I wish you had posted from the start, Spring, because it sounds like you have a wealth of experience I could have used! Oh well, you're here now - and please do chip in with your two penn'orth whenever you feel able? A huge well done on everything you achieved for your elderly and no doubt vulnerable relative. 
Nutty - you're back at last! It's funny, reading my own words back after all this time. In my defence, I didn't say which Christmas! But oh, the naivety. Posters who recommended I should start with the kitchen might well have been quite right, but hindsight is a wonderful thing! I too often wish the herd could be here helping me in person rather than in spirit - speaking of which, I could then put my feet up and direct operations while working my way through that case of gin you mention! But actually, given that's not possible, just knowing that people would like to help - or send gin! - is a help in itself. At times, the elephant does seem to be a more manageable size, yes - like immediately after getting the DAs out and emptied - but mostly it does still seem like an enormous bull elephant in musth!
Oh, your very own Mothy House of Horror, Ring - your description did make me smile and nod along in recognition! - poor you, and well done. I'm going to steal your 'Ghostbuster' and sing the theme song in future - this week I've been vacuuming up flies from the kitchen ceiling mainly, rather than moths! Yes, it is satisfying, isn't it, to prevent adding to landfill as much as possible, and also to share the nice moments? A funny thing happened this morning, when I found a fossil - probably originally from beach combing - buried as I cleared the floor in the hall doorway. I can't wait to wave it at my friend, and tease him - only in a good natured way of course - that finding an actual fossil shows just how long it's been like that! You asked how he is, thank you - it is churning him up and I took the decision to protect him from the worst of it. Some might question this - that he needs to see it in a 'tough love' way and in the hope it will help him never to return to it. Knowing him, I really don't think that would help. I'm his friend and I'm not in the business of adding to the humiliation, guilt and shame he must already feel. I know he is very pleased and can't quite believe it is happening. I know he is grateful. He told me yesterday he is proud of me. That is more than enough. Yes, the kitchen was once full of live, love and laughter. And you also asked about me, thank you - it's a bit of a rollercoaster ride, honestly? It does take its toll, emotionally, mentally and physically, especially on top of other pressures and commitments. But there are also times of elation, large and small - whether finishing each chunk, seeing another wheelie bin of rubbish or recycling ready to be carted off, the death of the DAs obviously, or seeing some hope in my friend's eyes at last. I don't minimise the sheer slog, but it is wonderful to witness a home gradually coming back to life and even a life gradually coming back to life too. There's so much wrong in the world and I can't put all that right, but I have got the opportunity to make a very significant difference in one person's life and I am grateful for that. I'm usually multi-tasking but I'm trying to make sure that my backside is resting on the comfy sofa for the odd hour or half, preferably with a cuppa, G&T of course or glass of wine and a family cuddle or two. We really hoped to be going on a family holiday during the school break but as yet we haven't been able to find anything suitable, especially with all the new staycationers and price hikes. Lovely herd of elephant emojis by the way - thank you!
Today's chunk was the floor in the hall doorway, as previously mentioned, next to where the new freezer will be. I am down to floor level, it has been vacuumed, had its first mop - the door needed that too - and the door can now be closed and locked when needed. I have also taken some old small appliances - kettle and toaster - some very large pieces of packing polystyrene and a whole bag of batteries away for recycling. And finally I have done a very first chunk of the hall floor! It seemed to me that I needed to clear and clean at least a small space on the other side of the door, otherwise it would just spread and tread back in from the hall back into the kitchen. It is probably less than 2ft by 3ft, but it's a start - and a reminder of my very first post nearly three years ago, back in the Dreaded Bathroom! The rest of the hall is very much a future challenge at the moment! If all goes according to plan, I hope to progress further with the kitchen this week and will report back, hopefully with more good news.
I had been thinking that we might need a new thread very soon and Spring has reminded me of that. I have an idea for my very last post on this thread. 
If I start a new thread, would anyone who posts regularly like to volunteer to do the two links between them please?
In the meantime, take good care everyone.