So this is my first blog ! Why am I blogging ? Well its something I have wanted to do for a while but to be honest time is a precious commodity that I haven't had much of as this blog will show.
This is a story about my mum and her dementia and how we as a family have coped and are coping with the shattering reality of this horrible disease.
In January 2010 I finally persuaded my mum to visit the GP to discuss her memory loss. This wasn't easy to do and had resulted in a bit of a stand off between us. I knew her memory was deteriorating ,and I suspect so did she, but addressing this was far from easy.
Within a couple of weeks it was agreed that my mum was suffering with Dementia / Alzheimer's and our journey began. What a journey !
Mum began medication immediately but it seemed to be having very little if any effect and her memory continued to decrease. She was appointed a memory nurse and leaflets about the Alzheimers society were handed to us - these would prove invaluable.
At this point in time I was working full time in a demanding role and my daughter was 5. I didn't take on the enormity of the situation we would be facing and in all honesty this was a godsend - if I had of had any inclination what we would face over the next few years I really would have been terrified !
I am lucky that I have a hugely supportive husband who has been with me every step of the way. I was living close to my parents so I could support them both in living with this shadow. My wonderful Dad found the whole thing a huge challenge he cared for my mum so well but I am not going to say he found it easy - he didn't and he often made mistakes as we all did but there no manual for this type of thing so all we could do is our best.
I want to use my blog to show how we made sense of the system and got mum the support and care she needed to live the life that offered her the safest and happiest day on day experiences. Our journey is ongoing and I am thankful for the time I have with my Mum. I miss the mum I had every day but this isn't something I can waste time dwelling on, my mum is still around and I have to cherish the time we still have.
Life has been a huge challenge since my mum was diagnosed and hopefully for anyone in the same situation or facing the same challenge my blog might offer some comfort in the fact that you aren't alone lots of people are facing the same challenges. I have fought very hard to get the point we are at now and you have to develop a very thick skin and an unwavering desire to fight for what your loved ones deserve.
I have challenged the establishment on multiple occasions to get my Mum the care and assistance she needs ,to make her voice heard, this is something I never thought I could do but the strength comes from deep inside and your conscience has to be clear that you have done the best you can to make their life the best it can be.
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