My story
In 2008, due to circumstance brought on by my late ex-husband leaving me and defying the court order to pay all bills, I lost my home and had nowhere to go. My folks invited me to live with them, as mom could use the company at that time, and both thought I could help with things around the house.
After I had been here about a year, each of my parents had and have had hospitalizations and diagnoses' ~ Parkinson's and Mild Cognitive Disorder for mom, along with hospitalizations for a-fib and high blood pressure; water retention and kidney problems, heart problems for dad. Mom has been on Aricept for years, as her former doctor diagnosed her with it almost 10 years ago. When he retired, we got her a neurology doctor in addition to a fabulous general practitioner, who diagnosed her with MCD instead. He diagnosed her with the Parkinson's as well. Dad has always had mobility issues and is starting to show signs of memory loss, and mood changes. They are both on handfuls of meds a day. Dad is 87 and mom is 82.
I have 4 siblings, who all appreciate what i am doing here, which is taking care of everything they can't do themselves and keeping the big house they want to stay in kept up so they don't have to spend their last years in a place that would never be home for them. I am the only one of my siblings that isn't married, but I do have an adult son (whom I am estranged from, in part because he doesn't think I should be doing "this" with my life) and a wonderful daughter and granddaughter. Being here has enabled me to be the primary caregiver for my granddaughter while my daughter works as well, and my folks just love having a great grandchild around so much. she is so sweet to them, loves them and they see her and my daughter more than they do any of their own kids, besides me. I am so grateful that she will always remember her great-grandparents so well because of this.
I am a person of faith and hope, but even for me, there are of course frustrations. I'm glad to find this group, as no one else really gets what we all go through here. I want to help others if I ever can, and hope to get help and support from those in the same shoes as me. I'm in this for the long run.
After I had been here about a year, each of my parents had and have had hospitalizations and diagnoses' ~ Parkinson's and Mild Cognitive Disorder for mom, along with hospitalizations for a-fib and high blood pressure; water retention and kidney problems, heart problems for dad. Mom has been on Aricept for years, as her former doctor diagnosed her with it almost 10 years ago. When he retired, we got her a neurology doctor in addition to a fabulous general practitioner, who diagnosed her with MCD instead. He diagnosed her with the Parkinson's as well. Dad has always had mobility issues and is starting to show signs of memory loss, and mood changes. They are both on handfuls of meds a day. Dad is 87 and mom is 82.
I have 4 siblings, who all appreciate what i am doing here, which is taking care of everything they can't do themselves and keeping the big house they want to stay in kept up so they don't have to spend their last years in a place that would never be home for them. I am the only one of my siblings that isn't married, but I do have an adult son (whom I am estranged from, in part because he doesn't think I should be doing "this" with my life) and a wonderful daughter and granddaughter. Being here has enabled me to be the primary caregiver for my granddaughter while my daughter works as well, and my folks just love having a great grandchild around so much. she is so sweet to them, loves them and they see her and my daughter more than they do any of their own kids, besides me. I am so grateful that she will always remember her great-grandparents so well because of this.
I am a person of faith and hope, but even for me, there are of course frustrations. I'm glad to find this group, as no one else really gets what we all go through here. I want to help others if I ever can, and hope to get help and support from those in the same shoes as me. I'm in this for the long run.
Replies
I am adding this to my goal progress, because I think this group will be helpful to me, so finding it and sharing my story will help with acceptance of life on life\'s terms.
Welcome to our little \"funny farm\". Yes it is tough to stay positive, but this is a great place to unload.
You are a good daughter and don\'t forget that. Your parents appreciate everything you are doing and you will have no guilt later on. Yes it is hard and does get very frustrating sometimes but I sit back and think I\'m doing this out of love for my Dad. Welcome and hope to see you around.
thanks, debib! i wouldn\'t trade where i am for anything. this group is going to be a great help for me, it already has been. grateful to have found you all!