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Meet fellow Caregivers - Introduce yourself

Caregivers | Last Active: Nov 12, 2023 | Replies (707)
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@pattyinal

I am Patsy. My husband, an aerospace engineer, is the smartest man I know, but Mild Cognitive Impairment has robbed him of all those engineering skills. He is still physically able, a sweet, kind husband, likes to be socially active but cannot remember what happened 30 seconds ago. Unable to reason, he gets frustrated and so do I! It can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. But when I say, “Lord, I cant do this!” He says, “No, but I can.”

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Replies to "I am Patsy. My husband, an aerospace engineer, is the smartest man I know, but Mild..."
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Jul 27, 2019

Hello and good morning @pattyinal I am sorry to read of your husband's challenges with MCI, but am glad you have joined in the conversations here at Mayo Connect.

Caregiving is one of the most challenging jobs in the whole world I think! You are right that it often takes us to our limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. Plus there is an unfortunately unique challenge of having to rise to the occasion each day while watching our loved one fight their battle yet another day. One of the things I always reminded myself of was 'Superman and Wonder Woman only exist in the comics. There are no superheroes in caregiving.' Each of us can only do what it is we can do on any given day.

It is nice to read that your husband continues to enjoy social interactions, otherwise caregiving can certainly be incredibly isolating.

How long have you been caregiving?

Wishing you continued strength, courage, and peace!

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 27, 2019

Hi @pattyinal, I add my welcome. I want to introduce you to @debbraw and @annavard. Their husbands also have MCI. Like you, they know exactly the frustrations that changing cognitive abilities bring for both of you.

Patsy, when did you start to notice the changes in your husband?

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jul 27, 2019

Hi @pattyinal - I am so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I know that when my husband was diagnosed in 2015 it was heart wrenching. Can you share when your husband was diagnosed? Mayo Clinic is one of the few places in the US that has a program to help MCI patients and their partners. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0trSH5JnmIw Do you know of it?

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