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At 08:14 AM 3/29/97 -0500, you wrote: >Hello, all. I've been reading all the communications on the list, but I >haven't written anything for a long time because I've been trying to deal >with the Nursing Home admission of my husband, Dave, since January. After >he was hospitalized for 2 weeks from a psychotic reaction to zyprexa, I came >to the conclusion that I could no longer manage at home without help around >the clock. If he fell, I was unable to pick him up by myself. I could not >leave him alone at all. Since I have a job and for various other reasons, my >only solution was the nursing home. We had more or less expected this -- >Dave has had Parkinsons since 1972 -- and knew this might ultimately be where >he would find himself. > >I can only tell you it is one of the most painful decisions I have ever made. > (As Bob Howard will attest). I had the complete support of my 3 children >and their spouses -- in fact of all my friends and acquaintances, also -- >all of whom told me they don't know how I managed with him as long as I did. > But as all of YOU know, you just DO! > >It's been very painful for both of us; we're BOTH lonely and sad. But Dave >has improved. His mobility is better, the hallucinations are benign, his >paranoia is lessened and there is someone around to meet his needs. I can't >say he's happy, but I feel he is getting good care. My children and friends >visit him whenever they can and we try to take him out for rides and to >restaurants on occasion. I know that it was time. > >I, too, was confused by someone who referred to "the final stages" of >Parkinsons. I would like to know what they are. Since this is a "designer" >disease, as someone said, each patient seems to have different symptoms and >reactions to the medications and deteriorates at a different rate. Dave >really only began to get worse about five years ago -- after 20 years. > >Naomi Meyer, CG Dave 69 /25 > naomi i to am final stages of pd had it for 25yrs. all it meens is you fall more easly forget more more often get alittle more depressed cant do as much as you would like to so don,t worry so much about it i have seenit all been thuough it got good care giver. you can only do so much. i am just a normal christen. but god only gives you only what you can do. and he thinks you know what is best.ffor your man. I.Y.Q. SAY IT FAST I.Y.Q. don good luck