tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56650629217806742632024-02-02T02:56:48.293-06:003 Times 4 Life...and more!Discovering the life God has planned for me.Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-24400549273347591162016-10-24T15:13:00.000-05:002016-10-24T17:04:25.120-05:00Aspiration PneumoniaFollowing up on the last post...FIL was kept in the skilled nursing facility for an entire week. It was not a good situation. There were many things that happened, and it was quite stressful for all of us. I spoke with a director, and told the truth regarding my concerns. I also stated I would not bash them on social media. So, just know that any new situation is difficult on dementia sufferers, Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-18530794969059676892016-10-11T23:46:00.000-05:002016-10-17T00:16:33.128-05:00In the TrenchesNo time, no strength, no desire to post much since May. Dealing with dementia 'in the trenches' is exhausting physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Caregivers are prone to 'battle fatigue' with this disease. We are wearing thin, and that is not very easy to admit.
In mid-May I was able to escape Dementia Land, and go to my happy place--the BEACH! It was a wonderful time of Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-2488330738929661862016-05-11T23:45:00.002-05:002016-05-12T17:14:16.782-05:00Adventures into the UnknownI'm going to skip ahead a bit in the chronology of our story, because something I learned later in the journey helps me understand some of the first part. Most people are aware of Alzheimer's Dementia; in fact, it is the most recognized dementia. FIL never seemed to fit the mold though--he exhibited behaviors that were a bit more peculiar. A nurse at his facility mentioned Lewy Body Dementia to Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-35581004206710645262016-05-03T02:19:00.000-05:002016-05-03T02:20:11.972-05:00So What Is Dementia?Most people have heard of dementia, and normally think of Alzheimer's. Right? That horrible disease that steals memories from our loved ones, and leaves them incapacitated in the end. Through this journey with FIL, we were told he had dementia; that's it, just dementia. It was not until we were preparing legal documents that I saw in his doctor's note the words, "Alzheimer's type dementia." Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-74896454968400349942016-05-02T01:36:00.000-05:002016-05-02T03:55:35.342-05:00The Next Chapter...New BookThe end of October 2015...After a year working in foster care, I chose to leave. There were several reasons; it was just time. The next day, I became daytime care giver to my 81 year old Father-in-Law (FIL). He has suffered with dementia for many years. He needed constant attention; and my Mother-in-Law (MIL) was extremely stressed and needed some relief. This began the journey we are now Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-91356730479408360962016-01-03T23:21:00.000-06:002016-05-02T15:12:15.234-05:00Another DetourBeen a while since I updated the blog...but now I am once again posting on my CaringBridge site. If you want to catch up on the latest, visit me over there for now. Thanks!
Michelle B's CaringBridge Site
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/iluv2sb
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-34345217217148624152013-12-14T21:40:00.000-06:002013-12-14T21:40:20.069-06:00Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-57539772714917520772013-12-14T21:37:00.000-06:002013-12-14T21:37:12.389-06:00Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-14773259674683293512013-12-14T21:31:00.000-06:002013-12-14T21:31:26.604-06:00Master's Degree: Conferred!
I am pleased to announce that I received my Master's Degree in Community Counseling last night!
I don't think I could ever adequately explain what this journey through Graduate School has been like for me. It was never in the plans. It has been THE HARDEST thing I have ever done! Seriously; beating cancer four times was easier than this because there were doctors, nurses, etc. to Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-56290888286530823712013-11-26T23:19:00.000-06:002013-11-26T23:19:28.757-06:00Good bye, Uncle Tickles...
My Uncle Ernie went to be with Jesus last week. He fought his health issues for many years. He was tired of fighting, and I don't blame him; treatment can be brutal.
Although we did not live close, he and my Aunt Jacque were part of my life from the beginning. My first memory of him was when I was very young & we were visiting their home. He used to tickle me & always make me laugh.Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-90015750499413197152013-11-06T22:56:00.001-06:002013-11-06T22:56:57.263-06:00Stay Tuned!Very shortly, I will catch you up on my life...for now, it is back to the books!
Heads up: I will graduate GRADUATE with my Master's Degree in Counseling in 1 month & 6 days from now! Hoooray!
See ya soon...
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-13861991710614579252013-03-01T12:20:00.004-06:002013-03-01T12:20:38.136-06:00Spring is on it's way!
Wishing everyone a happy and joyous March!
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-20163350539239503272013-02-14T00:47:00.000-06:002013-02-14T00:47:20.880-06:00He loves you more....
May God bless you on this Valentine's Day!
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-90832575463216607322013-02-11T23:55:00.000-06:002013-02-11T23:55:00.439-06:00This Is Your LIFEMichelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-2334223848244464472013-01-21T10:44:00.002-06:002013-01-21T10:46:03.741-06:00Health UpdateMilestone moments:
At the end of December 2012, I completed five full years of the breast cancer medication, Tamoxifen. I am done with it and all of the nasty side affects. DONE!
In early January 2013, I visited my thyroid doctor for my annual check up. It has been two years since I had it removed as a proactive step against cancer. Well, WE BEAT CANCER! My doctor is pleased and Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-62832674924811394622013-01-21T10:17:00.000-06:002013-01-21T10:19:44.861-06:00This represents me and how I feel this year.
In some ways, I feel like that little plant bursting through the ground, pushing up to reach my full potential. There are scars on my leaves, from lessons I have learned. They remind me that I have been tested, and succeeded! More importantly, I am standing tall and growing...There have been many difficult times in the last few years; many changes to try to understand and embrace. I have Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-91266443479892755362013-01-20T22:00:00.000-06:002013-01-21T02:15:06.675-06:00
Happy New Year!(Updates coming as soon as I can get to them!)
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-83895506992580796492012-09-11T14:57:00.001-05:002013-01-21T01:47:08.756-06:00Never Forget...
God bless America...we will never forget!
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-37716473132517879782012-09-06T00:47:00.001-05:002012-09-06T00:48:55.800-05:00Summer...WOW, where did the summer go? Here's a recap:
June--Keegan graduated; went to Disney World with the band for a week; took a road trip to Mt. Rushmore with his dad; and hung out with friends.
Me--took a summer class: wrote chapter reviews, took a few tests, and wrote a 10+ page paper. Blah!
July--We watched the 4th of July parade; my friend Julia from California came to visit; went to a two dayMichelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-90134022913996222592012-09-03T23:51:00.001-05:002012-09-03T23:51:18.628-05:00Galveston Trip 2012
Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.
Lorraine Hansberry
"A Raisin in the Sun"
I took this picture of Keegan on the West End of Galveston in July. It was bittersweet because he was about to move away to college. It has been a huge blessing and we are very happy for his opportunity, but it changed our family life forever...
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-41762402761824363092012-09-03T23:40:00.000-05:002012-09-03T23:40:58.783-05:00We Have A College Freshman!Been so busy, I have not posted in a long time. However, I wanted to share the good news that Keegan has started college and is starting his third week of classes already. We were happy that he came home for a visit this weekend! We are very proud of our young man!
Apartment
The important stuff in his room--electronics
Nice view of the pool area from the balcony
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-1238306395601216892012-06-04T01:23:00.000-05:002012-06-04T01:23:50.805-05:00OH-12!
We have a high school graduate in the house!
Friends for life!
Baccalaureate 2012
They understand each other.
So proud of him!
Yay!
The Class of 2012
Hooray!
Photo from Kim Cartier Photography
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-79740976618854941042012-05-18T02:09:00.001-05:002012-05-18T02:09:53.959-05:00It's Calling Me...
I need to go back to Galveston this summer! Looking into a cottage or beach home this time...wish I could go for an entire month!....
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-25212566386331202402012-05-16T11:07:00.000-05:002012-05-16T11:10:46.105-05:00Zebra Prom
This is a really cute picture, but in color, it is distracting. So, I played with it and here it is! Keegan and his sweetie before the Prom.
Original by: Kim Cartier Photography
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665062921780674263.post-15523278179450989642012-05-13T23:56:00.000-05:002012-05-13T23:56:33.909-05:00Senior Prom 2012 ~ Friends for Life
My friend Kim took pictures of our Seniors, and this is a sneak peak. Eight fantastic students, dressed up and ready for an amazing evening!
by: Kim Cartier Photography
Michelle B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03801849838911329542noreply@blogger.com2