Hello...I found this site while browsing for Canadian support groups for spouses of Alzheimer's. I found the blogs on the home page very comforting to read, it's nice to see someone articulate my feelings!! I hope I can spend some time on this site!!
Welcome RJC - we have others from Canada here too, so you are not the only Canadian. My husband has EOAD, is 64 now but still functioning well - if you forget he can't remember.
Welcome fellow Canuck. We're in Victoria. My hb was dx with FTD in 2009 at 57, he's now 59 & I'm 56. Yes, "lost" is a good word to describe how I feel too. So sorry you had the need to find this site. No doubt this is a lousy card that we have been dealt.... having this site where others are living it too really helps!
Hi gailn....I feel very fortunate to have stumbled onto this website this morning. I have been messaging and reading posts on the Alzheimer's.ca website but found most to be dealing with parental issues. Glad to be onboard!
ok I just had to jump in, fellow Canucks. I have lived in Hawaii for 31 years, but am originally from Fort Langley B.C. RJC, I just spent the whole month of July in Vancouver, spending time with my dying sister, and held her hand as she took her last breath. (cancer)
It was such a horrid sad time- though beautiful to be with her. It was SO HARD finding someone to stay with my husband.
And I just discovered this site yesterday, oh how good it is to know someone understands. I have no one here, we are isolated and his sisters on Maui blame me for his illness, even commented that he has a demon. My best friends from Canada just offer platitudes.
So nice to see you all and let's hold each other up.
Hi Coco...so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister! Again, I say thanks for being there, this feels like an amazing site. I have felt completely isolated for most of this journey...friends and family really don't understand or want to hear about the day to day stuff which is what we are completely immersed in. I guess part of me understands that as it is utterly depressing to watch. Most days I am sad beyond words!!
Welcome RJC to your virtual support group! Sorry you have to be here, but glad that you found us. The good thing about this site is that we are here 24/7 so you can come back anytime to rant, cry, “talk” & even laugh (we have some pretty humorous people here & I believe that if you don’t laugh, you will cry). So come back often because we do understand!
A big welcome RJC to this rocky road we are all on. As you have already discovered, it is a great place to be - since we all need it. You can rant, rave, ask questions or whatever. We are all here for you.
Welcome....again. ( see post by Aunt B). Am sorry you have to be here but focus on the good things and the rest won't pull you down quite so much. (I know - sometimes there aren't any good things).
Wolf, I didn't know you were from Ontario. I grew up in the WIndsor area.
OMG-there goes the neighborhood with all the Canucks :-) Welcome aboard. I've said it before-just knowing others are going through the same misery helps to not feel so alone. On this sight we have a mad scientist, several MDs and RNs, and exceptional spice. (spouses) There's not much we haven't experienced and are always willing to share.
welcome toyou RJC. you will find solace knowing all of us here are going or have gone exactly thru the hard times you experience. lots of lovely folks here to offer support and comfort during trying times as well as offer you a shoulder to cry on when needed. its good to have a cyber family who really gets what are the real needs of the spouse who is the caregiver.
Thank you ElaineH, Vickie, phil4:13, bluedaze*, mary75*, Grannywhiskers, deb112958 and divva for the warm welcome and kind words...this site feels like such a good fit for me!!