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The MAD Life: Episode 34

The MAD Life will never be over. What has been, can never be erased. What is now known cannot be unknown.

My mom passed on from her Alzheimer’s on March 14, 2025. It was a long time in coming. She’d been under hospice care in addition to Memory Care in November when she stopped eating for the first time. It took several times of not eating to finally go strictly to palliative care and no longer encourage her to do what she didn’t want or need to do anymore.

Her life was more than just these last few chaotic years that she never wanted. She believed in euthanasia as a gift we give loved ones, and she wanted that, but it’s not permitted in Michigan. Fortunately, her life was family, friends, and faith … far more than her diagnosis or the peace she wanted earlier than she received it.

She now has the ultimate joy with all of her treasurers in heaven who went before her. She is en-robed by love.

I’ve been told many people feel like orphans after their parents pass on. I don’t feel that way. I am blessed with the best of friends, many mothers by friendship, some father figures in faith, and my family.

Perhaps it’s because I have always spoken to my father, sister Cheri, grandma Julia, niece Erin, aunt Gladys, Isabel, and so many phenomenal souls who have passed from this earth into the great beyond. I believe they hear and guide me. I feel their voices and presence in my soul. I hear their laughter and words of wisdom.

Moral of the Story: No one is ever alone. No one does anything alone. Mom is in a joyous place with her treasures in heaven. We are surrounded by a greater cloud of witnesses whether we want them or not. May you feel love and encouragement from those who have gone before us and those here with us on earth.

 
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Posted by on July 23, 2025 in Uncategorized

 

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The MAD Life: Episode 32

Boo Poo Poo – Alzheimer’s Reality Check

Oye! We got to Battle Creek an hour early to see mom’s ortho surgeon October 5th, so we went to Marshall’s, the store. Good thing we were there! Mom had a major poo accident while shopping.

The employees were awesome and let me take clothes to the bathroom for mom. At 1st, they weren’t going to let me, but by the time I came back with undies and pants, the bathroom smelled icky at best. They kinda saw why I needed the clothes … badly … before paying.

Then they watched her after I got the undies on, so she didn’t leave the bathroom while I bought the pants to get the security tag off. At 1st, they didn’t see the need to stay with her until I said the magically horrific word, “Alzheimer’s.” They were all very kind. Especially since I cleaned up the bathroom as well as mom.

We were 20 minutes late to her surgeon, but I had called to explain, and they let us come anyway. Phew! She got another cast to await minor surgery on 10/12 to remove the plate that has been stabilizing the wrist to heal, which dhe shattered back on july 14th. (A whole other story I am still working up the energy to write.) After that, she should be cast free. She seems to have full use of the hand.

Then we had lunch at Clara’s. Mom always treated me to a special meal or dessert after doctor appointments, so I like to do the same.

I’ll be keeping depends and spare pants for future outings. And wipes, soap, and paper towels. Store soap and paper towels are a lot too thin. I bought wipes, too, for the incident from Marshall’s. I just grabbed the 1st package I saw to get back to her quickly. I’ll have to read the label later, because my hands smell great!

Moral of the story: Be prepared for anything with this disease. A N Y T H I N G ! ! ! Cash helps too, because mom has a lovely new pair of pants and a cute hooded sweater.

From earlier this year. I forgot to take a final photo of the new cast, which looks exactly like this one.
 
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Posted by on October 7, 2023 in Uncategorized

 

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