I have been talking alot lately about me, and my Alzheimer’s. I looked at Missy, my daughter and caregiver, this morning so tired, and exhausted. She is 58 and has MS.  I asked her to answer a question today honestly for me and my Facebook buddies. I asked, “Missy, tell me about being a caregiver.” Here is what she said:

“First of all I hate the term caregiver. When mom fell 3 years ago and fractured her pelvis and knee she went to rehab for about 2 weeks and then it was up to us to decide whether to put her in a nursing home or bring her home. They told us she would need assistance walking short distances and be in a wheelchair for longer trips.  She cannot get up out of chair, needs help dressing and bathing, help to the restroom, wiping her rear, and making meals. Bascially, they said, it is like caring for a 2 year old.

Well, I talked to Mike [my partner] and there was never a question whether she was coming home. After the first week of getting up every 2 hours all night long to take her to the restroom and no sleep I had my first MS flare up…but we made it. Read more…