Your personal announcements (good & bad)

[eddyk]

I once stayed in a tent in the nevada mountains which didnt have a door.

I woke up in the morning with my head buried in snow. I was so unprepared I slept in all the clothes I had and stuck my feet inside my rucksack.

other people I were with were even less prepared...they didnt even bring a tent.

They decided to sleep under their own car...lord knows why the slept under it rather than inside it.

[Nightjar]

I've got the window wide open, it's snowing and I don't feel at all cold.

[Erebus555]

You're probably sitting on Mount Etna right now then!

[Octoman]

My mother has just been diagnosed with motor neuron disease (the illness Stephen Hawking suffers from). She has been suffering a lot of health problems over the past year and has started losing the use of her arms. I knew something major was wrong but its still a bit of a shock. I feel so sad for her for what she is going to have to go through. The worst bit is that my father was diagnosed with the Parkinsons disease last summer which will take away his ability to care for himself over the next 5 to 10 years. At the back of my mind I had thought that at least my mother was fit and healthy and will be able to take care of him towards the end. But now it looks like he will have to care for her as his own symptoms take hold. They may have to move closer to me because there is not much I can do for them living 150 miles away. I'm an only child so they have nobody else to turn to.

This is a total nightmare

[wjfox]

Originally Posted by Octoman

My mother has just been diagnosed with motor neuron disease (the illness Stephen Hawking suffers from). She has been suffering a lot of health problems over the past year and has started losing the use of her arms. I knew something major was wrong but its still a bit of a shock. I feel so sad for her for what she is going to have to go through. The worst bit is that my father was diagnosed with the Parkinsons disease last summer which will take away his ability to care for himself over the next 5 to 10 years. At the back of my mind I had thought that at least my mother was fit and healthy and will be able to take care of him towards the end. But now it looks like he will have to care for her as his own symptoms take hold. They may have to move closer to me because there is not much I can do for them living 150 miles away. I'm an only child so they have nobody else to turn to.

This is a total nightmare

That's terrible, Octoman. Really sorry to hear that.

I don't want to get your hopes up too high - but maybe there's a chance that some breakthrough or discovery will be made that could slow the symptoms, maybe even provide a partial cure.

I read science journals all the time and we're making absolutely huge progress in medicine at the moment... especially where stem cells are concerned. This is a story from last year:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/he...6908-21320048/

[Octoman]

Thanks Will.

Perhaps they will find a way to help both of them. They are quite elderly now though so time really isnt their friend. Best thing will be if the illnesses progress slowly. In my dad's case the Parkinsons is moving slowly enough and is only really showing as a numbness in his left hand and stiffness in his left leg. I went trekking in Scotland with him last year because we thought it would be his last chance but we are planning it again for this year. In my mum's case it has gone shockingly quickly. I really hate to imagine her condition 2 years from now.

At the moment they are both still active and able to look after themselves. So I guess I will be thankful for that and deal with whatever comes when it happens. Their minds are both fine though so I still have them to talk to. in fact, on the phone I find myself picturing them as I remember them when they were younger and full of energy. I find it very strange seeing these two elderly frail people and realising they are my parents.

[larven]

Originally Posted by Octoman

In fact, on the phone I find myself picturing them as I remember them when they were younger and full of energy. I find it very strange seeing these two elderly frail people and realising they are my parents.

May I echo Will's sentiments and say I am sorry to hear about this too Octoman. I have long since though about my parents mortality and how I would cope when they were gone. My parents are now in their mid 60's and I worry far more than I used to if they come down with a bad cough or something, particularly in this extremely cold weather. Like you say it can feel strange seeing the longest relationships you have ever had reverse slowly over time i.e. from being utterly dependant on your parents in the beginning to them coming to increasingly depend on you.

[Smarty]

Originally Posted by Octoman

I find it very strange seeing these two elderly frail people and realising they are my parents.

Sorry to hear that Octo. It always comes as a shock when you realise your parents are getting older and are becoming too frail to look after themselves. My father has diabetes and may soon have to have his legs amputated because of circulation problems - he can hardly get around as it is - and his sight is now fading badly (diabetes again). My mum is in remission currently from ovarian cancer. You find that you start to worry about them being able to manage / start focusing on what could go wrong.

I'm luckier than you in that I have two brothers who live relatively close to them but I do wonder sometimes about moving back to Dorset to be closer to them.

At least like you say your father's Parkinson's is progressing slowly. With any luck he could have a decade or more of fully active life still.

Do they have other family (brothers / sisters) ?

[Octoman]

Jesus, that sounds really tough too.

I dont think my situation is unique. Probably 90% of people with elderly parents have something similar. 100% of people in the end I guess.

They really like the area around Lewis near Brighton (East Sussex?) and my dad has a sister who lives there. I might start subtly suggesting they think about relocating there. That way I could get to them in under an hour.

I guess its all part of the cycle of life but isnt the ageing process shit!? I man seriously shit. It really makes me realise that you have to make the most of your time when you are young and healthy because its over so fast.

The type of technology Will shows us that will extend life may bring with it over population problems but it will be worth it. It cant come too soon in my opinion.

[Smarty]

Originally Posted by Octoman

I guess its all part of the cycle of life but isnt the ageing process shit!? I man seriously shit. It really makes me realise that you have to make the most of your time when you are young and healthy because its over so fast.

You can say that again - it puts it all in perspective. There is nothing dignified about ageing as the body gradually starts to fall apart and the sad thing is we're all going to go through it.

The Lewes idea sounds like a good one. It makes popping down there in the evening or on odd days / weekends much more feasible and gives both you and them more peace of mind about being able to offer help and support. You feel completely helpless when you're miles away.

[Zim Flyer]

Hi Octo, I'm terribly sorry to read what you have gone through. My advice is to talk to these people and see what they can suggest as regards support:

http://www.mndassociation.org/about_..._contacts.html

I'm thinking of you mate, good luck to you and your family.

[Kara]

Octo, I'm sorry to hear that news. I'm sure it can be really difficult to have two such serious diagnosis so close together. If your parents are up for moving, it would probably give both of you a lot of peace of mind.

[Nightjar]

Just had my phone nicked!

At an Oxfam in Angel - first time in my life I've been pickpocketed.

[Comdot]

two of my housemates are mentally disturbed.

that is all.

[Erebus555]

Sure it wasn't one of the pesky old women behind the counters? They need all the "donations" they can get...

I've just read Octo's post, so sorry to hear that. Wish I had a bit of advice for you but things like that in life are something I've yet to experience.

[Nightjar]

Oh God - just read back through the last few posts!

I'm very sorry to hear that Octo, not sure what I could say that wouldn't sound trite or hollow, but all the same, you and your family have my sympathies and best wishes.

Kind of puts the loss of a mobile phone in perspective.

[MattN]

Indeed, very sorry to hear that Octoman. My maternal Grandma had MND for about 4 years before she died in 2002, horrible.

[Octoman]

Thanks for the words of support everyone. I appreciate it.

I'm not going to let it get me down. I'll just press on and deal with whatever comes up when it happens.

At least on a more positive note, I managed to walk all the way from the station to my house without falling over on the ice. First time this week! The way things are going I'll probably fall down a drain tomorrow

[SkyscraperSuperman]

I ended up not getting an offer from Cambridge. But hey, I went for it and got to the Interview stage, and the competition really is fierce. Besides, still got the Interview at Liverpool in early March, as well as a Conditional from Portsmouth. Still waiting to hear from Imperial. I'll get in somewhere.

[alonzo-ny]

I never did understand the stress of applying for uni. I got into mine through clearing two weeks before freshers week. And I only applied to the one uni.