My dad's first day in a nursing home today...

[emkana]

... went reasonably well.

My mum was in such a state beforehand, so fearful that he would be distraught at being left there, but he was quite accepting, ate the food, let the carers there dress him after his midday nap...

so far, so good, I just hope that for the first time in months my mum can get a full night's sleep.

Dd2 was today because she kept saying "but when he gets better he can come home again". I gave up trying to explain to her that he won't get better.

Oh emkana, I do understand. My dear dad is off for a driving test tomorrow when they are going to take his licence away, and he has been trying to practice, bless him. I can't bear even that, him going into a home is going to be really dreadful. It sounds as though your dad is settling, at least, and it will be so much easier for your mother in practical terms, won't it?

I have stopped trying to explain to the children too. They will just have to come to terms with it a bit at a time

tamum, that's heartbreaking - your dad trying to practise...

I was going to ask you something, actually. Is it possible for somebody to have several genetic defects at the same time? I guess it is, just wanted to check though.

Relieved that the day is over.

Oh how sad this sounds emkana and tamum.

Thanks emkana. I keep remembering him zooming around on a motorbike and it's just so sad

Yes, it is possible- sometimes by chance, sometimes because the genes responsible are very close to each other so they are all affected. DiGeorge syndrome is like that, it's a deletion that affects a group of genes, and the size of the deletion varies and causes differences in the degree of severity. Are you thinking of Sebastian having more than one thing?

Thanks www too, and sorry for hijacking emkana.

I am so sorry for both of you.

I'm sorry emkana, how awful.

Oh dear - sounds really difficult - thinking of you both.....

Thinking about you all, and how individually you can take it.

Just wanted to add my best thoughts for you and your families

Thanks everyone.

tamum, I was just wondering because of the cystic fibrosis thing - he doesn't have it after all I know, but I was just wondering if it was possible to have say hypochondroplasia and CF.

I'm sorry emkana, sounds like really hard work, take care x