I know I have been a horrible blogger of late.  I was trying to get back in the habit with my card making when I was called in to take care of my Great Aunt’s estate issues as she is suffering from health issues which include mild dementia.

On the plus side, I got to go to Florida.

On the not so plus side, it was in July.

It is now August.  I am now back in Michigan working on getting things put together so that my Great Aunt can have as fulfilling a life as possible with the time she has left. 

Though, I object to it, she has decided to remain in her home with one crazy neighbor on one side to her home.  This man is just not right.  Let’s mix prescription mood-altering drugs with alcohol and see what happens seems to be his motto from the stories I have heard.  Luckily, she also has some wonderful neighbors who are looking out for her well-being.

What did I want?  I wanted her to move into an Assisted Living Facility that was akin to a Palace.  For one fee, she would have had 3 squares in a fancy dining area, on-site medical staff, her own apartment where she could keep her cat, and a variety of amenities that are too long to list.  Shoot, I would have moved in!

The stumbling block was her stuff.  Now, we all have attachments to stuff, but, one of the things that most folks don’t realize is that those with mild dementia sometimes use their stuff as memories.  The stuff is important to them because they know that it represents something important –  even if they don’t remember exactly what it is.

Now, some relatives have the stamina and strength of will to do what is necessary even if the person wants none of it.  Some don’t.  And, then there are the ones who don’t want to make waves –  or even upset anyone.  Someone is always going to be upset.  Someone is always going to not like your decisions.  Someone is always going to find fault.  It is just the way of things.  And, sometimes, the relative who won’t cooperate –  or convinces the swing vote against a decision –  turns around and says that “we should have done that.”

Well, yes, we should have.  We didn’t.  Why didn’t we?  You didn’t want to do what the experts told us to do.  But, well, that’s in the past.

So, now, I’m in the midst of trying to take care of all of this.  Set up my Great Aunt’s accounts and bills, and generally try to figure out how to make the money she does have last her when she is not doing what is most conducive to making it last.

Now, if people would just do what I tell them to begin with, things would work out better.  Honestly.  OK, I know that sounds conceited, but in this case I’m going from years of observation and knowledge of what really does work vs. what only ends up making it more difficult.  Not to mention that I have hooks into professionals who have dealt with this sort of thing over and over again.

I’m just waiting until we will have to take her to a home kicking and screaming instead of the way I originally wanted –  through just a little bit of deception.  (And, yes, deception is ok when doing what is best for someone who is mentally incapacitated.  We don’t mind using a bit of it on toddlers, and well, mild dementia that is progressing means the person is no longer able to make long-term decisions in their own best interests.)

The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries… [Reuters]

Of comparable societies, the United States has the worst health care record with the highest spending. Our health outcomes are last. Our safety procedures are last. We came in last in everything.

Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, pleas stop lying to the American people. I realize you are capitalizing on the ignorance of the masses to line your pockets, but this can only lead to disaster. Do you really need to give more fodder to the people who believe you want to wipe out a large portion of the population?

Of course, I know that even in my own family facts will not sway the opinions of some. I also realize that many falsely believe national health care provisions for all Americans is somehow an evil communist plot. Guess what? The only healthy societies have mixed economies where things are pulled from the market sector when they are too important for the functioning of society. Basic health care is one of those things.

Please remember, the health care bill that was passed was a gimme to the insurance companies. It will hurt more people than it helps due to the lack of a public option.

Who would have thought that normalcy would return to me by having a sinus infection? Every year of my life, except during chemotherapy, I have gotten severe sinus infections at least twice a year. This year I got one that started with a nice little virus.

In a strange way it is something to be celebrated. Everything about this was familiar. From trying to stem the virus at the get go, to it deciding to settle into my sinuses with a vengeance.

Yes, I ended up seeing Dr. Professor because DH was convinced we would get the doctor runaround if I went to the GP only a week and a day after having my port removed. Dr. Professor even started talking about immune system issues. I then got to say that this was something that I knew so well that certain physicians in the past had known when I called them and just gave me my round of antibiotics. I always knew when it was something else. Other things don’t act exactly like the sinus infections I have had my entire life.

So, I guess now, except for the every 3 and 6 month scheduled checks for cancer markers and images, my medical life is back to normal. It is an odd feeling to find a sinus infection confirming remission.

Due to some computer issues, I am going to take a short blogging hiatus. It shouldn’t be more than 2 weeks – hopefully much shorter!

May all blessings come to us all.

This link got me thinking:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090223/franklin

Contracts between unequal persons or entities should not be enforceable. 

I have long felt that arbitration clauses are little more than an opportunity to engage in discriminatory or even criminal behavior on the part of the corporation – or more empowered party.

Personally, I think they should be illegal – mainly because it is a violation of the right to a fair trial as the Founders’ would have seen it.  What do you think?