Female spouse w/young kids looking for mom in similar situation?

SaraZG

I'd love to find a caregiver like myself to exchange texts with, like our own mini support group. This is likely too specific, but ideally it would be a woman whose partner is in the early stages of Alzheimer's (like, very very early stages where most people can't tell) and whose kids are still living at home (our kids are in elementary school and we haven't told them about their dad's diagnosis yet). It would be nice to have someone I could text when my husband forgets some random things (he's still remembering most things, thankfully), and also to compare notes about navigating this with kids in the house. And I know this will be harder to find, but it would also be great if the caregiver's partner is taking lecanemab or donanemab. Mine has his third lecanemab infusion this week. I know this is probably too specific to find someone who matches everything on my list, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask!

My husband is 65, and I didn't notice any memory issues until right before his 65th birthday, which was in July 2024. He still seems "normal" 95% of the time. I am 45 and our kids are 10, 8, and 8.

Thanks! ❤️

WeepingWillow

Hello. My DH has EO and is also in the ES and receiving the Lecanemab (Leqembi) infusions. We're both in our 40's with 3 kids who's ages are spread out but include one that's elementary age. Our youngest doesn't know but the older two do mostly because we didn't know how the infusions were going to go and knew they would pick up on things more quickly. I too struggle with things because honestly most of the time he seems more put together then I am and it's hard to think about the diagnosis. The biggest thing that I've noticed has been personality changes and increased irritabilty. I also struggle alot with what's the cause of some of his reactions to things. Like is it stress or the depression or the Alzheimer's that's causing this to happen.

Goodlife2025

Hi, this is my first post/comment on the site. Our situation is somewhat different (as we all are on our version of this journey). BUT I too am hoping to connect with others about EO and the journey ahead. While I am turning 63 this year, my DW is turning 49 tomorrow. She was diagnosed in the past year and is in late stage 4, early stage 5. She has a grown daughter and we are blessed with very young grandchildren. Not the same situation as you WeepingWillow and SaraZG, but at such a young age we may be a bit further along on the journey. She has been unable to work for the past 2 1/2 years (was fired from her career before we knew what was happening). I have recently made a difficult decision to take an early retirement as this is likely the last year we will be able to travel and enjoy many of the activities we have worked and planned for. I hope to see you post again as I am always looking for others navigating EO and am thankful for the others with uplifting, helpful and insightful posts.

WendyFM

Hi, I did a search for caregivers and found this thread requesting someone to talk to or text when a spouse is in early stage and related a bit. Although my son is 25 now and has moved out. He’s very involved in caregiving and takes turns with me bringing his dad to infusion for Lacombe. my husband is 67. I am 63 getting ready to retire which sometimes I worry if this is the best time to do this, but I plan to do it for myself. I know I need to keep busy beyond caretaking. My husband is still extremely independent and is working. He is a commercial artist, but I am noticing there are good days and not good days normal days and days where I’m getting repeated questions and short-term memory is shot. .. I’m looking to communicate with a group that has the first stage and is not so deeply and absorbed in the later stage. I’m not ready to face that part.

Goodlife2025

Welcome WendyFM, this site is great for all stages. For me it has been good to hear what others further along are facing so I could be better prepared. My DH is so young (49) and has advanced very quickly through the first 4 stages. We still try to keep the same activities as before but I can see this is likely the last year or time for many things we have always enjoyed. Make the most of the time you have but also be proactive this disease can rob you quickly, ready or not.

ALCB

Welcome to the forum, @SaraZG. I do not match any of these specifications, but this site does have a groups section, and maybe you could find or create one that matches this.

To find the groups section, click on a post, find the yellow button saying 'new discussion', and click the fifth option which says 'Groups'.

Lgb35

I am in a similar situation. DH will be 62 in July. I am 55. Our kids are grown but our 8 year old grandson lives with us full time. I am his primary caregiver. DH is still working. I was hoping to get more support from doctors to push the stopping work but so far they aren’t. We are in the early stages. Symptoms due seem to be escalating lately. It is so hard after answering kid questions nonstop and then DH comes along with his series of questions. We have 4 grandkids all under 8. The kids don’t know and I feel like I have to be the buffer trying to cover. I do have a book on hand for the kids when the time comes. It is called The memory balloons.