George

Anger, fear, sadness, confusion, concern, love, caring,  all emotions that trip over each other.  Every day is different and met with resolve to do what we can to make my partner safe and comfortable.  No magic or miracles.  The elephant in the room just keeps getting larger.

my partner has experienced this for quite some time.  Nothing seems to resolve the loose bowels.

At the height of Covid my partner met with a Neurologist.  He had been falling, fainting and had drop foot for some time.  He worked in a hospital with special needs individuals and was admitted for fainting.  The Neurologist looked at the muscle between his thumb and index finger and gave him a preliminary diagnosis.  The Neurologist rec…[Read more]

As my partners primary caregiver for 2 1/2 years after his ALS diagnosis, I had to learn early on that I cannot control this and Jon, my partner will tell me what he wants. I have learned that I take one step at a time and often everything changes in an instant. A much needed break is a week away and I am ready. I am forgetting very important…[Read more]

My partner has been diagnosed for about 2 1/2 years. Early on I felt I could do everything. As the disease progressed and he lost the use of his arms and legs, it became apparent that I was burning out and feared I would start making mistakes with his care. Fortunately for us he is a military veteran and the services provided to both of us are…[Read more]

My partner Jon is either in a motorized wheelchair or bed. He has urinary issues and has no control over his bowel movements. Legs and arms are paralyzed and hands almost there. He loves company but we are careful to make sure he is able to go for a period of time, usually an hour, and then we ask company to leave. We find the direct approach…[Read more]

As an update to my earlier post, in only one week Jon’s caregiver has become a member of the family and they are good buddies.  I believe God sent her and it was meant to be.  She cleans him, bathes him and is so, so comforting.  Both of them have decided that I am not needed for the early day care and that is fine by me.   For the first time in o…[Read more]

I have been caring for my partner for  one and a half years now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  early on it was easy since he maintained most of his functions and I was basically support.  This elephant in the room has taken more space than we are comfortable with and now the care has become overwhelming.  His legs, arms and hands are bas…[Read more]