Hi there,

I know I haven't been here in a while....things have been crazy. First one of my cats got sick (heart failure) and died 2 1/2 months later, and then my mom began falling more and became unstable on her feet.

My dad gets a little worse all the time. He doesn't understand much, and if you try to tell him something he usually responds by laughing. (I don't take it personally however.) He still knows his immediate family, his brothers & sisters, etc. Also he is still taking Namenda for his memory but he only gets 1 per day....he was getting 2 a day but that was too much and caused him to have "accidents" (#1 and #2, sometimes together) all over the bed.

It gets worse.
Today my mom just got some really bad news, on top of all of this: after an MRI on her head and a CT scan, her primary dr. believes she may be in the very early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Mom is absolutely devastated by this news, since my dad's brother Bill has it....and has for about 12 to 15 years....and his dementia is similar to my dad's, except he's a little more aware of things. He falls all the time and already had surgery to stop the tremors (about 7 to 10 years ago).

The only good side to this is that by catching it at such an early stage (that is provided the specialist confirms it is indeed Parkinson's) they can give medicines to slow it down. Thank the Lord for that.

Of course I know this means mom will eventually be unable to do much of anything, and unfortunately will develop dementia like dad, so I am heartbroken over this. My mom was a great source of wisdom, help and strength for me, even though she was quite hostile and abusive to me as a child, something I have since forgiven her for. You might find this shocking but the Lord has helped to soften my heart towards her and I do not see her as the vindictive person she once was, but as my mother.

Since we 3 kids now have ownership of the land where mom & dad's home is, depending on what my mom learns from the specialist she'll see about this Parkinson's, we will try to help out. I don't know what if anything we can do at the moment, since we're all hundreds of miles away.
Mom has talked about possibly going to a nursing home, if need be. Of course dad would have to go to one too. Should this happen, we kids are considering selling the property.

BTW can anyone provide info or links that show the progression of Parkinson's? I know very little about this disease but I'm sure someone can help.

thanx

Lvanett, what wonderful knews you have been given.Too many times a second opinion is warranted.Some doctors make a blanket diagnosos witout taking the time to consider something less.
Too many times the medical profession cause us as much stress as being the caregiver.
Too many times I wanted to shake the cacas out of them for their lack of compassion and wrong diagnosis.Grrrr

If they are paying rent, they can't claim anything more than a tenant would. Even if rent is very small. I know you have had some difficulties with them, but only you know how important those problems were. It seemed like your folks liked them, they just borrowed a lot?? Good luck .

Now it really sounds like very good news about your mother. My Mom's neurologist is a real character. Bro won't talk to him at all. It is actually kinda funny.

Bobcat yes as far as I know the symptoms have subsided. Mom says once in a while, if she gets up too fast she has a little dizzyness but she thinks it could be ear wax buildup. Since I'm going down there, I'll see if I can clean out her ears, and if not, see if I can get her to see an ENT. The neurologist wants to see her anyway for other issues such as her hip....I think it's the left one she (dr. is female) wants to check out via MRI and such. Mom has a hip replacement but I can't remember what hip it is. LOL

BTW my brothers had 2nd thoughts again about Becks and agreed they could move onto the land provided they pay rent to us. As I think about it it's probably a good thing because if mom needs help they are right there.

Lynda, that is terrific news. Have her symptoms susided? Did he recommend anything else?

I completely forgot to come and give yall an update on mom and her Parkinsons diagnosis. She went to see a dr. that specializes in treating the disease and said mom does NOT have it. What great news!!

Bobcat and all, I know just what you mean. I and my brothers are still going to keep a watchful eye on Becks.

My brothers are now having 2nd thoughts (sigh) about the Becks moving next to my mom. They're worried that if mom and dad both have to go to a nursing home before the 5 year waiting period (due to the transfer of their land to us) that the gov't will expect us to pay something since we own the land. I'm not 100% sure how that works but I understand their concerns.

Becks wouldn't be able to pay anything (much) since they're low-income.

ummm, the Becks? Well, some times, better the devil you know that the one you don't. Get it all in writing, wise move. Give some thought to what else needs to be in writing. Everything you can think of, and if I remember, you have already secured all the finances, right? No check books lying around.

Your Mom is a brave lady, so is mine.

Folks,

I've said it before and I'll say it again....you are all a wonderful source of support and information and I LOVE YOU FOR IT. THANK YOU!

Mom is of course depressed over this news, but she says she's not going to let this diagnosis stop her. She's not dead, and she has plenty of life left! If anything, maybe now she can get some meds that will help her with some of the symptoms she's had (and unaware it could be Parkinson's): the slight twitch in her left hand when relaxed, the falling (she fell twice in one week alone), the fatigue, the hoarseness in the voice, the unstable on her feet feeling. I know therapy will help her with falling, meds will help with the tremor, and naps will help some with the fatigue. (Do they offer any meds for fatigue? She said she is just so tired she could sleep all day and night and I don't know if a few naps would help or not.)

We kids aren't going to let this latest development stop anything either: whatever mom and dad choose to do, they will have our support 100%.

Now for another bit of news some might not want to hear: the Becks are going to be moving onto the land and living nearby. At first I wasn't sure this was a good idea, but now that we know mom has a serious illness and is also really in need of help with caring for dad, it WILL be good to know that the Becks (who are in their late 20s) will be nearby. They are fully aware of what their roles will be, since they'll have to serve as part-time caregivers too. Another plus (for them) is they have 2 small boys who can also enjoy the land and have lots of fun playing, hiking, and doing the things kids do.
It only makes sense, since we 3 kids enjoyed it growing up so now it's time to let some other children get to enjoy it as well. The gas & mineral rights will be OURS alone, they won't have a part in that.

We 3 kids will be watching the Becks closely of course, and we also will be drawing up a lease for them so they can't claim "squatters' rights" to the land after a few years. We're scheduling a conference call this weekend to discuss what we should do. I've never been involved in that so that should be interesting, LOL.

OK well I better close this....I'm tired and hungry... 8pm and no dinner yet!

I'll be back again, don't know when yet but sometime in the future. LOL

PS - thanx for your condolences on my cat. I lost my little boy (cat) Buster in late January, 2 days before my birthday.....it's been so hard and I miss him, even tho I still have my other cat, Greta. I've come thisclose to adopting another one but God has told me not to adopt because I'm not ready for one just yet, and that when HE wants me to have one He will "put one in my path." I believe!

My husband had parkinsons with LBD.What I found was too many in the medical profession are not aware of LBD dementia.Even in my husbands last days in the hospital I had to inform them as they were ignorant to the facts.My husband did have signs of demntia from the beginning along with the physical symptoms of Parkinsons.
The stoop and shuffle were the physical sympptoms along with the freezing of his legs and the tremors.The mental was differnt forms of hallucinations.One was eye hallucinations.This meant different things would take forms of people.With the help of his therapist he was able to understand that.
Meds helped him so much.The right neurologist will benefit the afflicted.His dementia advanced faster then the parkinsons symptoms.He suffered from Paranoid psychosis.Again , meds maid all the difference in the world.For the physical symptoms activity is so important.
I have a neighbor who had has Parkinsons for years and shows no signs of dementia.He has tremors and a stoop.
It is an individual thing.No two people contract dementia.
Many times they do get depressed.This too can be dealt with , with the right meds.
Once you become familiar with their symptoms you know things to do and not do.
The best is make sure all the medical people you have are well informed.Ignorance can be the afflicteds worst night mare.
The most important, I will say again is excercise .Walikng is important and well as structered excercise.
Do not be frightened by the terminology of this disease.
We went to a support group and saw so many who lead a very productive life.Was not for us as my husband was further advanced.
Also try to find a support group that is for the one caring for the person.I could not find one that dealt with how I was feeling with the ups and downs of each day.Do not allow fear to take over, please

Also....If you are interested in Parkinson's Disease Dementia, or Lewy Body Dementia as it relates to PD, there is an excellent book I posted about under "New LBD, Parkinson's Book" in Less Common Dementias: http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/40060771...571063854#2571063854

You may like to take a peek at it.
My best to you,
maria

quote:

Originally posted by Lvanett:

BTW can anyone provide info or links that show the progression of Parkinson's? I know very little about this disease but I'm sure someone can help.

Hi, again, Lynda. I'm sorry to hear that things have been so rough.

I believe I have posted this link before, but here goes again: http://www.mdvu.org/library/ratingscales/pd/updrs.pdf
This is for the "Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale". With this, you are able to get a fairly good picture of the average progression of the disorder. It was very helpful in obtaining a proper diagnosis for my mother, who also had Lewy Body Dementia.

That said, you must understand that dementia is NOT the absolutely necessary outcome of Parkinson's Disease. Think, for instance, of Pope John-Paul II, who was lucidly writing Encyclicals until very near his death!

Dementia and PD can develop together, one can procede the other, or they can each manifest independently--without the other being present---so take heart!

A lot of the links are outdated, but this one, The Micheal J Fox Foundation, seems to have a lot of useful information.
http://www.michaeljfox.org/

Your Mother may be years from needing help, but She must be terrified about the impact this might have on her ability to care for your father.

http://www.agingcare.com/Featured-Stories/95741/An-Over...kinson-s-Disease.htm

I am sorry about your cat. While I know we should expect to have to say goodby to our furred and feathered friends, it hurts.

It is good to see you back, Lynda, I wish it were for better news, but we are still here for you. If we can't change anything, we can still listen.

There are many links here about Parkinsons. Start here.
http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=search&reqWord...rum_scope=3226084151

And then here.
http://www.google.com/custom?domains=www.ec-online.net&...online.net&sa=Search

Hopefully, these links will help you, and some members with personal experience will add limks that were of help to them.

I am grateful that I have not had to deal with Parkinson's yet. I have read that there is better help now than there used to be. Stay in touch, we are here to listen and share,