To Ed

abc123

Hello Ed, I hope you are doing as well as possible. I just want you to know you are in my prayers and in my thoughts daily. You are a tremendous blessing to me and so many others. I hope you know that. Please take good care of yourself!

Ed1937

Thank you. I'm doing as well as expected. I'm mostly OK, but then it hits me. I think being around other people helps, and I've been getting out a little.

It's kind of funny that you started this thread because I was thinking about starting one asking you too. How are you holding up? And how are your parents doing now? I know your mother was not doing well at all, and your father was having some problems too. This has to be very hard and stressful for you. I think about you a lot.

Jo C.

Ed; been wondering how you were, thanks for letting us know.  How is your son who had been admitted as an inpatient for help with his BPD?   I can only imagine the difficulty for him with the loss of his mother, but also the vast changes swirling about him and so many people with activity and upsets in his comfort zone.  So hope he is improving.

Nine children, Ed; how many grandchildren and great-grands do you have?  You have your own clan!  Have never asked, but what did you do in your work before retiring?

Glad you are able to get out a bit; the aftermath of a death of one's beloved is territory unknown and takes a long time to navigate and has its own schedule.  Carole was an amazing woman of many talents and strength and the two of you built a good life together. 

ABC123, hello; hope things are a bit more manageable for you, but have not heard for awhile.  It has been a long journey. Did your father get a diagnosis for his physical medical issues and how is your mother?  I wonder if they ever decided to relocate closer to you.  Also, you had mentioned looking for a therapist; did you ever find one, and if so, has it been helpful?    I think of you and have looked for you where you have been in the Musings Forum, but have not seen you of late and so hope you are well.

 With warmest of thoughts being sent to you both,

J.

Ed1937

Jo, our son is doing much better. Thanks for asking.

There are 12 grands, with another on the way! 13 g-grands.

I worked 30 years as a steelworker, then retired at age 48 with a small pension. One of our sons had a home remodeling company, and I went to work with him for a few years. I also did a little wedding photography. But that's all in the past now.

Jo C.

It is good to hear that your son is doing much better.   Had to count on my fingers, but it appears at this point in time, you and Carole have 35 direct "descendents" - your nine children and then 26 grands!   You will be having some huge reunion picnics in the future. My goodness; never a lack of someone to hug.  Lovely.  Sure wish we had a large family; we have four children, five grandchildren and two great-grands; and all of them except one son live very far away out of state.   I miss the kids and grandchildren being close by and also having little ones.  We use e-emails with some phone calls and a bit of texting as we wing it.  Today's modern family dynamics.  I far prefer the way things used to be, but then that is an; ahem, "mature" person speaking.  Yep, the downside of the hill looms and there I skate even while standing still - just how does that happen?  Heck, inside my head there is a whole party going on, but the outside . . . well . . . .another ahem.

I rather thought you would have had a working life in the consruction/hands on careers as you have been so good with your house, etc.  Busy, busy with family - probably not too many spare minutes to rub together during those working years. 

Take good care of you, it has been a long, long haul and you rose to all challenges.  Thank you for continuing to come on the Forum to be of support to so many other Members and even Lurkers who benefit from your experiential wisdom.

J.

Jo C.

abc 123, I just saw your Post on the Caregivers Forum; I am deeply sorry for what is happening.  You have so much on your plate, I will Post there for you.

J.

Lizzielou

We live in California and I am looking into assisted living homes.  I have heard, though, that you must submit a physical exam in order to be admitted.  My DH REFUSES to see any kind  of doctor. Has anyone had a similar experience and how did you deal with it?   DH appears to have frontotemporal dementia.  

Also having considerable trouble with him wanting to drive.  I have taken the car keys but he berates me daily about getting them back.  He says I’m mean, unreasonable and several other unflattering names.  He never forgets.