 |
 |
Dear Martha, I've found "groups" to not be helpful, but I still think it depends on the group. I went numerous times to one in CA, but it was couples and no one talked except the non-PD wives. Kind of the same deal here in AZ. However, if there was another one here, I would try again. It is probably me, though, as when I had cancer I didn't fit in the group either. Boy it sounds like you have gotten much more than your share. All I can lend is an ear. You really do need to vent, so don't hesitate to email me if you really want to complain. Ray [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "stewartbros" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 7:05 AM Subject: Advice needed....and perhaps a little venting > Good Morning - I don't know where to begin. Mom was diagnosed several > years ago with Parkinson's. Since then she's had her 104 year old > Mother-in-Law living with her and Dad (we've been helping as much as we > can, 2 potty runs a day/7 days a week since Grandma won't walk anymore and > putting her to bed). They can't find anyone to come in and do home care > for Grandma. Mom has cracked 2 vertebrae in her back and they're talking > about operating, Dad's back needs an operation, Dad's sister has Leukemia > and he's the only perfect match (bone marrow and stem cells) (but that's a > whole NIH mess), I've been dealing with (and beating) my own cancer deal > and my sister is pretty much carrying us all around on her shoulders. > Yesterday the Dr. decided that the reason Mom can't walk without a walker > anymore isn't because of her back, but because her Parkinson's has > progressed to give her a shuffle. I've tried to get her to join a support > group as things have gotten worse and more complicated and her temper has > gotten shorter and she's gotten more stressed. We hardly recognize her as > the mother we've always had. Her mind is starting to slip and she's not > remembering things the way she always did. She won't join a group, says > she doesn't want to talk to a bunch of strangers. I've tried to explain > how it works and how much it's helped me, but she can't hear me. I guess > that's where the advice part comes in, how do you convince someone that > they'll be happier and feel better if they'd just join a group. And also, > does anyone know how I could find one in the Baltimore/DC/Maryland area. > Maybe if I started going I could get her to come along. Everyone is so > stressed at this point we're all really just feeling weary from the > struggle that is everyday. I just want to make things better for everyone > and just being there isn't enough anymore. Any thoughts about dealing with > any of this would be > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > greatly appreciated. Thanks - Martha ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn