As long as I can remember (and I’m 58 yrs old now), my grandmother, Gladys Isabel Seibel (maiden name) and I have been the greatest of friends. Although I didn’t end up with her singing voice or her ability to play multiple musical instruments or her incredible artistic talent in oil painting, we were always like two peas in a pod when we were together – acting zany, always laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
My grandmother lived in a beautiful home in northern California with her 2nd husband (Grandpa Jack). Together they enjoyed a wonderful life filled with love, travel, charity work, and many friends. When Jack passed away, Mommie Pops chose to stay in the Bay area where she had spent so many happy years.
For a few years thereafter my father, Wes, and his wife, Angel, would split their time between their home in Albuquerque, NM and San Jose, CA with Mommie Pops. She had a few health issues arise – arthritis in her fingers and knees, carpal tunnel syndrome (all that piano playing and painting), cataracts in both eyes (she turned her eyepatch into a daisy), some high blood pressure, a fairly severe stomach sensitivity. She always bounced back and went about her flurry of life as quickly as she could get out of bed.
Unfortunately, things changed very quickly and without any real warning in 2004 after she tripped and fell on some concrete steps outside an event she was attending. She began having serious issues with both her knees, including swelling, stiffness, and pain that prevented her walking. Bilateral knee arthroplasty was scheduled a few days before Thanksgiving. Dad and Angel went to stay with Mommie Pops and help her through recovery and physical therapy.
About three weeks after her surgery I went north for a visit. It was apparent my dad wasn’t well and Angel was concerned. After a few days with no improvement, I sent my dad home to get checked out by his doctor. I stayed with Mommie Pops until her sister could hop over from Lodi, CA a few days later. I had to be back in Los Angeles myself to schedule a repeat spinal fusion of vertebrae L4-S1 (more on that and my dad in another post soon).
News from Albuquerque wasn’t good. Dad had Stage IV metastatic bladder cancer. He was diagnosed in early February, 2005 and by early May he was gone. My dad asked two things of me before he passed. First, do what I could to make sure Angel was all right. Second, look after his mom. Boom. Life changer.
And that’s what I’ve done ever since. Future blog entries will detail the immediate changes, the long-term decisions, the bargaining, the acute/chronic illnesses, doctors, hospitals, nursing home care, home health care, and the many, many (did I say many?) lessons learned. I have the full support and approval of Mommie Pops to write about our experiences, both the good and the bad. She’s agreed I can share her medical information and any pictures that might help others on their own caregiving journey.
In fact, she’s a little bit excited to be immortalized through this blog. She’s hoping I’ll throw in some pictures and stories of her earlier life and, trust me, there’s a lot of them. And, well, how do you say “No” to a 103 years young grandmother when she’s smiling at you with a devilish gleam in her eye? Fact is, you don’t.
So, check back real soon. Now that you know how our saga began we can start getting into Healthcare Management, Eldercare, Medicare and other payment methods, Laws, Practical Advice, Tips, Emotional Support, Self-Care, Multi-Generational Caregivers, Ageing In Place, Pets, Vacation Options with the Elderly and Disabled….there is an unending list and a never-ending need.
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The Caregiver Zone 