Today the MIL came and sat down next to me in tears - I knew she had been getting down as she knows she is getting worse, she just needed a hug, just wish I could tell her it will all be ok. My husband was next to us and he was nearly in tears too but it was the catalyst for something that had been praying on my mind since my recent melt down at the docs! I went to work and explained I needed to change my hours and drop 5 hours so I can do 8 to 2 but because of recent changes at head office it might not be possible and I might need to look elsewhere. Neither them nor I want to part and they will try hard to see what they can do but needs must for all of us. The MIL needs more support, the husband for personal reasons is not coping well and I had to leave work in tears (was told to go and get some rest!) I have the next week of on holiday anyway, just me and the MIL the OH has gone to watch cricket with my blessing in Yorkshire. I am taking the MIL to the docs on Monday to see if she can get something to help with her feeling down - do anti depressants still work with Alzheimers? Can't really explain my emotions, relief that I have come to a decision, sad that we now have to acknowledge this is real. Luckily, I can always temp if things dont go well at work as we live in a finance centre and I have a few years experience so that wont be a problem! But I am going to do a bit of therapeutic house clearing next week and dump all the rubbish we have accumulated and not used for 10 years and spend a bit of time with the MIL going to get her old photos out and just chat. Its not all gloom and doom sometimes you need a catalyst to make you realise how lucky you really are.