Some of the annoying things people say to caregivers........

CStrope

aod326 I agree.....so many times people will say "does he still know you"?  Really, do they seriously think they go to the doctor, get diagnosed, then jump right to not knowing anybody!

Then I have to respond with yes he still knows me but.......he can't complete a sentence, he can't follow a tv show, he can't make a decision, etc. etc.  

And I always feel like they hear my response and think, well he's not that bad then!  Like you said, just because he still knows his wife he's okay.

1962ART

Worst comment ever:  My (former) therapist who said, "I can help you with what you are going through; my wife's mother has AD."  Could he just say, "Tell me about some of the things that are hard right now."  What a jerk.

Second worst comment ever:  "Well, we're all getting old and losing our memory a little," from my dear sister.  Good grief.  Said sister positively hovers around her neighbors who are dying from cancer, because apparently that is a "real" disease.  Visits, trips, home cooked treats, etc.  None for us.  Plus, we get to hear constantly about the progress of their dear friends.  It gets really exhausting to keep in contact.

I reread what I just wrote and started laughing.  You really cannot have any other reaction.  Too much time spent crying as it is.  

abc123

Ohhhh, you are so blessed to still have your mother! What a blessing! You are so fortunate!

This coming from an old friend who I clearly recall telling her mom to F off when we were teenagers. I never spoke to my mother like that, never.

As far as blessings go, IMO there is nothing, nothing about this disease that involves blessings. Wicked is more like it.

I know my mother extremely well. If it were at all possible, she would end her life.

mrl

Hi All,

There's too many to recall, but I have to say IMO today is my 1st Anniv without DH.

And here's my take:

Number #1 No-you don't get it!

Number #2  And I just learned this in the last 3 weeks is...if my grieving isn't moving along

fast enough for you, that's your problem!! Not mine, I am still healing.

Don't know what I would have done without all of you.

Michele

Stuck in the middle

I'm sorry for your loss, Michele.  I know grief never goes away, it just gets easier to live with over time.  After a while, I find myself remembering the good times more often than the bad.  I hope you can find that kind of healing as time goes by.