I had to stop watching one of the topics here because it was continually being hit by the spam bots....and I pray that this one won't be.

For those of you who are living with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease in your life, if it is a family member, friend, or other loved one, I am more than willing to give my assistance.

Please don't hesitate to contact me.

Melissa, I hope that you will continue to come around even though your focus is not "eldercare" - you are still caring for someone dear to you and that's good enough for me! Your wisdom is always in demand and you have obviously learned a lot that could help folks get through, especially about spending the quality time with those we love. Your partner is one lucky woman to have such a loving person as you with whom to share her life!

quote:

There are days when sometimes working on my website is the ONLY thing that keeps me going. Since I have been suffering with the "I am not doing enough" feeling as of late, it's good knowing that people are going to the sites, and reading about this journey.

Kittycat, I can so relate to what you said! Building and maintaining sites may seem like vanity to some folks, but they just don't know how much time and care goes into sites and forums, nor how much they help the folks who build them. Whenever someone tells me how much they enjoyed my site, blah, blah, I am always thinking, you just don't know how much making it and sharing with all the wonderful people has helped ME!!! Then, of course, I feel guilty for getting so much out of it and make myself do more, just to repay the energy I have extracted from others...

Hang in there - I applaud your service!!

PS It IS permissible for webmasters to take a leedle vacation from their own sites every now and then... just to recharge...

quote:

I envy your relationships with some of the people who used to be here. I am hoping that, in this group, and on my support group, I can build some of those relationships.

Oh my goodness! I am BLESSED to have these lovely, dear, gentle people in my life, through our "e-mail hotline."

It is my hope that everyone who is on this site now will bond in the way that I have with all us "oldies but goodies." (Sorry 'bout that, Melissa!!!) I'm not talking about YOU, of course!

Keep on keepin' on, Cat! You're off to a great start! Such a wonderful and loving daughter; your mom is very lucky to have you in her life. And, quite obvious as to how well she "raised you."

Thank you all for your warm and wonderful comments.

There are days when sometimes working on my website is the ONLY thing that keeps me going. Since I have been suffering with the "I am not doing enough" feeling as of late, it's good knowing that people are going to the sites, and reading about this journey.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments.

Janie, Melissa, please forgive my innocence here I was getting definitions confused and am now understanding alot more. I did some reading and am now clear on the different definitions of the illness. Now with that said how can I help?

Hi Kat:

I like Mae got onto your Web site and found it very interesting. I read many comments and decided to Post a Comment. I guess this is not my night I lost the Post . Posted again and lost another one. Maybe it is my age had my 81st Birthday yesterday.
My Husband has AD and is in a Nh [ 26 mths] You are doing a wonderful Job making People a aware of the AD Journey. It is not an easy one but one we have been given therefore we have to do the best we can. One I accepted with Grace.

Yes Mae it was a wonderful Group we had here and as you say another wonderful helpful Group has again come along. Having the Forum makes the Journey much easier when you can come to the Forum with a problem and be helped and in turn also help someone. I remember the days Mae when you care for Your Mother , Aunt and Husband. We all wondered how you were able to manage. We know now it was your ability to overcome many things. I know now you wonder how you ever managed.

Will talk again
Eleanor

Kitty Kat, I went to your sight and found it to be so nice.So many posted how grateful they were to have a place to share.
Before I was invited to this forum, by Janie, they had a larger following for EOAD.Many of us saw the subject matter was one everyone could relate to because the caregivers experinces were much the same.The difference was the early age one can become afflicted and it is caused by a gene that can be passed on.
I am one who became a part of a larger family here.It was a stressful time but we were able to find away to forget that for a day or so.I had so much support from Janie, Melissa, Gypsy, Joan Marie, Not Veeera, Margaret, Eleanor, and so many more.I recall the first time my mother was placed into a hospital for a diagnosis.I fell to pieces.All I could do is cry and not deal with her being so far away where I could not keep an eye on her.Janie called me on the phone, knowing what I was feeling.She explained I was experienceing seperation anxiety.After awhile I began to feel better.When one person was hurting there was always one to come to their rescue.One of our former members was having a very difficult night.She came here and another member stayed on with her to get her through her feelings.There have been people here from all corners.What a wonderful way to bring people together who would have never met.They say with every negative arises a positive.This forum proved that and more to me and so many others.
When I see the group now, it is so much like we were.It is like reliving our experiences all over.The sharing of sorrow, laughter, etc.This represents what a good support group can be.Many have gone on to greener pastures but never to be forgotten.As I wite I laugh as I recall so many funny things that have been shared.

Janie, feel free to speak for me anytime!
Ummm... that "founding member" bit does make me feel a bit long in the tooth, though.

Sometimes my brain gets ahead of my fingers and I fail to explain myself completely. Apologies to all for causing confusion.

This forum was my second home for a very long time, even though my father actually died about three months before I found it,and my mother died very shortly after I came here. I found support, friendship, advice, laughter- a lot of love. My life partner and I have been together for over 11 years, and she was there for me as much as possible while I was cging for my parents, but she has a great many medical issues, too, and sometimes my life was a pretty lonely and scary place to be. I don't feel I'm exaggerating when I say this forum saved my sanity.

I continued posting for a good long while,even though my caregiving duties for my parents had ended, in part because I wasn't about to let go of these newfound friends, and because if there was any chance my experiences could save someone else from some of the hell I"d been through, I wanted to do that.

These days, obviously, I'm not here nearly as much. Sometimes I'm simply focusing on my partner's health, spending as much quality time with her as I can, and just plain busy, but it's also true that reading posts from those still going through the cging wars brings back a lot of painful memories for me, and it's hard for me to post.

This will always be a very special place to me, and I love seeing a new group of people who are bonding, caring, laughing and making friendships that I truly believe can last a lifetime.

With respect and admiration for all of you who are giving your all for your loved ones -
Melissa

quote:

Originally posted by Janie:

Mel, surely don't mean to step on your (or anyone else's) toes!!!!

No I didnt mean that in the way you make it sound??? (try to say that 2 times)No I really meant what did it refer to.. I wrote that twice just so it wouldnt sound like that...So I failed miserably...go figure...I am going to have to read these posts to see the differnce..

Ok Im back I see a little difference in the articles more a mix of News and research in the day to day posts of everyone...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bunnys_grl,

Thank you Janie for posting that response.

Being the daughter of a Mom with EOAD, I am so committed to bringing EOAD to the front burner, and was hoping that by starting this topic, maybe we could get the EOAD group started again on this message board.

I envy your relationships with some of the people who used to be here. I am hoping that, in this group, and on my support group, I can build some of those relationships.

Thanks again Janie!

quote:

to what are you refering to when you say "used to"?

If I may speak for Melissa, there "used to" be a very large group of spouses who posted here under the EOAD thread. These were women and men whose "youngish" partner had developed AD. They shared their trials and tribulations with one another and formed quite (IMHO) a tight bond.

Their group was sooooo active, that they had to break it down into "months" .... i.e., EOAD March 2006; EOAD April 2006, etc. For example, Click here to read some... When they disbanded, and I don't understand the reasons why, it is my understanding they moved along elsewhere. And they are missed.

So, back before dirt, when all us "original" ("founding")? members were here, things were a lot different. Yes, there was humor (thank God), AND there was also NO SPAM. None of the crap we have to deal with these days.

And, it was in that very fertile earth that we all sowed our seeds for deep friendships. We exchanged phone numbers and addresses. I, personally, still feel a very close bond with all those "who used to be" here.

On the lighter side, how in the H&^% do you think I logged up over 5,000 posts. It sure as heck wasn't from posting recipes. It was from sharing and giving (and receiving.)

This board has that same potential today. Except, for some who need it, there is not an active EOAD thread. Sad.

Mel, surely don't mean to step on your (or anyone else's) toes!!!!

Been here for years Cat.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Melissa M.:
It's good to know there is great information and a support group out there for people caring for loved ones with EOAD. There used to be an active group of EOAD cgs. here

Hi Melissa I have been an avid reader here for quite some time even before I registered and now Im an avid poster here... I found this comment confusing...everyone here is a cg to someone with an illness.... whether it be EOAD or dementia...to what are you refering to when you say "used to"?
Debra

Cat - I checked out your website. Excellent! And loved the pics - you, your sis, and your Mom look like happy,loving, beautiful ladies.

It's good to know there is great information and a support group out there for people caring for loved ones with EOAD. There used to be an active group of EOAD cgs. here, and it was clear that while early onset and late onset AD certainly have similarities, there are also situations unique to the EOAD experience, and I'm sure you've helped a great many people who need information and advice.

My mother was around 72-3 when her symptoms began manifesting in an impossible -to-ignore way. I was 30. It was difficult enough to be a cg at that age, and to watch my mother - who I subconsciously expected to go her parents' route and stay healthy and mentally sound into her 90's - going down hill with AD. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you, your mother and your family.

You have my sympathy and my admiration. Take care.

Well Hi Lynne...

Hope you are having a GREAT evening!

Glad to see you here!

Hey cat.