New member

[L.A. Jake]

Hello to all. I am a 48-year-old well spouse; my wife is 52 and has MS. We've been married since 1990; she began feeling symptoms in 1996; she was diagnosed in 2000. She uses a wheelchair full-time, has lost 90% of the use of her primary hand, has lost about 50% of the use of her secondary hand, and has all the usual elimination issues. She's had some vision deterioration (but at 52, who hasn't?), and I'm beginning to suspect cognitive and behavioral symptoms are starting to crop up, which is why I'm looking into things like support groups.

We've just moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, her childhood home. We moved in with her mother, who is 83 years old and is fighting her own battle against - well, just being 83. It's a big, comfortable house, and the move has already done wonders for my wife's outlook. I'm excited about the new prospects, but am unemployed and separated from my friends and family back in Chicago. I guess I might just be looking for new friends; I know I'm spending a lot of time looking for work! Anyway, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I hope I can contribute to the board.

[wheeliezdryver73]

It's wonderful to make your acquaintance, too! glad you found us! Any time you need support, let us know, we'll help where we can!

[kitty]

Welcome L.A. Jake sorry you need us but glad you found us! As you can see people are here to talk with 24/7 so enjoy!

[qtrhrsemom]

Welcome to the family!!!

[myonly]

Welcome to you, LA Jake! (Or until recently, Jake-from-the-Lake...) I went to school in South Bend, IN, so I am a bit familiar with your previous neck-of-the-woods.

Hope you find a welcoming home here. There are quite a few of us with spouses suffering from MS.

It sounds like the move is a good one for you. Wishing you luck in the job and new friends searches! Glad to hear that your wife's feeling good about the move too.

Just remember to take care of yourself as you take care of your wife and mother-in-law. You're the prop for the whole circus tent!

Don't mind me, I've just had WAY too much sugar today...

[seasprite]

Welcome and Aloha, from one hawaii to Mississippi transplant, my IS was born in Chicago, and raised in Barrington....
Glad you found us...were a great group if I do say so myself....sorry we all have to be here, but glad that WS exists for us....
Wishing you well in the job hunt arena....

[secretflower]

Welcome L.A.Jake , I am glad you found us.....this group so helpful, caring & understanding.....there is lots of TLC to go around.....I look forward to getting to know you.....good luck with the job search

[sherbear]

Welcome to L.A. my neck of the woods and several others. PM me if you want to get together with a small group that tries to meet once in a while.

[DaveZ]

Welcome L.A. Jake to the family. No one wants to be in this situation. You have found the right place. Taking care of yourself is the most important message I ever got. Lots of support here. Come and vent often.

[tundra lodger]

Welcome, LA Jake

Although I'm sad you've need of this place, I'm glad you found our little online oasis in the desert that is WellSpousedom. May you find the friendship and support you seek among us.

Originally Midwest here, too. Spent a quarter-century in SoCal before they finally kicked me out. So, I understand your situation, just in reverse. Just wanted to say that there are a lot of terrific folks here who will help you navigate the Left Coast life AND the WS life.

You've made a HUGE first step by posting. May that be one of many more, in your quest to successfully walk this path.

Again, welcome.

tl

[TexasRN]

Welcome from a former North Suburban Chicago-ite now transplanted to texas via mississippi! Long story! (Go Bears)

After nearly 10 years of caregiving and really doing it all alone I have finally realized the value of support groups like this as well as reaching out to my church family and neighbors for help.

I am sorry you have to join us but hope that you will find the WSA.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Big welcome hugs {{{{{L.A. Jake}}}}

[LarryB]

Glad you have found us. Now you have friends and family HERE! Please try and get together as Sherbear suggested. Nothing is as wonderful as peer support from other WS thart totally understand what you are going through.

I am happy your new living situation has brought some comfort to your IS. Now we need to work on YOUR needs - a job and new social network!

You will find much support and understanding here.

((((LA Jake)))

[Kronberg]

Welcome LAJake. My IS and I suffer from MS although he's the only one with the diagnosis. He thinks he's the only one suffering. I know her MS affects you too. That's a mighty big move you made for her. I hope you're truly happy with it. You are important too!

My daughter and her family are in Chicagoland near her husband's family. I'm in IN. I never imagined how many trips I'd make alone to the land of terrifying drivers! How does LA compare? I plan to visit LA some day, just for me. I hope you are able to return to Chicago often to visit your family and friends, even when you have new ones in LA. Please don't allow the MonSter to consume both of you, try as it will.

((((((LAJake))))))

[Katt]

Welcome LA Jake - I hope that you can find the support that I have here. You may even find times when you find yourself laughing out loud and some of the things that are posted.

You now have more friends than you can shake a stick at.

Kat

[L.A. Jake]

Thank you all for the extraordinarily kind welcome.

Sherbear - I will get in touch.

Kronberg - I find the drivers here a little more numerous, rude, and aggressive than back home, but I'm getting my L.A. driving chops back. It's not that dramatic of a difference.

TexasRN - Go Bears! ;-)

I look forward to getting to know you all a little better, to offering a hand when I'm feeling strong, and to looking for an ear when I'm not. At the moment things are okay: even though there's not much movement on the job-hunt front yet, I have a lemon tree to plant in the back yard today, so that's neat.