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I feel I've given up my life. I have two. Mom and her live (18yrs). End stages copd and severe arthritis and blood issues. Both late 70's. I have 3 kids, 4 Grandkids, and hubby of 21 yrs. lived in moms basement apt(paid rent for that dungeon) 7 yrs. hubs just got a new place. Couldn't deal anymore and I can't blame him but couldn't go with. Nw I feel abandoned. I am 51 and must ask permission to go somewhere. If I go watch tv in my room (can't stand golf) she calls every ten mins with excuses y I need to come back upstairs. HE isn't as bad as he plays off, milks it. Sits, nd waits to be served. I feel taken advantage of, manipulated daily, treated like a child. Mom very controlling. Specific spoon or fork or bowl or paper plate size each meal. I swear she wants food at a full rolling boil, then has to pee and it gets cold. Start all over. I am upstairs at 9am and am lucky to go "home" (their rec room now) by 11pm. I get the pouty face routine. I am old, fat, depressed, and just want to be lazy. I want-to be able to say "no, I don't want any pie but I'll get you some" without getting pressured. I want- to have someone else pick up those little fuzz balls off the carpet that annoy her so much. I want- to be able to go somewhere w/o a curfew (meds, treatments). I want- to have a place to have my Grandkids come see me. I want- to be able to say "yes, i'll meet you for lunch" to my husband. I want- to be respected and not be told how to dress, when, hw, who, what every aspect of my life. But it's not about me.
I love my mom with ll of my being and I do know that when she is gone I will rest well knowing I gave of myself to make her final years comfortable. Sure would live to runaway though! Thanks for lustening

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last resort- cracking me up! they could be sisters! mom cant get around at all but she has positioned her chair to where she can see in the kitchen through the reflection off the hutch. no getting away with anything. and yes, she dragggggggs out bedtime like a 5 yr old too. can I have another ice cube, did you turn the heat down, the curtains aren't closed tight enough, yadayadayada. She stays up until 3 am, wakes up at 9am and doses all day. I get up at 6am so I have a few hours to myself but then I'm beat by 9 pm. She wants me to stay up with her until 11. That is a continuing struggle.
we each have an ipad and she is 3 feet from me so she knows if I'm on f.b. or what. has been asking questions since I began on here now so I must be sneaky. "its nothing mom, just venting about you." hahaha never would do that! I laugh at it all as much as possible countrymouse. That's how I stay sane (or am I?)
I am finally starting to break her of meddling into my families business the way she does mine. She means well but gets things twisted and misspeaks to the wrong people now so I cant tell her much, but she used to be really bad about wanting to know private things like -how much $ does my son-in law earn ect.. got mad that I say IDK. I don't pry , my kids are adults. I treat them as such.
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Kritini, normally I agree that you have to be pretty selective about which battles to have; but it sounds to me like you're not even battling about the ones that are none of her business - like when you see your grandchildren. How about next time it's "we wash your hair by 2pm or we don't do it today. I have to be somewhere else by 3pm." Making her own choices about what she does, fine, I agree she should be in the driving seat. Being a road hog about your own personal 24/7 - unsustainable, surely? I don't know how you stay so sweet-tempered (I'm envious).
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Yeah Kritini, those who haven't lived with a total control freak all their lives can 't really grasp the nitpicky extent of the control. Mom is 96 and only barely starting t show signs of dementia, it is her sister that has it, but they live together and Mom is the same way yours is. I was there full time for a year (we live 5 hours away) and my husband couldn't grasp it even though we skyped every night. Took him coming up for a week over Christmas to even begin to get it. I am raising my 8 year old grandson and we had to skype to say goodnight at 9 every night so he could go to school. Mom would not even start to bed until 9 even though she had been sleeping in her chair for an hour and a half, I had to put in her glaucoma drops, one in one eye then wait 10 minutes then another in both. She would not get around until 10:30 before she would be "ready" for the eyedrops. Had to do her whole routine of getting ready for bed, get two glasses of water, take senna, lotion her feet, etc etc. when I just went on and went in the bedroom to skype she would yell at me every two minutes, "Did I get all the pills out of my dish?" "I knocked down the lotion come find it for me, " etc. She has macular degeneration and claims she can't cook, and hasn't for more than a year but will come in the kitchen and feel and tell me I got the "wrong" potatoes to cook. I am 60, have been married and cooking 40 years, fed three kids, how did I get the "Wrong" potatoes? What are "wrong" potatoes anyway???? Yeah, I get where you are at, and I will pray for you, I haven't got any real answers, but I do understand. Using the bowl and spoon YOU pick can be the biggest "Victory" you can get in a day with one of these...
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Maybe I just assume he'll still be there for me when she's gone. The bowl was just one example of 100's everyday that we go through. I try to let her have her way but as my sister says, I have created this monster. It would be fine if I were not here 24/7 but it has become a control thing now. I am not able to relax. I cannot do the things I know need to be done until she tells me to do them. Dump potty Chair, wash clothes, let the dog outside, ect.. I have acquired a routine in the last 7 years but she switches it up on me. If we need to wash her hair I will say "how about 2pm mom" ? We'll see. I tell her I want to see Grandkids after. She puts it off til too late for either and says we'll do it tomorrow. Repeat. I see my Grandkids for an hour every two weeks or so. They live 2 blocks away. That's why I daydream about runnin away.
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Kritini, I've been torn between guilt about not doing everything I could do working at the hospital and academically not doing everything I could do for my mom, not doing eveything I could do for my family. Academics suffered the most as you can imagine. So I am no stranger to being torn. The only thing I do not get is why total guilt about not providing everything personally for Mom with COPD, but not so much about being separated from hubby. And I don't see how the issue with the bowl was a win win, sounds like she lost you won! Not that you don't need to win probably more than you do...but those little things are the ones to keep in perspective and let her do stuff her way even if it takes longer. Those little things shoudl be little things that don't cost you that much but represent the little things she can still control, when she can't control the big things, namely her life and her health. Refusing to clean for the cleaning people was a good idea though. All they need is stuff picked up off the floor, which BTW I can barely get my son to ever do, he'll say WHY do I have to clean up for the cleaning people?? (My standards are low enough that that reallly IS all I ask...:-)
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I start everyday with a smile and end it with tears, exhaustion, and attitude. I keep pushing along because I know when she is gone I will be smacking myself for being so stubborn about little things. She dosnt have much quality. End stages copd. Shut in(gets out 1 per year for doc) and oxygen level 4 out of 5. I can only put myself in her shoes and imagine how difficult and scary it must be for her. If I can sleep at night knowing I did my best to keep her comfortable, then I won't have guilt when she's gone. However, it dosnt make the day to day process any easier let alone the controlling, manipulation, and high maintenence needs she requires. I am grateful her mind is still pretty sharp (to sharp sometimes) and I'm not having to wash up her "artwork" off the walls like some I've read here do.
We just got help coming in thru a local resource agency. Started last week. Only 4 hrs per week but it's a start and my foot is in the door now so will carry me thru hospice. Now we trying to adjust, as in "mom, I'm not going to clean the house so this new person won't see dirt when she comes to clean it." what? Lol seniors say the darnedest things! I'm sorry your marriage is struggling Skinonna, just make the most of time you do have. Maybe trade days at moms? One goes while the other stays home and prepares romantic meal?
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I think you must be amazing, but a little help would make things easier. Getting old is awful, but dying young is worse. My marriage has suffered and we only are at Mom's 2 days a week. But working and taking care of other elderly relatives leaves little time for any other life.
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Hi Skinonna, my marriage is still very strong. I just don't know for how long. He's been moved out 5 months now. We talk/text twice aday and see eachother on Saturdays. I wouldn't call the relationship dysfunctional, just the situation. ?
I give in to mom a lot because it's just easier than listening to it. I pick my battles. Does it frustrate me? YES. Example of a win- last night, she wants beef stew thickened up. Wants me to bring her flour, measuring cup, water, Yellow bowl, green spoon with wood handle. Then she mixes while I strain veggies and and add all back together. I just did myself and was done quicker than I typed this, my way with any ol spoon, any ol bowl and didn't strain. She was ticked but dealt. Sometimes it's good to let her be involved but not in a time crunch. More later, on duty. Lol
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I really have a hard time understanding why you do this. Has your relationship always been this dysfunctional? You need to figure out what is going on with you. Sometimes we are so tired and/or depressed we cannot figure it out. How about sending along a few more specific situations and I am sure the folks here will have some things they have done to change similar things.
You do not need to heat up her food again. She can potty before she eats. And you can remind her of that along with "the food is hot now and will not be reheated." If she won't eat, it's her loss, isn't it. She may use this behavior as a control issue. She won't let you tell her when she will eat. She will delay and then tell you when she will eat.
How disabled are they? Would some rehab help them be more independent? What about outside help? Is the anything available through elder services?
Your first responsibility is to your immediate family (husband and children) then your parents. Sometimes social services won't help until you won't.
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Two totally different worlds......being a caregiver and being in a jacuzzi! I say: ENJOY!
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Oh yeah, and when I said his place is nice? Jacuzzi!! Hehe
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Good for you!!! :)
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I escaped!! For the night anyway. Lol at hubby's house. So wish I could pluck all of you up and whisk you away for a break. I will enjoy while I can.
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Run away? How about jumping in my car, peeling rubber out of the driveway, drive full speed down the street to the nearest airport with a one way ticket in hand............but then I remember my husband and kids who I love so much and who need me as much as I need them and have been so supportive of me and all I go through with my mom living with us......nope......I stick around knowing there are better days ahead......

Kritini, I wish you the best......being a caregiver is hard work! :p
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JessieBelle, your last paragraph about our parents "sitting around watching
TV all day long" is 100% correct! I've been saying it all along (believing it and sometimes trying to convince myself that I know I'm right) but every now and then I still question "am I really making a big deal out of this?" Also, when a parent says "I'll do what I want" and "Why do I care at my age?" (Mom's 75) it just makes you think, "Well, okay then. But mom's going to have to "not care" somewhere else. Not in my house, day in, day out, 7 days a week, every month, season after season, year after year while I watch it happen before my own weary eyes. Enough already!

I agree with you and have moved forward with assisted living for my mom. Paperwork is filled out and ready to go. I can't do it anymore! I have too much life left in me......and.......well......I'm worth it! :)
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Please really sit down and think about your situation. Please hop around this site and read other people's experiences and Reflect on it and yours. Think really hard what means the most to you. Your husband, for now, is patient and willing to wait for you. But how long is he willing to wait? My mom had Alzheimer when I was about age 23. I've been helping father caregive mom these past 24 years. She died last year. Now, my father's beginning his journey. I'm no longer foolish to think this will be a short "stint." I know better. I'm still trying to figure out how far I'm willing to stay here, in his home, and how far I'm willing to be verbally abused. How far am I willing to go when he becomes more physically violent. Only I can make that decision. And trust me, I've been thinking about it every single day.

I read your words and ... I understand where you're coming from. But, you have a husband. And according to the Bible and God, your spouse comes first. And yes, you're also to help your mother. But that help does not necessarily mean that you have to be there 24/7 living with them.

Like others mentioned, there are other options, other help - that provides care for the elderlies. You just need to do a lot of calling. When my mom was first diagnosed, father did a lot of calling around. He was able to hook up for the Meals on Wheels for him and mom from Mondays-Fridays. He was able to get the government caregivers to come once a week to shower mom (then he split that 4-hour a week supplement to 1 hour x 4 times a week. This way mom is showered at least 4 times a week instead of just once a week.) He applied for a dementia study program connected with the college for mom. In return, they provided 1 hour caregiver respite and a limited $$ on supplies. So we used our supply vouchers to buy mom's pampers or boxes of gloves or wipes. There are so many programs out there. You just have to call around and ask for people's referrals, etc.... Truly, sit down and think what is most important to you - now and in the future. You can still do your daughterly duty from afar. Just Set Limits or Boundaries. Maybe by doing this, your mom will learn to do things herself. Instead of calling you, and watching you jump to her every needs. This will Not be easy. Sis and I caregive father. Sis jumps to his every needs, I don't. He treats her like dirt, and we clash because I refuse to jump. It is a Constant battle of wills. I will not allow him to browbeat me like when i was a child. I'm an adult now. I can argue back and am no longer Required to Obey and not argue. And by the way, you moving out to join your husband is Not Running away. Running away is moving out, and not looking back. Not coming for visits to help out. That is running away. You can still be there for them - even by living away from them.
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Run. Like. Hell.
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I think of running away all the time too! Your lucky you have a husband. I am divorced and 57. Moved in with my parents to help care for them. My father has liver cancer and is terminal, only 3-10 months. Mom is disabled, won't help herself. and demanding. I know she will probably live to 100. Run away, yes, think it every single minute! Calgon take away! Hahaha!
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Did your mom change your name to Cinderella and not tell you? I can ask because I have a similar situation, they don't feel like your husband counts, at least my mom doesn't. She won't spend any of her money, she needs it to take care of her in her "old age". The woman is 96!!!! I am 60, don't work because of health issues, stayed with her all last year, finally said, Mom I have to think about MY old age, husband was threatening to leave me as our home is 5 hours away, my only retirement is him. She says "Well you will inherit whatever I don't use" She doesn't have as much as she thinks...the dollar amount is the same but 100,000 dollars isn't as much as it used to be and she has no income, her SS doesn't even cover her supplemental insurance and meds, let alone food. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!! They don't care if they consume you, you MUST take care of yourself!!!
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BTW, if I were your mother I would tell you to leave me and get home to that wonderful husband. Many times our elderly parents lose the ability to tell us what is best for us. There are too many options for you to sacrifice so heavily.
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Kritini, when I read the distress that many of us are in, I don't know how we handle it. You wrote your mother is in end-stage COPD. Do you know what her prognosis is? Some people with advanced COPD can still live a long time. I worry about what will happen to your life. You're living like Cinderella right now, and I'm afraid that wonderful Prince Charming you have will get tired of waiting. Your mother's COPD will have claimed another victim -- you.

I know the feelings you are having about responsibility and going the distance for your mother. I think we appreciate what you're doing here more than your mother does there. She is taking your freedom and keeping you away from your husband so she can have her freedom and the company of her live-in. And she expects you to cater to her live-in while you ignore your own husband. This is an ugly picture.

In my mind you have gone beyond the call of daughterly duty with your mother. I wouldn't be surprised if she would be more comfortable in a nursing facility after she got used to the idea. Maybe her man friend can also get a room there if his family will work with him. Then you would be able to get back to your husband, kids, and grandkids.

Sometimes I just don't know about this caregiving thing. Many of our parents just sit in a chair and watch TV all day with us giving up our lives for them to do that. When they are not so ill, we can come and go. As they get worse, we are totally stuck. So we give up our lives and freedom so they can sit in the chair and watch TV all day. There has to be something better than this that doesn't cost an arm and leg.
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At ladeeM: hahahahahaha.....you made me laugh out loud! ;)
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ps...did I read that you pay rent to live there??? they should be paying you to live there and help out!!!
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Honey...book a cruise with your hubby right now! You can hire someone to stay with her or put her in respite. You need a break!
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Kritini, you can love your mom and not live with her. Don't explain to the cops...if you werent there, the cops would see this as an emergency with people who need full time care. Glad that you're getting some help with mom. Is she medicaid eligible.? Are there resources for memory care.?
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I do have a sister who is very supportive of me and I utilize her regularly to process my emotions. She dosnt have the patience or attention span to sit here more than an hour at a time. She comes over and brings a meal once in a while, and calls mom to chit chat. I also have a step brother (his father raised me but passed away 20 years ago) who stops over and does minor maintenance when needed. This morning a gal is coming to spend a few hours and make a crockpot meal. This will be her first day. She will be spending 5 hours per week cooking and providing companionship through a local resource agency. They say as mom progresses their services will increase. I have a new positive attitude this am (and a little guilt re-reading my letter even though its true). I see that so many of you have it much harder than I. I am getting off my pity-potty for now. I am grateful my husband is patient with the situation and hopefully this new person will give me some reprieve. You are all fantastic here, thank you!
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No way would I ever give up my husband for my parents. That is not reasonable. Why is a parent's life more important than yours? I am afraid I would have to pack my little bag and say my farewells. Contact Social Services and tell them there are two old people who need help and give them their address. There are other options. We are the only ones who can help ourselves. We have to come to the point when we 'believe' that we deserve better. As the saying goes ''if it is to be - it is up to me!'' No one will save you but yourself. Are you the only child?
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Thank you Vegaslady and all others! I think if I can conquer not being affected by the guilt trips I could do more. That is my goal. :) as far as the grumpy old man goes, I am establishing contact with his adult children who live out of state, who are in his will and who WILL be responsible. When mom is gone, I am gone! I'll be damned if I do the sacrificing so they come swoop up the estate. Nope, nope, nope.
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Kritini, I want to run away all the time, but who will feed the cats, the fish, the goats, the dogs, the squirrels, the birds, and Oh, MIL, too. He doesn't know how to do any of these things. When I am overwhelmed with all of these things, I finally learned I actually can step outside, even in the cold, and take a deep breath, or even cry if I want to. She won't die while I am out there. She can call my name and even shout for me. At this point, I don't care. I'll get to her when I get to her. It's never too long. If she's wet or even if her diaper is dirty, it will get changed sooner or later. She doesn't rule me any longer. I guess stepping outside is akin to running away a little bit for me.

I don't know how ill your Mother is. Do you have siblings that can help you once in awhile? That would be such a blessing for you. You didn't mention Home Health. Does she qualify for caregivers from a Home Health Agency? That would give you time for a lunch break with your husband. I know how you feel, Hon, and I wish you relief soon.
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Sorry I couldn't answer right away, I was packing the car!!!!!
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