[doydie]

I have no idea if I mentioned it before but my husband had a colonoscopy about a month ago. Poor guy, he retires to enjoy himself and a more stress free life. He retired in December so he did have a couple of years. So in Feb. of 2013 he has his heart attack with 2 stents, in Feb. or 2014 he had atrial fib with 2 more stents and them immediately diagnosed with Parkinson's. So this year we had to wait until mid March when he had his appointment with the cardiologist so he could get off the medicine that is mandatory for a year after a stent. So when he was finally off of it, we called our family doc and told him about his diarrhea, got his colonoscopy scheduled for April and got diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. We just can't wait until next year!. So the medicine he put him on right after the procedure did nothing for him and for now he is on a short period of steroids. Next month we go back and talk about one of the biologicals. Boy our insurance will love us. He is really pushing a clinical trial but with that they have to do a colonoscopy EVERY month!!! Of course every thing is paid for and hubby may actually be compensated also. BTW, his Parkinson's isn't any better either. Poor guy, incontinence, tremors in both hands, can't walk standing straight anymore, hard to go to the mall because of incontinence. I am going from being the one being taken care of to the caregiver.

[kiwi33]

Hi doydie

I am sorry to read about your husband's ulcerative colitis. A dear friend of mine lives with another Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease) so maybe I have some understanding of how things are for you.

You mentioned "one of the biologicals" - I guess that this is an allusion to one of the TNF-blocking antibodies. My friend has been prescribed one of them (adalimumab, there are others) which has helped her a lot.

I hope that the same will be the case for your husband.

With care.

[ali12]

Really sorry to hear about your husbands health issues, Doydie.

I've digestive problems since having my gallbladder removed so understand some of the issues your husband is having. They are no where near as bad granted, but still hard to deal with at times so I really feel for your husband.

I know it easier said than done but try and look after yourself also. You have problems yourself with your MS, and working yourself into a state or a flare isn't going to help your husband. Caring for someone is SOO hard, your a special lady, and i'm sure your husband appreciates all you do for him.

Hoping things get better for you all.

[SallyC]

(((((Doydie)))))

[Kitty]

Doydie, please enlist the help of friends and family with this.

I know it's probably second nature to you to be a caregiver but don't exhaust yourself trying to do it all.

DH will need to learn to do as much for himself as he can because you could have an exacerbation or otherwise be unable to care for him 100% of the time.

I worry about your well-being because I know how debilitating fatigue can be and how hard it is to explain it to others.....even family who says they "understand".

[kicker]

Life is so unfair and mean. Take care of yourself too.

[Debbie D]

Holy smokes...

take care of yourself...take time to breathe. Take time to rest. Take time to look around at this beautiful planet-take in the colors, the scents, the sounds...

Then, look at him--he is a human who needs help. Get all of the support you can find through agencies, etc. Try to help him make lemonade out of the pile of lemons he's been given.

And you do the same...