I hope you will understand my reason for asking this question. My MIL's bed has been in my living room for 2 years -She is totally bedfast - dementia. Long slow decline. Lately, she's begun talking a bit again - like she was 6 months ago. I wonder how it will be if she improves? I am being brutally honest by asking this question. I think it scares me...........that this "hamster wheel" will never stop turning. Does anyone else secretly have this fear?
Do you know what type of dementia your MIL has? Is she on Hospice? Have her medications changed? Is her diet the same?
Do you intend to continue caring for her in your home? That sounds like a huge job. I hope you have some help.
I have also heard that some terminally patients get better before they get very ill. I'm not trying to scare you, but wanted you to consider that. There is likely someone on these boards who has seen that happen before. Please let us know how you both are doing.
My husband and I fought his cancer for years and the final 3 months were filled with horrible physical pain. The day before he died.........he rallied and it was wonderful.
His mother.............well this is different. She has no physical pain and she is becoming more lucid over the past week. No change in meds - nothing I can put a finger on. I feel bad saying this but an improvement means a longer .......more of the same. I hope this makes sense. It just gets so long. My sweet husband died 4 1/2 years ago and I was his loving caretaker. He was a gem and I adored him. His mom is tough - often nasty. Quite a different experience. And she has been here for 2 years with no end in sight.
I know that I will be sad when she finally passes, but I will be relieved when she is in no more pain or suffering. She is in Hospice, and she is now at the stage of not wanting to eat. They are a godsend and have kept me sane during the last nine months. I just could not do another ER visit.
You are not alone in how you feel. Trust me. Your feelings are shared by many on here.