Hi everyone - with a special shout-out to Xenia and Jimmie.
Xenia: I, too, understand the not always welcome sight of our mirror image. But that image does NOT reflect the caring, supportive person you are now. So, next time that happens, give the mirror a big kick - add another one or two for me - then dance your way down the street. You are who you are inside and we all know that mirrors lie. In my experience, anyway. And,btw, i haven't done the crisis line thing yet, but have been SO tempted to on occasion. In fact when I was at my doctor's yesterday, bronchitis has morphed into pneumonia, she told me I should, given the total lack of support from family and friends here. i honestly could not believe, whe I emailed Ugly Sister #! - his daugher) asking for help yesterday, that her reply was: "Well of course we-ll do what we can when we can (they don't!), but we-re' both so busy with family and work." I, of course, l am sittting around reading chick-lit and gorging on bon-bons. I'm sorely tempted to e-mail them both, the next time this happens and say "well you have two choices: "either someone in the family picks up the slack when I'm too ill to cope, or you can pay someone to do what I do 365 Days of the year - for free.
Sorry for the rant, everybody. I'm just a tad irate today! (Sound of hand beating chest!)
And Jimmie, ah Jimmie. You're a broth of a boy,so you are. Broken heart and all. And I"m not making fun here. I feel for you and what you're going through so deeply, so don't be misled by some of my sillier posts. As you said: "Good belly laughs needed." And sometimes, like now, needed more than ever.
I am familiar with the progress of Huntingdon's and so can truly empathize with you and grieve with you and your wife and family.
Like you, I long for someone to share the physical side of this, the hugs, the intimacy that can help if not totally take the pain away. Paralyzed side keeps Karl from giving me the all-embracing hugs we both yearn for.
Please continue to share with us. Laughter, tears, virtual beer/wine/vodka and any silly songs we can all think of. We'll send them your way, you keep 'em coming back, Bye!
A mythical "jar" and BIG" virtual hug to you.
Bitchy Oldbat