Bittersweet

October was the last time I posted here? Wow, how time can fly. Well, I have two blogs, a caring bridge and a family and much has happened since October. Excuses, that is what I am good at coming up with! I see the last post was when we were having issues with my mom, Helen. She has been having issues for quite some time actually with her Alzheimer's and medical issues.
Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, slowly taking your loved ones from you. My mother was kidnapped by this disease but Helen passed away peacefully on April 8, 2011. There were three of us there, my brother, my daughter Michelle and myself. I saw her take her last breath and we were all there for her. She was at peace finally and although I miss her and have been missing her, I am so grateful for this. I had prayed for her to go to Heaven for such a long time. I was angry at God, frustrated she had to live like this. I resolved my frustrations, counted my blessings and dug in with caregiving and making sure Helen was safe and taken care of through all this. We had many nights of calling out. Many nights of me saying, "mom, just go to sleep." I know she just couldn't as her brain did what it does as connections are lost. So many are going through this now. I pray for them. I know that now my sweet angel mother is looking after me again. I am so grateful to my parents, Aaron and Helen,for their love, a love I never doubted and it was unconditional! They are together again, looking down on me! No disabilities, smiles and joy are thiers! Thank you Heavenly Father for holding them in your arms. I am at peace as I know they are now!

Mom out of the Hospital

Helen was so happy to be out of the hospital, I taped her joy. Now she repeated what I told her to say but on the way home she said she was going to say, "yahoo!" when she got back inside her home and in her chair. I kept to her promise. Much has been happening over the past few months. Caregiver change, mom changes and now a hospice consult as she never wants to return to the hospital again. This past year has seen many changes and little by little Helen is leaving us. She still has many things she remembers and knows us all still. I am grateful for that. I want her to have dignity in this disease process and only want the best. To keep her safe and happy is now the primary goal.

Pictures from the Play!

Had a great time doing a play in Hollywood. Had my doubts initially and then, wow, what a great time. All the cast was a wonderful talented group. Our Director Drew was just a great guy! I could do this again!

I am in a play. I am Mrs. Robertson and it runs for four Wednesdays ending Oct.13th. Contact me for tickets if you are heading into Hollywood or just want to go to see the play.

A Blog Holiday

Since my last posting there has been so much happening that I can not even write it down. Caregiver issues. Caregivers needed and caregivers obtained has been a full time job. Mark's dad, as well, now needs the help of caregivers.
I am now the manage health care provider for my mom, the personal shopper, the accountant to name a few. She has progressed in her disease but still knows all of us and remembers many of the old times. I have now tried to really listen to what she talks about. I know that the stories have sometimes gotten mixed together but they are interesting just the same.
I have a safe return bracelet that she needs to wear as she had a "adventure" the other day with getting lost with in Leisure World.
Many mornings she will weigh herself and she has been 103#, 113# and then returning to her average weight of greater than 160#. I smile when she tells me of her weight.
Nothing is wrong with Helen at this time according to her. She does ask why she needs to have he caregivers. There is nothing wrong. I look for the smiles, and do the best I can keeping her safe and happy.

Letter to all

Dear Everyone,
I'm writing to share the news that my mom, Helen, has been diagnosed with symptoms of Demnetia/Alzheimer's disease. We've all been noticing changes and are relieved to have an explanation. Helen has begun treatment to slow the disease's progression and is unfazed. She still thinks that there is nothing wrong with her and her behaviors at this time.
Please know that Helen is still the same person she was before this diagnosis. Although some activities are more challenging and her short-term memory is poorer, Helen 's general health is now back to where she was priviously. Doctors explain that this disease affects everyone at a different pace and in different ways. It usually progresses pretty slowly. Our hope, of course, is that my mom remains stable for years and, with everyone's love and support, continues to live a happy life. There is no cure today -- but we remain hopeful that there will be one in time to help my mom and millions of others. Please keep us in your thoughts at this difficult time -- and don't be a stranger. Helen still likes to play cards, take short walks and see friends and family. She'll enjoy short visits to talk about old times. Alzheimer's experts say families, too, need the support of friends and family as this disease progresses and takes up more of our time and energy. Your continued
involvement will cheer all of us. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions or want to know specific ways to lend a hand. I'll keep you posted on her condition and changing needs. Thanks for caring.
Sincerely,
Laurie

In Minya

Old Friends in Minya. Some of the women returned again to hear us speak!

Starting the Medical Mission In Egypt

We began our Mission April 19, 2010

The train to Minia.
Our group, Laurie, Lucinda, Nancy, Minia our translator, Ragaa and Brooke
Cairo. A view from my room of the Nile and the surrounding city. Always busy, a city that never sleeps, there is always someone up driving around honking thier horns.
When I first arrived to Maadi outside of Cairo, where my cousins live, I was wisked away for a wonderful, relaxing trip to Ain Sokhna on the Bay of Suez. Ain Sukhna, the Arabic for "hot spring", was named after the nearby sulfur springs. The springs originate at Gebel Ataka, the northern most mountain in the Eastern Desert. As we sat on the beach, the cool wind blew and we could see the Sinai across the beautiful blue water. The young ones got into the water, but I was just too cold to attempt it.

I missed March!

Time can fly by, that is for sure. March was fun. So many birthdays and I turned 50! It is not so bad. My family had a GREAT party for me as I wanted to celebrate for this big birthday. I have put is some pictures of the event and I know we all had a great time. Michelle, Greg, Mark, Jen and Becky and Mike did so much to help so that it was a special event in my life. Thank you to all. I love you!

Yummy Dinner for two!

Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms for 2
2 large portabello mushrooms
2 cups apple cider
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 sweet onion, diced
8 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 (5 oz.) bag of baby spinach
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, roughly chopped
4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

1. Remove stems from mushrooms, brush off any dirt or debris and roughly chop.
2, Marinate the caps in the apple cider mixed with balsamic vinegar (use a ziplock bag or wide, shallow bowl) for at least 2 hours.
3. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and cover the bottom with water. Add garlic, onion, chopped mushroom stems, sun-dried tomatoes and cook briefly or until garlic is fragrant. Add spinach and thyme and cook until spinach is wilted.
4. Transfer spinach-mushroom mixture to a bowl and fold in cream cheese.
5. Remove mushroom caps from marinade and fill with mixture. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, until mushroom caps are heated through.

Serve with brown rice and squash puree, if desired. A nice garden salad and some dark chocolate for dessert!

Mathamagician

You have to check out this guy! A mathamagician! Wow is all I can say! I can barely do my times tables! CLICK HERE to see Art at work!

Airport, Santo Domingo and Jimani

Stops along the way

We stopped along the way and met a team on the way back from Jimani. The doc filled us in on what to expect. The driver took us to a fast food restaurant which I did not eat. I fell in love with the cute Dominican boys on the street!