The little things...open the flood gates - PSP Association

PSP Association

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The little things...open the flood gates

Spiralsparkle profile image
29 Replies

Hi all

We've had a tough few days due to a care crisis, which for now is sorted short term.

Mum has deteriorated quite a lot since beginning of year and not much seems to be being done to help make life easier for her...another battle as ever.

The reason I'm putting down my thoughts is that I rushed to get some food shopping in half hour care call this week and I was stopped in my tracks quite unexpectedly.

In front of me was a lady who looked the spit of my Mum rushing around the shop, with the same sprightly graceful trot she had. I just started crying in the middle of Aldi, the pain of how unfair this evil disease is on my beautiful Mum and her suffering. That should still be her doing normal everyday life errands.....

Mum was sick in her sleep again last night...what will today bring her. 😖😢

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Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle
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29 Replies
Tippyleaf profile image
Tippyleaf

Dear Spiralsparkle

We get so absorbed in looking after our loved ones and their new ‘normal’ it is such a horrible shock when the stark reality hits us. Can so relate to this upsetting incident, last year I was out shopping and saw lovely pair of trousers and thought perfect for R, then promptly burst into tears knowing he will never wear zipper trousers again. The enormity of our loss hits us in the everyday things. I believe it is called anticipatory grief - I think it is just pain and sadness and the awfulness of PSP!!

Hope last night was a better night and today a day with a little sunshine for you both.

Sending love and hugs

Tippy xxxx

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Tippyleaf

Thank you.

It definitely felt like grief, as you have said. I've had that before when someone has passed and you think you see them somewhere.

Yes zips are even denied them and everything has to be easy to wear and get in and off. It is one of the important things to look nice for Mum so I try to find the best jazzy comfy clothes I can for her. We have that many tracksuit/jogging bottoms is an array of patterns lol.

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1

Hi Spiralsparkle

Your post really does sum up the stress, struggles and heartbreak if it all.

I hope today is a little better.

You are a great carer! Strength to you.

Warmly

Kevin

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Kevin_1

Hi Kevin

It is just pure heartbreak over and over again.

The sun has poked out today so it doesn't feel as doom and gloom.

Hope today is a happy one too

Hi Spiral you are not alone..

I feel exactly the same. Sometimes I am ok with it and battle on, then out of the blue a huge wave of grief overwhelms me and it comes from nowhere and without warning. Sometimes it the little things that can trigger it..on Thursday it was a slight twinkle in my Mums eye and a glimpse of her old self. It led to a very teary Friday off and on all day. This is such a horrid disease and we can only battle on with it.

Hope you have a better day today, at least the weather is better!

Sending you a great big hug

Mx

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to

Hugs to you...I hope you see that twinkle again soon but doesn't make you too teary at the same time.

I just think an animal wouldn't be put through all of this so why are humans still in the UK.

The sun is poking out here so does help raise the energy

X

Greens profile image
Greens

Dear spiral sparkle your post made me cry similar experience over last few weeks as Mum too is deteriorating so quickly . Let your tears fall I sometimes think it helps release some of that frustration and stress we all have around these horrible diseases . I feel your pain I know it’s easy to say keep smiling but that helps too x x 😊

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Greens

Yes I've held in alot of tears for a while so they are piled out.

Big hug to ease your pain . Smile at you 😁

Karynleitner profile image
Karynleitner

Hugs to you. The overwhelming sadness and stress just build up. Sadness for today, and worry for what will be next. Mums are so special. 💜 . You’ve been amazing .

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Karynleitner

Hit the nail on the head there...There is always what is going to happen next stress too.

Everyone is or has been amazing on this forum x

NannaB profile image
NannaB

❤️ 💐 🍷

XxxX

raincitygirl profile image
raincitygirl

Hi Spiral; Sad to hear of your day, but oh so very familiar. Watching an intelligent, vital, engaging person deteriorate into a blank shuffling falling incontinent shell of themselves - like a bad zombie horror movie.

..And while you didnt discuss it, I noted the comment about not enough being done by the care people..As if the syress and grief wasnt enough..you have to use your precious energy to fight!

I think NannaB has the only answer 😉❤️🍷

Anne G

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to raincitygirl

I don't drink! I eat.loads.of chocolate instead ha ha.

Yvonneandgeorge profile image
Yvonneandgeorge

Oh dear I hope you have a better day, I hate psp so much, takes everything away from the person you love. Sending you a big hug. Yvonne xxx.

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Yvonneandgeorge

Big hugs back to you.

How is G today? X

Yvonneandgeorge profile image
Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Spiralsparkle

Still coughing but seems a bit better thank you, hate psp so much. Yvonne xxxx

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Yvonneandgeorge

You both are really going through it. The coughing must be so fatiguing on top of everything else.

Hugs.

AnaBri profile image
AnaBri

I needed to ad up while I cry after reading your posts.

I think the hardest part of this struggle is thinking about the before, you see something at a store that'll be great for them and you remember it's no longer practical... you try something delicious and you wish they could try it too, then you think no way to make that dish safe for them to have... you go somewhere nice and you want to be able to take them there. Then you start thinking how am I going to take her chair up those stairs? Is she going to be uncomfortable here?

The happiest and saddest dream I have sometimes, involves my mom walking around the kitchen helping me cook or doing the dishes while we talk. All things she can't do anymore.

As everyone has said, the hardest thing about Psp is how much it robs you... How it takes away your normal and forces you to try and build a new normal, just for something else to change and you have to start over and over again.

Not fair guys.

My love to you all, keep the smiles a plenty and the sadness away

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to AnaBri

Unfortunately always a new normal appearing along the journey.

Hugs

Beads0122 profile image
Beads0122

I have had that exact same feeling. I will catch myself seeing a women the same age as my wife and being amazed that she is able to manage by herself. I know that’s actually normal, but it is not my normal. I just thought it was me thinking strange thoughts

The one thing that this disease has taught me is that I really don’t know what a stranger is going through when I cross paths with them. I put on a brave face every day, hiding the pain of seeing my beloved loosing capabilities daily. So most people don’t know that pain I am going through. I realize that the stranger is probably facing hardships that I can’t even imagine. I need to treat them with the care and compassion as if they are hurting like me.

Thanks for posting. Hoping for you strength and better carers for your mom.

Bobby

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Beads0122

That's is very true.

We know nothing about the life of people we cross paths with.

It the world was full of kindness and compassion it would be a better place.

X

AnaBri profile image
AnaBri in reply to Beads0122

As much as this illness robs us and our loved ones, it changes our hearts to be more understanding to others because we realize that an illness we never heard of before has happened to us, and the same or something worst could be happening to others. It inevitably changes you

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to AnaBri

100%

Beads0122 profile image
Beads0122 in reply to AnaBri

Well said.

Megabrew88 profile image
Megabrew88

Dear Spiralsparkle,

Your post struck a chord in me, caring and battling for our love ones against PSP can be a roller coaster of emotions.

It is physically and emotionally draining but we have to keep on and take it one day at a time. Our love and faith will see us through. God bless.

M

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to Megabrew88

Thank you.

Day by day is all we can do.

Take care.

AliBee1 profile image
AliBee1

Big hugs. It is horrid when it hits you like that unexpectedly and knocks you off your finally controlled balanced way of coping. Lots of love Ali B xx

Spiralsparkle profile image
Spiralsparkle in reply to AliBee1

Love back to you.

Cuttercat profile image
Cuttercat

I can't go down the grocery aisles without tearing up over things I can't buy or cook for Charles. I'm with you!

Cuttercat

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