So hard to watch

toolbeltexpert

My dw has been a letter writer her whole life. She sent everybody a birthday card. Now she can't  get pass the list of people she wants to send cards too. This morning she tried  and tried to get one done, I tried to set it up without causing a fuss. I finally went outside to let her alone,when I came back in 20 minutes later she had enough. She was gouging a piece of paper with a pen,threw it in the trash. I wish some of the people she wrote to faithfully knew how much she tries. It is so sad.  At least I haven't blown it yet. It was so hard to walk away to see if she was just gonna stop.  Right now she crocheting a towel. I am thankful that she can still do that. When she gives them away I take pictures and make her feel good about what she does.

Marie58

I'm sorry for all of us that it's so hard. Every time we see a loss, it's another stab in the heart.

Gig Harbor

Can you possibly send a note to each of the people explaining her difficulty and ask them if they could send her a note? She would probably like to get cards and she might not realize she actually did not send them one.

storycrafter

Toolbelt, you are such a loving husband and caregiver for your wife. I feel the tender, beautiful love and care in your post. This especially touched my heart, "When she gives them away I take pictures and make her feel good about what she does." What a wonderful contribution to her quality of life! Thank you for the sweet example you set for us all. May the blessings of your kindness fill you with comfort, too.

Joydean

Toolbelt, taking pictures of her gifts to friends is a very special gift to your DW. She will be able to see those pictures and know she made them.  I second Gigs idea of asking others to send her cards, to those that don’t. I’m sure most of her friends do already. 

Prayers for you both! This disease is hard and trying on each of us. Enjoy your wonderful wife. 

Scooterr

toolbeltexpert, your a good man to your DW. I'm pretty sure she knows your there for her, and taking those pic's for her, now that's love (GOOD JOB)   Praying for you and your DW.

aod326

This reminds of the punch-in-the-stomach feeling I got when I saw DH sign his full first and last name on the Christmas card to his daughter. A year later he didn't know his daughter and couldn't hold a pen. After DH died, his daughter had that signature tattooed on her forearm.

It's horrible to watch the decline, but you clearly are doing everything you can to lessen her feelings of frustration and disappointment. That's love.

Stuck in the middle

I asked DW to sign the Christmas cards last year.  I wrote the notes, addressed and stamped the envelopes, etc. because she doesn't know how to stamp an envelope.  So, we got it done together.  Baby steps, backwards