Sac, CA JEDI MEDICAL CORPS INFIRMARY

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Fellow Rogues: The purpose of this thread is to offer a place for us to bring our cares, concerns, and needs for healing of us and our loved ones. This would include any concern on your mind that you don't want to share in casual passing in the coffee shop. This thread will facilitate those Rogues with faith backgrounds and/or just great compassion, to go directly to this thread in order to support teammates on or off the forum.

In the spirit of the Jedi Order and our love of Star Wars, combined with the common medical/rescue theme of all known civilizations (from real world organizations like the Red Cross and the U.S. Coast Gaurd), AND topped-off with the open definition of faith in the Star Wars universe: our doors remain open to all in need.

Many of you know I identify as a Quaker Christian, but SVRF enables me to further lover others regardless of their position on religious matters. To this end, please feel free to join together in carrying each others burdens- from losing loved ones to struggling with upcomming challenges like final exams, and everything in between.

 

... and with that introduction, I'm leaving early to go home and take care of my 83 year old dad. Pops is suffering from pneumonia (getting better) and newly diagnosed diabetes. OUCH. That last one is gonna be the hard one to wrestle with. I'm gonna have to get him nursed back to health, and then move him closer to our family in Elk Grove. I'm not letting him drive anymore, and I gotta sell his mobile home after we move him closer. ACK! This is overwhelming. Thanks Rogue 26 for PM cheer-up.

 

May the Force be with you Ekim. I understand exactly where you are at. Along with other medical problems my mother has diabetes. The two years working narcotics paid off when it came to loading up her syringe and giving her her injections. Her numbers were really out of whack before I started caring for her. Now, her hypertension and diabetes are under control. We just have lots of other problems at the moment to overcome. But, my mom is worth it. Her and my grandmother were my parents when I was growing up. So, if there is anything you need, all you have to do is ask my friend and I will make it happen.

 

My thoughts and prayers to ekim's dad and LDV's mom...and all who love them.

 

Very well put, Ekim. Once again, your presence in the group brings great things to the rest of us. I too, felt that a place was needed as it is hard to offer sympathy and support between jokes and banter. It is easy to misconstrue meanings and intentions. I hope all rogues make a point of checking in here to see what rogues are in need and then doing what we can to lighten or share the burden of our friends.

The diabetes is the most important to get under control. All other health concerns always seem to be driven by the diabetes. The more under control, the more overall healthy patient. Don't let dad get caught in the "I'm old and frail now" feelings. I have really had to work on my dad when he had a surgery this past year and also the rest of the relatives. Just because he needed some tender loving care for a bit, they wanted to fix and take care of everything forever. He pretty much quit doing anything as it was all done for him. The lack of exercise, the depression, and the feelings of worthlessness and not being needed were harder on him then the recovery was. I push for him to do everything he can posssibly do, and then I pick up the slack. It is so hard to do but he has come back with better health, more mentally alert, and is more involved in his life then he has been in years. Its kind of like raising our kids again or in your case, at the same time. A good rule of thumb for an invalid parent is the same as you would have with an invalid child. Would you let them get away with it. If not, then the parent should be behaving, participating with their health care, and taking care of as many of their needs as they can. I know it sounds tough and harsh but it is better for them. I think some of our older people fall into this pattern and then fall into the "I'm just waiting to die" mode.

I will pull together what apartment information I have. You might start with the Eskaton facilities. They have some real nice facilities with different levels of care and services. It will give you something to do...as if you don't have enough.

As we have talked in our conversations, I am what is basically a baby christian with no wish for organized religion ties. We have seemed to have rubbed along together pretty well. I appreciate your openness to discussions and your not shying away from expressing your beliefs while not infringing on others rights.

Have you and dad in my prayers. Keep me posted on how it goes and just vent if needed. and believe me you will be needing..... You think kids can be frustrating. Wait till dad doesn't do what you want him to do.

Once again, Thanks for starting this thread.

Hey LDV, can we make this thread one of the permanent ones that stays at the top of the screen with the MIA, meeting minutes, etc. Just might be nice as hopefully, we will

 

WOW. That helps. Thanks guys. Very encouraging, and will help me keep on top of my dad.

Of course, today I realized one of the saddest moments of recent memory: I just finished mowing the lawn. Not significant, except that I haven't had to do that for the last 7 years, since my dad wouldn't let me my own lawn. Change is hard for him and me, since it means facing a new level of instability, etc. I will heed your words-thank you for sharing, because it really helps.

 

Thanks Auntie

 

I try to leave my personal feelings and opinions off the boards as much as I can, especially when it comes to religion. I do hope for the best to both of you and to Val. I as always offer my ear and shoulder to any all of my family in the SVRF.

 

I copy Marric- consider this one more difference/option that sets us apart from the general SW fan crowd. Also, you know I love to include and focus on the spiritual elements of George's work, partly cause those are some of the greatest elements of this sci-fi genre that grab me. I totally understand your opinion though, based upon on our road talks, your posts, etc. This thread just allows us to set apart specific needs from general conversation (and you know I love general conversation . I just have to deal with censorship at work so much (the uniformity, conformity, etc.), that it feels great to be able to express freely in this venue. Of course, I am always open to correction, because I definitely 'aint perfect


... and following that thought, I will be unable to attend the Roohoo film day event. I gotta meet home health care worker at dad's to start the diabetes training with him . I wanna go and be in the mother of all fan films, but duty calls. Perhaps another time...

 

Thanks Susan and Dev: your words of encouragement and wisdom help a lot. Home health care nurse got him going on fingerstick for blood sugar tests. I'm feeding him everyday, and getting him out for fresh air. His spirits are improving slowly, as is his health. Thanks guys.

 

Ditto that. May the Force be with you, LDV and Ekim, and your families and may they get back to good health.

--Jedi Dark Night

 

Right on, Ekim and Marric!

--Jedi Dark Night

 

Ekim, I think this new thread really rocks! I think it's a great place to share any problems or concerns that we might have that would be harder for us to share else where on the boards.

My family just recently went through kind of a tragedy ourselves. One of my dad's brothers had died from health problems a couple of weeks ago. I say this was "kind of" a tragedy in that although my uncle was a good person, I never really grew up with that side of the family (partly since most of them lived in the Los Angeles area and so was due to long distance). But we didn't expect him to die at such an early age (I think he was in his 50s). But I believe he is in a better place now.

Once again, I pray that you're dad will get better yet; from what you say, it sounds like he has been improving well.

May the Force be with you.

--Jedi Dark Night

 

Thanks Rogue 21. Sorry about the sudden loss of your uncle. My pops is improving slowly, though yesterday I ended up taking entire day off to take him to doctors appointments, get prescriptions, etc.. We made progress in the relocation arena though: There is an affordable senior apartment complex less than 3 miles from my house. This newly discovered apartment is on my way to and from work, which is a huge blessing. It is also cute, quaint, has a pool, is grandkid friendly, and the seniors we saw seemed happy. We put his name in the hat for a GROUND FLOOR one bedroom apartment(!), that should be ready October 1st!!! Whew. Better than all original plans. I just gotta hang in there for the immediate until he gets stable from diabetes. I slept 12 hours last night. Yesterday was actually harder than taking care of my six year old. Whew.

 

I am happy to hear all is working out for you and your dad Ekim, hopefully all things will continue and his health will improve.

 

Continued good thoughts and prayers for you and your family, ekim. It sounds like things are moving in the right direction!

 

Great news Ekim. Good news on my front also. My dad just found a new apartment it seems in his price range and in an area also still close to me. Not like just down the street like he is now but close enough. He is trying to leave home to have privacy with his new girlfriend. Seems she is to embarrassed to spend the night just down the street from me and his other family. When he spends the night at her house, they have to deal with her dad. By the way, did I tell you that dad is 78.. Her dad is 93. He actually was asked what his intentions were towards this mans daughter. I was rolling when he was telling me this.
You need to tell dad to be careful. The lady to man ratio at those complexes are astronomical. No Ideas Marric. They are to old to be considered cougars. But the attention single men get is amazing. Earl and I have talked and laughed for hours on this. They bring food, treats, happen to bump into them in the laundry room, you get the picture. The only requirement seems to be that they are breathing. If they drive, they are the catch of the complex. Welcome to raising elderly parents. I'll catch you up on the viagra stories someday.

Once your home nursing is set up, then your life will get easier. They do alot of the communicating with the Dr office. Also you might check getting him set up for Para Transit. They take door to door to appointments, shopping, visiting, events, etc. As long as it is during their running hours. It makes it real affordable for the Sr. and helps in a pinch when you just can't do it or when he is feeling better and just wants to do it himself.

 

Ekim, that is good news about your dad. It's nice that he is able to live so close.

Nasus, the stories about your dad are cracking me up!

 

Cougars are cool. Here Kitty, kitty.

I hope that if or when I hit that age I will still have my zest for the fairer sex, Plus I'll get to wear shorts and knee high socks or some of those sweet sock garters. I don't plan on driving as I will have my own hover pack that I was promised when I was kid.

 

Well, dad's doing better day by day. He is up and walking around a little more, and coming to grips with Type 2 diabetes. His blood sugar levels are often in the mid-100's before he eats, so that is good news. He will not be able to move into any senior apartments though- the mobile home he owns puts him just over the income limit when the mobile home asset from sale is figured in (he's gotta sell it because he can't afford rent at two locations for long term). As soon as he sells it- he is disqualified and out on his rear. So, back to moving him to the trailer park only 3 miles away. His assest will be liquified and in two years he will qualify for senior apartments, and higher levels of senior care as well. Meanwhile, he will be just under three miles away. It'll work out fine .

Unfortunately, the stress of dealing with dad's health issues and finding him a place to live have pushed my already tight schedule over the limit, and now I am sick with a sinus cold, and a chest cold starting. I cut out all my extra Off Duty work from tonight until next week, so I can rest as much as possible. This will hit our pocket book HARD next pay period, but is necessary to heal and accomodate dad's needs.

Next weekend while you are all having fun at Creation Con, I gotta take a road trip to east of LA to retrieve dad's new park model travel trailer. This will be the largest thing I have ever towed- 42 foot long travel trailer that weighs about 12,000 pounds. Rest-up will be the order of the day for the rest of this week... carry-on Rogues, and safe journeys in the force!

 

Oh Ekim, a few days off the board and you needed us. For moral support. Have you looked into the possibility of him "gifting" you or someone with the trailer. They can gift inheritance in advance up to a certain amount. Not sure what that is. I know that when my grandfather needed to go into a rest home situation, I was "gifted" with his share of their home so that it wasn't able to be taken by the rest home for his care. It was to protect my grandmother and also to allow him to fall within guidelines. When it was sold, the money went to my grandmother to take care of herself many years later. It is ridiculous what they make families go through. They act like these folks are well off just because they aren't at the level of eating pet foods and can cover their costs (but just that). I hope you are feeling better and your health is returning. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you this weekend as you come over the grapevine with your load. Just take your time and be careful. We know you are up to the job and C4 was just practice.

 

Thanks Sue. Apparently, the government has caught onto the idea of gifting to protect assets, because here is a warning for everyone: among the many forms my dad had to fill out to apply for the "affordable housing" at the senior complex, was a legal document called an "Affidavit" of dispersion of funds, or somesuch, that was a promise that he had not given away or dissolved any assets to family or friends recently. The senior apartment manager said (and here's the lesson for everybody reading this) that dad was safe regarding the income limit, until he sold his property, which immediately liquidated his asset and put him over the income limit. Apparently, dad could keep his mobile home and pay rent at both places, and then he could stay there. I was told this from two senior complexes (affordable housing type), and gave-up immediately thereafter and reverted to plan "B". The sooner I liquidate his mobile home (using the money from the mobile homes sale to pay-off the travel trailer), the better all around (to get the liquidation clock ticking if nothing else). According to the folks I spoke with, dad giving stuff to me would not help, because they would still count it as an asset he could live off of, and that's the end of that.
The travel trailer in the mobile home/RV park near my house was actually my plan "A" anyway, so I'm fine with it. My wife can check on him once or twice a week once he's moved, so it's for the better just for that. Seeing him everyday won't suck the life outta me like it has been, so I'm looking forward to the move being completed and selling his trailer.
Peace my friends!

 

It is good that you had a viable back up plan that everyone could live with. Sounds like things have changed in the last few years but that was what they made people resort to to take care of their older people. My parents lived in their 5th wheeler by choice for almost 9 years and it was just enough for them. Their bad health is what had me push them into a apt. Actually my mom was a real large woman and I needed medical help to be able to access her.

Keep us posted. We'll keep you in our prayers.

 

I returned victorious 24 hours later. We spent last two days moving him in. Tomorrow I'll set up his phone service. Now I gotta clean up and market his old trailer and try to balance a fast sell with a high enough yield to pay-off the rig I bought him. On track so far. He was in pretty good spirits when I left him in the new place tonight .

Thanks for all your encouragement, because it really helps .

I look forward to our October meeting, and welcome the reports from Creation Con. I hope all went well.

 

Wow, ekim, sounds good. Things are moving in the right direction for you and your dad which is great news. You are a good son!