Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while. Thought I would give you an update....
Quick re-cap for those who don't know me. My Dad has been suffering with his short term memory and for 12months now we have been trying to get him to a doctor without success ("nothing wrong with me", denial etc). We tried lots of different things - I even tried phoning his Doctor, but to no avail. If you want the full story its starts at this link:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint/discuss/showthread.php?t=3111
Anyhoo, today is a good day and also a bit of a sad day too. My Mum visited her own doctor last week (she has trouble with her blood pressure) and she had lost alot of weight (again - I think its due to stress and worry about my Dad). Mum explained how both of us have been trying so hard to get Dad to be examined. Her Doctor suggested making a home visit to see Mum and then also try and examine my Dad too. Well we have been worrying about today, wondering what Dad might do if a doctor turned up on the doorstep (seeing as I couldn't even get his own Doctor to do it!!!). Mum has been beside herself keeping today a secret.
Well it all went perfectly - the Doctor showed up (Mum acted suprised - her acting skills are certainly improving these days!). Dad was fine about it - can you believe it - he happily let her take his blood pressure, then she did the memory test on him (he got quite a few things wrong - like day, date, his age etc). The doctor got him to promise to go to a specialist clinic which she will arrange - and in the meantime he will have some blood tests done. I could hug the Doctor - Mum said she handled it perfectly and both the Doctor and my Dad built up a good raport - Mum said they were laughing and joking together - wow!!! Dad said if he was a horse they would shoot him , the Doctor apologised that she didn't have her gun with her today! Brilliant - someone with the same daft sense of humour as my Dad - exactly what we need! I hope the clinic are just as good!
Well, the Doctor spoke to my Mum and unfortunately said it does look like Alzheimers but cannot confirm until he has all of the tests done. So it's good news that we have now had him looked at by the Doctor - but sad too as I suppose I'm still holding out in the hope it will be something else (Mum too). Better to know though I suppose.
Anyway - I just wanted to let you all know how things have gone (I first mentioned this on TP back in April I believe) so its taken a bit of time to get where we are - but I couldn't have supported my Mum and kept my sanity without all the kindness and words of wisdom on this site.
Many thanks - and I will keep you posted as events unfold.....
Love and hugs
XXXX
Quick re-cap for those who don't know me. My Dad has been suffering with his short term memory and for 12months now we have been trying to get him to a doctor without success ("nothing wrong with me", denial etc). We tried lots of different things - I even tried phoning his Doctor, but to no avail. If you want the full story its starts at this link:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint/discuss/showthread.php?t=3111
Anyhoo, today is a good day and also a bit of a sad day too. My Mum visited her own doctor last week (she has trouble with her blood pressure) and she had lost alot of weight (again - I think its due to stress and worry about my Dad). Mum explained how both of us have been trying so hard to get Dad to be examined. Her Doctor suggested making a home visit to see Mum and then also try and examine my Dad too. Well we have been worrying about today, wondering what Dad might do if a doctor turned up on the doorstep (seeing as I couldn't even get his own Doctor to do it!!!). Mum has been beside herself keeping today a secret.
Well it all went perfectly - the Doctor showed up (Mum acted suprised - her acting skills are certainly improving these days!). Dad was fine about it - can you believe it - he happily let her take his blood pressure, then she did the memory test on him (he got quite a few things wrong - like day, date, his age etc). The doctor got him to promise to go to a specialist clinic which she will arrange - and in the meantime he will have some blood tests done. I could hug the Doctor - Mum said she handled it perfectly and both the Doctor and my Dad built up a good raport - Mum said they were laughing and joking together - wow!!! Dad said if he was a horse they would shoot him , the Doctor apologised that she didn't have her gun with her today! Brilliant - someone with the same daft sense of humour as my Dad - exactly what we need! I hope the clinic are just as good!
Well, the Doctor spoke to my Mum and unfortunately said it does look like Alzheimers but cannot confirm until he has all of the tests done. So it's good news that we have now had him looked at by the Doctor - but sad too as I suppose I'm still holding out in the hope it will be something else (Mum too). Better to know though I suppose.
Anyway - I just wanted to let you all know how things have gone (I first mentioned this on TP back in April I believe) so its taken a bit of time to get where we are - but I couldn't have supported my Mum and kept my sanity without all the kindness and words of wisdom on this site.
Many thanks - and I will keep you posted as events unfold.....
Love and hugs
XXXX