My sister, Candy

A week ago, my sister was admitted to the hospital.  She was hallucinating.  She stayed in the ER overnight until the doctors could get her a room in a behavioral unit at another hospital.  She is addicted to pain pills and over abuses them.  I don't know how much more her brain and body can take.  It's a wonder she did not die. Still she refuses to go to a nursing home.  She can't cook for herself, she can't take care of herself.  This time her son found her covered in blood from a fall she had taken.  She cut herself. She could not get up off the floor. She was like a zombie.

After talking with her today, she seems much better.  Her psychiatrist stopped her old pain meds and put her on a stronger one.  He stopped her depacote and started her on a mood stabilizer.  She sounded clear headed.  It's hard to believe in her again.  I am doubtful she will stay clean. But I do encourage her to make changes.  It's the same song, but a different verse. I have seen this new start over and over.  In fact, I can predict what will happen next.   It's like a very broken record.

Folks we are weary from all that has happened.  Her son is fed up with her excuses and drama.  I just pray she does the work on herself for real this time.  She won't own her addiction.  Only she can help herself.  I can't wish it for her.  This time something is different in me.  I felt at peace just knowing that she was safe in the hospital.  For this time, I am not worrying about her.  It feels good not to worry.  It sounds hard, but I don't feel sorry for her.  She did all of this.  She blames everyone but herself.  Until she accepts her addiction, I doubt she will ever recovery.

I ask her son if he could deal with this for another twenty years?  She will probably out live all of us.
I think he should put her in a nursing home where she will be administered her meds, eating properly, getting exercise and interacting with others.

As for me, I'm on day twelve of  these antibiotics and they have made me so sick. If I can last two more days, I will be through.  Thank goodness my diverticulitis is better.  I am weak and feel like I have fever.  If an effort to feel better, I started painting my kitchen again. It takes forever to cover red walls.  I will do a little bit each day until it is finished and get a little exercise by going up and down the ladder and squatting to paint the base boards.  I feel like if I stop being active, I will loose ground.  I'm sure next week will be better. On a good note, it was great to watch football again.