How to use this board

[Katt]

Hey Gerrycuse, welcome. It is great to have you. As you can see I have been around for awhile. But in the beginning it was pathetic. I kept reading NH as New Hampshire instead of nursing home. Try making sense out of that in a paragraph.

I know you will find the support and help here that I have.

Kat

[LarryB]

Gerrycuse we are glad to welcome you to our virtual family. This is a safe haven for all well spouse to discuss things of importance, losses, victories, best practices - as well as granting each other the support and understanding only another WS can deliver.

[claudia]

You did great, gerrycuse, and welcome. I'm no whizz at the computer, either, but with a little brousing and experimenting you'll find it quite easy to navigate these very friendly, caring, helpful waters.

Tell us about yourself and you I (Ill)S.
Claudia

[renee_tracy1124]

I am trying this out to see if I know what I am doing. Not that that usually stops me. LOL

[wheeliezdryver73]

Welcome aboard, Renee_Tracy!!!

(do any of us WS's ever really know what we're doing???....wait, don't answer that!!!

[LarryB]

Welcome Renee_Tracy, to our sanctuary where everyone understands (because they have been there!)

Please feel free to enjoy this site. You will quickly make friends and gain/give support

[charkit]

Hi everyone. I am testing out the website. Posted many years ago, but I see that everything is new. IS has progressive MS. Diagnosed about 29 years ago. We have had time to adjust to each new issue that has come up. I am recently unemployed and now I am wondering how I did it all when I worked for the last 24 years. The last few years I was able to work from home when I was not with clients. Now that I am home full time, he thinks I should be his caregiver full time. We argue all the time. He resents when I go out with friends. He wants to travel, but I cannot travel with him anymore without an assistant. Needs Hoyer lift, hospital bed, has swallowing problems, has urinary port, is incontinent, is loosing dexterity in his hands and is in a power chair. I am trying to get some space each day, but it is hard. Tries to control everything and me. He is the expert. Now his speech is being affected so it is hard to understand him. I am constantly saying " what did you say?". He is in denial with the ms. He still thinks he is going to walk again and get his license back again. I am reaching the end of the rope. Just looking for support and ideas. Well this was suppose to be a test, so I will close for now.

[LarryB]

Charkit:

Welcome back. Sorry you (still) need us but so many of us face similar paths - denial by an IS, constant duties for an IS. We get it. Visit often.

[Kronberg]

Welcome, ilenet617, Sheridan, Gerrycuse, renee_tracy1124, charkit, and anyone I missed before you. Sorry I’m so behind. This thread seems to be popping with newbies! We’re glad to have you here but sorry you need to be!

Are you still around, Sheridan & ilenet617? Please feel free to tell us more when you feel like it. How are you today?

gerrycuse – IS can stand for “Incapacitated Spouse”. That's a good one! This is true in many instances and sometimes we make up our own. Originally and more often, IS stands for Ill Spouse. Yes, WS is for Well Spouse, although we’re allowed to get sick too. We just don’t usually get the care the IS gets!

renee_tracy1124 – I’m still learning too. I’m sure you know what you’re doing; no problem there. Actually, with recent changes to the forum, many of us are still learning! How are you today?

charkit – My story is similar to yours except that I have always worked from home, at least since the diagnosis. I think with MS we adjust to one step at a time much like the frog in a pot of cold water. It starts out just fine as we adjust to a comfortable warm, sure that everything will be just fine. But suddenly we’re in boiling water and have no idea how that happened. Just because your IS can’t travel doesn’t mean you can’t. Don’t let him control more of your life than absolutely necessary. You wouldn’t do that if he didn’t have MS, would you?

These are hugs for all of you:
((((((ilenet617))))))
((((((Sheridan))))))
((((((gerrycuse))))))
((((((renee_tracy1124))))))
((((((charkit))))))

[Peggy]

WOW! New folks, welcome!!

You will all find comfort here and tons of understanding.

Charkit, it is so hard to find a balance. But, Kronberg is right. I wish I had not let IS control me and my movements for so long. When I finally reached my boiling point and had to make changes to keep my sanity it was so difficult. But I did it and IS is now accepting, somewhat, of my need to have some time for myself.

((((hugs for all of you)))

[Kronberg]

Kronberg is right.

I feel so validated! Another reason to come here. Only here will I ever here I am right! I'm sure you'll all find that comforting as well.

[nadine]

hi i am new to this. just testing it out. my name is nadine

[wheeliezdryver73]

Hi and welcome to the board, Nadine. Feel free to come here any time you can/ need to . I look forward to seeing you around here !

[LarryB]

Hi Nadine. We were all new once. Welcome to the most supportive 'family' on the internet.

[Peggy]

Hi Nadine! Welcome to your new family!