I received a sweet email yesterday from a reader- who told me she has had her mother in law for 1 ½ years. I can’t imagine the strength and grace she possesses. I could not do this 24-7 she is a blessed woman and I know those around her appreciate and admire her dedication and strength. Stay Strong Karen. (-:
She mentioned that she was using some of my suggestions- and that makes me happy to know I helped someone. The hardest part – for me- is staying positive and realizing “it is what it is” we can’t put them back to the way the once were. We can only do what we can do- no matter how big or how small the giving is. And we cannot do it alone- we all need a support system- especially the caregivers.
Every day I am grateful that mom had the foresight to understand what was happening to her and the insight to tell us what was going to happen and how to deal with it. The fact that she took care of all her personal legal matters before she was too far gone is a blessing for our family. I can’t imagine getting anything done now in the condition she is in.
I can’t stress this enough- if you know the downhill is coming to a loved one- make the tough decisions before the disease takes them all the way down- you are the one that has to take control. It is much better to do this before than to have to fight a legal battle on the back end.
I cannot tell you how many times over the last year- and before- we put her in the home- that I would want to just scream! Not so much at her- but at the disease. Some days I don’t want to answer the phone- some Fridays I don’t want to go get her- some days I just want to be left alone. Some days never come.
Peace & Love,
Cheryl Doreen
Dorothy's Dementia 