Update

Anonymousjpl123

Hi everyone,

My heart is going out to everyone reading posts tonight! I haven’t been as active on here because my mom now has her official diagnosis (NPH) which brings a whole host of other issues. I just feel like I wanted to check in here.

Like many people, I started this journey thinking things would go slow: not so. Partially my mom did progress quickly (often true with NPH) and partially she had declined way more than we thought before my dad passed (he was the scaffolding).

Now I’m in a race against time to get my mom to have surgery. Thank god she’s safe and comfortable in memory care. Based on lumbar puncture neurosurgeon says she will have some relief but her memory won’t change dramatically. It’s a horrible decision whether to keep trying to convince her to do it, or arrange for major surgery without her consent. NPH is weird - shunt surgery may not help, but from what Ive learned without it it’s a mess.

Anyway that’s the update I hope everyone here is hanging in there. Caregiving is not for the faint hearted.

calmmorn

Jpl, I am glad that you were able to get some clarity about your mother’s condition and have a path forward (albeit a very difficult one). I just wanted to send strength and warm wishes to both you and your mother. I hope the surgery goes well and that her recovery is as smooth as possible. You are so right, this caregiving journey is not for the faint of heart. But you are doing amazing.

Anonymousjpl123

thank you calmmorn! Yes I am praying she will get the surgery, that I can find a way to help her agree to it. It’s crazy having to convince someone or go against their wishes, but I know we’ll find the right way through it.