Fast Forward

I said I would continue from my ignorance blog so here I am, but I felt I should fast forward since I cannot possibly write everything that has happened over the last eight years in a blog.

So I am fast forwarding, Nov 2010, we lost a very important person in our family's life, my Mother in law passed away suddenly after being hospitalized for two weeks.  She went in her sleep and without pain, which we are all thankful for.  She lived life to the fullest and if this was her time it was the best way for her to leave us.  Telling my father in law who has Alzheimer’s was very difficult.  Again the Alzheimer Society was helpful in giving us some direction.  They where married 64 years.  Since Mom's death, the disease has taken my Father in law further away, (Dads speech is very garbled, he is not sure who we are, he has continence issues, and his behavior has become aggressive at times).

August 2011, my Dad age 68 is hospitalized for a month.  Diagnosis - Dementia.  Cause - Lifestyle.  I won't go into detail since this is very personal but I will say that his lifestyle and his bi-polar illness lead to shrinkage in the brain and many small strokes causing permanent damage.  His life was ripped from underneath him.  He now is dependent on my sister and I to make sure he receives the care he requires and we have had to clean up the financial mess that was left behind.  We had to place him in a retirement home, find a relative that would take his dog temporarily until he is capable of looking after the dog.  Environmental and medication changes have been very difficult for him.  All these changes to his life: no longer able to drive, his pet taken away, his ability to look after his finances, up rooted to a different residence, would be difficult for a "normal" person to adjust to let alone someone with a mental illness.  On top of the new diagnosis of Dementia he is also hard of hearing, so communication is very stressful to say the least.  The financial burdens are also hitting home and looking for help is one of my missions. The other mission is making sure he gets the proper support.  With our health care system strained it is a long wait for some services or specialists. He is also showing signs of paranoia and obsessing which has my sister and I and his sister dealing with late night calls.  Stress and emotions are high with everyone involved and I have not worked in two months.  Luckily I have a very supportive husband. 

Dad will be getting a hearing aid this Friday and I am hoping that this will help in the communication and socialization aspect.  We have a long road ahead of us, but I am trying to keep positive that the light will come at the end of the tunnel and life for all of us will be a little less draining.  Positive thinking, hope and praying.  Not sure where my path in life is going but I have a feeling that someone is telling me I need to be a voice.