I've been off work for the past 3 weeks, signed off by my GP with something called 'adjustment disorder'.
Basically I had a meltdown and couldn't cope. My GP said it wasn't surprising after dealing with things for so long. Pressure from not only watching my poor dad deteriorate to a literal shadow ofhimself, but witnessing and dealing with the affect it has on my mum too. Coupled with working almost full-time, looking after my own young family and then just trying to live a "normal" life.
My question is, how do you guys cope? I'm back to work tomorrow and that's ok but I know the merry go round is about to start again and typically this week I have phone calls for and appointments with dad which means I will have to take time off work.
I feel like such a fraud. If everyone else is coping why can't I?
Written by
Martha_k_uk
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Unfortunately I can't answer how to keep working whilst juggling the parents and the children as I have ended up stopping! Though that has more to do with my daughter than my Mum. However some things have helped; my Mum's mobility is now so poor she is in a wheelchair, which means she has virtually no falls compared to a year ago when we were constantly visiting her while she was being patched up following a broken bone. The other thing is the patient transfer service that is available in the UK, if someone has health issues so can't use public transport and is unable to get a lift with friends or family, they will take them to hospital appointments. At the moment my Mum has an infusion for a different condition every 8 weeks, she is now going on the transport for that, they take her from the front room and deliver her to the ward, then do the return journey later the same way, all the way to the living room. The only thing with this, is it will not work in that way once her ability to talk deteriorates further, though the service will help with dementia patients, so may be able to help still. Access through the GP. My father sorted it as I was looking for work but worrying about getting Mum there, he can't take her as he has MS and is also in a wheelchair.
It is difficult worrying about having a parent with something like PSP. I often feel like I am being split apart trying to work out who needs me most, should I be helping with GCSE revision or taking Mum out so she gets to look at something other than her own 4 walls?
I try to help get things in place to help them, then try to live my life as they want me to. Julie
Think all of us have good days and bad. To have as much to deal with as you do takes its toll. Recognizing it will happen again is a start.
I've said it on here before ~ I'm pretty easy to entertain anyway, but, I treat myself to small treats. Like~ splurging on a whole bean coffee I like - I grind it for myself and make just one cup for me in my own little pot and putting it in my own favorite fancy mug ~ I also buy the expensive yummy smelling shampoo ~ they are all small doable things I ritualize. They are " putting on my own air mask first" . Knowing my situation will change is an important part of coping for me.
You have a different ball game going on than I do with work and kids - with way more luck than I need , you get yourself through.
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Do anti depressants work for PSP patients?
it is jill and i am back!
Back from Gainesville, FL
Difficult Day Tomorrow
