Son (22) with schizophrenia

Welcome to the forums @LoveLiving

@Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope, @patientpatient, @Shaz51, @eudemonism @Sophia1, @Former-Member,

@ everyone I missed 🙂 (sorry forgotten all those pretty nicknames already :0

My son and I are back from another overseas visit. The saying farewell thing bigger then Ben Hur as usual. I tell myself to "let go". Nothing is forever, even our relationships, try not to hang on to them and enjoy the moments only. I've had some beautiful times with mum, (suffers from Parkinsons) taking her out in her wheelchair through the Park next to their flat. We sat silently on a park bench looking over the river, and talked about a lot of things, including the end of her life. Not for the fainthearted and she is very scared of it.

I said I hope it with be peaceful for her, no more pain or suffering. In the back of my mind I hope she doesn't fall and break something, as she will never recover from it. If anything my dad's massive big heart will stop first.....He is grossly overweight and has trouble walking, then I have to go back and move mum into a nursinghome.... My brother won't be able to look after her ....Don't overthink, Grasshopper3! Let it go....

I was just reading a post from @Lapses how she has taking it upon herself to care for her father. What a noble thing to do and what a struggle dealing with the rest of the family.

I have been contemplating to take a year off work and help out too, but I just can't... It is so draining and I feel so helpless and restless, it's not easy whiping mums bottom and showering her and replacing bedsheets as her nappy leaked again.... I dont know how my dad does it!

He should be putting her in a nursing home but he just can't let go after nearly 60 years of marriage. So I went back to Oz, let it go... it is what it is, I do agree home is always better then anywhere else, he's got a point, it would be easier for him if I helped out in the final years but I just can't.... Let there be no guilt Grasshopper3.

My son has done a great job once again. He still didn't say much, smoking on verandahs, balconies and patios, drinking coffee, plenty of beers and volunteering to do the dishes.

He got on well with my brother, his uncle. My brother smokes a lot of the happy tabacco, but my son was not tempted once, to take a puff. What a champ! He told me it would send his thoughts into a frenzy and he can see how it effects his uncle and his thoughts and his life too. How good is that?

My sons depot was due 1st of May and he had taken the meds from Oz. A few days before I asked him if we should see a Doctor there, to set his needle, but he said don't bother, we're going home and I do it on the 7th when I see the Psych in Oz.

We were visiting friends on the 2nd of May, and my son dissappeared outside for a smoke. I could see him through the window and he sat with his head down on the table in front of him.

I immediatly went up to him and talked to him and he told my he was in a 'Vortex" and he had the strangest dream last night and because he had stabbed his toe the night before, he could feel the pain when he moved it and only then he knew it was a dream, it was too real and he said his thoughts were very dangerous, going into a Abyss or something. I said how would you feel if we set this needle tonight and he said yeah I think I need it, my thoughts are in a spiral. So lucky my friends live near a hospital, I rang, saw a Doctor who typed away on his computer first, then read the manual of how to use the needle (I said I hope you know what you're doing lol) and he said he hasnt go any Sz patients there on depots, the ones he treats, just take oral medication, as only that is subidized by Govt. Oh dear.

I took my son home, he slept ok he said, and flew back to Oz next day on the 3rd. I am so happy my son has such insight. He is seeing the Psych this week and is willing to try an oral medication, the last one we can try for his "Colgate" as we call it sometimes. The aim is for him to be more sociable and even to work a few hours a week to make him more indendent from me. We shall see.

Take care of you!

Grasshopper3

@Grasshopper3

quick reply ..respond more later or tomorrow...have been doing too much..

so relieved to hear that you and your beautiful son are home safe..

no place for guilt in our lives grasshopper number 3 ..

we move onwards...one day at a time....we hold onto our love for our sons and their love for us..

we look after us...we deal with whatever ...

bless your beautiful young man...his courage...his common sense..

Remind me again how Colgate was the chosen term...💚

@Former-Member@Sophia1

Hi girls, wonderful to read all your comments and stories on the Carers Blogs!

Yes Darcy, my son will be in hospital to try this oral medication. I understand there are side effects, like blackouts, dribbling from the mouth, bedwetting, even Parkinsons like effects. There will be daily blood tests, then weekly, then monthly for the rest of his life.

I'm hoping he will only be on a small dose and side effects will be minimal. I'm also hoping he keeps seeing the benefits. Without these drugs life for him will be almost not possible....

Sophia1, How are you feeling today?

the "Colgate" instead of Paranoid Sz I introduced while I was unpacking my shopping and I was looking for another name I could use to describe this MI with a smile 🙂

xxx

I like your euphemism @Grasshopper3

I might dream up something my son and I can use. @

I am going through my own thoughts and experiences with all these things but mostly keeping things low key.

I brought my son in today, had a short talk to a gorgeous male nurse 🙂 and went back to work as we are so terribly understaffed. My boy in hospital again, this time voluntary and both feeling quite optimistic.

I'm optimistic as he knows why he is in there and he seems to trust the medical professions. He will be used as a pincushion for the next three weeks.

I'm so bloody proud of him. He says it doesnt matter, he is doing nothing much at home, so he might as well do it here.

to be continued....

Grasshopper3

💐💜 @Grasshopper3 .....