I can't take it, please give me strength

[jenluckenbach]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Breathe deep............

OK, you are getting a break. Your brother's broblem (where to stay) and your dad's problem (who to help) are taken care of with one solution.

So relax!! You do NOT need to bake. People will live without the goodies.

You can clean without making everything immaculate (I do it all the time )

And (as hard as it sounds) don't let the cats get to you. They are only being human OK, you know what I mean.

Things always hit all at the same time, that is life, but then....when it;s over, it feels SOOOOOO good.

[cassiesmom]

Jazzcat,

You and your crew will be in my thoughts and prayers.

HUGS and Happy Holidays,

Donna

Same here! More HUGS and Happy Holidays --- Elyse

[Freedom]

Take care of the Caregiver first. And as Jen says, most of the critical stuff is already resolved.

Hugs and prayers from RI!

[carole]

oh Lori my heart truly goes out to you, if only there was a simple solution, talk about a stressful situation, I have no answers my friend, but just want you to know we understand how rough it must be, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel and soon for you.

And i understand how worried you are about your Dad, so much going on in your home right now, and no where to turn, i only hope something improves soon, I also understand about your kitty with CRF and being grumpy, My Ash is like that too,mind you he has never been a lovely natured kitty really to be perfectly honest, but it gets you down after a while.

Lots of Hugs from here to you, and fingers and all paws crossed there is some way you can solve your very difficult problems.

[Vermontcat]

I'm so sorry to hear that things are so stressful for you right now.
I hope things get better for you soon.
It could be worse, you could have snowstorm after snowstorm on top of everything else going on.
Would you like me to send some Vermont snow your way?

[Moesha]

If I hadn't had plans for this afternoon, I would have offered to help with cleaning. I'm not very good at the baking stuff, but I would have been happy to help in whatever other way would help you out.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lori, I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through so much stress and that you're now sick too. I'm glad that your brothers will be in town so that they can help your father. Please take care of yourself and try not to push yourself or you'll just continue to feel worse.

If your house isn't immaculate then your family should understand because you're sick and if they don't then they can start cleaning it themselves. I hope that your cats will begin to calm down soon and learn to get along with each other. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[shais_mom]

I just wanted to send my support and love and hope you feel better asap and that the cat situation resolves quickly.
((hugs))

[Medusa]

Checking in this morning and hoping that things have calmed down considerably and that your fur clan is more cooperative. We put such pressure on ourselves during the holidays; we sure don't need our furkids adding to the problem. Wishing you peace.....

[Barbara]

Sending hugs to you. I know that having a parent in that state of dementia is always lots and lots of stress- because whatever you do it will not bring him back
You are a very strong person and once in a while there is just a day that sucks.

[Pam]

Sending hugs to you. I know that having a parent in that state of dementia is always lots and lots of stress- because whatever you do it will not bring him back
You are a very strong person and once in a while there is just a day that sucks.

Barbara is exactly right. This too shall pass but it is so hard when you are in the midst of several things like this all happening at once. (((hugs))) to you. Sandie is also right because as 'caretaker' you are no good to anyone (dad or kitties) if you are not well yourself.

[jazzcat]

Thank you everyone (and Vermontcat I would LOVE a little snow ).

My fever is down a little and I feel a bit better today but this stuff has now turned into the worst sore throat I have had in my life. Worse than any bout of strep throat I've ever had. I couldn't sleep last night because every time I would swallow I would wake up in pain and crying. I believe whatever I have has taken a different path than what Richard had. I may be calling the dr. tomorrow.

My other brother who will be staying with me called last night to basically forbid me from going to Dad's because he said they can take care of everything there when he arrives including getting the caretaker's Christmas gift to her, Dad's gift to his sister at the nursing home, putting up the tree and my part of Christmas dinner if I'm still sick. Richard is going to cook and bake what I was going to take to his family dinner on Christmas Eve so it looks like I'm covered. Now I just need to feel good enough to give my house the once over tomorrow and I'm golden.

Also, the cats must have read my stress because there was NO pee or poop this morning and everyone is behaving better. I think that is due to the fact that sun is out for the first time in about 10 days.

Thank you all for the shoulders, support and offers to help.

[carole]

Oh Lori you poor girl, you sound miserable, i remember having a throat like you described, mine was a strep though, and it was terrible, never again, please no thank you, i sure hope the doctor can give you something to help ease the pain, lots of jelly and ice cream for you my dear.

Glad to hear there is an improvement all round in the situation you were dealing with, and those kitties, yep they know it is time to behave, mama has had enough, take care sweetie.

[jazzcat]

Well my brother who was going to stay with me just called to tell me they booked two nights at a hotel nearby. I hate that they have to do that but I understand and I don't want him to get what I have. He has to be so careful since he has MS. Something like this could be so harmful to him. We all hope I'm well enough for them to stay here Christmas Eve. I'll be wiping down the whole house with Clorox wipes.

I know my Dad will be upset. He wants them to stay with him but he already has a houseful and giving up his bed (which he wants to do) is not an option. He needs to sleep in his own bed and stay on his routine.

[Emeraldgreen]

Sounds like things are slowly working out, even with the cats (if only for a few days but it's a start). If it's possible, try and get as much rest as possible, it will speed up your healing for sure. Prayers that your throat will be on the mend asap!
Don't forget to steal a few minutes for yourself! A hot tea and a bath might be in order.