[mrsQ]

Hi I am Karen. I am 29...30 is coming like train at me . I was born with a couple of spinal deformaties that were not found till I was in my 20's. I was dx with scolosis as a kid but it went untreated, long story. So now I have 2 curves that are pretty advanced ribs on tops of each other and such, the 2 non fusions in my spine, DDD, spondalosis....not spelled right, and SI joint dysfunction. The last six months I have really lost the ability to do basic stuff and walking has become something I do in short bursts. I am grateful I can still walk at all don't get me wrong they told me I would be in a wheelchair by 20. But even though I knew it was coming I am not handling it well.

My husband Q has a SCI, paraplegic for 17 years. We have been married 6 years. He is very independent except when he has a pressure sore then I have to wait on him till he is allowed back in his chair. I do his bandage changes between home health visit also. If I was able I would go back to school to be a wound care nurse. 2004 he spend 8 months in an air bed with a wound vac..not fun. But when he is healthy he is able to help around the house and spends way to much time out in his work shed. We both use to work in the mental health field but our health problems ended that three years ago.

The first of 2005 my MIL started having hallucinations which lead to a dx of Alzhimers. She has lived with us almost 2 years. She is going down really fast here lately. She still knows us most of the time but falls a lot which has really done a number on my back even having a hoyer lift. The last month I have had someone coming in 3 days a week to give her a shower and give me a break.

That is pretty much it I guess. We have no kids, were foster parents to a teenager for about 3years when we first married. I want a family so bad I honestly have been fighting depression for the last year due to a failed international adoption. I can't have kids due to having PCOS, shouldn't even have tried with my back but ya know.
Glad to find this board.

[Boopers]

Hello,

It sounds like there are alot of us who are caregivers or who have been caregivers.
I took care of my FIL until he passed several years ago with liver failure and I took care of my Mother until she passed with pancreatic cancer almost five years ago.
I never regretted one moment of taking care of them. I think it is something that I felt honored to do. Especially, when I held each of their hands when they passed.
I miss them terribly.
I want to say that you all are angels on this earth and I am very proud of all of you.
Just don't forget to take care of yourselves in the process.
Take care,
Linda