The last week or 2 have been different. More confused, toileting problems, not sleeping at night, acting more tired. Still has sense of humor but talking with staff caring today I was told my loving spouse told her "I would rather just die than be like this". Where have I been, I love him so much, visit him daily and take him on outings when possible. He tells me to take care of myself and he loves me very much. My heart is breaking, can't do anything for him but love him and pray...which I do, but it seems he is worsening in spite of love and prayers. I am not that ignorant, I have read many articles about this wicked disease but at the same time I am caving in. He has been in assisted living 7 months and physically I have recuperated, getting needed rest and outings etc...but these recent changes have hit me like a brick. I knew what the future holds but when it is displayed more I get so sad, restless, what more can I do attitude, can't seem to accept things. I thought I was getting ahold of things these last few months but now am wondering if I have a hold on anything after all. Reality is getting closer I feel and I am at a loss how to accept it. What is wrong with me? I have faith, I do, but how can I accept what is happening?
I will pray for each one of you and give you hugs across the internet (just as valuable as for real). I believe this website is one of the ways God shows his love "with skin on" for us. Praise Him!
Hugs, many hugs.
God works through his children. He isn't going to come down and hug us personally until the Rapture right? We as Christians should do more than just say I'll pray for you to people who we know who are suffering, is all I meant. It's amazed me all through my life how cold some Christians can be and before anyone gets on their high horse I'm not talking about anyone on here. I went for grief counseling when my Mom died and the Pastor who led the session was not comforting at all. When I decided to stop going I didn't even get a phone call. So much for caring.
So Luv, once again I apologize that others on here have made this about me and what I said. I just hope the people in your life pray for you but also come by and offer to help or just keep you company as you go through your trial. And yes, once again I offer my prayers and cyber hugs.
If anyone else wishes to discuss what I meant, do it privately and leave this thread for Luv to get some comfort which I believe is what she was asking for.
I have walked minute by minute clinging to The Lord and praying without ceasing and have made it through some pretty rotten trials, as a believer I would very much love to be able to wrap my physical arms around many posters here, but barring the ability to do that, I pray The Lord will, I have felt his arms around me and I have heard His still small voice. From luvs post, so has she, she is in a valley and needs encouragement.
But, God is absolutely in control. And the prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
People who say that are not dismissing pain or grief or sadness, people who say that knows that it works, first hand.
I think it would an extremely unusual person who could take all of dementia's losses in stride. Grief and mourning are absolutely normal. They do not last forever, but they do throughout the dementia journey, and, of course, after the death. It is not a sign you are inadequate. It is a sign you care deeply.
So Luv, I wish that for you. That you can find some comforting person to just wrap their arms around you and comfort you cause I think sometimes when you are feeling all alone and scared of the future that's what helps. In the meantime, all I can offer you is a cyber hug. ((((((Hug)))))
Your feelings are normal for the circumstances you are facing. There doesn't have to be something wrong with you.
People here care. We care about you, and what is happening to you.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other, daily. Keep posting.
I can't imagine a spouse, someone who I have loved as a soul partner, having this terrible disease. (My mother is the one afflicted with Alzheimer's.) It must tear your heart out to watch the progression of the disease and loose the person you married, bit by bit.
We pray "hard enough" or love "deep enough"...but yet this damn disease just keeps advancing.
The worst part for me (like you), was when my mom knew something was mentally wrong but couldn't do anything about it. That just breaks your heart. They know they're mentally sick and they don't want to be a burden. I've often said I'd be happier when she was just a happily confused little old lady. She's sort of at that point now but getting to that point was horrible-you feel so helpless.
I'm not sure if I'll cry when my 95 year old mother (end stage 6 Alzheimer's) dies because I've been grieving for a few years already. Maybe I'll cry from relief because this horendous journey will be over for both of us.
I don't understand the reason for this disease and why it has to mentally, physically and financially ruin relationships and family.
I plan on asking the Good Lord when I get there. Maybe it won't matter then.
Bless you both as your journey continues.
May God grant you strength, peace and mercy to walk through this journey, holding you tight under His wing.
There is nothing wrong with you at all. You are facing the end of a relationship. You do not want life to be like this.
Are you seeing a counsellor or talking to your minster or priest? They can help you to accept where things are now and help you prepare for what comes next.
Can you talk with your husband about his funeral wishes? Sometimes we feel that it is going to hasten the end if we talk about it, but it can make the remaining time more meaningful, if you can plan together. Choose the music, discuss flowers, what does he want in his obit? Let him have some control so he can live until the end, instead of dying for a long time.
You know he is well cared for . Take an afternoon for yourself and take up a hobby again, meet a friend for tea, go for a drive, have a walk in the sun. Remember to live. When you come to visit him, tell him about the things you are doing. Bring a craft, book, movie review to share with him. Start to set up a new routine that you can continue once he is gone.
I know divorce is not the same as death, but when my husband left after 22 years, I was shattered, I did not see it coming and I had a breakdown. Three things got me through that time, exercise, I went for early morning walks every single day, Counselling, in the first year I saw 4 different counsellors to help me cope, two were private pay and two were community services, lastly, I joined a quilting group in the next city. It was a 50 minutes drive to the meetings and I did not know a soul there. It was one of the best things I did for myself. I did not have people asking me about (and me reliving) the hell that was my divorce, I learned new skills, and I had something that was just for me. After years of being a wife and mother, I had nothing in my life that did not benefit the family and was just for me.