I went to a support group run nearby by an institute that administers alz. trials, but welcomes everyone to the group. Attendees yesterday: an excellent woman who runs a support group in another part of the state, addressing the question of caregiver stress. A quiet woman whose husband is still driving. A man who's living with and tending for his mother, with very little clue about how to do so; he'd lived alone as a bachelor for many years. And a woman worried about whether or not she should tell her two sisters, who do not live with her, that they have Alz.
This is smaller than the usual group - one woman was absent because her husband had died of a stroke in stage 7. But I truly feel very little connection with any of them. I certainly wouldn't talk to them as I do to you all.
Thank you, Joan. It's not many people who can say, I created a community of caring people.
I love this board because Joan and her son have set up the boards really great. On Ya*** groups and others, it is so hard to find threads and new post. Here, you come to the discussion boards and the topics are listed, it lets you know if there are any new post since your last visit and when you click on the topic it takes you where you last read in the thread. You don't have to go through all the old post to read the new ones.
Thank you Joan and thank you son. This is very user friendly.
Charlotte I have had the same experience as you with some other message boards. I don't care for their set up al all. We are spoiled with this one. I spend a lot of time here and wish someway we could get more posting here.
This board is such a blessing to me personally. I hate to think of what it would be like now if I hadn't found you folks last July. Thank you all, so much!
I agree with all that is said above!!! First...again, thank you Joan and Son. This website is truly a "lifesaver" for many of us. It is a very well developed site and user friendly. I also agree that the other sites lack a lot in design and content. Like briegull said...there is no HEART in the other sites. And Joan, we all know you have a lot on your plate too.
I agree with everything Grannwhiskers has written. We are blessed to have this site to come to. I feel that we are family here and can express our feelings and you will understand. We also get so much understanding of this terrible desease and that helps us get through each day. A big Thank You to Joan and all the other posters who share with us.
Hello everyone...I am a newbie. My DH is 52 and diagnosed with AD 1 yr and 1/2 ago. I too, love this board...I have been reading for about a month now...and you really begin to feel as though you know each other. It feels so wonderful to have my thoughts and feelings validated when I read all of your words.
I now have taken the plunge, and will continue writing. by the way i'am 53, work full time have a 16 yr. old son at home and a 22 yr. old son that lives and works in Boston. All of our family lives in MA, and we live in NY...so, feeling overwhelmed much of the time...as you all are. By all accounts my DH is in stage 5. No anger issues...yet?? He was a college professor, yet of course he doesn'r even remember that. Oh well, hello again to everyone and thank you!
Welcome Brady! glad you decided to post. you will find great relief knowing others are in the boat with you and rowing side by side to keep it afloat!:) many of us have the same issues going on at some point or another and there is genuine caring help available here 24/7. read up as much as possible there is a wealth of knowledge in every post. some for fun to relieve the stress and others that will rattle your very core. there are many young people with EOAD and you will meet them shortly. Divvi
Thank you for your kind words. I like the rowing and bailing analogies. How very true. What would people do without support? As much as my heart breaks for myself at times...I can't even imagine those that are truly in this nightmare all alone. Everynow and then i feel as though I am in a documentary film...about being the wife of a DH...as if this all isn't really real. As if someone is following me around with a camera...except OF COURSE it is all TOO real, and this is MY LIFE! Very surreal for me at times. Anyone feel the same?
brady, Welcome to our growing group. I like your description of being in a documentary. Maybe that will help on some of those crazier days. Now, the camera is following the caregiver into the bathroom; she is checking the floor in front of the toilet; yes, there are "mysterious" spots....she reaches for a wipe and cleans....again. She says to the camera "at least he is still using the toilet. For now."
PatB (wife, 58, husband, same, at least chronologically)
Welcome brady, I am glad you decided to join our group. As you have found, everyone is kind, helpful & non-judgemental. My husband is 58 years old, he has FTD. Memory problems started at age 52. Again Welcome.
Hi Brady, many warm welcomes. I've said before and will repeat that I feel safe on this site, listened to and cared about. THANKS and HUGS ((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))) to Joan and son!!!!!
Welcome Brady. I am 60 husband is 68 and has FTD and PSP. You will find this a good place to come. You just have to be careful about doing more reading than you do writing. I find that if I read without posting for any length of time, when I am ready to post something I find myself hitting the back to discussion button instead of add your comments. Again, welcome and hopefully I will hit the right button this time.
So glad you posted. It took me a while to post as well. You will find comfort here. I only wish this had been available when I first started this trip. Would have saved me so much heartache. Again...WELCOME
Welcome Brady. I am 81 Valentines Day and DH is 86. He is stage 5 and has a good many stage 6 symptoms. You will find this place will be a comfort to you. You will find an answer to most of your questions and if not Sunshyne will find the information for you. Thank you Sunshine.
Welcome, Brady, and any others I have missed welcoming here! My husband is 70 and I'm 66. He is at the end of stage 6 and beginning stage 7. This board is my lifeline. My friends are here at this site. They support me, help me, give me hugs when I need them, even urge me to have a colonoscopy (Divvi has held out!). I feel the loving arms of so many here and I NEED THOSE LOVING ARMS AROUND ME!!! This is THE place to be!
I love this board because we are one big family. Difference being we can honestly express our fears and hopes with others going through the same fears and hopes. With AD, though there is more fear than hope. When I talk to my kids about things their dad does they see and agree but quickly like to change the subject. Sort of like you do when talking to a recent widow or widower and they would like to talk more about the deceased spouse but we feel uncomfortable talking about it. Trissinger, Frand and others whose spouses have passed, we are glad you are still posting.