You mentioned being over-protective-is there anything you found annoyed him alot? What did he like best about your care-giving? Sounds like pretty
dumb questions, but one can be overly protective. I want to give love and support without drawing attention to the fact that this is one heck of a crisis

The therapists will have your friend pretty self sufficient before she goes home. She will have to bathe and dress herself, use the toilet, get up and down from a chair, and up and down stairs if necessary; and walk. They will have her strong enough to stand and prepare a simple meal. This may sound impossible, BUT last September I went to acute rehab barely able to sit up on the side of the bed. Within 5 weeks I was able to do the things described, and was discharged. There was still a lot of work to go, with out patient and on my own at home therapy. Progress is agonizingly slow and she needs all the encouragement you can provide. Just don’t do everything for her.
A little story – Occupational Therapy is for dressing, bathing, etc.. I would be scheduled for 7AM and I knew that meant I had to dress myself. My hands didn’t work very well and tingled, very poor grip. Feet had not much feeling other than tingling…so you have to put on those tight medical stockings. Well let me tell you….it took for ev errrrr and produced lots of sweat…and no help from the therapist and I hated it and her.. As time went on it got easier as did walking(you don’t want me to go through that), standing, wheel chairing, walkering, shower chairing……It is important to go to therapy to see what she can do and to learn how to help – the therapy belt is a marvel.
My caregiver was and is my wife(40 years)(This was the for worse part) and she was wonderful and encouraging – you can walk without that walker – yes! I could – and that is the help your friend needs. Not carrying her around and totally pampering. Of course more help will be needed early and you have to learn when and how to back off. Driving or transprtation may be a big issue, the tharapist will teach her how to get in and out of a car, and down the road she may have to be re certfied to drive.
YOU CAN DO IT!
We all here are praying for you and your friend.
Al

Hi everyone! Brandy I believe you had said once that your husband had diabetes, or maybe it was someone else. My husband Keith has CIDP, uncontrolled diabetes, acid reflux, hital hernia, high blood pressure, some is going on with his kidneys but we don’t know what it is right now. But my question is what in the world could possible else he can get. He is 39 yrs old and stays in severe pain. We have 3 children and our 2nd boy has a heart condition which resulted in 3 open heart surgeries. Can any one give me any idea or has anyone went through all this with their CIDP?