Ardis

If you had followed Ada's blog since the beginning, I am sure you remember Ardis Hendrix. She went to the hospital as soon as she heard about Ada and stayed with us at the hospital everyday, stayed with us at the Nursing home everyday, until Ada moved to Rehab Hospital which is quite far from her home, she still visited us regularly.
3 years ago, I invited Ardis and her family to Ada's Birthday party, they did not showed up. I gave her a call and she said she was sick, she turned yellow and went to the hospital She was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer.
She was in the hospital off and on, surgery and Chemo. I tried to visit as often as I can. She is a fighter, she is tough. We had lunch together when she feel strong enough to get out of the house. I wish we live a bit closer ans I wish I could take care of her.
Today Macey, me and Ada went to visit Ardis at home. I had this feeling that she does not do too well and I should see her, now. She is pale, skinny and can barely open her eyes. Tom was trying to give her some water to drink. She open her eyes and said hi to us. She had been really sick since yesterday, Tom said and he tried to call hospital but they did not have a room for her. I gave Ardis some water while Tom stepped out to make a call and good new is they are sending ambulance to pick her up so she can go to the hospital.
I can see, her time is near and we all feel hopeless.
I wish, next life,  I had you, Ardis Hendrix, as my real sister.
I love you so much, and I know Ada loves you too.

Sleeping is a Beauty

I, finally, gave in and asked for the 3 shrift aids to come and stay with Ada during the night hours. We had tried different medications for her to help with sleeping, but we cannot find anything beside Trazadone which will get her to sleep but will not keep her sleep through the night.
Remember her brain does not function like ours and, lacking ability to talk or communicate clearly, I cannot tell why she keeps waking up every 2-3 hours. The only thing I can think of is Mommy snores too loud and wake her up, but I have to be in the room with her at night.
So, we had 3 shrift aids for a month now, and Ada had slept well through the night. At the same time, mom also has 7 hours of sleep 5 days a week.
So, happy Ada and happy mom.
What is a big deal, you might ask, why don't we have this arrangement long time ago.
Well, we now have 4 different aids who come to out house and take turn taking care of Ada. We have a nurse comes in each day for feeding and Behavior Therapist who comes here once a week. Total strangers who are now part of the family. I gave up on wearing pajama, have to walk around with cloth on all the time. I gave up my privacy so I can sleep.
Next month Ada will turn 30, I would like to have a Birthday Party for her, let me know if you caould help or come to the party.