The Show Must Go On

Hello folks:

Last nite I wrote about sundowning and it's effects.  This morning, I am a ragged, jumpy and cranky specimen.  Not an optimal state for a caregiver to provide her best to the patient, but a state that I'm sure almost every caregiver finds him/herself in more often than not.   It started with the sundowning and progressed into what was a  very restless, very confused evening.  Marjorie would not settle down, not for anything.   We started the bedtime routine around 9pm.   This followed a nice dinner, and some television watching.  A hot cup of tea and a cookie.  These are all comfort tools that I like to use to "wind the day down".   Marjorie kept asking for wine, kept wanting to get up and get her own wine, relentlessly, until I gave in and poured her a "nightcap".   I really thought that was going to do it.  "Nightcap" was something that Mum and Dad had frequently in their day, leading to bed.    I thought it would trigger a response for the bedtime ritual, and it did help for a short time, but was definitely not the answer I was looking for.
By 10 pm, I had her cozied into her favourite flannel pj's, bed warmer on, Dancing with the stars on her telly, and she was as snug as a bug in a rug.  I kissed her goodnight, told her I loved her and I shut her door.   After setting the alarm, I turned around to find her standing behind me and asking me what we were having for dinner.   And it started AAALLL over again.  Back to her bed, this time with a small snack that she quickly packed away and it seemed to satisfy her. Once again, I kissed her goodnight, tucked her in and left her for the what I thought was the entire evening.   Not so.
Fast forward to 3 am.   I finally broke down, as her main focus seemed to be dinner.  Marjorie was adamant that she was out and missed our dinner earlier.  She was "somewhere else" and could not stand her tummy growling anymore.  She needed to eat dinner.   I made soup and a sandwich.  She ate all her soup, half her sandwich and a full glass of milk.  (although she made it perfectly clear that she would have preferred wine).   Once again, we performed the bedtime ritual.  Teeth brushed, personal hygiene and bathroom visit, kiss, tuck in and the I love yous...... by this time, it's 4am.  And guess what?   She finally went to sleep.
I crawled upstairs, lay down, closed my eyes and exactly 45 minutes later, my alarm went off and I was out of bed and downstairs making my hubby's lunch, and coffee.    I'll admit, I was not the chirpiest wifey this morning, but that's one of my greatest challenges.... I'm not just caring for Mum... but also two other kids, three if you include my husband..  As cheerfully as I could muster.... I sent the hubby off to work and set off to get my son out of bed.  He is the next to get going and out of the house.  Thank GAWD Marjorie will be tired and sleeping through this part of the morning routine.  Thank GAWD.  
We are now roughly @ 7am.  Graham is still not dressed, still hasn't gotten his school supplies packed... well he hasnt' even managed to brush his teeth or hair.   That chirpiness I was referring to earlier?  Ya.... it's gone now.
With the help of my daughter (who is up by now, with all the noise) we manage to get Graham off to the bus.   Now I turn to Emma's needs.   Breakfast, lunch, signing agenda, notes, tests etc.  This has brought us to 8:30.  I look at the clock and I think "oh, I may have an hour or two to catch some Zzz, after Emma leaves.  Marjorie won't POSSIBLY be up till 10 or so this morning, after that terrible nite.   WRONG!!!!!
As I hustle Emma out the door, drive her to school, return home to what I think is going to be an hour of "me time", I am greeted by Marjorie.  She's hungry.   She didn't have any dinner last nite and she is ravenous.
Today is going to be a long day.   But as they say, the show must go on.
:)