My mother-in-law is in assisted living. She is in the final stages of dementia. She always loved hummingbirds. Green and red are her favorite colors. So, I made this for her room to brighten it up. I hope she likes it.
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My wife blew her top at me yesterday as she received official warning not to drive from the driving authority in the UK. Again it's my fault, not hers, yet she's the one who is driving erratically. I get blamed for snitching to the authorities but it was her that wanted the investigation and her that has the problem but I am the traitor betraying her secret that isn't a secret (I can see it's bad and eventually so would every other road user she came into contact with: her eldest step sister was finally stopped by the police when driving and she had Alzheimers as did the eldest step brother - different mum, same dad). With my wife it is dementia as with her mother but things have speeded up over the last few years
When "Don't talk like that" really means "You need to just suffer silently, please" the scars can run deep.
There are a lot of unique circumstances leading up to this, but my circumstances have nothing to do with why this is important. I'm writing because I want to help save someone. The person I want to help is suffering, and it's slowly getting worse. This person lives with a harrowing agony and is suffocating inside. You might even know this person. You might even be this person. If so, this is for you and I need you to know that you are not alone.
My name is Heather. I am living with knowing, seeing, feeling, and hating the fact that I am dying. In my opinion, it doesn't change anything whether a person is dying from a terminal illness, suicidal ideation, or killing themselves with an addiction, there's still inevitably a deep suffering involved and an excruciating loneliness that only adds to the level of pain one experiences.
Years ago, I told my mom about some of my medical conditions. My mom essentially expressed her opinion that I am just too full of self-pity. She called me a victim. She went on tell other members of my family that I was only claiming my conditions to get people's attention. I'd like to address her claims now. She said I am too full of self-pity. Maybe she's right. I admit to moments (more now as my condition progresses) when I am absolutely feeling sorry for myself. Who wouldn't? I lack grace and dignity sometimes. If she could do this better than me, by all means, I'd like her to teach me how. She said I am a victim. Really? No, mom. I am not claiming victim. Yes, it sucks. No, I am not always grateful to be alive, but I am not running around blaming anyone for what's happened in my life. I go directly to God and tell him when I'm pissed off because this sucks, but I am not playing victim. She also said I was just trying to get people's attention. Am I? OF COURSE I AM! But not like she thinks. I am scared, sad, angry, lonely, and I don't know how to cope. I'm creating a will, sorting out which of my beloved things will go to whom, wondering when I pay a bill if I'll be here to do it again next month, checking things off my bucket list, making sure people know I love them, and still trying to navigate like I'm normal. I pretend to have strength I don't have. I fake like I think everything is going to be ok. I put on makeup when I don't care how I look, wash dishes when I don't really care if they're dirty, and I google funny jokes just so I'll have stuff to talk about that isn't depressing. I do al l kinds of things that don't make sense. But if attention seeking was really the truth, wouldn't I make up a better story? Like I won a prize or something? Then I'd get happy, celebrating attention.
I ache to feel some kind of connection with anyone who can relate, or with anyone who might just need to be heard.
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I haven't had a full on migraine in ten years (vomiting /headache) but today I ended up feeling a little queasy and then noticed a blind spot, followed by a growing zigzag from that point on (stressful day yesterday for my wife, who has been banned from driving because of dementia problems but a full assessment and driving test may clear her)
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My insomnia is to the point that I don’t feel safe driving to work. I don’t know why I stopped sleeping. I only get about 3 hours most nights and then I might get another hour nap before I have to get up for work. I have so much Brain fog. I forget everything. I can start a sentence and not finish bc I don’t remember what I was going to say. I walk into rooms and forget why I’m there. One day, it took 3 tries to do what I needed to do. That means I turned back twice bc I was confused. If I was older, I’d think it was dementia, but I know it’s insomnia causing brain problems.
I gained like 15 pounds over the summer and really need to get a physical. Something serious must be wrong if I can’t sleep. I had one good night of
Sleep in 10 days. That as with aleve pm.
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Hi, my name is Serenity123. I'm here because
I've got severe depression and a wife in an advaced state of dementia. The current living system is unsustainable.#MightyTogether #Depression #Anxiety #OCD
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Just venting, but why, as a grown ass adult can't you make arrangements for your own mother's funeral? My great aunt just died, and of course her cousin can't be reached. We're in New York, and he lives in North Carolina. He's known she hasn't been doing too well, but never gave 2 shits about her. She also has 2 grandchildren that live here in the Buffalo area, but haven't seen or visited her in the 5 years that she has been back living here because they can't benefit from her because she has no money to give them. Im sorry, but the responsibility of planning and paying for someone else's mother's funeral shouldn't be left to my mother who has my grandmother with dementia to worry about. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with anything, and let someone else deal with it. Im tired of ignorant ass people, even if they are family.
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Hi, my name is shaijakel. I’m here to support caregivers, patients, and families through the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving.
With over 20 years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, an associate degree in medical assisting, and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, I’ve spent much of my life walking beside others during their most vulnerable moments. I’ve seen the weight that caregiving places on the body, mind, and spirit—and I’ve felt it, too.
Now, as I pursue my master’s in clinical mental health counseling, I’m passionate about using my education and lived experience to uplift others. Whether you're navigating chronic illness, caring for an aging loved one, or trying to cope with burnout, you're not alone. My hope is that by sharing stories, reflections, and mental health tools, I can be a voice of empathy, strength, and validation for others walking similar paths.
#MightyTogether #Depression #Anxiety #Dementia #AlzheimersDisease
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