Words cannot express my thoughts about this site. I don't know how I would have survived over the past 4 years since I joined this wonderful group. The support, friendships, knowledge and so many, many more things are just the very best. Thank you, Joan, for your time and efforts, in the midst of also being a caregiver for two people! You are awesome.
Joan, congratulations on five years. And THANK YOU for this web site. There's always somebody here who is willing to lend a hand, give the benefit of their experience, offer encouragement, or talk me down off a ledge when I feel like I can't do this any more. Even in the middle of the night, there is somebody to hear a cry for help, or just crying. I don't know how somebody can be a loving caregiver for their spouse without all the benefits of this web site.
Joan, I appreciate this site more than I can say. I don't know how you can do all that you do. Some days I don't even have time to visit here, let alone run it! And I'm only taking care of one person, not two. You have helped so many people. Most of us have never met you, but we consider you a friend.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I can't say it enough. I would have been lost without your help, Joan. May you have many blessings in you life. You have given so much to so many. (((Hugs)))
My thanks too. I never in my worst dreams thought I would be a caregiver for dementia. Dh has had cancer for so long that I was used to those trying times in the hospital, etc. But never this nightmare. My help has come through this message board and all the experiences of others. Joan, thanks again for this lifeline. I am reading this after dh is asleep my only time to myself.
Kudos for doing something that really does help a lot of people even while you go through the same challenges and more. You've helped hundreds of people and possibly thousands. For every poster there are many readers who don't and many who read the main Alzheimerspouse site.
Thank you from me too, Joan. You have given so much to so many. Now I have the star I probably should leave but you and all the others are like old friends and I need to keep coming back to see how you are all doing.
joan this website has been a life saver for so many lost and stressed out souls looking for a lifeline while caregiving with dementia. having others who care and understand what we must go thru is so important to withstand the very long times we must face ahead. i second job well done. divvi
For those who have joined this site within the last year, I encourage you to read the Anniversary Blog, which is on the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com. It explains the how and why I started the site. I urge everyone to take advantage of the vast amount of resources on the left side of the home page.
During these last 5 years, it has been YOUR support, information, and caring that have helped make the site so successful. There has been no greater validation in what we do than this week's outpouring of love and concern for our member, Nikki.
I had a long and successful career in Education before Alzheimer's Disease entered my life, but nothing I did in my professional life has given me the satisfaction and pride that I have experienced with the conception and running of this site. My thanks to all of you for sticking with me on it.
One thing you've said always resonates with me: We are unique. People on the outside - even if they've been caregivers for parents or other family members - really don't understand what it is like to be a caregiver to a spouse with dementia. Our situation is so complex. Here, on this site, people do understand. I am so happy I landed here. [Thank you, bluedaze*!]
Joan -- thanks so much for this wonderful website. Even though I don't post very much I check it several times during the day. It really does help to know that there are so many others walking the same path. God bless you and keep you -- and Sid is so lucky to have you!
Joan, I can't ever thank you enough for this site. It absolutely was a life saver, for me. Every problem I encountered was answered here. I knew the answers to problems before I even had them. There is so much information here. Things that can not be found else where. The support is amazing, as well. We all need help along the way and there is plenty here. My husband is gone for 2 months now. The help is still here. You are our "Angel". My love and gratitute to you.
I just want to add to what Elaine said because I, too, check this website several times a day even though I don't usually post a comment. Just knowing there IS this place where we can go ... to find answers, to find comfort, to find fellow paddlers in Lake Alzheimer's ... is SO wonderful and helps so much to relieve some of that dail stress we all feel.
I attended an organizational luncheon for the annual Alzheimer's Walk in our town today. One speaker was a alz spouse and after the meeting I spoke with her and asked her if she knew about this message board. She wasn't aware of it and I gave her the address. She said she had been to a caregiver support meeting but just as I found most were children whose parents had alz. I told her of the support I had received and what a lifeline this is for me. I come here in the middle of the night sometimes and someone is always ready to"give a rope"to hang on to. My thanks again.
Joan, I found this site by accident and so happy I did,this is my only contact with other caregivers and has been a great help to me. You are an amazing woman ,with all the problems with your own husband and your Dad you still found a way to help others and make it possible for us to help one another even tho we have never met. Thank you.
I was so fortunate to find this site shortly after DH was diagnosed. For over 4 years I've been coming here almost every day....several times a day sometimes...and I've learned so much. I like the bond we form with each other. How can we care this much for people we've never met? When I read the posts from people who are a little further along in the journey it helps me be prepared for what comes next. I especially appreciate the ones who have already lost their loved ones staying here to help the rest of us. Joan, God bless you. You'll never know how many people you have helped and blessed.
Thank you, Thank you Joan....I can't add much more then what others have said. It would be me confined to a hospital or some place instead of my dh who probably is with in months of being placed if it had not been for the support, learning, everything that you have made possible for the welfare of the caregiver. You have earned your wings. Thank you again.
Happy Anniversary. This site literally saved my sanity when I joined in 2008 during the process of getting my husband diagnosed with FTD. Everyone here was so helpful and supportive.