a copy of the email communication sent to friends and family chronicling the events that occurred within the first week at St. Joseph's...

Cat scan happened today and shows no real evidence of a stroke however,  Dr. Dan says Mom has had a several small Strokes that don't always show up on the scan but are evident non the less as per the symptoms she's exhibiting.  Mom was less delirious today. Improved from yesterday. still incoherent and not able to eat alone. She was bit restless at dinner when I was there but really happy to see me - recognized me and settled down.

Dr Dan is going to continue with tests to see where the strokes might be coming from - an ultra-sound  for her neck as she concerned about the largeness of her arteries there. Also a cardio X-ray to check her heart. She's going to take mom off baby aspirin and out her on a low dose of blood thinner called plavix. And will give her shots in her abdomen of a type of blood thinner to prevent clotting in the lower extremities as mom has had very little activity/movement.  Also getting the physio and occ health people to start working with mom to see where her strength and balance are at. That's the scoop.

Scott has returned to Victoria for a bit to work and dad and i were commenting at dinner tonight that we miss him already. Thanks Linda for your help today with lunch and the music was a nice touch. Yvette - a work friend of Mom's called today and was going to pop in on Mom after dinner.  BJ - thanks for the check in and we know Mom will be thrilled to see you when you able to get in- meal time visits are helpful as she needs assistance to eat. Lunch is served between 12: 00 and 12:30 and dinner between 5 and 5:30 pm. Let us know when/if you do plan to go in at a meal time so we can coordinate.  A visit at your convenience is great too! 

😘

Aug 16, 2013 Dianna is admitted to hospital

On August 16th, Dianna was taken to the St. Joseph's hospital. We suspected she'd had a stroke. Several days prior, her balance and strength had deteriorated significantly, and she was falling on a daily basis.  It was becoming increasingly difficult to care for her at home and her safety was becoming a major concern.

For those of you who were not included in the email updates sent to family and friends outlining the details of Mom's hospitalization, I've copied them here...

Brother Scott helping Mom eat dinner

August 19, 2013 

Hi Everyone, I'm writing from St Joseph's Hospital in Comox. 

As you know, Mom was admitted to the hospital after we called an ambulance Friday morning. She was unable to weight bare, walk without help of 2 people and was slumping to the left side. Mom is currently in the overflow ward for emergency care unit.

Today, we made some progress with the staff at St Joseph - some much needed clarity and action re: Mom's current state. Last night when I was in to feed Mom her dinner, I insisted the nurse re-request a Cat Scan be done and asked for a consult with a neurologist - I told them she is continuing to decline; she is leaning way to her left side, can not sit up or move on her own, can not walk on her on, can not eat on her own any more. This is a marked difference even in the last 5 days.  With her history of falls recently we are thinking something besides the dementia is going on.

There is a new Dr on call this week starting today (Mom's admitting Dr.- a Dr. Mooseburger, was on for the weekend shift only). The nurse last night had a conversation with Dr Mooseburger, expressing our further concern and request to get the scan down now versus waiting for the scheduled one which was Sept 5th - too long a wait!  Today the new Dr - a Dr Dan, did another full physical exam of Mom and after looking at her history and reviewing the transition notes from Dr. Mooseburger, concluded that yes, she probably has had a stroke - her left side is not responding - no strength in the legs or arms.  Also noted her left eye is a bit droopy (which I noticed a week ago!) bloody Dr's!  Dr. Dan said it may be a stroke, or perhaps a bang on the head from one of her falls that caused some internal blood pooling on/in the brain.  

I asked Dr. Dan if Mom's increased state of delirium (not able to focus, not able to communicate (much), sleeping, slumped over etc...) could be the dementia rapidly advancing. Or, a result of Mom's meds. She said no not likely. However, she did say the rapid acceleration of the delirious state in a person with dementia most often has to do with an acute incident - so the idea of the stroke or brain bleed or? is a plausible one.  We will find out soon. If a stroke is evident, there won't be much they can do that they are not already doing. Mom's on blood thinners now.  

Whatever conclusions we come to over the next few days, Dr Dan did say Mom won't be going home. I think she said that to me because she knows we are no longer able to care for her at home, especially in this state, and that we have over the past few days, repeatedly advocated that Mom needs to be in a full time care facility where she is safe and well cared for.  I believe she was wanting to reassure me that they understand the circumstances.  Regardless, we don't know how long she'll be in St Joseph's or what the next steps will be - there are no beds available at the moment in any care facilities that take Alzheimer's patients in the Comox Valley. A transfer from St. Joseph's to a facility could take some time.  You can be assured we will be checking on the status of the cat scan first thing tomorrow. 

Dad, Scott and I have been doing shifts at the hospital to feed Mom and check on her status and just to be with her. Linda was there yesterday at lunch to feed her and get her cleaned up a bit.  We are all ok - we are hopeful and want Mom to be at peace; no suffering, no pain.

WE LOVE YOU MOM...FI figure if I shout it loud enough she can hear me ....

Welcome to Dianna Caswell's Blog

In 2011, Mom was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease.  I'm Lisa, Dianna's daughter, and I wanted to create a venue for family and friends to share information, stories and experiences as we are all on this journey together with Mom.  I invite all of you to participate in this blog as a way to foster a community of love and support for our beloved Dianna, and for each other.

I would imagine Mom's Alzheimer's story - her life since her diagnosis - is much like many others who have been stricken with this unforgiving disease. Mom's dementia has progressed really fast since her diagnosis, and many of us who know her well believe she has been sick for much longer.

Dianna is a model of courage and strength who takes each day as it comes, despite the hardship and heartbreak, the struggles and triumphs.  Mom and Dad's beautiful home in the Kin Beach area of the Comox Valley has been a sanctuary in a lot of ways as they have embarked on this journey together. A tranquil setting where days are passed ocean gazing and bird watching; eagles, herons, kingfishers.   Here is a wonderful pic of Mom taken earlier this month.