Another first-timer

Wild-West

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post, though I've been hanging out with ya'll since November. That's when mom wasn't able to continue at her AL facility, but didn't qualify for Medicaid (Medi-CAL), and didn't have the money for private pay MC. So we brought her home to live with us. She's 89, and I'm guessing she's in stage 6 - 7, also just admitted to hospice. 

The reason I'm writing now is that I wanted/needed/ just had to say, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. This message board has been a lifeline for me, as I've navigated mom's horrific decline, and DH and I have tried to make her a happy, safe, and comfortable home with us. 

When a bidet occurred to me to help with UTI's, I thought, "Hey, I bet there's stuff in the message board about it." Yep! When I didn't understand hospice, or whether to try and get mom assessed, I found so much wisdom here. When I felt guilty, overwhelmed with sadness, and so far out of my depth that I couldn't breathe, I came here, and found that there really are other people out there who know what this is like. 

All the legal POA stuff is done, and hospice has been so incredibly supportive. I've found my way to an amazing private caregiver for a few days a week to help me feel normal now and then - and most of my crying has stopped. But all of you, and your unrelenting kindness have been at the foundation for me feeling like I can face another day.

So, thanks, Alz fam. You're amazing!

SusanB-dil

Hi Wild-West - sorry you are having to go through 'this' as well...  I agree with your post on this forum, as it has helped us so very much, too. I've also been glad I found such a helpful and caring place.   agree - thank you to those who take the time to post support, and those who take time to post their wisdom of having been there/done that.

aod326

Wholehearted agreement from me too! I don't know that I could have got through everything without these message boards. I learned so much and it made an incredible difference to learn that I wasn't alone. (Sad as it is that so many PWD and caregivers are going through this.)

Not everyone likes to post, which of course is totally fine. If you can, though, remember that you're a major source of information and support because you're going through it!

Good luck!