The big thing is that you need to have an occasional break from the chore of watching him -- Getting out for coffee with friends, a real movie in a movie theater, etc. -- It will not only be good for you in the long run, but your care for him will also be better.

Getting someone to sit with him a couple of times a week for a couple of hours would be good for both of you, esp if it is some friend of his -- But even if it is just an almost-stranger who sits while he sleeps, it will let you get out and recharge your batteries.

I have a friend whose wife has Alzheimer's Disease in advanced state and she is incontinent so he can't take her out -- They are members of a church and occasionally a couple will come by and sit with her while he goes out and shops or sees movie or just visits with other friends -- Makes a lot of difference in his world!


Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.