|
Post by messymimi on Dec 10, 2009 19:10:43 GMT -5
I am standing here crying tears of joy for you.
messymimi
|
|
|
Post by phoebepj on Dec 10, 2009 23:08:09 GMT -5
i'm so happy for you rennie.
When my dad painted my apartment and my mom deep cleaned my bathroom and kitchen after i had picked up all the squalor... it was so liberating and exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. I'm so glad you get to experience that now. Enjoy your bedroom!
|
|
|
Post by CaringFriend on Dec 11, 2009 1:28:03 GMT -5
That is awesome that you and your aide accomplished enough during her first visit for the difference to be noticeable! I agree with the poster who suggested planning ahead before each visit what you want to accomplish. If you don't, you may end up feeling frustrated afterwards.
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Dec 11, 2009 10:49:16 GMT -5
Now I remember why I didn't sleep in my bed much....
I woke up this morning in EXTREME lower back pain, going down to my right hip. I can barely walk around the house. I had to get a friend to take me to the coumadin clinic this morning. I couldn't straighten up to even drive.
I've had my queen size mattress and box springs since 1994, when my then-husband and I moved to Springfield. We bought his parent's mobile home and the bed was included. It's served its purpose, but now it's killing my back and until I get a new one (which, because of finances, will probably be never), I'm back to sleeping in my recliner.
So for today, nothing is going to get done.
|
|
|
Post by StuffNoMore on Dec 11, 2009 11:21:29 GMT -5
Rennie - perhaps you could discuss this with the Nurse when she comes for her visit. Most agencies have access to Social Workers and they may know of some type of hardship fund that could assist you in getting a more back friendly mattress since this one is affecting your health. Sometimes there are so many options out they that we aren't aware of. Or perhaps the Doctor could write a prescription for some type of hospital bed that your insurance will cover. So many of them now look just like regular bed and you wouldn't have that hospital look from it.
I'm happy for you that you were able to get some assistance with the housework and cleaning from the the Health Aides. Keeping fingers crossed here that the dilemma of the mattress is solved soon. (Only crossing one hands fingers gsw;) )
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Dec 11, 2009 19:00:35 GMT -5
stuffnomore,Rennie - perhaps you could discuss this with the Nurse when she comes for her visit. Most agencies have access to Social Workers and they may know of some type of hardship fund that could assist you in getting a more back friendly mattress since this one is affecting your health. Sometimes there are so many options out they that we aren't aware of. Or perhaps the Doctor could write a prescription for some type of hospital bed that your insurance will cover. So many of them now look just like regular bed and you wouldn't have that hospital look from it. I'm happy for you that you were able to get some assistance with the housework and cleaning from the the Health Aides. Keeping fingers crossed here that the dilemma of the mattress is solved soon. (Only crossing one hands fingers gsw;) ) I WON'T get a hospital bed! No way, no how, no, no, no. That's just too....hospice....if you know what I mean. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea here! I want a regular queen size mattress and box springs.
I WILL discuss this with my contact at the in-home agency. They might put me in contact with some resources. But I'm not getting a hospital bed and that's non-negotiable.
|
|
|
Post by StuffNoMore on Dec 11, 2009 21:14:31 GMT -5
Rennie- I wasn't trying to upset you. I was merely trying to help brainstorm a way for you to sleep in a more comfortable bed. I can understand the not wanting any type of hospital type bed.
Perhaps your contact person at the agency can be of some help as you certainly deserve to have a good nights sleep in a real bed. I'll be sending many positive thoughts that this will be a positive happening for you
SNM
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Dec 11, 2009 21:18:46 GMT -5
stuffnomore,
Not a problem. This in-home agency also does hospice and I didn't want anyone to think that this was the service I was receiving from them. But I do appreciate your advice and will talk to them on Monday. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by phoebepj on Dec 11, 2009 21:28:50 GMT -5
rennie, what about a mattress topper. My mattress is horrid without it.. i just got one of those 2 inch memory foam mattresses to put on top and i've had a comfortable nights sleep since.
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Dec 11, 2009 21:55:36 GMT -5
Pheobepj,
No. The mattress is just too soft and has no support at all. It was fairly new in 1994, but it's definitely time to get a new one.
|
|
|
Post by mellowyellow on Dec 12, 2009 11:00:12 GMT -5
That is just wonderful to hear.. (not about the mattress * )... My goal this holiday is to finally get rid of the piles of clothes and linen that plague my bedroom. I am sure that a weight will be lifted off my shoulders when I have that visual peace of mind. Well done!
|
|
|
Post by lettinggo on Dec 14, 2009 5:16:04 GMT -5
howardsgirlfriend,Do savor the acceptance from being told how common it is for people with illnesses to have squalor problems. You showed her your squalor, and she accepted your present state, and went about her business. You might want to ponder what your aide could help with next--maybe do that task you can't do, or can't do by yourself. FYI: that 4lb weight loss equals about a half-gallon of fluid. I hope I don't ruffle any feathers here, but I have a problem with the word "squalor" being used to describe my clutter.
Yes, I know that's the name of the board. But my perception of "squalor" is what you'd see on shows like "How Clean Is Your House?" where there is animal poo, mold and rotting food everywhere. My "clutter" is just clothes and junk mail, mostly unopened. I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else, so please, PLEASE don't read that into my post. If I didn't have a problem, I wouldn't be here.
Rennie, I'm sorry you don't like the word "squalor", and I certainly don't mean to offend you. But the squalor you see on those television shows is the very worst level of it (it wouldn't make good tv otherwise. sigh). You could NEVER smell my cats when you came in my house. Well, were I to let anyone in. I never reached 3rd degree squalor (having rotting food), but 2nd degree squalor *is* defined as losing the normal use of household items, like your bed. I guess it doesn't matter what you call it, but I have found that "clutter" is not what I lived in. From Squalor Survivors -- <a href="http://www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/measuring.shtml"></a> Measuring Squalor. Well, crumblebums. I don't know how to link words. www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/measuring.shtml
|
|
|
Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Dec 14, 2009 8:34:37 GMT -5
I hope I don't ruffle any feathers here, but I have a problem with the word "squalor" being used to describe my clutter.
Yes, I know that's the name of the board. But my perception of "squalor" is what you'd see on shows like "How Clean Is Your House?" where there is animal poo, mold and rotting food everywhere. My "clutter" is just clothes and junk mail, mostly unopened. I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else, so please, PLEASE don't read that into my post. If I didn't have a problem, I wouldn't be here.
I do admit since my disability has gotten worse, I have a problem with clutter and disorganization because of low energy levels.
But as the nurse from the in-home care agency told me, she'd been in homes where the first thing you smell when you walk in the door is pet poo. She didn't even know I had a cat until Angel walked in the living room.
So to her, having seen homes in even worse conditions than mine, my home is "cluttered" but NOT in a state of squalor.
She made a few suggestions to help the junk mail clutter, like open it immediately and shred it. And in the past couple of days, I've seen a difference just by doing that. I'm getting a trash basket to put the unopened junk mail in so I can shred it at my leisure. That should keep it from piling up on the floor. Rennie, I'm sorry you don't like the word "squalor", and I certainly don't mean to offend you. But the squalor you see on those television shows is the very worst level of it (it wouldn't make good tv otherwise. sigh).
You could NEVER smell my cats when you came in my house. Well, were I to let anyone in. I never reached 3rd degree squalor (having rotting food), but 2nd degree squalor *is* defined as losing the normal use of household items, like your bed.
I guess it doesn't matter what you call it, but I have found that "clutter" is not what I lived in.
From Squalor Survivors -- <a href="www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/measuring.shtml"></a> Measuring Squalor.
Well, crumblebums. I don't know how to link words.
www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/measuring.shtml Both RennieEllen and LettingGo have made valid points. I agree with both of them. Lots of possible words. Clutter, hoarding, squalor, mess, disorganization, chaos, disarray, disorder, disrepair, untidiness, etc., etc., etc.
Not all of these words mean the same thing. Or perhaps each word has shades of meaning that may or may not overlap with other words. Does it matter?
HISTORY LESSON:Many people in the USA tend to call it all "hoarding". (even if the person isn't actually clinging to stuff).
Many people in Australia tend to call it all "squalor" (regardless of whether there is dirt or not).
In 2001, Kimmy was the first person to post in an online message board ... about her process of recovery from squalor (or whatever you call it).
Kimmy lives in Australia. Her psychiatrist called it "squalor".
The "Degrees of Squalor", listed on the Squalor Survivors website, are something that Kimmy's psychiatrist came up with. (further source unknown).
Kimmy told her story on a former forum owned by organizer Julie Morgenstern.
Archived copy of Kimmy's story here (17 pages long of Kimmy's journey out of squalor) web.archive.org/web/20040815071304/http://juliemorgenstern.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000042.html A 2002 update is here: www.squalorsurvivors.com/pictures/kimmy/may20th2002.shtmlSomewhere within the original 2001 thread, BlessThisMess coined the phrase "Squalor Survivors". From Kimmy's story, the website "Squalor Survivors" was founded. The owner of Squalor Survivors, "Pigpen", took BlessThisMess's phrase as the name for the website. (See Pigpen's comments near the bottom of the 2002 update link I just cited). Pigpen chose to keep the word "squalor" --- Pigpen explains why here -- on the main "homepage": www.squalorsurvivors.com(See the section called "Is it a problem for you?") [ Pigpen has strict copyright rules about her website, so we cannot quote even a part of it here.] This forum here SOS ("Stepping Out of Squalor") ... was formed when the former forums at the Squalor Survivors website were dissolved. During the transition phase ... as this SOS was being formed ... the founding SOS mod posted a thread asking the members what to name ourselves. Suggestions were given. A poll was posted. The decision was "Stepping Out of Squalor. Words are just words. Each of us is unique. I think that each SOS member can choose her/his own words for for her/his own unique situation. And some many not want to give it any label. Here is what the SOS moderators/administrators have said about the PURPOSE for this SOS forum: Quote from the Community Purpose and Policies thread, written by the SOS moderators/administrators:takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=community&action=display&thread=4037We are all here to improve our living environments -- regardless of how we label any problems we are trying to overcome. That is what unites us. Hugs from Lioness [ NOTE from Lioness: I'm not a moderator/administrator here. I'm just a sister member with all of you, and happen to be a bit of a nerd about forum history ... and I find links easily.]
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Dec 14, 2009 9:58:58 GMT -5
CL,
Thanks for your post. I do think location has an influence on your choice of words, and my perception of a word (growing up in the South -- US) is going to be different than someone from Australia.
To me, "squalor" is what I see on "How Clean Is Your House?"
I call my situation "clutter" because that's what it is to me. Disorganization and disarray can also apply, because the clutter in my house certainly does that in my life, too.
So I'm hoping as the aide helps with the clutter in my home, the disorganization and disarray will turn into organization and neatness.
|
|