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Hello, My name is Diane, 45, from Birmingham. Pleased to meet you. I am sorry to hear your husband has AD. It is such a thief of a disease! My husband Gordon, just 65, has advanced AD in a Home and doesn't know who I am! Does your hubby know you? Is he in a Home? Would you like another friend? I am fairly new to TP and want to make as many friends as possible. I write poetry about the experiences, and play the piano and sing. (I played in hotels in the Middle East and West Africa). Like you I help out in a shop (BHF Charity Shop), been there since Dec. '07. It DOES get you out of the house and meet people. Hoping to hear from you. Take care. Kind regards. Diane :-)

Oh Shelah, you certainly can't carry on if you aren't sleeping, I'm so sorry things are getting worse. Have you noticed with this wretched disease that we have to accept new situations a bit at a time? In the beginning if we were asked to do what we do later on we'd curl up in horror at the thought of care homes/incontinence/UTIs, but as time goes by we get a little more accustomed to things we have to do and before you know it, we're doing what we thought we could never do (hope that makes sense!)
Best of luck with your SW, you must let them know you are struggling. Love n hugs, Vonny xxx

Hi Shelah, how are things going for you this week? I hope Len is completely over his UTI and that it's been a bit easier going.
I've got a day off work tomorrow so have a nice long weekend plus my sister has come down from Leeds for a week so I can work longer days Tues - Fri as won't need to go to dad's. It's all a logistical nightmare!
I hope you're having a good weekend. Take care, Vonny xxx

Hi Shelah, when you're bogged down with the caring day in, day out, 24/7, night in, night out, it's difficult to consider anyone else other than the caree. I know Helen is worried about both of you, Len for obvious reasons, and you in case you wear yourself out. I'm glad you sent me a message because I was going to contact you this weekend to ask if the UTI was under control now. Don't worry I will give Helen a big hug from you if I see her Take care of yourself. Vonny xxx

Oh you poor thing you must be so tired. Do you think any other sort of medication would help? Dad has Temazepam at night as well as his Aricept, and it does seem to help him drift off. Do you have Crossroads?xxx

How are things today? Any improvement? xxx

Eheheh, things are fine with us right now. Dad is very settled. He gets worse with constipation rather than UTIs, but I do know exactly how you feel with the tiredness. I hope Lens ant-bios kick in soon then, they can be very quick sometimes, but it can be such a kerfuffle getting them taken and having plenty of fluids. My dad wont touch any liquid except tea or cola, so I have to smush up big tablets into fromage frais! Is there any chance of a sitter or some help maybe? xxx

Hi Shelah, are you having a bad time of it? Hows Len? xxx

Oh Shelah, what wretched news, so soon after the last one. You must be utterly shattered, thank goodness Helen wasn't in Telford, that's one blessing.
You really need more help you can call on. Have you spoken to Social Services? I hope you manage to get some rest today and that Len starts to pick up soon. Vonny xxx

Hi Shelah, yes I had a lovely lunch with Helen. You have a wonderful daughter And I know she'll do anything she can to help you.
I'm so sorry Len is needing different medication. I'd be wary of taking the horror stories one hears about anti-psychotics to heart. Yes, they clearly need stringent dispensing guidelines, but provided the dosage is right they can mean the difference between being able to care for a loved one at home and being put into a Care Home. You also need to consider your own health Shelah. If you go downhill, who is going to care for Len then? I'm not medically trained so I can't say whether the anti-psychotics are a good idea or not, but I can't imagine the consultant suggesting them without good reason and if they work they will benefit you as well as Len.
Well Helen and I had a good old natter and I started feeling v homesick for my native Yorkshire! Her house sounds lovely.
Take care and all the best for that appointment. xxx