Hi All
It's now 6 years and 12 hours since my Dad phoned me with his diagnosis. I saw him at the nursing home this weekend as it was his 57th birthday. I think he must have recognised me as he immediately started trying to eat my fingers (I'm the chocolate giver!!). He is now late/end stage (not sure what the difference is)and has been immobile for the past 2 years. He used to be a company director - his company paid for a fantastic new wheelchair for his birthday (with a hefty price tag). Shame the staff didn't think to put him in the chair for our visit, and where too busy while we were there. Despite being so dependent he is still in good health - there seems no end in sight, which sounds cruel but I'm sure people know what I mean. He has no speech other than 'yes' (inconsistently) and the occasional profanity, but just yells extremely loudly which makes it uncomfortable to sit too close for too long.
One saving grace - I played one of the Terry Wogan 'Janet and John' CD's - he giggled all the way through, mainly because everyone else was laughing and he joined in but it was still nice to see him happy.
My most sincere thoughts are with all of you going through this, at whatever stage.
Kate x.
It's now 6 years and 12 hours since my Dad phoned me with his diagnosis. I saw him at the nursing home this weekend as it was his 57th birthday. I think he must have recognised me as he immediately started trying to eat my fingers (I'm the chocolate giver!!). He is now late/end stage (not sure what the difference is)and has been immobile for the past 2 years. He used to be a company director - his company paid for a fantastic new wheelchair for his birthday (with a hefty price tag). Shame the staff didn't think to put him in the chair for our visit, and where too busy while we were there. Despite being so dependent he is still in good health - there seems no end in sight, which sounds cruel but I'm sure people know what I mean. He has no speech other than 'yes' (inconsistently) and the occasional profanity, but just yells extremely loudly which makes it uncomfortable to sit too close for too long.
One saving grace - I played one of the Terry Wogan 'Janet and John' CD's - he giggled all the way through, mainly because everyone else was laughing and he joined in but it was still nice to see him happy.
My most sincere thoughts are with all of you going through this, at whatever stage.
Kate x.