- recovery

[Guest guest]

Hi -

First I would love to reach through here and give you

a huge hug. My mom passed away over 24 years

ago. Then my dad now 4 1/2 years ago. I can honestly

say that I still have moments when life seems a bit

overwhelming and my heart aches. However, life does

seem to get back into priorities. Pray and pray. I

shall continue to do the same for you. I remember

for months after my dad had passed away, from LBD,

I felt like I was always forgetting something. My days

didn't feel complete as I was so used to doctors,

physical therapy, patient advocacy meetings, hospital

admissions...and the list goes on. I still had my 3 boys,

3 cats, 2 jobs and such but my days seemed so empty.

Still it felt like I had nothing to do. I remember just

getting up going through the motions of life. I took

some time and all of sudden life began to get back

on track even before I knew it. Have you allowed

yourself proper time to grieve? Have you had a good

cry and another good cry? Within limitations of course,

I allowed myself time to feel the pain my heart felt.

My mind knew my dad was so much better off not

struggling with LBD yet it was a long way to my

heart. It hurt. It hurt deeply. But with time, as I said,

life began to have it's purpose again. Everything

fell back into place and it began to be fulfilling again.

I found others to help and was still able to get on

with my life as it were. Remember during the winter

months it is easier to get in a rut, with emotions and

such. Once spring comes around, the sun comes out

and the colors pop through. There will be light at the

end of this dark tunnel for you. Thank you for asking

for help and suggestions in time lines. There are

quite a few of us now that have went beyond the LBD

journey and have made it. I know you will too as long

as you allow yourself the time to heal.

My heart truly goes out to you . I have been

where you are now and it bites to say the least.

Take the hands of us that have went beyond and

we will hold tightly to help you through.

Much strength, love, and hugs to you-

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

dad, Merle, passed from LBD 9-20-02, age 65

-- Re: Family Interference/Donna

Hi Donna,

Just wondering how long you felt it took you to recover after your mother

died? Mom died

in August and I am still draggy, giving in big time to all the sick bugs

exposed to in a

school setting. I just don't feel on top of life yet. It could be partly

due to huge life

changes we may be facing with husband who has been out of work for 2 years

receiving

much interest all of a sudden both from Virginia, and from Vancouver, both

meaning huge

decisions, moves, lifestyle changes waaay before I am ready. Guess who will

be left to

clean up the home front. I still have boxes of Mom's to deal with, along

with the kids'

collection and then our own accumulation.

At any rate, I'm just wondering how much of my tiredness at the end of a

work day is due

to the extra burdens, and how much might still be from the need to recover

from the years

of care and advocating for Mom. I am feeling like a whimp, but just don't

seem to be

coping with work and staying well, feeling energetic. Anyone else who can

give a timeline

of any kind I would appreciate hearing from as well.

, Oakville Ont.

Mother, age 92, died Aug. 12/06 after 13 year decline from PDD

> >

> > it will come -- i really do believe that it is a manifestation of

> grace --

> >

> > on a less ethereal level, i know that when i've had something

> resembling enough sleep, am eating properly-ish, am having a little

> bit of a life outside of grandma and her needs (friends, reading, my

> own pursuits), am doing some of my own work (i'm a writer) and am

> exercising with some regularity (i'm a runner -- i'd like to do it 5

> days a week..but back here in the reality of

> leweyville, ......hmmm......i try to make it happen 3 days a week

> and that's a GOOD week when it happens) --- when i'm taking care of

> myself (as cliched as that sounds) i tend to be much more patient.

> much. much. much. much.

> >

> > hugs to all,

> > anna

> >

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