I have to wonder if my boyfirned whom I've been with is tired of taking care of me. His mom has alzheimers so I read about things here she is going through. She lives with my boyfirends brother. No I do not have alzheimers but I do have kidney failure and he does my dialysis every night. He never complains that I know of. Last August, however I broke my hip and have been wheelchair bound ever since. Alot of the fun things we used to do we can no longer do together. Alot of places don't have ramps and it's always such a hassel for us putting the wheel chair in and out of the car. I am going to a new surgeon within the next few months and hopefully they will have an answer as to why I can't walk. I'm only 55 and I know life could be more fun then this!! I also want to be able to go help with his mom but am about useless right now. I can't even visit there because I can't get up thier stairs to get into the house.
You women are all wonderful and will be blessed mant times over for the love you have for your husbands. I read your posts everyday.
Stay Stong,Love and Hugs, Sue

I think that you are mentally OK makes a difference to a caregiver.
You can tell him how much you appreciate everything he does for you.. Our people may not be able to express that or even acknowledge our efforts.
And.. you are still company for him - you can have meaningful conversations, play cards or a game, talk about current events - you know what I mean.
Good luck with the new Dr. I hope he can make a difference for you.

Judy

It is tough being the one to take away the spouse's driver' license, be shadowed all day long, afraid to stay in the shower too long in case of what may happen. Spend long minutes trying to find his shoes, his wallet, his socks, whatever. My things are taken while I am not looking and never seen again. Has anyone else ever had to have a secret stash of scissors, tape, stamps, important papers, batteries, and a zillion other things. His mind and his hands have no connection. And he used to be so very bright. Poor guy has days when he sees only too clearly the road ahead.
The meds are wearing off. But I will be strong; he is a good man and deserves my best.
I too am just soooooo tired.

After joining the group last week and having contact with a few of you, reading your posts and support for each other, I heard a song by Josh Wilson, called Before the Morning. You can google his name and title and the word lyrics and you can read them yourself. Maybe it will give each of you hope when you feel you are all alone with nothing to look forward to. In the meantime, I will be praying for all of you!!!
Big Hugs!

I hate it, hate it, hate it! I want a life! Sometimes I just don't know what to do. Then there is the guilt for just wanting it over. Then I feel so sorry for my husband. I am on a constant roller coaster. Good luck to all of us.

Sharon

I want a life, too. I am 68 and still in good health. These are awfully important years.. just waiting, waiting. I have made my world so
small and convinced myself that I am OK with it... I wonder if I will
still want to do things later.

Wow, guys, thanks for all the respnse, I'm overwhelmed and don't feel so alone

I also have moments where I am mentally exahusted. My grandmother is in a longterm care facility, and I make a point to call her every day. But today I felt I just couldn't argue about whether or not it's daytime or what drawer her pjamas are in, so I didn't call. She's getting more and more argumentative every week and it's hard to see the quiet, sweet woman who helped raise me change into someone so different. I know she has caregivers and other residents around to keep her company, and I know that she won't remember if I called today or not, but I remember and I feel guilty.

Deborah48, I also feel overwhelmed and not-so-alone after reading all of these honest, heartfelt responses to your comment.