I feel like start running and not look back!

Thanks for your post @mariana739. I tried reaching out to my husband's dr. today and his assistant informed me that hubby would need to be present at appointment. I declined.

Tomorrow I'll call my Dr. Never thought to ask for a social worker.

I want to pull the covers over my head every morning and stay there all day. This forum helps me but getting out now and then would be a big help. That has not been as simple as I thought it would be.

Hoping we both find respite soon.

Thank you. I just ordered her book that was mentioned in the article: Slow Dancing with a Stranger.

I understand and feel your frustration. My husband has no short term memory anymore and cannot understand, directions, instructions or how to solve anything. He is like a 6' brainless poltergeist, ruining everything we have. I too, have no one to rely on honestly, can only pray he dies soon. There is no money, only SS, which will cut my income in half when he dies and I still look forward to the day.

You know I have joined support groups online before and no one was honest. It really made me angry. But this Mayo Clinic group is wonderful. I appreciate hearing about all the anger, unvarnished chaos and fear that we caregivers experience. I feel less alone. My husband used to be a kind, generous, sweet man. No longer. He gets frustrated when he screws something up or can't do something, which is always. Then he screams at me in baby talk which sets my hair on end. This is the death of our marriage.

Our neurologist is awful. In 2 years, I've never met him. Appointment on 8/16th will be different. I want some help, not just him drawing a stupid clock. I will ask for a social worker, too.

Has anyone had their loved one get an MRI? Has any neurologist suggested one? Is there any benefit to getting one. I feel desperate.

Thank God. One good suggestion. Appointment in couple of days and I will ask. Thank you soooo much!

Husband had one done, we will know results in 2 weeks when we have appointment with the neurologist once he has reviewed both the MRI plus the neurological evaluation from yesterday.
I feel desperate too thinking of what’s coming , he’s 83 and no other serious conditions. It scares me to death to think he could live for another 10 years or so. It helps a lot to see here that I’m not the only one feeling like that. Thank you all

What a powerful piece of writing. Thank you for making the effort to share it with us. It has given me so much to think about and weigh for my own future as a caregiver. What am I willing to do and for how long? I'm 80, so my clock is ticking too. We get one ride on life's carousel; and we all hope to be given choices. Our affected spouse has no choice.

I am very independent and lacking patience, which I am trying so hard to change. My girlfriend said use the word okay I must say that helped a lot. We seem to have good days as long as I agree with everything he says, of course there is no point in stating my thoughts. I just try and have a good day and remember the man I love so much.
He is now having in home physical therapy which is great for his fractured back, it’s absolutely amazing the difference and most of all he is not fighting me on this.
It’s hard but what can one do, just plod along and hug him lots.