anything at all? Visiting at nursing home...how often is often enough, and how long is long enough for a visit? It is always painful when I think about it. She always seems happy to see me, but cannot remember my name!
Shellseeker I can't find the thread where you told us about the trouble with your eyes please contact me as I'm having same problem an wonder if its from medications
frand, I know you don't post often anymore but I was curious about your Dutch husband; if you're willing to tell me more, please send an email (listed in my profile)
JeanetteB, Fran's husband died August 22, 2008. She rarely checks on here any more. She's taking a mini-vacation this coming week to help her cope with the anniversary of his passing.
To my friends on this forum: As you know, my husband died on Feb. 17th this year. I have thought about my years (10) as a caregiver and would like to offer to correspond with any of you who would possibly want to ask me about any of my experiences or just want to have me as an internet friend.
I know that we have some wonderful experienced people here who are already available to you but I am wanting to offer my services to those who are still involved in the difficult task of helping your dear spouse on this painful and long journey.
I have put my e-mail address in my profile and will welcome your responses.
Yes, Joyful, isn't that easier? Or you might find yourself having to repeat things again and again for individuals. I have read the threads about your husband's last months and was moved. Would very much appreciate your insights here!
Thank you for your c omments ...I do not plan to remove myself from the boards. I thought I co uld continue with th e public conversations and also speak privately to others w ho wished to contact me via e mail. I just wanted to give my friends here the option of either way. THank yo u for wanting me to continue to contribute.
Hello everyone. My name is Polly. I was one of the people that started in the beginning when Joan first launched this wonderful site. I have not posted in a long time. Since my last post (which I think may have been a year ago), I have placed my husband in an Assisted Living Facility. I placed him April 1, 2009. I would like to get in touch with Judi in Ione, CA. I live in Pilot HIll, CA, not very far from her. I think she has something in common with me on another thread and I would like to get her imput on how things have worked out for her. Judi, if you are stil out there, feel free to e-mail me at pollyp53@dishmail.net
I would love to contact anyone in Maryland, DC area closest but Baltimore area ok who would want to talk on phone or get together with our spouses for week-end outings.
Mimi, I enjoyed your comments so very much on the widows and widowers thread and would like to pursue your friendship through e-mail messages. My e-mail address is bunnyy53@att.net or jbunnyy@hotmail.com. If you would like to correspond please e mail me through one of these addresses and I will respond. You seem to be someone I can relate to. My name is Joyce and nickname of Bunny.
Pompanosusan I am 61 and my DH was diagnosed in 2006, too. But looking back I knew something was terribly wrong for over a year. I can relate to the issues with the eyes. It's amazing how the eyes see the object right in front of him but the brain cannot compute! This seems to be getting much worse by the day. Like so many others, I have also gone through many many problems and incidents with toilet issues. My DH cannot tell me if he needs to use the bathroom so I take him now whether he wants to or not. Sometimes he won't let me. We've had struggles and shouting matches and all kinds of drama just to use the toilet! Eventually I got sick and tired of cleaning up the floors, walls, carpet, etc., and everything else so I went to diapers(Depends pull-ups). That has made it somewhat easier. I still have to wear gloves when I change and clean him (I've thought about goggles too!) and we have a diaper pail like you would for a baby. He's been wetting the bed alot lately so now I put 2 on him at night. I just wish they weren't so expensive but I wouldn't take the chance of going anywhere without them now. Yes, it is very much like taking care of a baby- just bigger and not so sweet or cuddly sometimes!
This discussion is for members to exchange e-mail addresses or ask someone to e-mail or phone them. I don't want your post to get buried here, so I would suggest starting a new discussion topic and putting it there. I was going to do it, but I couldn't decide what you would want to title it, so I'm leaving it up to you.
Rae, contact me please..I live in CA and am about to embark on a conversation with an elder lawyer. I am in Central CA. I could use some insight as to what kinds of questions I need to ask. Thanks, Mimi
Mimi: This is Rae, sorry I didn't see this thread and just stumbled on it today. If you still need to speak w/me my email is 1czyquilter@sbcglobal.net DH is in the hospital, but will be checking my emails via my cell phone. Rae
Weejun...will you please e-mail me?? I have lost all my addresses when I got new computer equipment and need to contact you. Jen I'm at canton@ntelos,net
Jen - if you still have your old computer, you can put them all in an email. Or you can also get your mail on the web, which most email providers offer, the addresses may be there
Frand, I would also be interested in how things are working out living in a R.V. We did this for 7 months & loved it. That was years ago before my husbands AD was too bad. I would love to do that again, but concerned how my DH would do now. He doesn't drive anymore & he couldn't manage one too well at this point, but I think I could if it weren't a very large R.V.
brennie-Fran isn't able to sign on to the site. If you want to leave your email address I will give it to Fran. You can then go back and edit it out of your post.
Hello - It's been so long since I've posted I forgot which end of my name needed the "*"! Brennie - I thought selling our home and living full time in our motor home was easier than keeping up a yard and a house. It might not work for everyone, but Hank enjoyed being the passenger, watching the vista, and it all worked out well for us. I had to adjust to staying longer at each park as AD advanced. No matter how tired I was after driving I had to hook up the sewer, etc. since Hank just couldn't understand that we had holding tanks and it wasn't worth trying to explain that over and over. A part of the benefit of being a member of Escapees (www.escapees.com) was the Alzheimer's facility they have in Livingston, Texas. I had just sent for the paperwork to go there when Hank became ill and died. I continue to live this way and of course, knew how to do everything so I didn't have the adjustment some widows who full time do and have had husbands to do all the driving and set up. We started out with a smaller rig, but it was a little cramped. I drive a Class A with a vehicle in tow and it is just as easy as having the smaller rig. If you feel nervous about being a 'bus driver' just take a lesson. You'd be surprised that the bigger rigs are as easy to manage as the smaller ones (though I still hate to back in to a site!). Life goes on for me - I met a fellow whose wife died of cancer and we are enjoying companionship and will be traveling together on an extended trip to the northwest. Hello to those of you who remember me!