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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Parkinson's disease
#8465923 - 05/30/08 11:08 PM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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My grandmother was diagnosed about a year and a half ago with Parkinson's disease after falling in the bathroom. She hit her head pretty hard, and ever since that day she really hasn't been the same.
She used to be fairly large, somewhat rotund, you may say, silver haired doll. The nicest woman you could ever meet. About a month after the fall, she was very very thin, shaky, couldn't think straight, no short term memory.
Had to walk with a walker, or against a wall, just a shadow of the woman she was. She was a magnificent artiest, made all kinds of jewelery, paintings, decorated porcelain, and her and my grandfather had an antique shop with thousands of dollars of rare items. He was a magnificent jeweler, but has since stoped to take care of her.
I have several things she painted, from a porcelain treasure chest, a framed picture, vases, even a door stop made of a rock painted into a tiger.
One of the worst things is she KNOWS whats happening, she knows she is dieing and forgetting things. Well she knew, im not sure she knows anymore. She has taken a turn for the worst. Maybe days, or a week, a month if 'lucky'. She cant eat more than a few bites a day, renal failure, delusions, cant remember anything more than faces she knows well, etc.
Her and my grandfather have been married for 61 years, spent every moment together, worked together, created thousands of pieces of art together, volunteered at the church together, EVERY thing together. I feel sad about her, but im really worried about my grandfather.
Me and my parents are thinking of getting a kit house, and moving him behind my parents. Least then we can keep him close, and not have to send him off to be alone. But even with him close, im really worried about the 'lovebird syndrome'. 
Im so scared he is going to lose all hope and pass away shortly after her. He will be near family, but if we don't get him a new social life soon, i really worried for him depressing to a point of hopelessness.
Im in Florida, so there are alot of elderly communities, but still. Im sitting here drinking a bottle of wine, listening to Floyd, Doors, Led, all my faves.
I dont know im just kinda venting, me and my mother are going down tomorrow, my dad is there now helping out. He is one of 3 children, and the only one able to help. His brother just cant handle it. At all. And his sister is way too busy helping her 3 kids and very ill husband to take time away.
I just hope she passes painlessly, i cant imagine what she is going through thinking of her husband being alone, and not even able to move much at all.
I dont know, im just trying to cope, i have missed her for three years, last time i saw her as HER. We used to play all kinds of mind games, mancala, chess, etc. We made art together, she taught me some calligraphy, Japanese haiku's in coal ink, we made pottery, polished rocks for jewelery, soap stone art, jotting random patterns to create art, so many forms of creativity.
I have seen her since, but she was frail, forgetful, FRUSTRATED, and sad. I hate to say it but i hope she passes soon. Just to end the pain on her and my grandfather. 
And now i have to grieve all over again. Much less than my father or grandfather have to go through..
Here are a few of the things she has made for me...
My Doorstop

A bear I keep on my dresser.

The picture above my bed

A vase she painted by hand




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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
Loc: Under The Rainbow
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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That sucks man. Its about time we quit spending money on the drug war, among other things, and cure, or at least hinder this awful disease. I'm sorry to hear that man...I've had a family member who wasn't full blown, but on her way but she passed from lung problems before it got too terrible. This is one of the worst diseases in my opinion. That artwork is awesome by the way. Hold on to those, and keep them safe that way you'll always have a piece of her with you.
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Complex
combo breaker


Registered: 04/12/08
Posts: 298
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
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hey man, im really sorry to hear about your grandmother. My grandfather lost his fight with lung cancer earlier this year so I know where you're coming from as far as watching someone you love and remember so differently deteriorate physically and mentally. My advice is just spend time with her and try to be as level headed about the situation as you can. As far your grandfather goes, when my grandfather passed my grandma was in denial, but after it hit she spent a lot of time with various relatives, namely ones with young grandchildren whom she'd babysit (who doesnt like to feel needed ya know?) and it really helped her out. Moving him near family members sounds like a good idea. Just remember to stay level headed and don't be afraid to vent whether its here or with family and friends. Good karma to you and your family in this trying time, hope everything works out.
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birdmanc
Stranger
Registered: 05/10/08
Posts: 14
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: Complex]
#8466019 - 05/30/08 11:43 PM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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emotions and energy ; positive influnec like that twinkle in someones eye, and a genuine smile, knowing someones caring about.. if you felt that warmth 100% every second itd be overwhelming m?
strength
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: Complex]
#8466050 - 05/30/08 11:52 PM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thanks for the support. Im just happy for the memories i do have.
Im hoping once my grandfather gets up here i can help him out, and he can be close to all of his grand, and great grand kids.
Family is great, and i will NEVER send him nor my parents to a home. They will always be close to us, family is too important to us.
I will keep all that i have relic wise.
It was weird tho, last time i was down their with my parents, my grandmother walked me and my mom around the house asking us what we wanted...
I was so sad i couldn't speak, and she kept saying, 'whatever you want tell me and ill put your name on it, to make sure you get it...'
I was so sad i couldn't speak, she knew then what was happening, and me and my mother were walking around in a daze looking at all the things she had made and collected over the years.
I just hope she is at peace, and my grandfather is ok.
But just to say they have well over $500,000 in collectibles. They have been robbed numorus times from their antique stores. Still, i cant help but worry for them.
I do want some of it, for sentimental, and monetary, but i feel so guilty for wanting some for money. I hate this so much, but im low on money in this market, and im actually entertaining this idea. Im so confused.
Damn i feel like trash.  
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 6,512
Loc: Under The Rainbow
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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It sounds to me like thats what they would do with alot of it anyway. I say keep the pieces that mean the most to you, and if you want then sell the other. Only sell them to people that will take care of their belongings. You wouldn't want them to get ruined. Its hard to say man I'm not in your positions, but thats my position from an outside perspective. And again I'm sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. I think the answer in time will come. Again, there are certain items that should remain in the family, but others could go to collectors. My opinion that is.
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Acyl
cyanidepoisoning


Registered: 12/13/05
Posts: 4,472
Loc: N.W.T.
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She seems very talented man.
I'm sorry to hear about your situation
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: Acyl]
#8466302 - 05/31/08 01:19 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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A shameless Bump before i hit the sack.
Im leaving at 7:30 am, and im on probation so i cant smoke.
Im also quitting cigs, so yey for stress.
I just caint wait for the rainy season in FL, maybe then i will start my jars finally.
Im going to be reading a physics book on the ride down to cocoa, then a book on chaos. I cant wait till this all blows over in November, maby then my family can have some peace.
Talk to you all in a few days.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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birdmanc
Stranger
Registered: 05/10/08
Posts: 14
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
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everything is a miracle
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zouden
Neuroscientist



Registered: 11/12/07
Posts: 7,091
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: birdmanc]
#8466374 - 05/31/08 02:00 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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Wait, Parkinson's or Alzheimers?
-------------------- I know... that just the smallest part of the world belongs to me You know... I'm not a blind man but truth is the hardest thing to see
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: zouden]
#8466608 - 05/31/08 06:05 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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From Wiki, It pretty much defines her condition, though im sure symptoms of alzheimers are there, mainly the loss of memory, delusions.
Quote:
Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech, as well as other functions.[1]
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia). The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. PD is both chronic and progressive.
PD is the most common cause of chronic progressive parkinsonism, a term which refers to the syndrome of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. PD is also called "primary parkinsonism" or "idiopathic PD" (classically meaning having no known cause although this term is not strictly true in light of the plethora of newly discovered genetic mutations). While many forms of parkinsonism are "idiopathic", "secondary" cases may result from toxicity most notably of drugs, head trauma, or other medical disorders. The disease is named after English physician James Parkinson; who made a detailed description of the disease in his essay: "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" (1817).
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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boxcarguy07
Uno



Registered: 04/25/07
Posts: 3,942
Loc: SC
Last seen: 11 years, 7 months
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Your family is in my prayers bro. Sorry to hear about all this.
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Music doesn't stop at the ears when it begins at the heart.
"Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind." -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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g00ru
lit pants tit licker



Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 21,088
Loc: georgia, us
Last seen: 5 years, 2 months
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: boxcarguy07]
#8466674 - 05/31/08 07:07 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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My grandpa died of parkinson's disease. It's a really terrible thing to have to witness.
-------------------- check out my music! drowse in prison and your waking will be but loss
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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I just got back from Cocoa FL.
My god, i almost lost it as soon as i saw her face.
Just a shell, couldn't talk more than a few simple words. No teeth, or facial expression.
She saw me and just a blank stare, i said my name and she brightened up, and started to be coherent...saw my mother, and began to say yes or no to simple questions...
Rest was horrific, couldn't even recognize someone was talking, much less to her..
Then its just gibberish, but her trying to say something... almost meaningful, but the same tone over and over.
Then as she slept, she kept moaning in almost pain, and wheezing on the out breath.
I almost broke down right there, but i was so scared for my grandfather i couldn't.
Im so weird right now, and im not the worst of us. Im in a bottle of beer, well case of beer, right now.
My grandfather is barely able to stand straight, my dad has had red eyes for days.
And all i can think of is i hope she dies soon.... I cant bear to see her or them in so much pain, and if she goes, grief and recover can come that much quicker.
Shes not even really there, she cant swallow, can barely, BARELY talk, or sit up, nothing, and i just want her to be at peace.
When she was sentient months earlier, she was frustrated, i cant imagine what she is going through now, not being able to communicate, and still suffering...
Im so wierd right now, i cant sleep, im just listening to some old vinyls. Im 23...and so confused, again.
I want her to die, to be at peace, in rest and no pain, but i cant stand to see the pain on all of my family's faces when they think of it..
God this shit hurts.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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jewunit
Brutal!

Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 34,264
Loc: Ohio
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Sounds a lot like when my mom had cancer. It was real weird the last week (few weeks?) to see her. I think if it were to happen now I would have handled it much worse than I did then. Not much more you can do but accept it. No one's gonna be happy, but it'll smooth out.
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: jewunit]
#8469883 - 06/01/08 03:14 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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I know and thanks.
Its just i hate to see her in so much pain. They gave her roxiol, and adivan, and she was still moaning.
I just hope this passes without anyone becoming seriously traumatized. And that she is able to pass without pain.
the docs have taken her off all monitors and support about a week ago, so now its just till her heart or kidneys give out.
I just hope her heart gives out first, least then she wont be poisoned to death.
Thank you all for the support, im really just venting here beacuse if i visit friends ill end up smoking or eating pills.
And im on probation... fucking marion county
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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jewunit
Brutal!

Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 34,264
Loc: Ohio
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Well don't do anything foolish. As lame as it sounds (especially now, I know) death really is a part of life.
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ThirdEyeOpening
Lost In My Head




Registered: 08/24/04
Posts: 2,287
Loc: How the fuck should i kno...
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Re: Parkinson's disease [Re: jewunit]
#8469903 - 06/01/08 03:31 AM (15 years, 8 months ago) |
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I know, its just so hard to quit smoking ciggs, pot and eating pills all while this is going on, but ill survive, i just need somewhere to vent.
Least i can still drink, lol.
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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. Im not too sure about the former. -Einstein Of course the rules need to be enforced, but the goal of law and order should be to create a just society, not to enforce laws. -Unknown “I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” -Stephen Roberts
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