Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

@ladydi2

Congrats on posting. It's a great step setting up your appointment too. Expect you'll be really glad you did this for yourself. All the best.

I am feeling the same way. My children can't understand, they have not been through this situation. Sometimes I feel hard grief. I am sorry you have to take this journey. Just know you aren't alone. I am here.

@midnightwalker my husband went the lequembe route based on the neurologists' input and findings. as for the other infusion being 6 months or so, what you described in your post, I'd check that out. I don't remember either infusions FDA approved being 6 months. I know my husband is in the 19th lequembe infusion - 36 in total. I also know that after that, they go on maintenance once a month, but I have read, that based on how well it's received, some haven't gone into that year 2 treatment. I'm going to check that out with his doctor. Best, Karla

@kjc48 Thanks for the note. I read that 6 months idea somewhere but will check further for sure. I'm only 105 lbs and Leqembi doses are based on weight. I love that idea but the carrot dangling for the other infusion is very tempting...eternal optimist. take care and take care of yourself too...

"carrot dangling", I love that! With your 105 lbs. weight, I'm not a doctor, just check on the other infusion, as I think I read it's stronger. Best, Karla

It seems like such a lonely path. I found a life coach on Headspace. I try to set some goals for myself because I am having to do the paperwork, the driving, and anything involving electronics or fixing things. At 80 years of age, I didn’t choose to learn all of this stuff, but if we want to stay in our house and be independent, I am going to have to. It’s good that you found a therapist to talk to about your challenges. One of my goals was to find a group to share this journey with, I’m very grateful for this group.

@colleenyoung Yes I am. It is a learning process. Some days I learn better than others.

@vcawnjo08 "I am here" is so powerful and kind to many of us who continue to reach out on this site for support, help and guidance. With family members living their own lives, busy with kids, and the few friends, that just turn the other cheek to someone's memory loss, I'm working on creating as many memories with my husband as I can. For Father's Day, I went into storage (since we're living out of boxes in a rental), and pulled out a box that belonged to him, his family, baby pictures, his deceased parents and 4 brothers. I can't even begin to describe the joyful look on his face, and the emotion he showed, in a mind where on any given day, there are blank stares and confusion. I even put together a shadow box of some of those pictures for his youngest son (we're a blended family), to take with us to North Carolina this week. We spent hours going through pictures, reminding me, that sometimes the simpler things - depending upon what stage they're in - communicates volumes. Life through family pictures just like that documentary "Alive Inside," where music became the catalyst for an awakening for a man lifeless in his wheelchair, who heard the music, woke up, and started tap dancing his feet to the music. He remembered every step from his younger years on Broadway. I think for us as caregivers, moving off the grief to some memory that resonates, so we can find the joy that comes from what @memoriestomoments posted on this site. Seeing our younger days with family in that hidden box of treasure, lit up my husband in ways that made him feel so good. And for that, no grief, no worries, just a feel-good Father's Day. Best, Karla

My husband was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline 2 years ago. It had a very gradual onset. It is very difficult for me to deal with this Behavior. I did go to a therapist for 4 months but it wasn't helpful really. We both go to a memory Clinic and he is evaluated every 6 months. We had an appointment yesterday and they are calling his condition stable. He takes Aricept. I have to assume it's helping. The behaviors that come with this diagnosis are so hard on me and I constantly have to as they say let things go. He blames me for everything, is irritable, and at times I just have to go someplace. For my own sanity I visit friends when I can but none of them live nearby. My son and his wife live also in Vermont where I live, but two and a half hours north of me. They are totally understanding but half busy lives.

@dianaml
Thank you for the hug! They are always welcome!