My beloved wife. [View all]
Kathy is 72 years old. Five or six years ago, she was diagnosed with collagenous colitis. I'm not sure that's what the problem is today (but I'm not a medical professional).
I will be a discreet as possible in describing what she experiences.
It's been two or three months since she's had the kind of uncontrollable mess-the-bed, several failed bathroom trips per night and into the morning experiences. These months were a gift to her, a blessing - a very welcome, very rare blessing.
But this afternoon, it all fell apart. The first episode was so bad that she had to take a shower - and then she didn't have the strength to stand up (from the shower chair) and get out. I had to call the paramedics (fourth time this month) to help her out of the shower. They were kind enough to wait, to let me get her dried and dressed, and then, one on each side, they got her into bed.
Her strength has somewhat returned this evening. She's had to return to the bathroom three times more tonight, but neither trip has been nearly as bad as what she experienced this afternoon.
I have an Ativan prescription, and that helped me through much of the worst of the afternoon. The anxiety of this situation, these episodes, her weakness, confusion, inability to speak without forgetting words - all of this causes me great anxiety.
But then, I'm not the one who is debilitated by such a difficult illness.
Anything you want to say (unless it's unkind towards my wife) is welcome.
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