Hi

[lindsey48]

I've not been posting for a while. Mums very tired all the time now and her speech is practically non existent. She can't do anything for herself now.

[AmandaF]

Hallo, Lindsay. I do feel for you - I cared for my Mum until she died earlier this year.

It's very, very sad for you to observe your Mum's deterioration in this way. My Mum also experienced the terrible lack of sleep and tiredness, which adversely affected her speech and mobility too.

I hope you are managing to get sleep yourself, because you cannot function without it. Try to make the most of these times with your Mum, no matter how frustrating, because you will look back on them with longing when she is gone.

Take care of yourself, Lindsay, your Mum needs you to stay strong.

Amanda/x.

[NannaB]

It's so hard isn't it, physically and emotionally. Are you getting enough help and time off during the week when you can do things with friends or family, away from PSP for a few hours? I hope you. Does your mum get out of the house? I find my husband is far more "with it" when we are in the company of others. You described him in your post, totally dependent on others for every need but yesterday I took him to the local garden centre where I fed him Victoria sandwich soaked in black current juice. He had a cappuccino thickened just enough to enable him to suck it through a straw. I asked for an extra cup so It was easier for me to mix the thickener. As we do this often, the staff now acknowledge him. He is awake all the time we are there, even though his eyes are closed most of the time. I also take him to have coffee once a week in a hall in our village where everyone knows him. Today he is going to the hospice day centre. I think it is important to give him other experiences as if he doesn't go out he would be sitting in the same chair all day.

Take care of yourself as well as your mum won't you?

X

[abirke in reply to NannaB]

I totally agree. My husband seems content just sitting... thus I must be his initiator. He does seem to enjoy being in the company of others for a short while. We go to the gym where he lifts weights on the machines I assist him from machine to machine and I try to convince him it is about controlling the weight not how much weight there is. (he's very strong, used to do free wts.) but he pops the weights to full extension which is not good for his joints or ligaments. I really just want him to exercise his brain controlling his body. we do stretches and walking exercises as well. The Physical therapist there has taken an interest in B so there's a new relationship! We go to the library where he finds books on tape and I have been reading him Georgepa and V's exciting adventures. He loves the English country side...we never got to go....until now haha.

So with all of this being said I want to encourage you and Mum to do things together. Even if you need an aide you might find it satisfying knowing that she had a good time. And then, when you get some alone time it will come with a little more contentment. Does that make sense? I hope so

AVB

[nannygoon]

Sorry to hear of your Mother's deterioration try and make the most of your time with her now talk to her ànd you will be glad you did later, i lost my s8ster a month ago she to had lost her speech completely and was totally dependant. Take care of your self I send my love and prayers to you.xx