Suffering with Parkinson's Disease

[minniebeth]

I've followed many of your journeys here and continue to pray with all of you for healing with all your challenges whether it be physically or spiritually.
It saddens me to finally post here as I am requesting prayers for my mom and family. She is in advanced stages of Parkinson's and was moved into assisted living this summer after a touch and go hospital stay and rehab center stay. She just cannot get her medication balanced and is also struggling with a multitude of other health problems. Her doctors have recently suggested Hospice care for her and being a Hospice volunteer herself years ago and being her stubborn self, refused. She fell yesterday and is in the hospital and is very unstable. She is a strong woman but I think she has given up. She is suffering so and does not want to anymore.

As if that weren't hard enough, one of my siblings and I live out of state away from her leaving my other sibling to bear the burden (sorry to call it that, but it is) and has caused many family hurts. My two siblings are very angry with each other and are not speaking to one another and the one who is out of state refuses to even call my mother to see how she is to to say "I love you."

As many family and friends as we have, there is just such a comfort to come here and be able to share it. Thank you for letting me share with you and please pray for our family that is so hurting right now.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Minniebeth,

Today was the first day that I have ever been to this part of the forum. To be honest, I did not know that it even existed, but looking through other posts, I can see how it can help people write and share of difficult times that they are going through.

I will pray for you and your family and you face a lot of choices and situations. I'm very fortunate that I still have both my parents, ages 87 and 79, and that they still enjoy reletively good health, but I also realize that there are many others who are not able to say that. It must be very difficult to see the one who bore you go through the complication and challenges of Parkinsons, but I am sure that you have done everything you can to help with handle the disease. As for your siblings, it could be that they are just angry at what the disease is doing to your Mom, and being angry at each other is their way of handling what you all are going through. I do hope, for your Mom's sake, that they can put their own feelings aside and remain in contact with your Mom. If ever she needs her children's support and love, it is now.

You hang in there and do what you can to help your Mom and your sibling that lives near her. Please share with us as things progress and I look forward to hearing that the family is healed and your Mom is doing better.

(Side note--My son is in a 4th degree black belt in TKD--good luck in your tournament!)

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am so sorry to hear what your family is going through.. it is hard when a loved one is so ill, it can rip the family apart dealing with it all..

Hugs, and take care of yourself.. Peace to your Mom.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Prayers for your mom and for the family for peace and wisdom during this time. I know it can be hard when you live out of state too.

I have been on both sides of the fence too. Not being able to help my mom as much as I could since I lived out of state and then when my grandma lived with dh, myself and the 3ds not having my cousin offer to help me with grandma either.

It can be so stressful, but my faith gave me alot of comfort during this time.

Blessings to you and your family during this difficult time.

 

[kimis]

Many prayers being sent your way. My mom had parkinsons and it was getting worse very quickly. She would say she didn't want to die of parkinsons so she would pray for a heartattack to take her. Well as she became unable to button her clothes or cut her food and even get to her mouth I would see it breaking my moms heart. She ended up getting small cell lung cancer and we lost her 2 and 1/2 months after the diagnoses. She would tell us not to be sad because God had answered her prayers. I miss her soooooo much.

My dad also has parkinsons disease. Several of my dads drs told us it was not heredity caused but just strange that they both had it.

Well about 7 months ago I had to go to a neurologist for other reasons. They found on an MRI that dopamine was leaking in my brain. The neurologist said that indeed there is a heredity factor with some parkinsons disease so I have three strikes against me so far---both parents have/had it and the leaking. However instead of waiting around for it to attack I am taking vitamen B12 and folic acid every day. I am losing weight and exercising. I tell anyone who has parkinsons in their family they might want to think about the vitamen B12 and folic acid. I don't believe it would hurt anthing but check with your dr also.

I don't know why I told you all that when I just meant to say that you are in my prayers. Hang in there.

 

[minniebeth]

Many prayers being sent your way. My mom had parkinsons and it was getting worse very quickly. She would say she didn't want to die of parkinsons so she would pray for a heartattack to take her. Well as she became unable to button her clothes or cut her food and even get to her mouth I would see it breaking my moms heart. She ended up getting small cell lung cancer and we lost her 2 and 1/2 months after the diagnoses. She would tell us not to be sad because God had answered her prayers. I miss her soooooo much.

My dad also has parkinsons disease. Several of my dads drs told us it was not heredity caused but just strange that they both had it.

Well about 7 months ago I had to go to a neurologist for other reasons. They found on an MRI that dopamine was leaking in my brain. The neurologist said that indeed there is a heredity factor with some parkinsons disease so I have three strikes against me so far---both parents have/had it and the leaking. However instead of waiting around for it to attack I am taking vitamen B12 and folic acid every day. I am losing weight and exercising. I tell anyone who has parkinsons in their family they might want to think about the vitamen B12 and folic acid. I don't believe it would hurt anthing but check with your dr also.

I don't know why I told you all that when I just meant to say that you are in my prayers. Hang in there.

Hugs to you kimis!
Thank you for the information about B12 and folic acid. Thank you for sharing of yourself...
I know Parkinson's can be environmental as well. Interestingly enough, my mom worked in a classroom above a dry cleaning classroom for many many years in a technical and vocational high school. Several people have questioned that as perhaps playing a hand in it all, but it is what it is...

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. This situation has been very up and down...
After 3 days of my mom being in the hospital she was doing so poorly I went to visit with her. She was on a LOT of medication which was really disagreeing with her so they decided to take her off a lot of it.
She was released from the hospital but then was so weak she would not get up to go to the bathroom, eat, drink, or do anything. I stayed by her side and at night with her for 3 days. It was so heartbreaking to see her suffer so much. She even said her goodbyes to me. It was decided that she should return to the hospital, so she did and was given a strong antibiotic as they thought she had an infection and perhaps it had gone into her bones (which would not have been good). After 4 days of antibiotics, hydration and some physical therapy, she is doing much better for now and can return "home" to assisted living with additional nursing care.

Please keep her in your prayers! Thank you so much!

 

[Regina]

It must be terribly difficult to deal with your mother's illness as well as friction between your siblings.

I'm new to moderating this board and I'm so amazed at the sharing of similar experiences I see. What a wonderful community we have.

Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[suorkaterina]

I understand completely what you are going through. My father is advancing with Parkinsons quickly now and it's just my mother and I caring for him. My half brothers call once a year, if that. Right now we have to watch his every move as he has fallen a couple times. it's hard because we both work quite a bit. We are considering our options now for outside help. And the complications with all the drugs...I totally get that. My father has, diabetes and recently had a heart attack on top of everything else. My mother takes care of all the drugs, I've never seen a list so long! Good thing she's a trained nurse.

I think for mom and me it all hit the hardest when we went to Disney this year, it was his last trip. It was quite an effort for him and he didn't seem to enjoy it much. I see and hear in him a turn towards giving up. It's so sad. My father was always the sweetest, friendliest and most loved person in any group. It's just not fair.

Sending positive energy your way. If you ever need to chat, vent, cry or discuss anything please don't hesitate to message me.