My mother was diagnosed with AD 13 1/2 years ago. I have been a member of TP since 2005 and have recorded our long and tumultuous journey here ever since.
Mum has been in a wheelchair since the fall of 2006. She doesn't speak any more, has been doubly incontinent for years, has to be fed etc. But she has always had a ravenous appetite and I say she eats like a shark.
Last weekend, I was approached by the nurse, who said that Mum has started choking when drinking. She asked me if I wanted to thicken her drinks (I always visit at mealtimes so I can feed Mum) and I said I would try without thickening first. The milk and juice were fine but Mum started coughing like mad on the water. For some reason, water is the easiest thing to choke on. I added a little thickener to the water and she was fine.
They then did a 3 day trial and the dietitian has determined that Mum's drinks should be "nectar thick". This should eliminate any choking, at least for quite some time.
This is not a big deal and is not an unexpected development. But my mother's decline for the last few years has been how she has lost her ability to speak. She hasn't really had any physical changes, as she was already in a wheelchair etc. I am finding it extremely difficult having to acknowledge this physical decline, because it means more will come. I'm not ready for it.
I'd been finding visiting my mother more difficult in the last year. I was feeling very low last summer from a number of causes and ended up seeing a counsellor. He said I was burned out. Things are better now but just as I was starting to really feel myself, this comes along.
I AM scared and a little in denial. I know what will come eventually and can't stop it. I'm a bit of an emotional mess right now. I have no choice, I have to accept it but oh how I want to scream and rave at the injustice of it all.
Mum has been in a wheelchair since the fall of 2006. She doesn't speak any more, has been doubly incontinent for years, has to be fed etc. But she has always had a ravenous appetite and I say she eats like a shark.
Last weekend, I was approached by the nurse, who said that Mum has started choking when drinking. She asked me if I wanted to thicken her drinks (I always visit at mealtimes so I can feed Mum) and I said I would try without thickening first. The milk and juice were fine but Mum started coughing like mad on the water. For some reason, water is the easiest thing to choke on. I added a little thickener to the water and she was fine.
They then did a 3 day trial and the dietitian has determined that Mum's drinks should be "nectar thick". This should eliminate any choking, at least for quite some time.
This is not a big deal and is not an unexpected development. But my mother's decline for the last few years has been how she has lost her ability to speak. She hasn't really had any physical changes, as she was already in a wheelchair etc. I am finding it extremely difficult having to acknowledge this physical decline, because it means more will come. I'm not ready for it.
I'd been finding visiting my mother more difficult in the last year. I was feeling very low last summer from a number of causes and ended up seeing a counsellor. He said I was burned out. Things are better now but just as I was starting to really feel myself, this comes along.
I AM scared and a little in denial. I know what will come eventually and can't stop it. I'm a bit of an emotional mess right now. I have no choice, I have to accept it but oh how I want to scream and rave at the injustice of it all.
