comments:
I’ll add to the chorus of people saying: check your partner for a UTI. When my dad had one, we went through two rounds of antibiotics, and those weeks were some of the worst. He could barely walk, but he’d still force himself out of bed and stagger to the bathroom 15 times a night. Sometimes he needed to pee, other times he couldn't. He became fixated on peeing into a Folger’s coffee can. He also started pooping everywhere. He refused a commode and wouldn't wear pull‑ups. My mom was changing his sheets multiple times a day. He had anosognosia, so he didn’t understand how much his mobility had deteriorated. He wouldn’t let either of us help him because he hated being watched. He was hallucinating. And of course, he fell — a lot. If you’re worried your partner will get out of bed when you’re not in the room, a baby monitor can help you keep tabs on him. We bought this one on Amazon because it includes a call button, which can be useful if your partner can still operate it: https://a.co/d/093hrbSe. Also: has your partner been evaluated for hospice yet? Hospice isn’t only for the final days. They can step in earlier and provide desperately needed support. They gave us a hospital bed, delivered supplies, sent skilled professionals to the house, and provided palliative medications — all covered by Medicare. After struggling on our own for so long, when hospice arrived, we were ready to kiss their haloes. Wishing you strength. This disease is brutal.