Ohhhh Chuck I can feel your pain . . . I went through a similar situation with
my Mom. . .who was widowed when I was only 12.  I grew into the role of
caretaker/overseer.  Watching a wonderful, caring, hardworking woman slowly fade
away to someone who became totally dependent.  I too had to make "the" decision
about assisted living. . .and thank God we found (my sister and I) a nursing
home that met our needs and took very good care of my mom, without stripping her
of her dignity.  Dementia was the villain. .  she couldn't remember who I was. .
. I was still the baby up in the crib. . . (she was 48 when she had me).  She
knew my sister. . .but couldn't remember her grandchildren.  It was soo hard. .
. know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. . . the roles have reversed. .
you are the parent now. .  thank God she has you to make sure she is protected
from this thing called aging.

You guys are in my prayers. . . hang in there. .  keep smiling. . you'll get
them back. .  and that will keep you going.  I learned that.  Here I am facing
similar situations. .  My memory is not all it should be. .  my body is fighting
me. . . hard to walk . . but I'm not in a wheelchair yet. . . my vision has been
better, but I have it on good advice that I will not go blind "anytime soon".  I
love proving doctors wrong. .  hee hee.

I'm sending this to all the email addresses I have for you .. hope this gets to
you.

Love to you and Jackie and to all facing life's challenges. . . Evie in NJ



--- In cancer_survivors_gathering_place@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck" <chuck@...>
wrote:
>
> Friends,
>
> I have been posting here and there for 11 years. I seldom worry about my own
cancer except when I have my semiannual checkups and then I really think they
are just doing a followup on my clinical trial to check if I'm still alive. Then
they put a check mark in their statistics so they can eventually republish the
current stats of the trial.
>
> Cancer is no longer the focus of my life as it is not the focus of those who
founded this group. Facebook, Twitter, etc. have replaced this forum and I will
let it go.
>
> I will continue to maintain the Cancer Survivors Gathering Place Web Site as
it continues to be a place where Cancer Survivors occasionally find peace.
>
> Shalom,
> Chuck
>