Author: ester.johnson

I would like to say thank you to all for giving me another opportunity to spend a week with my parents. A special thanks also to two of my sisters who have become full time care partners for my parents. Dad has been diagnose with lupus and mom with dementia.

I did let my parents know that I would be spending the week with them. The last Sabbatical I had did a surprise attack! When I arrived Dad greeted me with a big smile and mom had forgotten.

After I arrived, I looked over their daily routine schedule my sisters had prepared for guidance. This consist of taking vitals (twice/day), administering medication (3-5 time/day), meal preparation (I only have a kitchen because it came with the house), exercising (walking), activities (puzzles, cards, etc.), laundry, cleaning, showering and last a nap (daily, but did not include me because this was my catch up time for laundry and cleaning). I knew then this would be a challenging week!

The week actually started Saturday (6/15) before my Sabbatical due to our Sibling Reunion. There were 8 of the 10 of us siblings for a total of 24 people in attendance. There was food, fellowship, games and storytelling. This was follow by Church on Sunday as a family. A typical day for my parents is breakfast @ 8:30, exercise, TV watching, lunch @ 12:00. nap time, activity, dinner @ 5:00, family time @ 6:30 and showering @ 8:00 followed by bedtime. This interrupted their routine. All went home leaving me with two exhausted parents.

Monday started @ 4:30 a.m. Mom is a day sleeper and a night owl. She gives sleeping with one eye open a new meaning for me. The constant challenge was trying to keep her awake during the day. The average sleep time for dad and I was 5 1/2 to 6 hours per day. She average 8 to 10 hours per day. It was very difficult watching her being commander in chief one moment and then being helpless as a babe the next moment. The highlight of the days were sitting outside talking about her children and enjoying nature and the fresh air in the morning while watching the traffic on Hwy 83.

Although this disease is taking a toll on mom and the family, I still see the fight to push forward by my dad and the majority of my siblings. Dad is determined to care for mom. The majority of my siblings are going the extra mile.

I left Saturday afternoon in tears, but knowing this week had been a blessing. Please take every opportunity to thank God for the blessings of your love ones. Life is short and tomorrow is not promised.

I would like to say thank you to Kris, the Board and my FDLIC family for giving me this opportunity/blessing to spend a week with my parents.  A special thanks to two of my sister who have been care givers for my parents for the last four years after my mom had a heart attack and now suffers with dementia.  Dad also suffers from lupus.  There have been many difficult days, but my parents are fighters.

Surprise!  Surprise!  I did not tell my parents that I would be coming to stay a week with them.  I rang their doorbell last Sunday morning and stepped in with my luggage.  Guess who is here for a week?   Dad gave me a big grin, mom ask the question, “what about Leonard?”  I assured her he would be okay.  Next question, “what about work?”  I assured her it had been okayed all the way to the top.  Her next reply was, “well I need to talk to him(Kris).”  I do not know about what nor did I inquire further.  She was in a debate with one of my sisters about finishing her breakfast before Church.  She asked me are you with them or me.  I took the fifth and kept my mouth shut.  I was thinking to myself this is going to be a challenging week.

I went to my old bedroom which I had not slept in for some 40 years.  On the bed was a note that said, “Good Luck!”  The other sister handed me a daily routine schedule.  This consist of taking vitals before breakfast, taking medications, encouraging activities during the day (puzzles, games, etc.), lunch and more medication, nap time @ 1:30, vitals again @ dinner and more medicine, daily walking & visiting around 6:00 pm and showers starting @ 7:30(that is for everybody).   Monday & Thursday are laundry days.  Wednesday & Sunday are Church days.  It was a great schedule, but I ran into two road blocks.  First, both of them got a cold (Doctor appointments).  It threw them all off schedule and me as well.  Second, Dad usually cooks breakfast and my sister cooks lunch and supper.  I became the fulltime cook for all meals.  Those of you know I only have a kitchen in the home because it came with the house.  I not only did all the cooking, but my mom, dad & one of our guest complimented me on the meal one night.

Dad and I would start the day by watching the sunrise.  It was our one on one time to talk about Church, family, sports (LA Dodgers to be exact), politics and solved the jumble word puzzle for the day.  Mom usually joined us around 9.  She can be stubborn, but I am too.  Our activities included word games, cards and her favorite, dominoes.  The key was to keep her busy otherwise she would sleep the day away.  I got my walking papers on Wednesday, but told her politely thanks, but no thanks.  She decided to let me stay.

When I married Leonard 43 years ago, my mom told him she had a no return policy.  Dad and her wanted to keep me by the end of the week.  Words can not describe the memories of this past week.  My prayers go out to all care givers.  It is a ministry that requires patience, more patience, dedication and love.  My parents have always been independent and now my Dad says he humbly swallows his pride and let us help.  They are both fragile and I thank God we still have them.  I left today (Sunday) sad faces with one of them being mines.  Precious memories, how they linger, how they will ever flood my soul.  Thank God for two great parents.

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