It is my dysfunction that makes me normal

Just a quick update. Barbara was released from rehab yesterday. She wanted to stay another three weeks (I have a feeling she enjoyed the attention) but the insurance would only cover a week. I told my dad he could appeal but I don't think he will. I just wonder how much good five days did. Usually by the third day, the worst of the withdrawal occurs and though it's a little better on day four, it's still there. She needed at least another week to start functioning a bit more normal and everyone knows it takes between 28-30 days to break and/or make a habit.

Plus, they put her on Valium to get her off the Ativan which is an anxiety drug that is very addictive and dangerous to take when a person is drinking. I do question how wise it is to put someone who obviously already has addiction problems on Valium and then send them home. The other thing I'm having a huge problem with is that her psychologist told her they couldn't test for bipolar disorder until she was off the alcohol. Then, they tested her anyway and said she's not bipolar but has depression and anxiety. This upsets me because it truly makes me wonder how these "professionals" can give her some test and not see what is so clear. Everyone close to her knows that she has some kind of mood disorder and twice now, two idiots who have known her for a couple hours to a couple of days have dismissed this obvious fact. I am starting to wonder where these people went to school. One would think they would be trained to give the right tests and recognize that many people that have serious addictions are skilled liars. And one would think, they would call the family in and ask them questions to determine the truth.

As for Pop, he's still at my parents house but he needs to leave now that she's home. Especially by Saturday because the second nurse has refused to come back while Barbara is there. The reason he's still there is that some things have come up that have made deciding what's right for him, difficult. First, his main nurse (she works six days a week) has to go to Maryland for two months because her own mother needs some care. Also, she believes, at this point, that Pop needs more care than we can provide him at home. He has some bed sores. She keeps them at bay but the problem is that he needs to be changed more often. She leaves at 3:00pm every day and doesn't come back until 8:30 in the morning. When there's "a mess" which happens often in the middle of the night, he gets confused and things get kinda disgusting. It would also help if he was able to have a full shower which is impossible at home. He also has started to try and get out of bed more as of late. This, of course is dangerous. Lastly, we all have some concerns about Lucy. Sometimes Pop gets confused and angry and gets nasty. We could handle this but she shouldn't have to. Lastly, what happens if one morning he doesn't wake up and she's the first in there?

The nurse thinks we should place him into a home while she's gone and see how he does. If he starts to really go downhill, we can always bring him here but if he does well, the physical care would be so much better for him. I'm so torn. I'm trying to decide what's best for him. Emotionally, I think our home might be the best but physically, I know the nursing home would be best. I feel like a crappy granddaughter for even considering it but I also have to protect Lucy. I do feel we won't have a choice for the two months that the nurse will be gone because it would be too difficult to find another one at the price she charges and one that Pop gets along with. I guess we may not have a choice but to give the nursing home a two month trial while she's gone and see if it works best for him.

In happier news, Lucy had the "best birthday ever!"

I think I'm going to run away. Anyone need a live in cook?