Coralie, McCott, and Jo C.

Ed1937

Has anyone heard from them? I know Jo posted not too long ago, but she wasn't feeling very well. It's been a little longer for McCott, and she has had major problems. Coralie has not posted for some time, and she had more than her plate full of physical problems. I hope things are OK with all of them.

Rescue mom

Some others are trying to find out about Jo. She had family in ICU very bad shape, and some health issues of her own. The family situation was extremely serious.

I thought, maybe wrongly, that McCott left. She said what she thought, no pussy-footing around. I miss her. I like straight-forward but some did not and I got the impression she was done.

Another one I occasionally wonder about is Markus. We’ll Probably never know the real/full story there.

Ed1937

Thanks for the update. I knew Jo wasn't feeling well, but I didn't know about family being in ICU. That's tough.

The last I remember about McCott was when she said she had been diagnosed with incurable cancer. That was shortly after losing her husband.

I don't know about Markus. I think he just dropped out of sight.

LadyTexan

On March 3rd, McCott responded to one of Crushed's posts at https://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?g=posts&t=2147555862

Jo C.

Dear Friends, thank you for your kindness in thinking of me.  I was discharged yesterday from an eight day hospital stay on bedrest.  Haven't been in hospital in 34 years and hope I do not have to do again.

It was onset of excruciating hip issue and an embarrassing 911 call neither of which I have never had before.  Thought it was my back at first,, so poke, prod, CT, Interventional Radiology with multiple specialists saying, "Hm-m-m," So good to be home.  Nothing much came of it except to understand what eight days in bed can do to a person - it is exhausting and cannot believe how weak I am - went in reasonably strong and came out a limp noodle after lying still all that time.

Was roomie with two different ladies with advanced Alzheimers, that is another story, but again thank you very much for looking out for me.

Big hug to one and all,

J.

Ed1937

Jo, I'm glad the worst part is over for you. Now get some needed rest, unlike what you had in the hospital. I know they poked and prodded you every 15 minutes. Good to haave you back.

Ed1937

Lady, thank you. I somehow missed that. Good to know she's still here.

Joe C.

I have been wondering about bill_2001. He always started post that generated a lot of conversation but I have been worried about his absence.

Jeff86

Was also wondering about Bill_2001, Joe.  Thanks for mentioning.

French

Jo, exactly what I wanted to ask.

 I was wondering about another young caregiver, bill I think, but not sure. I try to search his last post but couldn’t find.

He is still working and had is wife at adult daycare. He always had posts that interest me.

Iris L.

Jo, I'm so glad you're home!  Prolonged bedrest does weaken you.  I hope your hip is recuperating.  Build your strength back and FEEL BETTER SOON!  

Iris

Jo C.

Thank you very much, Iris.  Glad to hear you were finally able to get your COVID vaccination.  We get our second one on Thursday.

Still feeling so wan and weak, don't like that at all.  Well; upward and onward - hopefully.

As far as Marcus, he had gone to Musings to Post for a short while, but he has totally left; I think that he did not like the feedback he got on both Spousal and Musings; no one was inappropriate, he just did not like truthful advice I think.

Sometimes we lose a long time Member; they are just through talking about things and want to move on in another direction.

Again, thank you from the heart for thinking of me; it really makes a difference.

J.

McCott

Dear Ed -- Thank you for asking about me.  I have been sunk in back pain and sciatica as after effects of having my back broken inadvertently by my hypoglycemic ALZ husband in October 2019.  
My husband died in Sept 2020 and this may be taboo to say, but it was a relief.  We were able to keep him home (our son and his wonderful fiancee had moved back in to help) until the last two weeks of his life which he spent in a hospice facility being 'cleaned and turned.'  We were very lucky that phase didn't stretch out longer.  I miss him terribly, but I had been 'missing him' for the past several years, and there was nothing anyone could do except cope and clean up.  No known cause, cure or treatment, as you all know -- not even family history in his case.

I was embarrassed on this site because he had been diagnosed only seven years before, and it was only  the last year and a half that was truly difficult in terms of physical demands, wandering, incontinence -- so hard to deal with. It got to the point where urinary incontinence was just 'normal' -- manageable, not that big a deal -- but when number two kicked that was when the proverbial stuff hit the fan.  Still, it turns out you (sort of) get used to that too, as unpleasant as it was. Compared to everything people here have had to deal with and continue to deal with, I felt I had gotten off easy and was embarrassed by that.

I had often wondered why people stayed on the site so long after their person had died, and I didn't plan to continue.  But there were so many real emotional connections with people like Ed and others, so much concern, advice and caring, that I am always drawn back every few months.  I will never forget what people here have done for me and for each other.  It was the only thing (other than our son and his partner) that kept me going.  The one piece of advice I would give a friend confronting our situation is to get onto this message board.

Now I am trying desperately to reclaim some quality of life given the after effects of my broken back.  I will try medical marijuana at some point -- I never did like weed -- in my twenties I would just fall asleep if I had any. I am starting a swimming and walking program which should help my mental state even if it doesn't eliminate the pain.  My 30 something doctor (all my regular MDs have retired) finally agreed to a certain level of hydrocodone, after she required me to register as a 'chronic opioid user' on a state list -- kind of like a 'chronic sex offender,' I guess : )  I am scheduled for another try at cortisone shots, but the sciatica is new -- what a bummer!  Still a friend tells me it doesn't have to be forever.

As for the cancer, it turns out I have a low grade multiple myeloma which is 'being monitored.' Once I got to a specialty cancer clinic, I was told it would be chronic but not debilitating and they don't want to start chemo until something gets worse.  I have no real symptoms, just bad, but 'not that bad' blood tests.  It is hard to focus on this which seems so abstract, when my day to day complaints are real time back pain and sciatica. It did freak me out when I first learned of it this last fall; no one in my family has ever had cancer of any kind and it was not something I thought I would ever have to worry about.

One more thing about my back -- I have a wonderful house cleaner who has dealt with back issues and told me to get lumbar support cushions.  Since I sit and read a LOT of the time, she realized I was slumping in the chair, worsening my back.  Now I have lumbar cushions in the living room, dining room, kitchen and in my car.  It has made an incredible difference, but as soon as I get up and move, the pain comes back.  I can only wonder why no physician or physical therapist mentioned this.  C'est la vie, said the old folks, just goes to show you never can tell.

With gratitude and affection, Mary

JJAz

McCott,

It's nice to hear from you; but sad that you're having such back problems.  I can totally relate because I too developed back problems during the final stages of my husband's disease.  What helps me keep my pain under control is an adjustable bed.  I often wake up in the middle of the night with pain.  Now I can adjust the bed by a few degrees and fall back to sleep.  This probably happens 4-5 times per night and is the only way that I can get any rest.  And when I'm working on my computer, I often do so from bed.  I put the bed in the 'zero gravity position' and it helps the pain tremendously.

Blessings,

Jamie

Iris L.

McCott, I had a bad back and walked with a cane for a couple of years, several years sgo.  What helped me with pain was floating on my back in a therapeutic, warm water pool.  Not swimming or doing water aerobics, just floating.  It took a while, but I was able to come off the cane eventually.  You might have to look for a rehab hospital department for a warm water pool.  I hope you will be able to find relief, from whatever methods you try.

Iris

Ed1937

Mary, it's really good to hear from you. Sorry you're still having those back problems. Maybe the swimming could help? Re: the cancer - it's great to hear that part now seems to be on the back burner. And you seem to have a much better outlook than you previously had. That should be considered a big win! Keep coming back. We're still here for you.

2 Young

As a new member of this community I would just like to say how wonderful it is the way you care for one another. Wish I would have joined sooner but glad to be here now.

Ed1937

2 Young wrote:

As a new member of this community I would just like to say how wonderful it is the way you care for one another. Wish I would have joined sooner but glad to be here now.

The important thing is that you're here now. You'll fit in just fine.

 

Jeff86

The right point is that it IS a community—virtual, but no less real for that—and we do indeed look out for and support one another.  A very beautiful thing.