
I guess I'll go first with this one.
The thing that stands out the most for me about MIL with alzheimers.......
Everything is ALL ABOUT HER. I could cut my arm off and be bleeding on the floor right beside her and she would worry about who was going to bring her a cookie.
I am treated as" a nothing" in her world.
Then I feel guilty for thinking she's an old battleaxe.
Well that's my confession.
How about yours?
Janis Joplin - Me & Bobby McGee
My favorite version. Yes sometimes I miss my freedom but compared to some people my Mom is easy. However it is getting to be more and more. Thankfully I am a believer and God will give me strength to face each day. I think if I look at the big pic all at once I freak out but gotta look at it bit by bit.
Ryno1967, my dad was like that. It was all about him and no one else. He didn't care if I was sick. I had to take care of him. I finally told him several times that I have high cholesterol and a high risk of heart attack. He didn't care. Then I said slowly that if I have a heart attack and become hospitalized or bedridden like him, Who Is Going To Take Care of Him???? I looked him in the eyes and said that we all know that my oldest bro-of-next-door will take over dad's care. We all know what my brother will do if he's in charge. I looked Dad in the eyes and reminded him that bro will put him in the nursing home, bro and his family will move into Dad's house/land and he will rent out his own home - more money, you know... Eventually, my dad realized how important I was in his life. After that, if I had a headache, etc.. he would tell me to go rest and he can wait... So, that's my two-cents worth on that subject.
So difficult to lose the person lost inside the dementia. They are gone from your normal life before their body dies. So very sad!
I have to say I think the one thing that bothers me most at this moment is loss of personal space and privacy. That part will get better eventually once we are able to get her situated with care that is not in our home. Until then, I feel like I'm living under a microscope.
I had to throw out my "bucket list" because the stress caused major health issues with me. Vacations are out of the question and probably will be for the rest of my life :((
I guess my real answer to OP would be how fundamentally being a caregiver changes how you experience the world.
By the way your post made me laugh due to your outright honesty about your feelings. There are many times i feel like calling this lady battleaxe but don't bcuz i know she probably can’t help it. And also her situation pretty sad.
By the way your post made me laugh due to your outright honesty about your feelings. There are many times i feel like calling this lady battleaxe but don't bcuz i know she probably can’t help it.