my board and care update!!!

[irish]

I do feel like I am running a board and care home--no doubt about it!

Just to let you know that I am still putting one foot in front of the other. Sort of go down some every year and more so the past 6-9 months. I think a lot of this is brought on by stress. My dear hubby has been having one thing after another the past couple of years and it has intensified. He was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure and had a very lousy past 4-5 weeks with 3 ER visits without much help. Finally got into his cardiologist and started on lasix. He is not good. It seems like he keeps adding health issues that demand more care. We live "on the edge" at our house.

One of our sons moved in with us in March as he is getting a divorce. His son comes every other week and stays for one week. This has added a new dimension to our lives and there is never a dull moment. I just manage to keep 1 ball in the air on a good day. lol

Everyone seems to be having a fair share of crises or flares and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. This has been a hard year for all of us here on this forum. I guess we just have to keep our lives simple and so the best we can while always being thankful for what we have. So much tragedy in the country lately that it is hard to keep up with it. Please take care all and stay positive, Hugs to all . Irish

[Katybarstool]

Dear Irish

I think about you and your hubby often, and add you to my prayers. You have had such a long run of challenges, yet you still find time to speak with us.

Keep your chin up.

God bless.
Kathyx

[Joe S.]

You and your husband are in my thoughts. I am concerned about your travel time for care. I hope that your son and grandson are able to help with chores around your home.

[engy]

I can't imagine doing all you do with your illnesses. Thoughts and prayers for you my friend and thank you for taking time for us too!

I hope your hubby can take CoQ10 and Lcarnitine. It helps my uncle with his symptoms of congestive heart failure. Thoughts & prayers for him too!

[Velcro]

Thoughts and prayers to you Irish.  I hope you can find some time to just relax.  Even if it is just a quiet 15 minutes a day for yourself.

[Sleepy In Seattle]

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[CMNK12]

    My prayers are with you. Life never seems to slow down anymore, just gets more complex. Those ads in the magazines showing people happy and relaxed as they age, where does anyone get that idea from? LOL I told a friend just today, the older I get it seems the less I know. Aging with an illness is certainly not for the faint of heart. That said , I certainly appreciate everything you contribute to this message forum. You have so much going on and yet you take time to share yourself and your wisdom with us.... so thanks. Take care of yourself and your husband. CK

[Carolina]

Dearest Irish,

You have a lot going on.....just when it would be nicest to have complete peace and quiet.

Sending you hugs and calm thoughts.

Elaine

[finallyadx]

Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.

[Bucky]

(((Irish))) - it's always nice to hear from you - I'm sorry things are still like a roller coaster ride for you and Mr. Irish with health issues.   

I can only imagine the added challenges of having your son move back home, along with a semi-weekly stay of your grandson.  I hope your son pitches in to help you and your husband when he can - things are a lot different this time around versus when he was growing up under your roof as a child. 

Knowing you, Irish, you take care of everyone else and put yourself last on the list.  Please be sure and make some "me" time for yourself - you deserve it!!

I hope the weather there hasn't been too bad lately - we've had a lot of rain here in Central IL.  I've seen a lot of your state bird in my neck of the woods (mosquitoes) - which I would really rather they stay up North.   

Keep doing the Irish shuffle with one foot in front of the other . . . . take it one day at a time and know we all wish you all the best.

Hugs to you and Mr. Irish.

Bucky

[irish]

Thanks for all the kind words. You are all such a great group of on-line friends.

Bucky, yes, indeed, the mosquitos are in full force. The grandkids are getting some really bad bites. It has rained so much. I remember our own grilled our supper about 5 weeks ago or so and since then the sun has hardly shown and it has rained off and on--forever it seems. The farmers still haven't gotten all the crops planted. I have never seen it like this in my lifetime.

We have now officially had every son (plus 2 sons with their wives) live with us for some months during relocations, etc. I don't remember this happening when I was growing up. Seems like the kids left home and didn't move back in again.

I see the ads with the older people looking fit and healthy and having a great time golding, fishing, etc. Who are these people??? Guess we all missed that boat!!!

Take care all. Hope the summer gives us some nice days to warm our souls. Hugs Irish

[gmomjuju]

Praying for better tomorrows for you and your family!

Judy

[Cricket]

Irish

So sorry you and hubby are having such a hard time.  My thoughts are with you.

[irish]

Thanks Cricket, Hubby is doing some better, at least the fluid in his legs is less. He is still not very good. The cardiologist called the other day and hubby was out weeding. She had a fit. I told her that he just does what makes him happy. He always tells me he will die doing something.

He always tells me that he could die fishing and he would be happy. Today I told him that to die weeding didn't sound like the best idea to me. He sure got a chuckle out of that. He weeds 2 minutes and sits for 15 minutes and stopped to have a nebulizer treatment. We have been married 49 years this August 1st and he knows that his days are numbered and says that he is going to do what he wants to. Go for it is all I can say.

I do encourage him to rest and keep hydrated as he is having trouble with his creatinine level now so his kidneys are probably getting involved. With all of his ailments he has lasted a lot longer than either of us thought he would. Weigh every morning, 5-6 nebulizer treatments a day, blood pressure twice a day, prednisone, antibiotics, IVIG every month and a bloody 2000 mgm salt restricted diet plus gluten free lactose free diet for 35 years and life still goes on. Oxygen is probably looming on the horizon and he will figure a way to mow the lawn with it. His pulmonary said he could mow lawn if he wears a mask so he is doing that also. Where there is a will there is a way. THanks Irish

[genko_b]

Thinking of you Irish - take care.

Genko