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Introductions: Are you caring for someone with dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Aug 16 2:33pm | Replies (762)Comment receiving replies
Thanks, Virginia . . . it is just that my family has been in denial for so long and I have been the only one pushing, hoping for a diagnosis of some sort to understand what we are dealing with. Also, then with learning the initial diagnosis of MCI, hoping that it could remain that way after what I read. But, all is in God's hands. I hope and pray for a miracle, which, of course, He will do, if it is what is best for us - I trust this and in Him.
I am trying to educate myself, here and there, amid our busy family life, with trusted websites like Mayo. I do want to be best prepared for what may lie ahead. I am grateful for the information you guys have shared. I just have to figure how I will bring it up with Tom.
Replies to "Thanks, Virginia . . . it is just that my family has been in denial for..."
You are welcome, Joey333. All of us who find themselves facing what you have described, came to the conclusion that something was not right and we were filled with a lot of uncertainty. And of course having faith that God is helping us gives us assurance that we will not be alone in the final stretch of this marathon. We take what we do know about how things are progressing and make some changes so we aren't as stressed. We stay with trusted doctors and try to educate ourselves like you are doing. No one can be sure of the time frame, and wouldn't it be wonderful if he stays at MCI or improves! My husband was very physically fit, he was a runner who ate a balanced diet, was not overweight. That was about 15 years ago. Since that time things have very gradually changed to the point he is still without any other health issues but his mind. He remembers very little about what has happened in the last part of his life. I remind him of wonderful things we did in the active years of our life together. He smiles like he remembers but I can't say he does as he never adds anything to the conversation. I took over all the financial handling of our life, plus all the physical work of having a home, and he was relived that I did. He was making errors in the checking account, something he would not do before. His decisions were turning into disaster. He gave up golfing and also driving a car so we went from a two car family to one. My smartly dressed, squeaky clean man became one who did not bathe or brush his teeth. Outsiders did not know how much or for how long I have been helping him with those things. He was able to have conversations with them so they thought everything was great. But when the filter was missing in his conversations with others or in his behavior in social settings turned bad, our children could not ignore what was happening. I could write a book on this but I do not want to do that here. What works for me - I love my husband(he is the same flesh that I married) and with every day I see him smile and sometimes out of the clear hear the word "thank you", I know I can go another day in this role. One day at a time. Bless you and all who are on this site for support and bless the volunteer mentors for not giving up on us. Virginia
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@joey333 Feel free to use my family as an example of 'a story you heard somewhere' if it helps.
Strength, courage, and peace!