Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Deanna, I mostly lurk on this board, but your message really evoked something in me. I'm so sorry this has happened! I'm sorry for your father and for you. I want to say that these last 6 months of detachment and healing will NOT *poof* and disappear just because you decide to initiate some contact with your FOO and nada. This experience has changed your life (it has for me). For example, you can see patterns of behavior more clearly, and you know that you can have " your own space " when and where you need it. Your father is ill and will need help, so you'll have a lot to navigate as you consider what kind of role you could or should take on. But, no matter what, I believe you can rely on yourself to protect and care for you. And, you have this group. When you come home, we KOs will be here to wrap our cyber arms around you. - April > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. Wow! This is so awesome! This post is a definite shift from some of your past posts describing your feelings, former work situations, and painful memories. It does now sound like things are thankfully moving in a different direction. I would like to agree with what April also posted. As important as it is to maintain your personal distance, I did find after talking to my nada after three months the only feeling I had when I got off the phone wasn't " I feel like a terrible person; I feel guilty; I feel worthless; I feel totally depressed and abandoned " (which I used to feel after my weekly phone calls...) Instead she didn't get to me as easily. I felt like, " I just as soon never talk to you again. " This was SUCH a victory for me. It was validation that things were really changing for me. Whether or not you have this type of reaction, I bet you won't be drawn into the guilt trips as easily and will know how to set better boundaries. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? She'll stop talking to you? ; ) Hang in there. The situation with your father sounds very complicated. Sometimes healing can be complicated by real life situations such as health, financial burden, children etc. This is just a fact of life. It does not, however, mean that " everything turns to shit " . One step back does not mean you can't take two steps forward after you reinforce NC with nada after you make more appropriate care arrangements for your father. Stay gold, G. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Veg, There are things that you can do before you get involved with the foo again. Of course, make sure the diagnosis is valid, and then find out what services are available for patients in your area. There are organizations that provide support even for the family members. Get advice and guidance in this area. Get your support system into place - and of course - we on this board are going to be there for you too. This has hit you hard - so give yourself some time to think this all through. But don't let your mother's negativity become a self fullfilling prophesy for yourself. You deserve better than that, and you have already seen yourself going in that direction. You can deal with this and continue your healing, you have enough drive and determination to do so. Remember that in a stressful situation, it is most important to first take care of yourself, so keep your needs as your top priority. That is the only way you will have energy to help your dad. What type of energy work have you been doing? (I just started energy work for animals, and it is very interesting.) You are in my thoughts, and I am send positive energy and thoughts to you. Take care, Sylvia > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi Deanna, I'm sorry that you're in such a stressful situation that is magnified because of your nada. I definitely second what April said: that the time you have spent away has changed you and you can use this strength to negotiate what you need now. You might not have been as clear about your needs in earlier interactions with your nada. There may be a 50/50 chance of you inheriting this disease, but recent reseach has uncovered more and more information about how to prevent it. A study appeared just last week about how people who plan have a much decreased chance of developing it. You said that you need to go back in, but I wonder if there is a way to get your father out. If he does have an advanced case of Alzheimer's, he may need additional care that would require a professional. Whatever decision you make will be the right one. We are all here for you. is ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi Deanna, I am sorry that your father has Alzheimer's Disease. You are strong, you are a wonderful person and you deserve a great life. Even if your foo has a crisis to get through, you can remain strong. I know it is easy to get hoovered back in and you might not feel strong enough yet but you can always pull back again when you need to. You can do this your way. Hugs Karin (patinage) > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi Sylvia, Thank you for your response. The energy work I am doing is Network Spinal Analysis, with a chiropractor. I don't totally understand it myself, but it has to do with releasing stuck energy. You can google it to find out more. It is also covered by my insurance! (my therapist is not). -Deanna > > > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how > much > > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple > of > > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there > is > > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I > have > > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy > work, > > emotional therapy. > > > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm > a > > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew > something > > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I > could > > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery > or > > was feeling awful. > > > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like > Familial > > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing > anything. > > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course > he > > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I > don't > > think she is making this up. > > > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy > enough > > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of > you. > > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > > around me, but I don't even have that. > > > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Thank you, and it is nice to finally met you, Karin! I really appreciate your kind words. When my SIL called to tell me about this, she said, " Why couldn't it have been her instead of him " ? Then she said, " I know that sounds awful. " The last time I saw my SIL we discussed the horror, the HORROR of the possibility that my father would go before my mother, and how much it would make her really lose her ability to function emotionally. How ironic that we had that discussion. -Deanna > > > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how > much > > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there > is > > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I > have > > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy > work, > > emotional therapy. > > > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery > or > > was feeling awful. > > > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like > Familial > > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I > don't > > think she is making this up. > > > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy > enough > > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > > around me, but I don't even have that. > > > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Thanks for the info, Deanna. I am going to check this out. I think a chiro in my area may be doing this. Goodness knows I probably have blocked energy!!! Sylvia > > > > > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how > > much > > > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple > > of > > > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there > > is > > > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I > > have > > > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy > > work, > > > emotional therapy. > > > > > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm > > a > > > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew > > something > > > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > > > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I > > could > > > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > > > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery > > or > > > was feeling awful. > > > > > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like > > Familial > > > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > > > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > > > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > > > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > > > > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing > > anything. > > > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > > > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course > > he > > > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I > > don't > > > think she is making this up. > > > > > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > > > > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy > > enough > > > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of > > you. > > > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > > > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > > > around me, but I don't even have that. > > > > > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > > > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Deanna, The first thing that came to my mind when I read your e-mail was " Wow. That's a lot to go through and think about. Take a deep breath. " It sounds like you're worrying about too many things at once, and with good reason. I know what that's like, and I find that it helps to just sit down and take a really deep breath. And then take another. And another. Just focus on your breathing for a while and don't allow yourself to think about anything else. Secondly, your nada is wrong. Everything does not turn to shit, but things can get difficult. It sucks, but you can get through it. Easy for me to say, as a bystander. But I'm sure a lot of people here have been through some really tough situations. So you can too. Thirdly, you mentioned that you were concerned about inheriting Alzheimer's disease and pointed to your recent spotty memory as evidence. I don't know if it's related, but I've suffered from poor memory as a result of adrenal fatigue, which is pretty similar to PTSD. Perhaps your memory issues are related to PTSD or something similar as a result of being in a BPD environment? That said, my memory, concentration, and retention have improved quite a lot as my adrenal fatigue improves. Two things that help in particular are balancing Omega-3 to Omega-6 fats (i.e. supplementing with unpolluted fish or krill oil, or flax seeds) and exercising your memory. Our neurons can actually form new connections, but we must continue to use our brains in order to form those new connections. When I have difficulty remembering something, I think about it or talk about it until I remember. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I feel like the effort, in and of itself, is useful. Hang in there! qwerty > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Dear Deanna, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. It does suck when something like this happens to pull us back in. I know exactly what you mean when you say that your mother taught you that " everything turns to shit " - this was the primary lesson from my nada. After nearly a year and a half LC, I am just starting to stop anticipating every day that something will happen to make my life come apart at the seams. I was constantly expecting news of FOO crises that will make it harder for me to keep this distance that has allowed me to grow so much. That said, I want to thank you for all of your honest and thought- provoking posts - I mean to write and tell you that every time i read them, and never do! You express yourself so well, and your words make it so much easier for me to identify and come to terms with my own feelings. Only someone with considerable inner strength could write as you do. While our mothers taught us that " everything turns to shit " - i.e. that we will never be able to have what we want (perhaps because what they are missing inside is so deep that they will never be able to have what THEY want???) - that is only true insofar as our relationships with them. Within that relationship, they will always make sure that you don't have what you want. But outside that mother-daughter relationship, the sky's the limit. You can continue to maintain your boundaries and the new parts of yourself that you have developed even if you choose to revoke your NC status to help your family at this time. You are the one choosing, not them. Personally, I've found that even when I do have interactions with my nada now, the fact that I have come more to terms with my KO issues and become so much stronger and more dependent means that she treats me very differently than she used to. Not well - no BPDs treat me well! - but she is a lot more cautious about crossing boundaries. I sincerely hope that your family finds that while you may be choosing to help them now out of compassion, today's Deanna is a lot harder to mess with. Sara > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 I can truly relate to this as health issues within my family have drawn me back in and led to the breakdown of some boundaries which had helped me manage in dealing with them. First I'd say take the time to allow yourself your feelings about this - your frustration at your time away being cut short and your worries about what increased contact may bring. All the thoughts and feelings of dealing with the situation for your father and whatever difficulties your mother will throw in the mix will soon try to take center stage. As hard as it is, try to keep coming back to the center of you what is happening in you so that you get that acknowledgment and don't lose yourself. Elderly parents with health issues is one of the few things that can pull us back in based on our own sense of honor and necessity it hard for this to come right when your focus was on healing yourself. The pressure from people in normal society as well for you to act is tremendous. I am very sorry to hear about your father having the Alzheimer's though and I hope he can get some treatment soon. There are some drugs out there that really can make a difference in terms of his function right now and slowing the decline. Just in terms of practical matters, try to get as many " outsiders " involved in his care and evaluation as possible. Regular home visits from assistance people and the like. The more of that you can get, the less your mother can mistreat him, the more you can have influence, and it lessens the burden of responsibility on you as well. Take care. julie > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how much > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple of > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there is > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I have > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy work, > emotional therapy. > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm a > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew something > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I could > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery or > was feeling awful. > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing anything. > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course he > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I don't > think she is making this up. > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy enough > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of you. > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > around me, but I don't even have that. > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Thank you so much for the suggestions. I am glad you are getting better from the adrenal fatigue. It could very well be a chronic, low grade depression of....I don't even know how many years....that has contributed to my memory difficulties. I will definitely invest in the flax oil. I am taking some classes right now too, so that is good work for my memory. > > > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like Familial > > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Sara, that was so nice of you to say. I appreciate it so much. I was very touched by your response. I don't want to bore everyone by responding to everyone who resplied to my post. I do want to say how nice all of you are and how great it is to have that, especially from people who really understand this stuff about my mother. > > > > Six months of NC, and just this morning I was thinking about how > much > > calmer I have been feeling, and less hopeless. I've let a couple > of > > unhealthy relationships go. Maybe I will date again? Maybe there > is > > someone out there for me? Maybe I can be that peaceful person I > have > > seen in other people? I've felt like I'm healing. Doing energy > work, > > emotional therapy. > > > > So the news is my father has alzheimer's (also, I'm sure, that I'm > a > > horrible person for being away for 6 months). I just knew > something > > would kill my opportunity at healing. My mother is a *horrible* > > caretaker. Angry, frustrated, complete lack of compassion. I > could > > totally see her abusing him as he declines by yelling at him and > > treating him like crap, the way she did when I came out of surgery > or > > was feeling awful. > > > > He is only 64, which, according to the internet, sounds like > Familial > > Alzheimer's, meaning it's hereditary and I have a 50/50 chance of > > getting it too. I am only 36, but my memory has been sucking for a > > couple years, which I had attributed to depression. I guess > > depression contributes to Alzheimer's. > > > > My father quit his job 2 years ago and just stopped doing > anything. > > He used to hunt and use the computer a lot and he quit doing this > > stuff to sit in the house alone with my toxic nada. So of course > he > > became depressed. We have all noticed his failing memory, so I > don't > > think she is making this up. > > > > Word is, she is dealing with this by drinking. > > > > I don't feel I have a choice but to go back in. This is crappy > enough > > without having a mother that sucks the life and the joy out of > you. > > And now I will have to deal with her again. I feel this might be > > bearable if I could come home and have someone to wrap their arms > > around me, but I don't even have that. > > > > I somehow knew I would not get the time to heal that I wanted. My > > nada was right; everything *does* just turn to shit. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.