that you can "toilet",Kicker, IS something to feel good about. It's often the difference between independence and a nursing home. We went through that with my husband in his last years. He could still use the toilet, although in the wheelchair full time, and could still get into bed unaided by pulling himself up. I found we could not afford an assisted living place which would help one onto the toilet...so he would have to go to a nursing home if he couldn't do it, and both the assisted living place which would help you onto the toilet and the nursing homes were too expensive for us...a shock, since we thought our income was sufficient in retirement. I was really scared...what to do?

But then he died after being unable to get into bed for four nights, and developing bed sores from sitting in the chair all night. He didn't tell me about the bed sores. I couldn't get a home-care nurse to come because it was Christmas and they actually accused me of selfishly wanting to ruin their Christmases. I didn't know he was within 12 days of death. But he fell out of the chair and the handyman called 9/11 while I was out. Needless to say, I still can't afford a decent nursing home, and they won't take you unless you are rehabilable. I cannot afford even the bad nursing home in this town which has food which would make me very sick. As of now I'm mobile, but knowing the future is bad....unless God intervenes.