It appears you have not yet registered with our community. To register please click here...


 Home Message Boards Health Guide Join for Free Testimonials Board Index
Search
 
Forgot your username or password?
Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-17-2003, 10:05 AM   #1
myccec
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 9
Unhappy Need Friends Now

Yesterday we went to see my Pappy. This the first time in 3 years that he didn't know me. I was there when he was diagnosised with colon cancer, when he had surgery, I go see him every other weekend. About 19 months ago, my husband and I had a beautiful boy. Pappy knew him until yesterday. My heart is breaking because Pappy and I were so close.
We got home yesterday and I cried real hard. How can I keep going if he has no idea who any of are? I love him so much and yet I can't see myself pretending anymore. My grandma says be yourself- all cheery and smiles. She says I am the one who helps him. I don't know that I can help him anymore.
Please help me cope. I am the strong one in the family now and don't think I can keep it up. I need encouragement, please.
myccec is offline
 
Sponsors Lightbulb
 
   
Old 11-17-2003, 08:45 PM   #2
ChanceaDoo
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Keep going. I know that it is hard. My grandmother had Alz. & was at home with us for 10 years. I now work in an Assisted Living which features an awesome Alz./Dementia unit. There are days that the residents will know people and other days that they won't.

I know how hard it was to see my grandmother when she no longer remembered me, but remembered my husband. I was a granny's girl and it killed me that she remembered him when I had been around longer.

But - this is what you need to remember. Your pappy might not remember who you are, but he will always connect your face with good, happy thoughts. Alz. patients can connect the fact that you have brought pain or pleasure to them.

***YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS RIGHT - YOU DO HELP HIM. THE MORE SMILES AND LAUGHTER, THE HAPPIER HE WILL BE.***

Hang in there for his sake. You will feel better in the long run, I promise.

Also - you may find great friends and support from your local Alzheimer's Association. They sponsor a support group in this area that meets monthly. At my facility, we have just begun a monthly support group for our residents & family members.

I am new to this board. This is my first post. I was actually searching for a heart problem that my Boxer dog has when I ran across the Alz. section.

Feel free to post for me any time you need some encouragement.
There are friends out there who know what you are going through and we do care.

Have a wonderful night. With prayer and support, you will get through this.

ChanceaDoo
ChanceaDoo is offline
 
Old 11-18-2003, 01:37 AM   #3
Bettyhere
Inactive
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles CA USA
Posts: 87
Coping

We all understand how hard this is for you, but your g'mother is right. My teen-aged g'sons had to see it happen to their g'father, my husband, and none if it was easy. But, yes, you can pretend. Like most things in life, you choose how to respond to them, and sometimes pretending is as good a way to deal as anything else. You are so blessed to have had this wonderful relationship w/your Pappy, many people don't have that, you don't want to let him down now. Practice being happy and cheerful in your room, practice talking to your beloved Pappy, keep doing it over and over until you can do it w/out crying so much, you have to give yourself some support before you go to see him and practicing will help. But you can cry about him, too, and what you are losing, it's good for you, releases tension and cleanses your system. This is one of the most difficult times you will have in life, but it can have pleasant memories as well if you'll look at it that way. In the normal course of events, we all lose our parents and g'parents but we never forget. If anyone had a magic spell to make it all go away, we'd use it, but in the long run, these sorrows make us stronger. You said you're the strong one in the family--so am I, but that didn't take away my profound hurt, but you just keep doing what you have to do. So pretend for the sake of your Pappy and let your emotions out when at home, and understand that you will hurt, really hurt, but you have a husband and a child, and like the rest of us, you may not believe it right now, but you'll get thru it. Bless us all.
Bettyhere is offline
 
Old 11-19-2003, 09:44 PM   #4
camachinist
Member
(male)
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central California
Posts: 99
My best advice:
Cope by remembering him for who he was. Accept and connect with him for who he is now. Try spending some time in his world and connect through emotion rather than intellect. You know who he is and who you are and that's enough.

Hum a song together. Enjoy a flower. Share a familiar smell, like a particularly well-liked food. Savor a shared silence and a smile.

Best wishes to you and your family!

Pat
camachinist is offline
 
Old 11-20-2003, 11:49 AM   #5
myccec
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 9
Re: Need Friends Now

I do share my smiles, but Pappy is so stoned faced nowadays that I visit shorter because he becomes aggitated. Thank you to all who are helping me through this.
myccec is offline
 
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Board Replies Last Post
need friends and pain med suggestions Michele9885 Pain Management 8 11-11-2007 08:42 PM
pregnant and suddenly just friends...now what?? bttrfly2107 Relationship Health 11 09-27-2006 03:40 AM
New And Just Need Friends WeepingWillow19 Depression 12 06-13-2006 05:24 AM
Need friends that understand punji49 Osteoporosis 9 03-09-2006 12:23 PM










All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:42 AM.


Site owned and operated by HealthBoards.comTM
Copyright and Terms of Use © 1998-2009 HealthBoards.comTM All rights reserved.
Do not copy or redistribute in any form!