My Mum was diagnosed officially at age 71 although the signs were apparent at least back to age 69/70. She is now 72 and I am worried about my feelings towards her. I have difficulty being alone with her, feel frightened to stay overnight with her, and am ultimately faced with a huge dilemma of deciding whether to take the opportunity to go overseas for 8 months. There are other relatives/carers who take a more primary care role but I'm scared about how to tell her, when to tell her and what I'll face when I come home - it's the ultimate put me and my family first or her? No-one can answer this but I can't bear the thought of leaving her when she still recognises me and then returning when she doesn't. It's so distressing seeing her physically capable, but mentally getting worse - my Mum has gone.....
