Going from bad to worse

[shangrila27]

I haven't posted much but read all the posts.This year is getting worse.My husband was diagnosed with IPF two years ago but everything was stable.At this moment he is on 2 lpm sixteen hours a day plus ambulatory at 6 lpm.He had an angiogram nearly three weeks ago where they discovered his right coronary artery was 90% blocked and he will have to have a stent fitted.,this could be causing the breathlessness.On top of that his type 2 diabetes now requires insulin once a day .Six weeks ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's ,severe cognitive impairment and has had to surrender his driving licence and lose the car .Because of the Alzheimer's I have to control all his medication ,test his blood sugar and inject him.The latter is no problem as I have been a type 1 diabetic since 1954 when I was 10. We are now in the process of applying for attendance allowance and if the stent doesn't improve the breathlessness we will have to buy a wheelchair as apart from medical appointments,he hasn't been out of the house for 5 months.His Alzheimer's stops him from having a mobility scooter.I don't think this year can get any worse.It hasn't been all bad though as the travel insurance paid up,the premium bonds have been lucky every month,but best of all anew great grandson ,a new greatgranddaughter (5 days old) ,a new grandchild in another 10 days, and a new great granddaughter early next year.Will write again after the stent.Thanks for reading such a long post.

[sassy59]

I do feel for you shangrila and your dear husband. You’ve been through such a lot together.

Lovely news about the grandchildren and great grandchildren and other good things that have happened though.

I hope the stent goes well and hold you both in my thoughts. Xxxx

[shangrila27 in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou for caring,things must improve at some stage

[Hidden in reply to shangrila27]

What a positive outlook you have despite the rough time you've been having. I hope your husband's op goes well and results in a great improvement in his condition. I shall be rooting for happier times for you. 👍x

[shangrila27 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I Rang the consultants secretary and she told him about my husband,the angiogram result hadn't reached him (different consultants different hospitals ).When he heard about the LTOT oxygen he promised to chase things up.But hospital wheels move slowly.If no news in another two weeks I shall ring again.

[skischool]

Gosh you have been and are going through pretty tough times but thankfully that angiogram will probably have saved hubbys life and i hope that all goes well with the op.

Congratulations re the grandchildren and they will bring much more happiness into your lives.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's x

[shangrila27 in reply to skischool]

Thanks skischool,it means a lot that people care.By the new year we will have12 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren. and hopefully a husband who can get out and about,.

[Echoblue]

Big hugs for you over this really difficult time. So pleased to hear about the positive parts of your life with the little ones. Long may good times be with you x

[CDPO16]

You have such a a lot to cope with and yet are so positive. I hope that you get news about your husbands stents soon and that you are both able to enjoy your family. Best wishes x

[MEZZ1]

Hi, did you,know that you can claim care allowance,if you are looking after someone , with Alzheimer's. It's not easy looking after someone who has Alzheimer's ,the disease gets worse as it progresses. My father has it. My father says he does not have a wife, even though my mum tries to look after him. And I don't he knows that he has 3 daughters, although every week when I go through to look after him, he says to me take me home with you.

[illawarra]

Oh shangrila27 What a year you have had. I am sorry that you and your dear husband are going through all of this. I am so happy that you have some good news with new babies coming soon. Such a precious gift. I do hope all goes well for Hubby with his stent and it makes a difference to his breathing. Hugs coming your way.

[Aingeful]

I hope that the op is a success(they usually are?). Is he on any drugs for his Alzheimer's? Get all the help you can.Congratulations on the new members of your family,they are a joy aren't they.xx

[shangrila27 in reply to Aingeful]

He is just finishing the four week course of Memantine and we are seeing the lead nurse at the memory clinic today.If any news will let you all know

[Ergendl]

Thoughts and prayers for you both at this challenging time. All the best for the angiogram and the stent. If finances are tight, you could see if a wheelchair is available through your local Freecycle network.

[shangrila27 in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks for good wishes.Luckily finances are good.We paid for 5 cruises last year so all that money is spare.Will have to buy a lightweight wheelchair as I am small.My husband also has shoulder pains so it will have to be an attendant wheelchair .

[nina30795]

So sorry to read about all the difficulties you are facing; may you continue to have strength and resilience to face all this. Congrats on all the new little ones coming into your lives !

[Meg52]

Sending love and gentle hugs to you and your husband. I hope the stent will be successful. Congratulations on the new grandchildren, babies always bring a ray of sunshine into our lives. Love Meg xx

[Hacienda]

Sending Big Hugs to you & Hubby Hun, You certainly are going through a bad Time, The Joy of New Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren will lift your Heart. I have had two Angiograms a few Years ago and Yes the Right side Ventricle when blocked does make the Breathlessness worse, I have just been told this(two weeks ago) but, nothing they can do, No Stent, as My Lungs now will not allow any further procedures. I meet my 6 month old Great Granddaughter next week for the First time coming here with her 5 Year old Sister, whom I have cuddled as a baby, so The feeling of Love is immense and your Poor Hubby may be Lifted on seeing his New Grandchildren. Sending gentle Hugs to you Both. Carolina XXXX

[jmsutt73]

Sharing your's and husband's experiences of this past year, and allowing us the privilege of witnessing your amazing fortitude in the face of So many challenges speaks volumes about your personal strength, character. Thank you so much. Prayers for the pace of your husband's dementia to slow, his physical health to improve, and for you both to have many years with your grandchildren. 🙏 Blessings, J.

[Hidden]

Hey sorry you having a really rough time sometimes it seems everything comes at once life is not fair sometimes but hey hang in there hopefully the stent will make life a little easier i keep my fingers crossed for you.

And congratulations on the grand children

[Shazrab]

Hi shangrila, I really feel for you things seem pretty exahsting as you seem to have so much to do.my uncle 81 has just had had a stent fitted he says he can’t believe the difference it’s made for him . Your hubby has so much more going on with his but hopefully the stent will help. loosing the car must be very hard to cope with on top of all the care you’re husband is needs a car always makes things easier that’s if your able to drive yourself and not your hubby. you must also be unwell when your looking to get some kind of mobility I do hope and pray you and hubby both get top rate as you deserve it. Do you also suffer from a lung disease or something else remember you can now get a Carers for free and I this service isn’t for everyone though , although I’m suggesting it I wouldn’t take it but just thought I’d mention it to you . Do you have anyone to help you I do hope you have . You must be super excited going to see the baby 👶 I do hope you enjoy seeing your family to and I have to add I agree you got a great attitude towards it and you know we are all here to support you sorry I don’t know much about Alzheimer’s I’m sorry I cannot support you in any way but I can listen at any time good or bad vents. Please take care of yourself I will keep you both in my prayers 🙏 best wishes 🌹🌹

[shangrila27 in reply to Shazrab]

Thanks to everyone whose been kind enough to read and respond to my post.We went to the memory clinic this afternoon and saw the lead nurse who asked a few questions pulse and blood pressure readings etc He the prescribed a further 6 weeks of Memantine and a follow up appointment.Age concern has a rep there and I have arranged a home visit mid August to fill in the Attendance allowance form .I understand they are very good at wording the answers and giving the right answers If we are successful I may see about having a cleaner for a couple of hours a week which will enable me to spend more time with my husband and not worry about the cleanliness of the house.We are seeing the newest GGD tomorrow.which will be lovely.Our son has just rung and his wife is having a caesarean on Monday . ,a week earlier than planned.We shall be at PR so the class may be interrupted.Must close now as we are going to watch Midsomer Murders.We have seen it before but he will have forgotten most of it .

[Shazrab in reply to shangrila27]

Hi I just wanted to wish you all the best of luck with your attendance allowance that’s great that someone is coming out to help you fill it in good luck and hope you and your husband are having a relatively good week 🌹🌹

[Izb1]

So sorry to hear of the tough year you have been having Shangrila, goodness knows how you have managed to stay postitive. Do hope the stent goes well for hubby and gives some much needed relief. So lucky having all these new additions to the family, enjoy them x

[jackdup]

You certainly have been handed more than your fair share. I hope all goes well with the stent and it helps the breathlessness.

[shouty]

I was moaning after having a difficult day ( lost purse & car keys) & dealing with folks about my Mum who has Alzheimer's. Then I read your post & it put stuff in perspective. What a strong person you are with all the trials and tribulations yet still find things to be grateful for 😊