blanche-glazier
Forum Replies Created
-
Hi Diana,
I would definitely be interested in support group, however, it is hard for me to participate due to the amount of medical appointments we have, but I would like to try. We moved from our home of 36 years in California to Tennessee 2 years ago, and have not been able to make new friends due to COVID, so I really do feel isolated.
My husband was diagnosed about 4 years ago, but in hindsight, all the things I complained to the doctor about for 20 years were a gradual decline due to Parkinson’s. He has diabetes, COPD, history of Valley Fever, an aortic valve replacement, hippocampus functioning at 8% (probably Alzheimers, but definite dementia of some kind), and opiod dependency, as well as Parkinson’s. I lose my patience a lot, and pray constantly for it, as well as understanding, love and kindness. All of which are very difficult because we lost our sex life, and his ability to show love because of the hippocampus functioning at least 20 years ago, or more. I will only get thru this by the Grace of God, and if I can get it, the help of others in the same situation. I am a Nurse Practitioner, and that has helped a lot.
-
My husband never had much interest in anything other than cars, but he could always take care of repairing anything around the house, keep the cars clean, and would go places with me even if he didn’t want to. He lost interest in the normal marital relationships, including affection about 30 years ago, and refused to make any effort to discuss the situation with his physician – he would just shrug and say ” I don’t know”. His condition is complicated by diabetes, COPD, an aortic valve replacement, loss of ability to think through processes as simple as putting up a key hook. He says he loves me, but rarely shows affection, and has no empathy for my physical limitations. He sleeps 12 to 15 hours a day, and watches TV when he is up. He has lost the ability to actually work the TV. He was a professional driver, and is still able to safely. We have had nothing to hold us together while working through the Parkinson’s deterioration, and I can’t help the resentful feelings that surface several times a day. Does anyone else have this situation?
-
Hi Everyone,
I am a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner with 21 years experience as a Family NP, and 40 years experience on the General hospital floors, all kinds of ICU’s, OR’s, and Flight for Life. Am I prepared for the toll Parkinson’s has taken on my husband’s life and mine? NO! So I, like all of you, find my care-giver situation frustrating, and am extremely angry for all this disease has taken from us, as well as guilt for some of the feelings I have. I had all kinds of excuses for our dwindling sex life, his constant sleeping and apathy, and never recognized the signs, although I would bring up his symptoms to the doctors at every visit, and for 30 years they just blew it all off. Am I angry? You bet. At myself, and at the doctors, who were trusted friends. It all started with the apathy, and progressed to not wanting to participate in anything, although we have cruised around the world to wonderful places, including Australia, where I took many tours on my own. He used to be so neat and clean – now I have to beg, threaten, and cajole to get him to take showers and shave maybe 3 times a week. I bought a house, sold both of ours in California, and moved us 3,000 miles all on my own. He is a very placid person, so he is not aggressive, but on his good days is very resentful at how much control I have over his life. As a result, I have learned to back off, and on his good days, which are about 2 a week, if he wants to vacuum, or do things in ways he never would have before, I have to bite my tongue and fix any issues when he is sleeping, which can be 12 to 24 hours a day. He cannot process more than one step to complete tasks. I was used to him being able to do anything, run the house, take care of the kids and animals, maintain the cars, and plan for vacations, and anything we wanted to do. He was my rock, and the Wind Beneath My Wings. This is all so sad. So I understand what you are all feeling, and I am so grateful to know others have the same feelings I do. My husband has COPD, diabetes, Valley Fever, Leukemia, Anemia, Memory loss, and an Aortic valve replacement 2 years ago, so I had to retire at 78 to care for him. I resent these circumstances because I had been a nurse since I was 16 years old, and it has been my whole identity for all these years. I pray for the strength and fortitude for all of you to meet this monumental challenge we are facing. The Golden Years for all of us have sure presented the biggest hurdle of our lives. Keep sharing! It helps all of us.
-
My husband’s level of anxiety has significantly decreased since getting the vaccine. I think his memory actually has improved since the vaccine. It might be the anxiety decrease, but overall he seems better.