Hi, my mum has Alzheimer’s and was officially diagnosed in 2012 although it was obvious to me (her carer) that things had been changing for at least 3 years previous to this. Mum was cared for at home until August 2015 when she moved into a nursing home as the illness was too much for 1 person to deal with full time.
Things progressed and slowly got worse. When my mum went into care, she was still mobile and could join in conversation to a degree. About 6 months after being in care mum had a major seizure and the family were called round as mum was expected to pass away at that time. Since then there have been more seizures, chest infections, being treated with antibiotics but the deterioration and progression of her disease was getting faster. Every time antibiotics were used mum would come back but in a reduced state each time until earlier this year we as a family decided that there should be no more active intervention if any further chest infections occurred. Strangely enough she hasn’t had one since. However this thieving disease was progressing ever faster. 2 weeks ago mum had another major seizure and things have spiralled downward. Suddenly on Monday mums ability to swallow left her so she has had nothing to eat or drink since then. I feel lost and helpless and just wondered how long this would go on. I must say that so far she is peaceful and sleeping most of the time. I’m not coping because life circumstances dictate that I just can’t be with her constantly. Every time I leave, I tell her I love her and tell her it’s okay to go and she’s the best mum I could ever have wished for. I know no-one knows how long someone can keep existing as a shell of the wonderful vibrant woman and mum she was but it just doesn’t seem fair that her heart keeps beating though her life is gone.
Sorry for long post but does anyone have anything to help me get through this. I just don’t know how I’ll go on without her but at the same time I want her to have real peace.
Thanks for taking time to read through this ramble and thanks in advance for replies.
A.x
Things progressed and slowly got worse. When my mum went into care, she was still mobile and could join in conversation to a degree. About 6 months after being in care mum had a major seizure and the family were called round as mum was expected to pass away at that time. Since then there have been more seizures, chest infections, being treated with antibiotics but the deterioration and progression of her disease was getting faster. Every time antibiotics were used mum would come back but in a reduced state each time until earlier this year we as a family decided that there should be no more active intervention if any further chest infections occurred. Strangely enough she hasn’t had one since. However this thieving disease was progressing ever faster. 2 weeks ago mum had another major seizure and things have spiralled downward. Suddenly on Monday mums ability to swallow left her so she has had nothing to eat or drink since then. I feel lost and helpless and just wondered how long this would go on. I must say that so far she is peaceful and sleeping most of the time. I’m not coping because life circumstances dictate that I just can’t be with her constantly. Every time I leave, I tell her I love her and tell her it’s okay to go and she’s the best mum I could ever have wished for. I know no-one knows how long someone can keep existing as a shell of the wonderful vibrant woman and mum she was but it just doesn’t seem fair that her heart keeps beating though her life is gone.
Sorry for long post but does anyone have anything to help me get through this. I just don’t know how I’ll go on without her but at the same time I want her to have real peace.
Thanks for taking time to read through this ramble and thanks in advance for replies.
A.x