Dear Iamhere, I am not a fevently praying person these days, but your post inspired me to get down and send one up. I hope that your dad will recover quickly and that there will be a good solution for your mom found asap.

hugs,
Fed.

Oh my Goodness!

I just caught up. I know the authorities are trying to save lives, and your mother's is a life. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now.

And your father--how difficult it must have been for him to turn himself in, so to speak.

Prayers for you and for them. May you be strengthened and supported.

Peace to all of you.

Temple

Oh no! I just saw this. Do I live anywhere near them, IAH? This is not a good situation and I will be praying for them! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this from a distance. It's heartbreaking, truly. This was from 3 days ago, is there an update?

IAH-Hope you can give us an update soon. Your plate is full, thats for sure. First your mom, and next your dad. Jeez....Prayers for all, Lyne

I had the COVID viris earlier this year. Can you arrange meals on wherls. What about someone to go in and help out. That would take the edge off Some people cannot help. I have had to move to forgiving my room mate for not helping me when I was sick. He simply is not capable We believe every human can help out But some people cannot Remember these are extraordinary times. We will be talking about this time for decades. Go easy in yourself You do not need to solve all if it today. There are social services available. Hooking them Up is an uphill task. Maresie

Hey all -

I'm short on time so will 'spill' not recalling what I've shared vs. not shared....

My mom was in the hospital earlier in April. Ended up being there 5-6 days - pneumonia diagnosed and supposedly Covid-19 negative. (I have my doubts, because...)

My dad had to call 911 a week ago today for transport. He was quasi-delirious, high fever and weak/no energy. Ambulance came and my brother (2 hours away) was to come stay with mom. He changed his mind (don't ask why -- just because is the best answer I have).

My dad was released the following day - because he knew my mom (dementia and pneumonia) could not be alone. He was released with a diagnosis of presumptive Covid + pneumonia. My brother drove the 2 hours, got my dad from the hospital, dropped him on the porch with canned soup + saltines and returned home. If there weren't a pandemic, we could have people come in to help - home health, friends, etc. - however, there's a pandemic so just not an option.

I'm 18 hours away by car from my parents. I spoke to them both on Sunday and Monday, and could just tell it wasn't going well at all. My dad could hardly make it to the restroom let alone be the care-taker for my mother. My brother was to show up Tuesday AM to take mom to a follow-up doctor appt. and again changed his mind. He and his spouse instead called the doctor and changed my mom's medication (blood thinner).

Monday afternoon, my dad in tears told me he needed help. I packed the car, forgot all kinds of stuff and headed out Monday evening. I arrived shortly after lunch on Tuesday and have been here since. I was about 3 hours away when we got the positive virus results.

When I arrived, my mother was bleeding (slowly, not profusely) from an ear, her nose, her privates, etc. - the med. change was a bad idea! I also requested and got a Covid test for her - results are still pending.

I've done all that I can to keep them apart and quarantined (from me). Both are improving and we don't know my mom's results. We had one really bad night with my dad and I almost called 9-1-1 again. Always grateful for HP as I was torn and when I'd made up my mind to call, the horrid dry coughing stopped....*phew*

So - I am a few hours away from you (andromeda) but I might have you and your guy go slap my brother upside the head!! Just kidding but I have again discovered how emergency situations bring out the best/worst in folks and been working to accept we all value different things and respond/react to crisis in different ways.

I have no idea when I will return home. I am in no hurry. I've been exposed openly and by necessity so can't go anywhere or do anything anyway. So far, I feel fine - extremely tired which makes perfect sense since I drove through one night and have been on sick-watch for 2 85-year old people for 4 nights. Both are showing progress towards improvement - grateful - but also knowing this virus can flip recovery upside down.

Each day, I update my large family, my prayer group, my recovery group, their circle of friends down here and then be of maximum service to my parents. I truly have no had time to check in and I appreciate the well wishes, prayers, positive energy and thoughts. I am not an emotional person and have always been a warrior in times of crisis but I will tell you that there is no preparing/planning one can do to walk into the middle of a contaminated house with a deadly virus. I've cried each evening after getting my parents settled - tears of fear, sadness, joy, unknown....I suppose a pandemic has been a bit much for me.

My brother 2 hours from my parents is the oldest child; I am the youngest child. He's been trying really hard to manage me, the parents, the virus and more from 2 hours away by phone. I'm so grateful for this program because I've had no problem blocking him. He can get updates from me like my other brothers but I've opted out of taking his calls/texts and sent a gracious email as to why. I have absolutely no time to deal with drama and chaos and will always choose a lovely walk, looking at the mountains when I get a chance for self-care!

So - for today, we are all alive. I am still well and they appear to be making progress. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers and my apologies to anyone who's sent a private message - I'll get to them when I can! (((Love and Light))) I'll be back when/as I can!

thanks for the update , Iamhere.....God bless you and your family...Continued prayers, going out to all of you...

Pneumonia is a a rough one. I have had pneumonia more than once. On my listbof things I need is a other pneumonia vaccine This crisis certainly does bring out the worst in people. The roommate (albeit temporary).dumped on me twice. The. Today he asked if I had moved out akready (i am paid through the middle of the month) That was really very kind of you to go out and helo your oarents. Is theree a chance niw you are there you can get in home supportive services? What about asking. I do block out people easker these bv days. I also put a limit on my availability. I have been really avaiable lately and now I have set limits. This is a noghtmare time to be dealing with the health services. I know that everyone is deelung it. If there was anytime we needed the program it is now. Lean on us and let us know how you are. Let it out the frustration, the anger and the fatigue. Make time for yourself.

((((((IAH)))))

Thank goodness you were in great physical shape at the beginning of all this angst with your parents. And had a little breather after the last sorrow. Your parents seem to be very resilient, as well.

So glad to hear. May they continue to get better and better. And may you stay well.

Blessings--
Temple

(((((Iamhere)))))

Thank you for the detailed update! I have been worrying, but doing what I can do lift a prayer as I lift my worry to my HP. Thank goodness you are healthy in both body and mind!!! You are in the thick of things, and still have to see what the virus will do to you. Again, prayers will continue for the health of your parents and you! As TT mentions, tears are the body's way of releasing pent up emotions... so go ahead and let them flow! Keep doing self-care, and try to rest when you can.

Peace, my friend!

((((((Iamhere))))))) prayers for you and your parents. You are such an amazing person. I love how you characterized yourself as a warrior in times of crisis. You are! Youre also an inspiration to others for, not only the way you let HP work through you, as I imagine your parents are experiencing you, but doing it with resolve and grace. Thoughts of continued strength, peace, good health and protection.

Greetings all....I'm still in AZ and still supporting my parents - there are times when it's like having little kids all over again! We did get a call from the Doctor's office Sunday and my mother is also positive for Covid-19. She (dementia) is of the mindset that she's feels the same as before and the whole world is a bit crazy.....all I can say is Bless Her Heart.

The challenge for me is to be of service, stay as far away as I can, remind them to wear and mask and to do the same. Every time I feel good about decontaminating an area in the house, they 'cross the barrier' and we're back to square one. It just is not easy to quarantine, keep distance, be of service, disinfect while doing this thing called life.

My father put on clothes for the first time today (Day 10) to walk to the mailbox. That's progress. It wiped him out and that's OK - the virus takes all energy, appetite, etc. My primary focus for now is to check temperatures and oxygen levels to watch for the possible boomerang that's been happening.

I'll be back some day folks! Meanwhile, thank you for the prayers, kind words, support, etc. - it helps to feel less alone in this battle! (((Hugs)))

IAH, I am checking in and was wondering how you all were doing....BOY what a JOB, keeping TWO parents protected and all.....if anyone can do this, you can.....Glad dad is walking a bit...Poor mom, I hope she can rebound....some get hit badly and some stroll on by it.....Prayers going out to ALL of you.....

oh, I am soooo sorry to hear all of this is going on right now I had my concerns with your original post.

I am glad you are taking care of you, I would suggest lots of showers on top of everything else and please don't touch your fact with gloves on or not. I know it's not an ideal situation. Don't reuse much of anything, order groceries or whatever online. Your brother and sis in law have now been exposed and shouldn't be going anywhere either.

Big hugs,

S :)