Alzheimer's and cancer? Anyone deal with both in a husband?
I have never seen such a rapid downhill spiral with the two diseases in one patient. Has anyone else dealt with this and have words of wisdom? Hubby is living off protein shakes since nothing else tastes good. There is no cure for either disease.
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with such an ill husband. You need lots of support right now and I hope you can get it. Sending you a hug and a prayer for strength.
This is very sad. It's time to call hospice for an evaluation, if you haven't already. Once they're on the case, they'll be a source of help and comfort. I wish you peace in dealing with this.
Your profile shares a whole lot more than your actual post, so I hope others will read that before responding. You definitely have a lot on your plate, and I know that you're wanting to sell your home because you live in a rural area with not much help available, and move into an assisted living facility, but hubby doesn't want to. It sounds like you're at the point now that you're going to just have to do what is best for the both of regardless what hubby thinks. His dementia isn't going to get any better, only worse and you say that his lung cancer isn't curable either. So to be blunt, your husband is dying. Which will take him first the dementia or the lung cancer, only God knows, but you must take care of yourself, and do what's best for you now. I hope that you have brought hospice on board, as they will supply any and all equipment, supplies and medications needed all covered 100% under your husbands Medicare. And they will also have a nurse to come check on him once a week to start and aides to bathe him at least twice a week. You will also have access to their social worker, chaplain, and volunteers again all covered 100% under hubby's Medicare. Of course when you bring hospice on board it means that you're stopping any further treatments for his lung cancer, which since he's dying anyway makes no sense at this point to continue anyway right? I hope you at least have children to discuss of all this with and hopefully as a family can make the right decisions for all involved. Best wishes and God bless you.
Is your husband going thru chemo treatments? If so, this will give him brain fog. My FIL had lung cancer and said everything taste like metal.
I don't know if I would put a person suffering from Dementia thru Chemo. My Mom was 89 when she passed. She had bladder cancer at 80. Dr. still wanting to do a scope after 5 yrs clean. I said no, even if the cancer came back, she could not do the chemo.
Maybe you should consider selling ur home and move closer to resources.
There isn't. Has hospice been considered? Palliative care where pain can be more adequately addressed? Protein shakes are good; rely on them when you are able, incorporate ice cream, anything to up the calories a bit, anything he might enjoy. It is about comfort care now.
Many of us, of course, have loved ones with dementia. For my brother it was Lewy's. But it often is something else that "takes them" whether cancer, heart, or in his own case sepsis. So yes, the co-morbidity of the chronic dementia complicates it ALL.
I am so sorry. I wish you both so much luck and peace.
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with such an ill husband. You need lots of support right now and I hope you can get it. Sending you a hug and a prayer for strength.
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You definitely have a lot on your plate, and I know that you're wanting to sell your home because you live in a rural area with not much help available, and move into an assisted living facility, but hubby doesn't want to.
It sounds like you're at the point now that you're going to just have to do what is best for the both of regardless what hubby thinks.
His dementia isn't going to get any better, only worse and you say that his lung cancer isn't curable either.
So to be blunt, your husband is dying. Which will take him first the dementia or the lung cancer, only God knows, but you must take care of yourself, and do what's best for you now.
I hope that you have brought hospice on board, as they will supply any and all equipment, supplies and medications needed all covered 100% under your husbands Medicare. And they will also have a nurse to come check on him once a week to start and aides to bathe him at least twice a week. You will also have access to their social worker, chaplain, and volunteers again all covered 100% under hubby's Medicare.
Of course when you bring hospice on board it means that you're stopping any further treatments for his lung cancer, which since he's dying anyway makes no sense at this point to continue anyway right?
I hope you at least have children to discuss of all this with and hopefully as a family can make the right decisions for all involved.
Best wishes and God bless you.
Wishing you peace as you continue on in your caregiving journey.
I don't know if I would put a person suffering from Dementia thru Chemo. My Mom was 89 when she passed. She had bladder cancer at 80. Dr. still wanting to do a scope after 5 yrs clean. I said no, even if the cancer came back, she could not do the chemo.
Maybe you should consider selling ur home and move closer to resources.
Many of us, of course, have loved ones with dementia. For my brother it was Lewy's. But it often is something else that "takes them" whether cancer, heart, or in his own case sepsis. So yes, the co-morbidity of the chronic dementia complicates it ALL.
I am so sorry. I wish you both so much luck and peace.