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I certainly could not have expressed these feelings any better than Martha, (in a way it reminded me a little of Shylock's discourse). I attend each and all sessions of Barbara's medical appointments Michel (Martha Rohrer) wrote: > The thing about having an affliction like PD, or any of the many debilitating chronic disorders > that can befall us, is that everyone close to the victim is also afflicted. They share everything > but the actual pain. > > We spouses and children share the frustration, the depression, and the anger that comes with the > shattered plans for dreams of a future that are likely lost forever. Our social life disapates and > we become increasingly housebound along with the victim. We learn how much they did for us as we > take over the tasks of running a home one by one when their abilities diminish. We labor > physically in the care of our spouses or parents and suffer wrenched muscles, bruises and loss of > sleep. Our dispositions sour as we grow exhausted in our labor of love. We snap and snarl and then > apologize when circumstances overwhelm us, just as the victim does. We weep along with them. We > are victims too. > > So there is every reason for a spouse to go with the patient into the doctor's treatment room and > to participate equally in what is discussed. Caregivers and close family members need to be > informed and we both need need support. I have yet to find a doctor that does not encourage my > participation, and if I ever do we will go elsewhere. > > Martha (CG for Neal, 78,14)