Great News! There ARE Guardian Angels!!!!

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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Well, at least on Earth....

They come in guises.... cloaked and hidden behind some murky NHS backwater (only kidding! - don't shout at me!!!:p :eek: :D )

Well, it's taken eight months but - even without any 'official' diagnosis - which I've learnt from here not to hold my breath for anyway - mum - and me!!!- seem to be have help coming at us from all sides - what a wonderful feeling to be so bombarded!!!! 'Buddying' and Day Care for mum - a Carer's course for me.... escalation on OT and SW lists ..... possibility of respite care..... numbers to ring anytime of day or night I am concerned...... I am absolutely overwhelmed......

Seemed like an eternity before a 'Psycho-Geriatrician' referral finally materialised.... but what it has meant..... and will mean to ALL our 'quality' of life - I believe much of the services are funded through a collaboration with 'Age Concern' - although my mum is classed by them as 'early onset' as she is still 'just' 74???? (Now, I could get on to Welfare State stuff and the roles of charities, but this a determinedly positiive post!!!!:D :eek: :D )

Just wanted to share this 'good news' .. I don't ever hope for a definitive diagnosis.... just the least painful journey once we've been given the route..... it's just wonderful to know that there are 'professional' services out there to help those of us who need it.....

I feel mum and I have been blessed with wonderful support from her (and my) GP, the specialists she has been referred to ... it's painful to wait - but tonight - I just wanted to share for those it may help that there are some fabulous, wonderful people and services worth waiting for.....

Much love all, Karen (TF), x
 

dmc

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Mar 13, 2006
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hello TF

what a lovely post to go to bed to, i hope you get all that is offered and more,
may many more angels land on your doorstep:D
take care xxx
 

mel

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Apr 30, 2006
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Sheffield
Hi Karen
Great news......there's hope for mum and me!!!!:)
"It all comes to those who wait"!!!
Your post has given me a real lift....thank you
Love
Wendy
 

May

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Oct 15, 2005
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Yorkshire
Terrific news Karen, take everything on offer!:D It IS like a great weight has been lifted when the help starts to trickle through isn't it?. My Mum starts day care for the first time this week (response to mention of it not great so far, but I've told Dad refusal's not an option, Mum needs what's on offer there and he needs to have some time out) and I actually feel like all the 'stern':eek: conversations with the cpn/consultant/social worker are paying off at last.
Good luck and like Connie, raising a drinking vessel to you.......but mine's caffeine:D

PS....I'm now also singing 'Angels' in my head again! Just got rid of it after hearing it (and singing it!) at a wedding I went to at the weekend.......then I read your post.......Oops!
 
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dmc

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Mar 13, 2006
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hi TF found a few more angels to keep you going !!
 
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Libby

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May 20, 2006
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Hi Karen

So pleased you're finally getting the help you need - hope it eases things a little for you

Libs
 

Rosalind

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Jul 2, 2005
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Wiltshire
This really is a lesson for us all - you have to ask, loudly and often, what help is available, and suddenly it is there. At the time of diagnosis, I think a lot of people are in denial (I certainly was) and we say ' no, no, we don't need help, we don't have a problem'. It took me quite a long time to come round to throwing a bit of a wobbler, and suddenly I had the same as Karen - offers of lots of different kinds of help (including Reiki!) and it certainly is best to try absolutely everything.
 

mumof3

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Feb 6, 2006
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Fantastic news Karen.

We were the same in that when my MIL was transferred from the umbrella of general mental health to the elderly psychiatric department, doors started to open for her. My MIL is only 62 and seemed to be caught in a bit of no man's land and the SW's hands seemed to be tied as to what services were available.

Now my MIL attends a great day hospital two days a week and to our delight and surprise has settled really well and enjoys it hugely. She also gets a care package amounting to 15 hours a week which has taken a bit of the practical load off us. Yesterday for instance I was telephoned to let me know that my MIL had an x-ray coming up and immediately offered to organise transport for her if needed. We have just had a co-ordinated review at the day hospital and I really feel that this is the first time that we can trust the care being given to my MIL.

It really does give you hope.
 

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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Karen,
So glad for you - you'll be able to stop & think & hopefully have time for yourself again.

Along with the other alcoholics here, I'll be raising a glass of red wine to you tonight.

Joanne
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
So why am I sleepless???!!!!

Thanks all for your responses.... heard the chinking of glasses (or cappuccino cups) across the globe!!!!

I can't take any credit for what seems to have suddenly 'fallen in my lap' - patience maybe ..... (not always my forte!!!).... after the initial 'stamping of feet' to mum's GP......

There is a part of me feels sad, anxious (and hence sleepless?) that mum's care feels no longer my sole responsibility.....is this 'giving in'? - or accepting that professional support has been recognised as being needed......? will the adrenaline run quite the same now? Have *I* given up on her? 'Handed her over'? ....

I guess this is another 'change' - another 'shift' .... and much as it seems good, it's a change to be 'coped with'......

These last few months have felt very desperate and isolated .... friends and colleagues have been supportive but to their limited degree of understanding - I have felt no-one has 'understood' as people on TP have...

My love and thanks to you all.....

Karen (TF), x
 

Lynne

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Jun 3, 2005
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:) A little late in the line, but would like to add my congratulations on finally getting some of the support which is your (& everyone's) right to have.

There is a part of me feels sad, anxious (and hence sleepless?) that mum's care feels no longer my sole responsibility.....is this 'giving in'? - or accepting that professional support has been recognised as being needed......? will the adrenaline run quite the same now? Have *I* given up on her? 'Handed her over'? ....

:rolleyes: Don't worry Karen, I'm sure your Mum will soon come up with something which will have you flying out the door again! :D Just give her a day or two ...
 

jakky

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Jan 30, 2006
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Staffs
There is a part of me feels sad, anxious (and hence sleepless?) that mum's care feels no longer my sole responsibility.....is this 'giving in'? - or accepting that professional support has been recognised as being needed......? will the adrenaline run quite the same now? Have *I* given up on her? 'Handed her over'? ....

hi TF,

pleased to hear its going well and just to let you know that you have expressed how i felt the day mum left home, in the ambulance, to go to EMI. I know the emotions are how you describe and to say hope all turns out as well as can be for you/mum......keep ya chin up

jakky
 

Lucille

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Sep 10, 2005
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Hi TF

Great news for your mum, you and your family. What a relief it must be after the delays, I know what it's like waiting for help, as do we all on here in some form or another.

Have a stiff drink - you deserve it ... or strong coffee or whatever your poison is!:)
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
Thanks all!

I do appreciate hearing other people's 'good news' even if in very different circumstances - so glad this DID give a lift to some - I'm still floating on air somewhere!!!!!:D (and still worrying, and then some!:( )

Margarita, to answer your question re 'official' diagnosis (probably not the right term to use in the first place, soz?!) - I feel we haven't got a 'label' yet for what is causing mum's dementia - and by now, I should have learnt from here alone that we probably never will .... you know.... if someone could diagnose '2-parts vascular dementia, one part Alzheimer's' I think I could be more confident (and that's not the right word, either... but it's been a bad day so you'll have to excuse me!) about what the future may hold......

It's amazing me that I wasn't holding my breath for anything much to happen until we'd had least had the brain scan promised (haven't even got a date for that yet!)... with everything mum has gone through (physically) over the years I've got so used to waiting for scans/X-rays, blood tests etc etc etc and THEN and only then does treatment/support etc kick in.... just another part of this learning curve I guess... but for once..... it's like ... 'We know there is a problem, we can't define what it is... but here's some help anyway....' When I look at it like that, makes me feel even bettererer (that's my new word for the day!:) )!!!!!:)

Love all, Karen (TF), x
 

charleyfungus

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Aug 12, 2006
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Holbury, hampshire
hang in there !!

Thats what we have to do Karen, I cared for my Elizabeth for 3 years before I admitted I needed help, and like you thought I was handing a part of her over to someone else. Now, 6 years down the road I have 2 lovely carers that really help my Lady and I have to admit I enjoy the time I get to myself. So yes things will change, but hopefully . like us you will adapt,
Charley