This week's blog is an updated version of my yearly anniversary blog. The blog tells the story of the birth of this website. Of everything we have accomplished in 6 years, one of the most important is that now there are dialogues, discussions, and articles about the toll Alzheimer's Disease takes on a marriage and loving relationship. There was none of that when I started this website. In a few weeks, an article is being published about Sid and my journey through Alzheimer's Disease. I will let you know when and where you can access it.
With your help, we have managed to get the truth out - that Alzheimer's Disease destroys marriages and spousal caregivers need HELP, not only in the overwhelming physical aspects of caregiving, but emotional help in dealing with the years long loss of the person they knew and loved for decades.
As I say in the blog, due to Sid's declining mental and physical condition, as well as my own burn out, I have not been as active in writing and advocacy as in previous years, but be assured I will continue to the best of my ability to reach out and help Alzheimer Spouses wherever they may be.
Please assist me in my efforts by telling every Alzheimer spouse, doctor, nurse, social worker, health care provider - anyone and everyone - about this website.
No one will ever really know how much this site has meant to me. I have no other support and everyone here has been so very helpful. I joined just one year after you started it, Joan, and have seen it's progress. I can never thank you enough for the time and energy you expend to make this the best place to be for spouses.
Thank you Joan, for having the forethought to begin this venture. I have been an avid reader through th years. My dh was Dx'd in 06 but I knew far before that. I don't even have to ask the questions, I get on here and find out what others ate doing about the adversities I've encountered being a caregiver of an alzheimer spouse. Thank you for the support!
Joan, I found this site through one of the members who posted stages of FTD. I read here for over a year before I joined. This site was more helpful and informative than any doctors, articles, or other sites I visited. Thank you so very much for starting it and for all your kindnesses. I really don't know how you have accomplished all you have done over these years. You really deserve some relieve. Thanks again!
Joan, I would be a real mess if it wasn't for this site - like Vickie, I don't have any other support either, so if it weren't for the support, encouragement and help I get here, I don't know what I would do. And I have the added bonus of meeting some members face to face, which also wouldn't have happened without you and this site.
Thank you Joan. this site has helped me so much. I came here through a "Mary??"....who contacted me when I left a comment on another alz blog.. Thank you too "Mary ??"...sorry I don't remember which Mary ..
Congratulations Joan on a great 6yrs. may there be many many more. so much help for anyone dealing with this just dread disease. comradery, help, comfort, and information are so much needed for those of us who are in the throws of caring for a spouse. but any website is only as good as those who are members so congrats to everyone who takes part in the discussions posts and gives back a bit of themselves to everyone else. this place has been a lifesaver for so many of us, now and later. divvi
What everyone said above. Joan, I hope that reading these comments gives you a sense of accomplishment that offsets some of the depression from your current situation. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that if we could all somehow help you, we would in a heartbeat. The time, talent, and energy that you have dedicated to this site - well, there just aren't words to say how grateful we all are. I hope that you feel the love.
I agree with everyone here. If I hadn't found this website, this journey would have been so much more terrifying. Because of your efforts I was armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage my role as spousal caregiver. Bless you.
Congratulations Joan and thank you from my heart for this wonderful site...I would never had made it this far without the kindness, wisdom and support of all here. In fact it is the only support forum I attend regularly. I NEVER miss an opportunity to promote his site - every time we see a doctor/healthcare professional I tell them about this site and how helpful it has been for me, the geriatric care manager I hired has spread the word about your site to her clients with spouses who have dementia. I will continue to promote this this site at every opportunity.
Six years Wow!!! I've been kicking around here almost from the beginning too. Can't believe its been this long. I remember in your beginning blog how you felt about this disease and how over the years you have grown and become so wise. I also don't know what I would of done without this site and promote it all the time. Even argue/discuss with his doctor some of the things he thinks and what as a group we have discovered that works and doesn't work. Definition of being immortal is to teach or leave something behind that gets passed down and around that is what you are.
Joan, you have blessed the hearts and lives of many. I personally can't thank you enough for having had the vision and turned it into a reality. You will never know how many caretakers lives you have help though this avenue.
Joan - I want to add my thanks from the bottom of my heart. Our journey ended almost 10 months ago but I still look in sometimes to see how my cyber friends are. When Frank's dz came I was so afraid of the future. I went to the Alzheimers "support?" group here and was the only one present - so no help there at all. By chance I found this site - luck or fate - but fortunate for sure. I can't tell you how much support I have received and I continue to post occasionally on the widows thread. Thanks and I pray for your situation. We all love you, Joan, thanks, thanks thanks!!!
I too want to thank you and congratulate you on a job very well done Joan, and for all the help and hope we receive here. (Just got back from a trip and I had missed this...)
It is so real, raw, and a true journey of our many lives.
Joan, I also add my thanks for starting this web site. On the Alz.org site, I couldn't identify with someone who was dealing with their grandparents or even their parents. It is so, so different when it's our "other half".
I just clicked back and read your blog, Joan, and I could have written the same thing. I forget sometimes and mention something to DH about what's going on and then have to spend so much time trying to explain what I was talking about. He just looks at me with a questioning look that tells me he still doesn't understand.