When I first found out about my mom's dementia, my emotions just sort of shut down. Then I took on a hefty role as caretaker and I never had a chance to grieve. I felt it was selfish of me to do so. People kept telling me I needed to take care of myself in order to care for others but I found it hard to know where to start.
I found that sharing my experiences on this forum and getting information allowed me to experience my emotions in a healthy way. I didn't feel alone. I've begun my grieving process. And in doing so, it makes me value the time I spend with my mother more. So I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all those who contribute and respond. You guys really help in ways you can never imagine!
So, StChaos, when you came on and thanked those and this site for helping you, I totally agree with you! This is a give-and-take site. We all learn from one another - validates what we are going through, and what we will be eventually be going through. How we can handle certain situations. And I will be forever grateful that my reaction to father's beginning Poopy Stage is NORMAL!! I thought I must have had some kind of childhood trauma because when his poop is NOT in the pampers where it should be - I literally froze and wanted to walk out of their lives. Cleaned the mess and then did my crying fit afterwards. Stuff like this is soooo helpful for those of us entering each New Stage of the Dementia disease. We thank you also!