Hi All
I have not posted for a few days as we took my mam away to Amsterdam for a short 'mini cruise' holiday (2 nights on a ferry with a day in the city).
I worked my sox's off to get everyone sorted - packed suitcases ,got the euro's, had an hair appointment for my mam, told the social workers that she would be away, cancelled her pill prompts and had 1/2 hour to sort my self out as you do . (I will try to book up earlier next time )
I brought my mam to my house before we went. I insisted that she take a bath (I told her that she wouldn't get one on holiday). She wasn't happy! How guilty I felt when she took her tights off. Her toe nails had got infected. I tried to cut and clean them myself (I had to leave her for a short while to vomit. I can do a lot of things for her but her feet were so bad ... I had just not thought about it and, of course, she hadnt mentioned it. How thick am I?!)
Never mind, she looked FAB when we finished: hair done, make up on, fresh clothes - we were set! We had a great time. She was relaxed and more self confident than usual and we laughed loads. We ate lots of differant things and enjoyed ourselfs. Mam was unusually adventurous with the on-board buffet trying all kinds of new things (Panga Fish, duck, even caviar!).
Now we are back and good times have quickly faded. Mam's self confidence has disappeared. She has quickly lost the sparkle that we briefly saw on holiday. She seems tearful, uninterested in life and lacks the determination to beat the illness that we have seen in the past. She is ringing frquently to say that she is the only person in her block, all the other houses are empty and bolted and there are no people in the street outside.
I realise that his might just be a reflection of a general feeling of loneliness and desertion and I suppose it's understandable having spent a constant 48 hours in our company whilst away.
Bathing and changing (or the lack of) is a worse problem than ever. Where once she would be feisty and determined in insisting she had bathed that day, her response is now a tearful one.
The worst thing is that, having all returned from holiday in a tired state, I feel angry with the illness but this comes over to my mam as being angry towards her. I find that I am having to walk out the room to stop us both becoming more upset.
I love her dearly and this makes my feelings all the more confusing. I can see mam's personality and the illness all rolled into one and it becomes very difficult to seperate the traits of the two. So, for example, when she insists she has eaten when we know she hasn't, is she being defensive or has she just simply forgotten?
I have read loads of stuff on AD but whilst the professions provide useful information I have found that the best practical advice comes from those with first hand experience.
I would welcome any thoughts or comments particularly as to whether others have found that the highs of a holiday have resulted in a downturn upon return to 'normality' (whatever that may be).
I have not posted for a few days as we took my mam away to Amsterdam for a short 'mini cruise' holiday (2 nights on a ferry with a day in the city).
I worked my sox's off to get everyone sorted - packed suitcases ,got the euro's, had an hair appointment for my mam, told the social workers that she would be away, cancelled her pill prompts and had 1/2 hour to sort my self out as you do . (I will try to book up earlier next time )
I brought my mam to my house before we went. I insisted that she take a bath (I told her that she wouldn't get one on holiday). She wasn't happy! How guilty I felt when she took her tights off. Her toe nails had got infected. I tried to cut and clean them myself (I had to leave her for a short while to vomit. I can do a lot of things for her but her feet were so bad ... I had just not thought about it and, of course, she hadnt mentioned it. How thick am I?!)
Never mind, she looked FAB when we finished: hair done, make up on, fresh clothes - we were set! We had a great time. She was relaxed and more self confident than usual and we laughed loads. We ate lots of differant things and enjoyed ourselfs. Mam was unusually adventurous with the on-board buffet trying all kinds of new things (Panga Fish, duck, even caviar!).
Now we are back and good times have quickly faded. Mam's self confidence has disappeared. She has quickly lost the sparkle that we briefly saw on holiday. She seems tearful, uninterested in life and lacks the determination to beat the illness that we have seen in the past. She is ringing frquently to say that she is the only person in her block, all the other houses are empty and bolted and there are no people in the street outside.
I realise that his might just be a reflection of a general feeling of loneliness and desertion and I suppose it's understandable having spent a constant 48 hours in our company whilst away.
Bathing and changing (or the lack of) is a worse problem than ever. Where once she would be feisty and determined in insisting she had bathed that day, her response is now a tearful one.
The worst thing is that, having all returned from holiday in a tired state, I feel angry with the illness but this comes over to my mam as being angry towards her. I find that I am having to walk out the room to stop us both becoming more upset.
I love her dearly and this makes my feelings all the more confusing. I can see mam's personality and the illness all rolled into one and it becomes very difficult to seperate the traits of the two. So, for example, when she insists she has eaten when we know she hasn't, is she being defensive or has she just simply forgotten?
I have read loads of stuff on AD but whilst the professions provide useful information I have found that the best practical advice comes from those with first hand experience.
I would welcome any thoughts or comments particularly as to whether others have found that the highs of a holiday have resulted in a downturn upon return to 'normality' (whatever that may be).
)
