text:
Quality CareFind out why Mayo Clinic is the right place for your health care. Make an appointment.
Meet the StaffFind a directory of doctors and departments at all Mayo Clinic campuses. Visit now.
Research and Clinical TrialsSee how Mayo Clinic research and clinical trials advance the science of medicine and improve patient care. Explore now.
Visit Our SchoolsEducators at Mayo Clinic train tomorrow's leaders to deliver compassionate, high-value, safe patient care. Choose a degree.
Professional ServicesExplore Mayo Clinic's many resources and see jobs available for medical professionals. Get updates.
Give to Mayo ClinicHelp set a new world standard in care for people everywhere. Give now.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Subscribe to our Alzheimer's Caregiving e-newsletter to stay up to date on Alzheimer's topics.
Last week Terry wrote, "These (caregiver's) comments are all over the place — insightful, heartbreaking and complex." Terry was referring to the wide variety of comments that come across this blog as we share our personal stories and reflect on one another's caregiving experience.
So, I'm pondering that perhaps there are stages or phases of caregiving — in much the same way we describe stages of Alzheimer's. In this regard, each of us reacts differently based on what phase in the caregiving journey we are in.
My thoughts are in no way scientific. I did, however, look to see if anyone else had written on the subject and found some similar themes and supporting ideas by Gail Sheehy in her book, "Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence."
I doubt that these stages are linear — leaving one and moving on to the next. Instead, I believe caregivers experience some stages and not others, may linger in one stage for a while, can be in more than one stage (or phase) at a time, and may move in and out of the same phase several times.
First, I see a subtle and continuous dance between the phases of acceptance and denial. This makes sense because there's comfort in denial; it provides an escape — a way of coping. I don't think it's shameful to have feelings of denial; it's simply human nature. The thing is, when it comes to a disease such as Alzheimer's, we don't have the luxury to remain in denial for long. Reality slaps us in the face at some point. And eventually you recognize that acceptance doesn't mean liking or approving the situation, only seeing it as it is.
For some, there's an "Am I a caregiver?" phase. Maybe it's at the time of diagnosis, or when you begin to take on certain tasks that were previously the job of the affected one. Perhaps it's when someone else labels you a caregiver.
At some point, many caregivers speak of entering a phase or period referred to as "The new normal." I see this as a time when normal refers to living with uncertainty and unpredictably.
For sure, there's the phase of "Redefining (or reframing) our relationship to the person with Alzheimer's," as we discussed recently. This can be a tumultuous time when you're figuring out how to be in a new relationship with the affected one.
How about the "Where have all our friends gone?" phase. Many caregivers (Floyd from a previous blog) experience the all-too-common separation and sense of isolation from friends.
"I feel trapped, I am losing it, I can't do this anymore" phase. Need I say more?
Fortunately, for some there seems to be a "Smooth sailing" phase. This is essentially a time when new skills and new ways of communicating have been acquired. It can be a period when things seem to be running smoothly ... until "The crisis" phase — a shift from the status quo.
Possibly a bit later in the journey there's the "It's really happening" phase. These are times of extraordinary grief and loss — a time when the consequences of accepting the reality of the situation are felt fully.
For most, there's "The long good-bye" phase. Caregivers understand the ambiguous loss of Alzheimer's. Some wonder how long this will go on, sometimes wishing (often in silence) that it would end.
For each of you, I hope there's an ongoing phase of transformation. My teacher, spiritual mentor and friend, Lyn Prashant, writes, "Grief is the most available untapped, emotional resource for personal transformation. We don't just get over our grief. Instead, we change our relationship to it. When we lose something or someone, and that identification must change, we have the opportunity to rebuild ourselves."
Caregivers, no matter what your stage in this journey, be kind to yourselves and always believe that you're doing the best you can at this moment.
Angela Lunde
Selecting "Submit" signifies that you have read and agree to our posting guidelines.
My husband is 25 years older than I and has mild alz. according to the stages that I've read. I still work FT, he is retired and stays home alone. We use the sticky pad system to get him through the day. Ex: brush teeth, drink water, etc. He still manages to drive to the store and is able to accomplish small shopping list using the sticky pad and the help of the store staff. As scary as this sounds, he manages to function ok for now. But, I am so concerned because he repeats questions every 2-3 minutes and can't retain any information given to him. Doc said to let him do what is familiar so that he doesn't lose what function he has. Does anyone have any other suggestions to add to the sticky pad system that might make his day easier. We do keep in touch all day long by phone, so I am able to keep tabs on him. If he gets lost, he calls and I talk him home. Any suggestions would be welcome.
My mother is in nursing home (alzheimer unit) she was fine but is now very agitated and mad. She believes that she works there and her boss is mean with her. I don't know what to do. The nurses are so kind and good its not them. My mother is in a time frame years ago. How can I handle this???
I have been caring for my mother (she lives with me) for over 8 years. She is 75 and was diagnosed with early onset ALZ about 10 years ago. She is in severe, late stage ALZ (can't walk, talk, in diapers, can't feed/drink by herself)and during the progression to this stage, I have felt many emotions and learned many ways to make caregiving easier. I work FT (I am 48 and single) and I have a paid caregiver stay with her while I work. The best suggestions I can give is to put baby locks on the doors so the person can't wander out. Get a baby video monitor so that you see and hear them at night. I never slept for about 3 years when she was sundowning. The monitor made a HUGE difference. Put matress pads on your furniture and bed because early on they can get confused about where the bathroom is and think the recliner is the potty. Keep small stuffed animals for them to play with and keep them calm (my mother loved to hold and pet them). Tell them you love them often and always hold their hand and hug them. My mother has not been able to speak more than "yes" or "no" for years and one of the last phrases she could say was "love you, love you, love you". I carry that in my heart and it gives me strength to see this through to the end.
I am 55 and am caregiving for my mom who has A.D. AND her husband of 7 years, who also has dementia. They have been living with my husband and me for the last 10 months. Both have multiple physical problems, and mom's husband is currently in a post-surgery rehab facility but due to return home at the end of this month. Mom appears to be at the late stages, but still knows us, is able to carry on a conversation, still eats, and can ambulate some with a walker. I am an only child, and though mom was diagnosed at the beginning of this year, her disease has progressed very fast. She went under anesthesia for surgery in March, and has declined rapidly (which I'm told is due to the anesthesia). I am experiencing anticipatory grief (so I'm told). Because my mom was the only unconditional love that I ever knew, I'm terrified at the prospect of losing her. I already feel so alone. I have no children and no close family other than my husband, and though he does his best to be supportive, I still feel so alone. Friends disappeared,which was so disappointing and shocking, but I did find that finding new friends who have been caregivers in the past made a huge difference for me. I have also hired a caregiver to help me here at home, and she has become my best friend. She cares for my mom AND me (LOL) when I'm an emotional wreck. I just wonder if anyone out there is experiencing as much difficulty as I am with the anticipatory grief? Any suggestions?
I once read that after a caterpillar spins a cocoon it liquified into a goo, and that goo then contains the DNA of the butterfly. That is how I felt when I transferred care of my mother to full time nursing care. I could no longer make her happy, and no amount of scurrying on my furry legs could make it better. who was I without her? goo.
But now I am sensing that wings are forming. Capacity has become my new anthem. I am being transformed, into who I am post caregiver..who I am to her, and who I am to me.
I appreciate Sandy's comment. I, too, am caring for myhusband who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease but in extremely poor physical consition due to 55 years of Type 1 diabetes. I work full time and have to hire help to be with him most of the time. Friends and family are out of town so it is a lonely, expensive existence. The support group available to me is not much help. Most caregivers seem to be caring for parents and not to be working full time as I am. I liked this article and found it helpful. It's a day to day struggle but so far God is giving me the strength and patience I need. Thanks for this blog.
I am caring, full-time. for my 84 year old mom who is in the middle to late stages of Alz. This month in the two year mark since i had to quit my f-t job and move in with her. We were lucky in the fact that 5 years ago right after my dad passed suddenly of a Heart Attack, our Atty. recommended that we set up a Power of Atty (both Medical and Durable) & it was early & she was clear enough, at that point, that she agreed. I am an only child so full responsibilty falls on me. Some events and a bunch emotions on both of our parts have gotten us to the point we are at today... She also has Dementia which makes the disease even more interesting. One thing through it all is that she denies that she has any problems. She doesn't know i am her daughter and threatens me almost daily that she is going to fire me if i don't do what she says. She hides every thing, so every day is a treasure hunt for us. Her dresser tops and walls of her bedroom are completely bare (most photos get hidden in the linen closset between the extra bedding), as she doesn't want the people who come through her ceiling at night to steal anything! i cry at night and just pray that the next day will be a good one! i have 14 and 18 yr old daughters who live here with me as well, so they can give me breaks to run errands, yard work & just so i can regroup. Everyone tells me that it is only going to get harder, but i think if i keep the focus on LOVE we will all get through every stage as they come.
I want to share my list of things to make life easier.
1. Secure your kitchen. We never knew what we would find or find missing and really got grossed out a couple of times so either get a gate(we had to add a wooden piece shaped like this TT connected to the bars of a purchased gate and secured it to the bars with electrical clamps because she was going over the top) or if you can't install a gate get child latches for cabinets and a lock for the fridge .Knowing my food supply is safe helps.
2.Keep all necessary clothing in a closet in another bedroom lock that bedroom door when you leave and leave the clothes they want to rip buttons off or zippers out or tags off in there room they will become the "play clothes" and has kept my mom occupied for hours.
3.Keep all tissue in a cabinet I would rather change a pull-up then find dirty tissue disposed of in the most unusual places.
4.If your loved one is resistant to wearing pull-ups put regular underwear over the top.
5.Keep baby wipes handy and clean up bottoms while still on the toilet just like you did for your kids.
6.Keep a protective cover on mattress and a disposable pad between sheet and mattress pad so you don't have to wash pad after an accident.
7. Install a hand held shower and use liquid soap or inexpensive shampoo for washing. It goes on and off easier for quick showers.
Thanks so much for the tip about melatonin I'm going to try it this weekend.
Barbara, you need to check with some of the local churches and the respite care they are offering for a very small charge and for all day. I found one that if you can,t afford there $50.00 for 8 hours lunch included charge they will sign you up for there assistance plan. My mom can afford it because she lives with my husband and myself and actually is learning to enjoy it especially when they bring the children in from the nursery to visit. Check your local churches and see what they offer.
After reading the various blogs, I can totally relate to so much. My hushand has Alz. and he is only 65 years old. We are married 42 years and are both retired. This is not what retirement is supposed to be about. I have joined a support group and it has helped me tremendously. The feelings of isolation, depression, anger, frustration, anxiety, etc., etc., were just overwhelming. He is also now going to a day care center twice a week which really gives me a break. I get so sad and lonely with no one to talk with all day. He was never a talker but now there is no conversation. I just pray all the time that God will give me the strength to care for him. God bless all of you.
I am having a challenge just to get my 87 year old mother in for an evaluation. She doesn't see, or perhaps not admit, that there are changes in her memory and in her ability to take care of herself physically. My sister and I wrote a letter to her physician, her set up an appointment for all of us to geo in, but my mother canceled the appointment, "because nothing is wrong". How does one get beyond this, especially before something harmful happens?
I found this interesting, as we do also go through changes. In my late 30's I cared for my step-father who had ALZ and within 5 years he was gone. (I was working full time, trying to care for him and my mother). Now after 13 long years, my husband is in the middle of the 6th stage. But from what I read it could go another 6-7 years.
Of course, by the time I realized he had it, he had lost everything ... if only ALZ sites would warn people to watch for this, I had no warning (the slow kind of ALZ moves SLOW and by the time you realize it, the person can destroy everything you've worked for).
Perhaps by word of mouth, articles, people will become more aware, to watch you loved ones closer, it creeps on the person and then wraps it's ugly arms around them.
Wishing the ones with ALZ, love... and the Caregivers peace.
Oh, Barbara, I'm so glad you can share on this blog. It really helps. I'm not sure how your day begins, but if you are tired, anxious, angry and exhausted (all of the above) your husband can sense that! What has worked for me is to greet my husband with a big kiss and a happy cheerful voice in the morning. Some days it takes a little more effort but I believe (and many agree) that our personalities can set the tone for the day. When my husband asks questions that don't make sense, I try to answer him with "oh, that's already taken care of and you don't have to worry about it". It gives him peace (me too). You need to step out of your real world and step into his, It takes a little practice but it actually can be an escape for you and puts you more in control. I agree about calling the ALZ emergency number. There is help....you just need to find it. Extra prayers are coming your way....
I ache for Barbara also. If it wasn't for a small dose of Haliperidol daily, and 50mg. of Sertraline that I give to my husband, plus a small dose of Busparone for myself for general anxiety, I'd be feeling the same way as Barbara. I, too, feel grabbing someone to just stop by and listen and talk to my husband - but everyone is too busy, even our children who try to avoid the change in "Daddy". I pray a lot and realize how much I have changed - After months of misery for both of us, I am the one who has changed and for the better! I do not argue, explain, or repeat my answers anymore! I have learned not to take anything personally. This is a wonderful chat room for us who are transitioning to caregivers. If we try so hard to bring back the past, we'll go crazy. This is the new normal now and we can and we must - adjust. Reach out for positive feedback, and pray for wisdom and patience.
God bless you, Barbara.
Barbara your story is heartbreaking, you need some help and your going to have to be resourceful and get some much needed and required to survive help. Call Alz hotline and talk with someone....find support group...within that group maybe some much need outlet for your well being plus who know who know who that could offer some help. No family or friends (common for us all) time for new ones....via a support group. Make sure your getting sleep and eating well, also check out any senior center in your area. If your husband wants to argue let him argue without you don't argue back you can't or wont ever win, isn't going to happen. Did your husband have anything that he enjoyed, movies music etc. if so find them to watch or listen sorry this is rush but my heart breaks for you and I can here my husband stirring got to run
my husband has alzheimers.he can still do some things but mostly does not understand even if i explain in detail.i have noone to help me,if i do not agree on everything he says or do things the way he wants he gets nasty.he is with me 24 hours a day and is always asking questions or complaining all day.i hate to say it but i am glad when he goes to bed.i am trying my best to help him but i find myself getting angry and losing patience.i pray every night for GOD to grant me them.i am 77 and recently had a modified radical mastectomy with 8 lymph nodes taken out ad am not supposed to do a lot of things but i have no choice therefore i am having a hard recovery time,we don't have the money to pay someone to come and help out and nowhere to take hime for a few hours.we have 1 place it costs $60.00 a day and they do not take anyone with alzheimers.i want to attend an alzheimers group but am so exhausted i don't have the energy to go.he has no friends anymore..sometimes when i see an older man i feel like running after him and asking him to come in and be a friend to him.it is an awful thing this alzheimers.we will be married 53 years this year.i sometimes look at an old picture of him and say to it "where did you go?"i have so much anger in me now and i hate feeling that way as he was always a gentle,caring person,he still likes to make people laugh(i wish i could)any advice would really be appreciated.thanks
I mentioned in an earlier post that if I live to see the otherside of this disease I will work for changes in aid to families for respite and day care. If we as a nation understand a tax deduction for working parents and day care where are we any different. Anyway I received this email from The Alzheimers Organization about the National Alz Project Act. Many of you may already have received it. I did respond and hope many of you will as well with your concerns and needs. http://napa.alz.org/ We are a forgotten group to our nation.....let them hear your voice
Circumstances and situations make or break us as individuals. Reading beautiful post like NancyAnn and heartbreaking ones like Millie reminds me in this journey that changes daily you just never know.....this disease is hopeless, terrifing and unfair to our loved ones and ourselves. Time and passages, roads traveled that are bumpy and full of pot holes. I read an article that help it said (paraphrase) Learn to speak Alzheimer to your loved one, don't try to bring them into your world .....their brains won't let them come. Trying to make them reason in our world just doesn't work anymore, relate and communicate in their world. And the hand held timer....brilliant. No more fights on you've been gone to long..... :) And smiles and humor will always help.
I so wish that I had this newsletter while I was caring for my mother the last 3 years. It would have helped me realize that decisions need to be made and sometimes, they need to be made by one's self. You see, I, too, have siblings who for one reason or another weren't around. Although I gave them significant and numerous signs in emails, etc. all they could talk abut was themselves. No one cared for our Mother. I feel so thankful that she called on me to help her when she needed care. In the end when she was taken from me not by choice, she thanked me and said she owed me. I never felt that way at all. I owed her for giving birth to me and for giving me the only kind of love she could. By her example, good and sometimes bad, I learned how to be a better mother to my own children and see the results now in my two caring, selfless, successful young adults. I see in these blogs that we all learn life's lessons. Although Mother passed away, I still read the newsletters and the blogs. They are a reminder of the days mom and I had together. Thank you, Mom. I'll see you soon!
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes because my dear mother has the "memory loss". That's how my dad refers to it. He has become a hero in our family because he has learned to do the laundry, the grocery shopping, the planning of meals,everything my mom used to do. This is the man who used to buy new underwear when my mom was in Hawaii with a friend because he didn't know how to use the washing machine. He keeps saying "The Golden Years aren't cracked up to what they're supposed to be", and I'm so happy they did so much traveling in their 50s and 60s. I know it's morally wrong, but I pray that she will get pheumonia so she's doesn't have to go to an alzheimers unit. I want my mom to be the way she used to be: happy, so loving, doing for everybody, taking care of herself. But it's not to be. I think I've come to acceptance, but then I realize I really haven't.
Thank you for this space to say my deepest feelings.
I am caring for my husband--both of us are 69. Although I have this job by myself, I am able to laugh about things most of the time. It is very wearing though, not just physically, but on the soul. He has had symptoms since the late nineties and was diagnosed in 2005. One group of physicins in another state called it vascular dementia due to white spots deep in his brain. Another group of physicians in VA, where we live now, call it Alzheimers. Who cares what it is called? It is dementia, plain and not simple. My husband is very O/C wanting to take the trash out piece by piece, feeling that he should shave more than once a day, wanting everything put away and perfect, etc, etc. He is also restless, up and down all the time. But the amazing thing is that he has taken up reading--simple books, mostly religious.
I'm a paid caregiver. For $10 an hr. I anwer the same question 100 times.,change diapers,,make 3 interesting meals a day. Try to find something on Tv that is funny or get catches there eye( I have a couple, both AZ), I break up fights do laundry,remind them who I am,put food in my mouth at lunch time to remind them how to chew., follow them around,because they have never seen there own bedroom before,I repeat and repeat and explain...Funny you really get attached to these people.
to anyone that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's please look into lyme disease. 200,000 people go undiagnosed every year and it can mimic many diseases alhheimers, ALS, MS, bells palsy and many more. My Aunt was mis-diagnosed for so long now there is no chance for her. the labs that insurance companies use are only 40% accurate at best. i should now i was diagnosed with MS and it wasnt. Itwas Lyme. And i do have plenty cognitive problems too. It went undiagnosed for six years. Now it is incurable. But there is treament to help with symptoms.
Pat your amazing :) Doug, Melanie, Sue parts of your stories are mine. Everyone travels through passages in their lives. .....Angela has been kind enough to give us our road map. Some of these stories show amazing awareness and such over mounting difficulties. I to believe in respite care at all costs. I have to work full time, I bring someone in 2-3 hours a day while I work. I pay him more than I make an hour but I have no choice. If I survive this disease to the other side I am going to work on getting tax relief for home day care for this disease.
Ms. Lunde is "right on the money" with her insightful comments. At this junction of my husband's dementia, he is 95% bladder incontinent and is also totally blind as of a year and 1/2 ago. Every day presents its own set of challenges and I have solved them satisfactorily and now I want to share them with you. The first is that I give John 6mg of extended release melatonin (which is a natural sleep aid). I give it to him with his "night" pills at dinner time. He has and continues to sleep from 6pm until 9am the following morning. AMEN! I prefer natural supplements in lieu of prescription meds. Also, because he needs assistance in everything he does, it was becoming more difficult to get him to sit in the dining room chair and push him into the table. I had a small rug under the table but them he was starting to get his feet caught. I bought a plastic floor mat at Staples which is used under desks and my daughter found online an "executive desk chair" with wheels which is incredibly comfortable for him (he looks like the former bank executive that he was). If needed, I can wheel him into the bedroom in the chair. Also the 3rd thing to mention is that at night I use the large pad (that folds like a giant diaper) and I place a "Poise" liner inside it. When I check him during the night, I remove the soaking wet pad and replace it. I use the liners during the day in his pullups and it saves having to inconvenience him to completely
I agree that we go through stages, and then go through them again each time our loved one has a significant decrease in abilities, or needs to have a new level of care. We don't have control over what is happening to him/her, only over our response. It is a physical, psychological and spiritual experience.
No Name Given, I too care for a wife of 54 years diagnosed with Alz in 2004. I'm still able to get away for 4 hours of golf and a few beers once a week and 3 hours of poker once a month. Without these breaks I'm not sure I could cope with the day to day chores and caring she needs and the heartbreak of watching someone I adore disappear. When she need constant watching I will contract for a "companion" to stay with her while I'm gone. Where I live the cost of this support is $22/hr or $418/mo which is far cheaper than several days of respite care.
My husband has been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Disorder. We are in the denial stage. He has been tested but will not be tested again. He still seems ok and maybe he will stay in this stage. We are in the wait and see phase with the doctor for 6 months. I like all your comments. People do get sick of hearing me talk about my problems. My husband likes it when I'm around all the time but I still go to lunch with friends. He sleeps alot. He and I will be 65 this year. I'm thinking about going to a caregiver group but haven't done it yet.
I am a 24/7 caregiver in a situation where there is not much help or relief from someone who is able to step in and take over for me occasionally. We have three sons and two of them are in other states. One is here but about 35 minutes away and is very busy with his job and family. We are in a situation where we have retirement so would have to pay for any nursing home care ourselves without help from Medicaid. We can do that but would not have much left for me to live on so I'm trying to do everything myself. I'm very fortunate that my husband is not violent and still enjoys life as best he can. I still take him out to eat, he's messy but I help clean up if need be. He enjoys it. I still take him to visit relatives occasionally. He enjoys that too but does tire easily. Anyway, I do appreciate reading all these notes and helps from this website. Every encouragement is a blessing!
Thank you for the excellent article. I seem to be at the "entry level" stage - my husband has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. It's a toss-up whether he will get worse, or stay the same, however the odds are not entirely in our favor. My care-giving right now is mainly in the area of decision making and financial management. This seems pretty easy when I read some of the other posts. I need to be realistic though, and learn as much as I can before I get to the "slap-in-the-face" stage when I may have to do much more. Thanks for developing this newsletter and blog.
i ASK MY HUSBAND WHAT HE S FEELING AND HE WILL NOT ANSWER ME MOST OF THE TIME. hE DOESN'T WANT ME TO KNOW WHAT HE IS FEELING. i THINK HE IS DEPRESSED AND DOESN'T WANT TO WORRY ME MORE. i TELL HIM i WORRY MORE WHEN HE DOESN'T SHARE.
When I first knew something was a miss I found myself dwelling on all the negatves in the relationship. Everything that I had let pass, ignore, or go on with. I was so angry.
I know about AD. My mother had the disease.
I am wondering if other people who are caregivers such as I have had similar experiences.
Somedays, are pretty good. I keep saying to myself Look what you have left - not what you have lost.
I also was a caregiver for my mother who recently passed away at age 92. She died peacefully in her bedroom at home, which was her last desire. However, pain and grief are still with me. Most of my siblings refused to lend a hand in caring for mom at an early stage stating all kinds of reasons. Yet upon her passing they wanted to know exactly how her finances were managed, even though her income was low. It hurts how they have taken and disposed of her things at home since the house will be sold.I cared of her for 10 years and I miss her terribly.
I am one of the lucky ones. My mother, for whom I have been caring for six years, is now non-verbal, but smily and affectionate. if anyone had said six years ago that I would be changing poopy panties I would have said they were nuts! But I have learned to adapt to almost any situation and find the joy in just being with my mother, who is far from the person she once was. And when my siblings say they want to decide what's next, I tell them that what is next is a nursing home when I've had enough. I won't view it as failure. I will view it as having given my Mom many quality years. Some of you sound so overwhelmed. I think you need someone to say to you that you gave your loved one love and quality care and you are entitled to decide you can no longer do it. I have an uncle with Alzheimers and he is not as progressed as my Mom, but more difficult. I have told his partner that when he has had enough, I will support his decision to put him in a nursing home. It is not failure as a caregiver!
A note about respite. I too was unable to call upon respite care for my grandmother in mid stage Alzheimers due to guilt about her unhappiness. After a trip to the hospital with my Gram after she fell, the social workers sat me down and said that I was on a collision course of disaster - with ME falling apart due to the high stress. They reminded me that if I fell apart I would be unable to take care of my both my young daughter 9yrs and grandmother. My grandmother was very angry for a few visits, but it took a few months of anger for her to get over it. Now she does not so begrudgingly go for a weekend away.
I know those feelings of I can't make her go into respite because she will be miserable (or I can't afford it), but you can do it, and must do it to keep yourself strong so you can be the best caregiver you can be.
I think the most important 'stage' a caregiver needs to go through is the "make-your-decision-without-feeling-guilty stage. Whatever decisions caregivers make, as long as they are made in the best interests of the person being cared for AND the caregiver ... are, by definition, the correct decisions. There is absolutely no need to feel guilty about those decisions. Too many caregivers feel guilty about this or that when they shouldn't. There are rarely any totally right/wrong, black/white decisions. Most decisions are simply choices made in specific situations ... situations that are not the same for anyone else. The 'right' decision for one caregiver may be the 'wrong' decision for another. Alzheimer's is a horrible journey with much more gray than black and white. Caregivers already have enough daily stress. Make your decisons, move on, and don't let guilt make your life even more difficult!
Dear Millie & Judy who get no respite care.You must even though your patient does not want to you to leave them otherwise you will collapse physically or mentally. I felt the same but when I get "ratty " & start to lose patience I know it is time to send my husband for overnight care.God bless you both
I would appreciate learning from others the feelings of their loved one with Alzheimers - are you able/have you discussed with them what is happening?
I am glad my sister-in-law sent me this article and I signed up for the newsletter. This is quite helpful and I know I am not alone with my feelings. I am at wits end being my 92 yr old Aunt with dementia caregiver. I sold everything I had and moved in with her so she wouldn't be put in a nursing home. Now in what ever stage she is in I feel like a prisoner in her control. I am 62 yrs old and unable to go or do anything unless she is with me. She doesn't want me here so getting someone to come and stay a few hours is out of the question. I am her only family and have often thought when she gets angry when will this end. But then tell myself this is not my Aunt it is the disease but the verbal abuse is often hard to let roll off my back or laugh about it. Thank you everyone for sharing your experience. I now know I am not alone.
Thank you Terry! I have to find humor everyday to get through this.My husband and I are in our third year of care giving for my 78 year old mother who is at the precipace of late stage AD. Some days when I'm so tired from work then have to deal with her or her hired day care gives and I want to pull my hair out we look over and she is putting a glove on her foot or wearing two different shoes both on the wrong feet we just start belly laughing and somehow it makes us feel better!! Hey is there a guidebook out there for caregiving for the caregivers, the mojority of my family ie my siblings could use some tips. Except for one sister the others have turned out to be total jerks. I just hope when there time comes there kids treat them just like they have there mother.
This little analysis was very helpful. Actually, I benefit from reading most things I find on this site. I am sort of at the "where have my friends gone?" stage--in one respect. I have friends and do a lot with them, but they don't want to listen longer than 30 seconds to my recitals of Alzheimer caregiver problems. And I think they shouldn't have to. Getting my mind off the subject when I am with them is very healthy.
Thanksyou for your insightful blog. As a caregiver I really needed to hear that. My mom is in late stage Alzheimer's. Looking back at our (my dad & I) journey of caregiving I see that one thing remains constant and that is constant change, adjustment and adapting. It seems that each day brings another challenge that we have to be figuring out to deal with. With laughter, and above all the help from God, we continue to get through each day. Thanks for your web sight.
I must admit sometimes I make myself laugh, I am reading the post and I see a comment sign by Terry and I say I didn't write anything ....news flash to me someone else could have a spouse with Alz and the caregivers name is Terry. That is my Ha Ha moment today :)
I am caring for my husband Edmond who is still in the early stages of Alzheimer's. I empathize with all the comments I read here and would offer just one additional source of help. We are blessed to live hear the local chapter of our Alzheimer's Association and both get much strength and comfort from attending their regular support groups--one for caregivers and the other for the person with the disease. The local Alzheimer's Association is also a central resource for finding local assistance with most of the issues this disease brings into play. Edmond and I both rely on the fellow travelers we've met in our groups and on the staff that always will lend an ear and a timely, helpful suggestion. Ann
My Father was the primary caregiver for my Mother for 15 years. The last 4 years, she was totally bedridden. Our entire family learned what complete love is by watching my Father take care of his most precious love day in and day out with never once a complaint.
Caregivers are the forgotten ones many times and yet they need caregivers themselves.
I will never forget Hospice of St. Joseph County in South Bend Indiana for standing by my Father during his long goodbye to the love of his life.
its good and bad to read these posts. i am envious of those caretakers who use respite care. my husband is very defiant about that. we are both 66.
i am trying to take care of so much. my husband wanders around the house at night often going on the porch leaving the door open. its difficult to get enough sleep. sometimes he uses trash containers instead of the toilet. i have since hidden them. he follows me around all day. at least that way i can see that he is not getting into trouble.
when he first discovered at duke that this was happening, he asked me to help him die. i told him we would make it together. i am now fearful. my attitude has turned to resentment even though i know he cannot help himself. i pray for relief from the nightmare in which we find ourselves.
my mother lives with me. Sometimes I want to
just throw my hands up and quit. I had to put
my life on hold, but I would not change a thing.
She is my mother and I love her.
I am struggling but your comments have helped me immensly. Caregiving is so hard but love & faithis stronger. I will give to my wife until I have gone to eternal peace. God bless Mayo and its staff writers.
I am 56 and have been a caregiver for my 63 year old husband. He was diagnosed with dementia several years ago. He has been going to adult day care, 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. That has been a big help for me and he enjoys the activities. He is almost totally dependent on me for most everything. I try to keep positive as difficult as that is sometimes. My husband has lost the abiity to communicate however, he responds to emotions. he still has the ability to laugh, that alone can makes this journey worthwhile. There are definate phases of caretaking and I am grateful that I am able to keep my husband home and hope to do that for as long as possible.
Tomorrow my wife of 53 years and diagnosed with Alz in 2004 will be going to Hospice respite care for 5 days. I have resisted giving up her care for more reasons than I care to mention here; guilt being at the top of the list. Your newsletter and comments from other caregivers finally helped me make this difficult decision. Thank you all!!
Donna's letter written June 16 could have been written by me. Ages are the same also. It is very, very difficult. I take one day at a time and try my best to look after me otherwise I could never manage my husband.
Our children live everywhere but, close and so I must rely on what help I can get right now and some very dear friends. That get's more difficult everyday. I know I am not alone.
It is normal to feel frustrated and kept by caregiving, from things you would rather be doing. However, when selfishly feeling deprived of my freedom by caring for my loved one, I quit feeling sorry for myself by reminding myself that it could be me in need of care - roles reversed.
I might add this observation which I believe to be true in my wifes severe AD and perhaps all AD patients - Their brain receives the information visual and verbal which is not forgotten or lost from memory. The problem with AD is the circuitry to retrieve & share that information is short circuited. Picture a lamp - turn on the switch - the bulb doesn't light up. Now you try a few more times and assume the bulb is burned out. Fetch a new bulb and try again - no light! What now? Check the cord to see if it is properly plugged into the power outlet - Ah it wasn't - plug it in and try the light now. It lights up so now get the first bulb you thought was burned out and try it again - voila - it lights. Much like the brain. even short term memory is there but the wiring is not letting it light up. Always care for your AD patient as if they understand - I believe mine does - but just can't communicate that back in a way we can understand they know.
This article, as most of the articles is spot on. It's like I wrote it myself and my private thoughts are embodied in the articles verbiage. Your newsletters are so insightful and comforting. Thank you for the special work you are doing. I look forward to your newsletters each time.
Well, as caregivers our stages flip around too. Days when you have the silent, I need this to end soon thoughts, all the way to I must enjoy every moment - on a good day. Humor helps me over harsher emotional bumps. Forgive me but there's a missing stage in the short discussion. That is the "get used to poop" in all it's forms and manifestations stage. Sometimes the scent is refreshing when you've struggled with constipation for 3 days. Suffice to say I've gotten good with vinyl gloves. I still recall that first moment when I knew I had to assist my wife with that infernal "wiping". I was so timid and tentative about that and today it's as though our intimacy has morphed into something quite different but necessary. One doesn't think twice. My latest challenge is tooth brushing. The system works great until teeth clamp down on the brush's little shaft. So maybe I'm in the hygiene passage along with a mix of all the rest. I liked the "child" comparisons by another writer. And of course, children can be funny, entertaining and quite loving in their own special way. And yes, they also leave the doors open to flies and mosquitoes.
I am 68 and have been caring for my husband for the past 10 years. He is 84 years old and in good health except of the Alzheimer Disease and balance and ambulations problems. He also does not want anyone else involved in his care. He does not comprehend that I need help or a break from my caregiver duties. He gets bored and anxious when I am in a different room in the house. He needs to see me to feel comfortable. I too have a life to live and will soon have to force him to allow me to hire a companion to be with him when I want to do social functions with my lady friends that take 3-4 hours to complete. I love golf, plays, and symphonies, but can no longer do those things. He does not like to be around crowds and can no longer tolerate the sounds of a concert or movie, so I can't take him with me. I have lost the participation of my soul mate and all the wonderful things we used to do together. I feel I must still live this wonderful life God has given me and still find a way to give love and caring to this man who has given so much to me. Our children are grandparents themselves and have limited time to help me. I must learn to ask for help which is so hard for me to do. I pray that the time will soon come that he will accept being cared for by someone else for even 8 hours a month. I feel trapped a lot of the time. May God give all caregivers patience, courage, and strength to go on loving and giving.
Both a friend & I had similar experiences in going thru a panic phase. Situations at home became so desperate that we felt we could no longer cope. Loved ones refused to be admitted to nursing homes or have any hired caregivers in the home. We both anticipated that eventually there would be a medical emergency and so dealt with our panic by collecting records that would be needed for admission to nursing homes. This planning helped us emotionally,as we were working on solutions. Within a few months one patient had a fall. The other had a cardiovascular incident. After ER evaluations each was transferred directly to a nursing home. The adjustment was made a little easier for these dementia patients because they believed that their other conditions did not permit their returning home. We now visit them daily. But we have been able to move past our panic stages of feeling that we can no longer cope.
This is one of the most insightful articles I have read for caregivers. And I have read many of them, plus attended seminars, read journal articles, talked with physicians, and taken care of my husband at home for 15 years following his diagnosis of dementia.
Although he died in February, I still access this blog because "once a caregiver, always a caregiver." Looking back, I believe I could not have done it all without the strength and courage God supplied. My son shared in the caregiving duties and now we are able to share the memories that may have been annoyances at the time but have morphed into amusing reminiscences.
Caregiver fatigue and sleep deprivation was one of the biggest challenges, so I learned to "sleep while the baby sleeps", valuable advice I got from my mother-in-law over fifty years ago!
We got through it and honestly look upon it as a privilege to have been able to do it.
There is hope. I believe that if one can handle the caregiving of an Alzheimer's patient, one can handle anything!
Thank you for your posting. I am my mother's caregiver and an Occupational Therapist by profession. It is interesting to me that my journey with Mom and her medical providers has made me realize the power of the words we chose to use and how we must not judge others unless we have indeed walked in their shoes. I have learned to accept each moment as it is and do the best I can at the time.
I am quite sure that the stages, or phases, of caregiving are different for a spouse than they are for children caring for parents. I am an 83 year-old caring for my 85 year-old wife of 57 years who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the fall of 2005. I still have her at home. There have been certain phases with which I have had to deal. I also had to learn all the housekeeping tricks and jobs that heretofore were her provence. I accumulated a significant library of books, which I have devoured, to help me understand what is happening.
I decided early on that I would not try to keep anything "secret". All of her former friends, college classmates, colleagues, and family members have been kept out to date on what to expect when they meet her.
Certain small actions, in retrospect, signaled significant changes in phases. For example I bought a dinning room chair on casters so I could more easily get her up to the table. About the same time we started always requesting a booth, rather than a table, when we eat out at a restaurant. I bought some bibs to use at mealtimes.
I switched from dresses to elastic topped slacks and pull-on bouses or sweatshirts. I bought a car, a Subaru Outback, that is easier for her to get in and out of. I keep fresh flowers since they are some of the few things she really enjoys.
Finally, as the disease progressed, I have a home-help aid come in three or four afternoon a week so I can run errands. I have run my limit.
I absolutely believe the caregiving journey can be staged. You may enjoy reading a concept I developed in 1997 called The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey. It's available here: http://www.caregiving.com/the-caregiving-years/
This really hit home for me - we believe my mother is entering her final phase. She broke her hip & is in rehab. For my husband, me & our family, it's a break from caregiving. At some level I feel guilty about enjoying the freedom but also feel guilty to be so 'selfish'. For the first time in 6 years, it's peaceful in the house; we can actually see friends and attend church. It breaks my heart to see my mother right now (although we go every other day) because she has to hurt from the surgery and has lost the ability to talk other than saying, 'Help' over and over. She thinks I'm her sister and has for several years; otherwise, she doesn't know who anyone is. I'm sure there's also a component of fear, not knowing where she is or why. We don't know how long she will remain in the nursing home but are trying to be prepared for her return. The conflicting emotions are draining. I seem to be a continuing caregiver - my father was ill for 15 years, my husband has had five hip surgeries, and my mother has been with us for 10. I just feel worn out and removed from society most of the time and friends truly must tire of the drama at our house. Having the chance to 'talk' freely about this has been good for me. I feel blessed to have a husband who has and is willing to be my helpmate through all of this. I'm resigned to being a caregiver, but dance through all the other phases - nice to know this is normal!
I am 73yrs old, and Len is 78rs. I feel like I have a life to live, and cannot live it, because I live with Len's AD.
Everything written here in this article is me.
Len is in a stage that is slow, and he would not think of someone sitting with him, when I get a chance to go out with a friend.
Therefore when I do go out it's like I'm leaving a child alone, and return home within an hour. And so on. I feel like I am taking care of a very large child who thinks there is nothing wrong with him,yet he cannot write a check or do anything with numbers. This child I am taking care of was with the IRS till he retired as an accountant.
AD is not friendly for the person who has it,
or the caregiver, his wife.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse non-Mayo products and services.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.


text:
Here is a model race car that runs on hydrogen produced by a small solar cell. The car uses a real fuel cell and its own on-board hydrogen storage system. To create free hydrogen fuel, you just add water to the stations tank. Fueling is animated by a special blue light display. The car will […][Read More]
You are here: Home / Archives for hydrogen tank

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A faulty mass air flow (MAF) sensor can cause erratic/rough engine operation and fuel economy issues. Since this sensor measures the actual amount of air entering the motor, when it fails, the engine control module (ECM) takes the wrong information and delivers incorrect volumes of fuel to the cylinders.
Car problem reports
Problem with your car? See what our experts say or submit your own.
Repairpal verified 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E problems
Emissions-related ports in cylinder head may clog
Ports in the cylinder head related to the emissions air injection and EGR systems can clog; the cylinder head should be removed and the ports cleaned.
Premature Tire Wear Due to Cracked Lower Control Arm Bushings
The lower control arm bushings can wear and crack, leading to irregular and premature tire wear. Worn Ball joints can also cause similar tire wear problems. I some cases it may be necessary to replace the lower control arm, including bushings & ball joint to correct this concern.
Head Light Lenses Become Cloudy/Opaque
The lenses for head lights may become opaque (cloudy or hazy) as a result of sun exposure. This can reduce the effectiveness of the lights. Our technicians tell us plastic polishes can improve the clarity of the lenses, but replacement of the lamp housings is necessary to regain full intensity of the lights.
The Speedometer May Fail Due to Internal Drive Gear Wear
Due to wear of the internal drive gear, the speedometer can stop working.
Coolant Hoses May Fail Unexpectedly
The cooling system hoses may fail unexpectedly. The hoses can look good on the outside, but the rubber can degrade and erode on the inside. If not carefully checked, the hoses can burst at any time.
Harsh Ride From Rear Due to Failed Dampening Actuator
Vehicles with automatic level control that ride harshly in the rear (no give in the suspension) may have one or both dampening actuators which have failed. It is commonly recommended the actuators be replaced in pairs.
Interior Wood Trim Cracks Due to Age and Sun Exposure
Due to age and sun exposure, the interior wood trim cracks and the finish gets a cloudy haze. Replacement if the trim would be the most common solution to the problem.
Throttle Valves May Experience Electrical Failure
The electronic throttle assembly may suffer an electrical failure. It is often cheaper to send the valve to a service center for repair that to purchase a new part.
Sunroof Components May Fail Due to Age and Wear
The sunroof may not work correctly due to failed components as a result of age and wear. Repairing a sunroof can be labor intensive and very costly.
Coolant Leak/Overheating Due to Radiator Leak
A coolant leak may develop form the Radiator due to degradation of its plastic components. Replacement of the failed radiator will be necessary.
Transmission Oil Seals May Leak on High Mileage Vehicles
High mileage vehicles may develop a transmission fluid leak from one or more of the oil seals.
Fluid Leak From Front of Vehicle
A worn steering dampening shock can cause a fluid leak at the front of the vehicle. If a leak is noted from the dampening shock, our technicians tell us that it should be replaced.
ABS Modulator Failure Due to Dirty Brake Fluid
As brake fluid becomes dirty over time, it can cause a failure of the anti-lock brake system (ABS) modulator assembly. Our technicians recommend a complete brake system flush every two years to help prevent this issue.
Excess Free Play in Steering and/or Alignment Issue
The tie rod ends, idler arm, and/or drag link components of the steering linkage may wear prematurely. Please keep in mind the wheel alignment should be checked and adjusted when any of these items are replaced.


text:
Moody Blues Leader Announces Solo Summer Tour
Friday, March 29, 2013
Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward has just announced a 10-date solo tour in support of his new solo album, Spirits Of The Western Sky. Hayward kicks of the trek on August 2nd at Homestead, Pennsylvania's Carnegie Library Music Hall and wind things down on August 17th at Atlanta, Georgia's Buckhead Theatre.
Spirits Of The Western Sky is Hayward's first solo set since 1996's The View From The Hill, and features Hayward's signature sound while exploring country, folk, and bluegrass. Also included are two techno-based re-recordings of the Moody Blues' 1988 hit "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" under the new title "Out There Somewhere."
Justin Hayward told us that he plans to hit the road in a far more laid back way than Moody Blues fans are accustomed to seeing him: "I think one other guitar player, keyboards, maybe some vocals -- that's it. Some stories, as I wrote the songs, I've been doing it the last few days and I've been surprised how well these songs work with my own guitars from home and that's how I'll do it, I think. I found out before, really, once you introduce drums, y'know -- bang, bang, splat, crash -- it's a different. . . it's a different gig."
JUST ANNOUNCED: Justin Hayward tour dates (subject to change):
August 2 - Homestead, PA - Carnegie Library Music Hall
August 3 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage
August 5 - Wilmington, DE - World Cafe Live At The Queen
August 6 - Albany, NY - The Egg
August 7 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
August 9 - Tarrytown, NY - The Tarrytown Music Hall
August 10 - New York, NY - The Concert Hall at N.Y.S.E.C.
August 14, 15 - Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
August 17 - Atlanta, GA - The Buckhead Theatre
Photo Courtesy of PRPhotos.com
Your browser does not support script
Internet Explorer Users Click Here To See What's On-Air
Contest Rules
Contact Us
Copyright 2014. Eves Broadcasting Inc.
Site Designed and Maintained by MME
Music News
Search our Music Database
'Like' Us On Facebook
Local News
On-Air Now
Listen Live With Our App


text:
Shop now and get Free Value Shipping on most orders over $49 to the contiguous 48 states, DC and to all U.S. Military APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
We want to ensure that making a return is as easy and hassle-free as possible! If for any reason you decide that your purchase just isn't for you, simply return the item within 30 days of receipt and we'll cover the cost of return shipping. Learn more about our Return Policy.
In the event you can't choose which Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods to buy then take a look at our Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods Reviews and compare top rated brands to discover a Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods that is perfect for you. Our customer written reviews consist of recommendations, reviews, ratings and feedback. Get educated purchasing guidance for all of our preferred brands. Developing a good understanding as well as a standard knowledge of the items you're going to get is essential if you would like the correct gear the first time. Our online reviews of Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods can help you obtain the knowledge you want and let you understand which Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods consumers think are the best that you can buy. Also be sure to check out our OpticsPlanet discussion forum for all the current talk about Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods. So before buying, be sure to look at our consumer reviews for all our best brandnames for Lab Furniture & Bio-Hoods.
Connect with OpticsPlanet
Become our fan, follow us, & subscribe for the latest updates and deals
Subscribe to our email list
Sign up and receive $5 Off and get exclusive access to promotions, sales
events, pre-order sales & more!
Contact Information
Toll-Free: 800-504-5897
Intl.: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hours of Operation
7AM-8PM CST Mon-Fri9AM-5PM CST Sat-Sun
Our Guarantees


text:
Sign up for McQ Alexander McQueen updates above and we'll let you know as soon as the new collection arrives.
McQ Alexander McQueen
The contemporary line from Alexander McQueen, McQ Alexander McQueen possesses the rebellious spirit first introduced by the house's founder Lee Alexander McQueen since the label's 2005 launch. With a youthful approach, it distills the same vision that creative director Sarah Burton applies to the label's main line, drawing on global subcultures and an inventive use of fabrics to deliver an effortless collection with attitude, via clothes that are structured while retaining an ease of movement.


text:
The Escoda Versatil synthetic Kolinsky brush is the
Utilizing a carefully selected custom blend of uniquely patterned synthetic fibers, these
Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the Versatil provides great water retention, a firm spring, and a sharp, fine point, plus enhanced durability and a more consistent shape over the life of the brush.
Rigger, Series 1549 — The Rigger is a long, full-bellied, pointed round brush shape with large color capacity that was originally designed for painting the rigging of ships.
Note — Brush sizes are not standardized. The length and width of a brush of a given shape and size varies considerably by manufacturer. Since fine art brushes are hand crafted, expect some variation even among brushes from a given manufacturer.
Long and Short Handles — Long handles are recommended for easel style painting, while short handles are recommended for table-top painting where the artwork lies flat, especially with water media.
® Escoda is a registered trademark.


text:
WATCH: Special Guests Rita Ora, Mariah Carey, Oprah + More!
Plus a fancy Yorkie, #Selfie Dance-Cam Dance-Off + the best of the week!
Everything iHeartRadio Music Awards Here!
Plus check out our full clip with Rita Ora:
And in case you missed, here's what happens when you (we) speak Beyonce lyrics to Strangers in iHeartRadio's #DRUNKINLIFE:
Plus, Check out Paul The Web Guy and iHeartRadio's 5 Things You Need To Know every week on OK!TV. Check here for local listings.


text:
fantastic stuff. Good luck.
Phoronix: VP8 Over VDPAU In Gallium3D Is Emeric's Target
For those that were excited last week by the French student proposing an H.264 VA-API/VDPAU state tracker for Gallium3D that in turn was revised to WebM or Theora acceleration support instead (since no current-generation GPUs have dedicated video decode engines for these formats), Emeric has firmed up his proposal...
fantastic stuff. Good luck.
Sweet! Bioware's latest game (Dragon Age 2) contains characters so realistic that they actually exist?
BTW, using VDPAU also locks future development to video decode only. VA-API does support encoding. Encoding for E600 does exist today, SNB support will appear next. Even in the future, when AMD implements H.264 video encoding acceleration in their future VCE unit, VA-API can still be a fit.
"The current video decode/encode interface is window system independent, so that potentially it can be used with graphics sub-systems other than X. In a nutshell it is basically a scheme to pass various types of data buffers from the application to the GPU for decoding or encoding. Feedback on the API is greatly welcomed, as this is intended to be a community collaborative effort."
and OC ffmpeg/libav has now started talking about and coding (prototypes) to include HW decode...VA API/Crystal HD on their IRC channels etc.
whereas this and other public phoronix thread's do , so it does not harm if some of you/Intel-gfx/MESA come here and start a few tech 'proof of concept' and related discussions and see what happen's
the simple fact is people prefer web message boards today rather than full time mailing lists, many a time the IRC devs dont even read any MESA and related mailing list's as it's more effort for one off comments that may or not get expanded...
Basically, there's already been some work done on VDPAU and the dev is more familiar with it. So they said something like 'i'll just go with vdpau since it will be easier', and michael somehow connected that to adding support for new codecs.
My hope is that once the code for one is done, support for the other API can hopefully be added on top with minimal extra effort.
you might want to pop over there or on their IRC if you cant be bothered to follow subscribe there


text:
Latest update : 2013-02-13
Online reactions to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation
We look at online reactions to the Pope's surprise resignation. The Father of China's "Great Firewall" feels the wrath of local web users. And authorities in Lithuania are to use Google Street View to clamp down on tax cheats.
Online reactions to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation
Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on Monday, saying he lacked the strength to fulfill his duties and will leave office on the 28th of February: web users from all over the world have been reacting to the bombshell and sharing their thoughts on the Pontiff's unexpected decision.
Social networkers have been posting under the hashtag #PopeResigns, expressing surprise, even shock upon hearing the news. Web users have also been paying tribute to Benedict XVI, and everything he has achieved since his papacy began April 2005, they will be sorry to see him go.
The news has had a different effect on others however, and inspired some lighthearted fun. This Twitter user for example is wondering what one gives a retired Pope as a leaving present; this other micro blogger is wondering what sort of leaving party will be thrown for him. Others are questioning the official reasons and are wondering what really prompted Benedict XVI to step down, suggesting all sorts of unlikely scenarios like a sudden urge to become a film actor or a desire to make money from public appearances at talks all over the world, just like a great many former heads of state.
One can only wait to find out what he will do once he retires, but on social networks meanwhile speculation is rife over who the next Pontiff will be. Web users have been offering their suggestions, some more plausible than others, like Cardinal Turkson of Ghana or Manila archbishop, Cardinal Tagle.
China: Fang Binxing's holiday greetings spurned
Fang Binxing is the principal of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, but he is best known for building China's Internet censorship infrastructure dubbed "The Great Firewall".
And when he posted his Chinese New Year greetings to social networks over the weekend, tens of thousands of netizens, exasperated with government control over the web, bombarded him with messages telling him to "go to hell". The Beijing regime blocks access to a number of the world's most popular sites, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and uses a keyword system to filter content deemed sensitive.
It's a nightmare for Chinese web users who have to try and skirt restrictions in order to freely browse the web, and many hold Fang Binxing responsible. They have nothing but contempt for him and he is regularly targeted by anti-censorship activists.
In 2011 for example, he was hit in the face when a student threw a shoe at him during a meeting at a university in central China. The act of protest made the student an online hero.
And more recently, a petition was started on the White House petitioning site calling for the architects of China's Great Firewall to be denied entry to the US. The document has gathered 12,000 signatures so far, but remains far off the 100,000 required for Washington to officially consider the request.
Lithuania: tax collectors turn to Street View to catch cheats
Tax collection authorities in Lithuania are to use Google Street View to clamp down on tax cheats. The American giant's online street mapping service, which only recently launched in Lithuania, will help them identify the true value of property holdings as well land and property that has not been registered by its owners. It will also be used to examine buildings far from tax offices before deciding if further investigation is needed.
Now trending on social networks
Even when in orbit around earth, Chris Hadfield remains very connected. Since he started his mission back in December, the Canadian astronaut has been sharing his experiences from the orbiting International Space Station online, often with a touch of humour. He has posted several videos showing him clipping his nails for example, or opening a box of peanuts. He has also posted numerous photos of earth seen from space on his Twitter feed: breathtaking, stunning shots that have set social networks abuzz.
Video of the day
A spot of motocross in a Las Vegas casino, overcoming such obstacles as gambling tables and slot machines… here's Gain Godfrey from the Nitro Circus team in action… and it's action packed and will no doubt prove very popular with bikers and other two wheeler fans.


text:
Results 16 to 30 of 44
July 16th, 2005, 11:36 PM #16Originally Posted by fybonacci
July 17th, 2005, 03:27 AM #17
- Join Date
- Jul 2004
- Posts
- 103
I am with Yobmod in that i don't think I ever read a well written book with a tragic ending which I didn't like because of it. Of course tragic endings also can be badly written and cheesy, if that is what you ask.
I love ending of Romeo and Juliet for the same reason I so much like ASOIAF - I love being surprised. Unexpected twists are for me one of the basic joys of reading stories. Funny thing with ASOIAF is I really think it has too little tragedy. Yes, some heroes come to grisly ends, but they aren't usually the most important ones and their way of passing causes rather shock and anger than sadness. I prefer the way Erikson handles tragedy. MBotF has more heartrendind scenes than ASOIAF, IMHO.
July 17th, 2005, 04:27 AM #18Originally Posted by fybonacci
Of course, whether one thinks a book sets up a happy or an unhappy ending isn't always clear. (And some don't set up any sort of ending, btw.)
July 17th, 2005, 02:47 PM #19
If he isn't even willing to trust an author to tell the story they want to tell, why bother? If he's going to decide for himself what's too much for the hero to go on and not let the heroes themselves decide, why bother?" (Don't get me wrong. You have every right to stop reading a book whenever you like. It's part of the author/reader relationship. It just seems that you leave those heroes out to dry pretty easily
- Join Date
- Sep 2001
- Posts
- 926
It's weird - I've read most all of the fantasy classics. In plenty of them, some of the heroes die, some of them are tortured, have their friends/true loves murdered, etc. I can't put my finger on why the two books I mentioned were too intense for me (maybe the writers were that good?) and why in others, I eagerly read on. I do have a particular sensitivity to women and children being hurt; I know that's why Martin's incident hit me particularly hard.
I thought of another example where I feel the hero does something from which he cannot recover. In Thomas Covenent, when he rapes the girl about 50 pages in, I set the book down and haven't picked it up since - and that was 20 years ago. I no longer cared if he saved the world; a conflicted rapist has no interest to me, even if he is a great sterotype-breaking anti-hero.
Thanks for the replies - without giving anything away, I will use your information in choosing my next book!
July 17th, 2005, 11:10 PM #20
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Posts
- 98
Some nice things have been mentioned here: setting up of an ending, wasted potential, what an author wants to write I don't necessarily want to read...
At this point I feel I can make a distinction between accidental tragedy and inevitable tragedy.
**** happens. Random bad things happen - deus ex machina bad things. Resolution could have been good but isn't. This is stuff like Romeo and Juliet. It is accidental and rather sad.
On the other hand there is tragedy that is there at setup. Given the characters with their flaws, values and motives, and the circumstance in which they find themselves, there is really no possible good way the story can end. Here I will place Hamlet, anything by Dostoyevsky, Carmen, and since we speak of fantasy, stuff like GRRM and Tigana.
I think I like inevitable tragedy is more satifying for me than accidental. Accidents seem like a rather cheap trick.
July 18th, 2005, 03:21 AM #21Originally Posted by fybonacci
First, I have nothing against accidental tragedies. Up to a point, I like them. Accidental things happen in life, too, so why shouldn't they in fiction? I'm not opposed to Deus ex Macchina (or, Daemon ex Macchina, for that matter ) devices, as long as their used with care (cliché; "I'm not against X, as long it's used with care", holds true for just about any "X", for me.) Now, this I've always been aware of. What I've now realised is this:
If I read, say, 10 short stories in a row, where accidents don't happen, I will get edgy. I will get the feeling that something's wrong. I then go on to read story # 11. Again, no accident happens. I then go on to project my discontent onto story # 11, because that's where I noticed it. I say, I don't like #11 because it's so predictable, drab, overconstructed etc. But, in effect, that's not true. Had I read something different before #11 I may well have enjoyed it.
Sometimes, it's unconsciously noticing a trend (in the books I'm reading; not necessarily one that reflects a market reality) that lessens my enjoyment of a story. Whether I enjoy it or not, then, is in part a result of an individual (and probably random) sequence of reading.
It's like I'm looking at buildings, and, increasingly, I see the architect's blueprints, instead of the result. And instead of the beauty of the building, I tend to see the repetitiveness of the concepts.
That's not fair on the stories.
July 18th, 2005, 08:22 AM #22
Wow I wonder how many other people wind up having that sort of experience, Dawnstorm.
July 18th, 2005, 11:49 AM #23
- Join Date
- Oct 2002
- Location
- Denmark
- Posts
- 45
I disagree somewhat with fybonacci's original post.
There are books that are so heartbreaking you don't feel you can handle any more when you're done. But usually I always, at some level, like to read sad books because they have so much power.
But the point I disagree (or could elaborate on) is the distinction between SciFi's tragic nature and Fantasy's more lighthearted tendencies.
SciFi is often tragic and of course our being able to relate to the characters intensifies this feeling. But I think it's not just that these people are alone with technology, which displays the bleaker aspects of their/our nature; it's more that when you have things like space travel or humans stranded on planets, you get this sense of time (and space). Of this vast, empty expanse against which man is helpless. Like in Dying of the Light; civilizations come and go, they bloom and they wither and there's nothing we can do about it. Try as we might with our ideals, our art and our rules to survive, to leave a mark, somewhere in the background there's the Inevitable. Not just death. Decay. Forgetfulness. A fading of what to us is light.
Fantasy has this too, I think. Tolkien shows it plainly in LoTR, Kay's Fionavar was one of the few reads that really hurt and made me cry. Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is neither fantasy nor scifi, but it has this quality too. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is not, in my opinion, that heartrending, but it too is bittersweet.
SciFi can also be mad and lighthearted. Look at Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Jack Vance's work as well; not quite so nutty, but he pokes fun at things even though darker creatures are lurking outside (Tales of the Dying Earth).
I think tragedy in a book depends on the author and their style. Kay is always tragic somehow, Adams was always crazy. Diana Wynne Jones is usually very lighthearted, Martin is more solemn and epic.
July 19th, 2005, 09:45 AM #24
Originally Posted by Dawnstorm
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Posts
- 98
July 19th, 2005, 10:05 AM #25
Originally Posted by Brid14
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Posts
- 98
In Dying of the Light there is also the lies though. I have no idea why they upset me so. I wish I did.
Originally Posted by Brid14
The decay in LOTR is malicious. That is somehow less tragic than unfeeling oblivion.
Similarly, though Kay is tragic, I don't think he's nearly as tragic as SciFi tends to be (Bradbury, Dying of the Light, Ender's Game).
I haven't read Finovar, but I will soon. So don't tell me too much about it.
Originally Posted by Brid14
July 19th, 2005, 12:42 PM #26
I quite often have days where the nihilisim of Sci-Fi is just too much to take Has anyone read 'Sirius' by Olaf Stapledon? - The story of the super-intelligent dog. The tragedy is ladelled on from the very beginning, piling up into a veritable slurry pit by the end - it's a hard book to get through.
As a matter of fact I have just bought my first fantasy book to try and relieve the darkness, but it's 'Elric' and I'm not sure it's going to have the desired effect by the sounds of the other posts...
July 19th, 2005, 01:13 PM #27Originally Posted by fybonacci
Originally Posted by me
In short: I think my answer to "What kind of tragedy constellations do I enjoy?" would be: a good mix.
Sorry for not being clear.
Last edited by Dawnstorm; July 19th, 2005 at 01:16 PM.
July 19th, 2005, 04:05 PM #28
Good grief! What a lot of thoughts here that I disagree and agree with in equal measure!!
It seems to me - to perhaps get back to basics - that there are a quite a few different possible perceptions of "tragedy". You might, for example, take it to mean simply something "bad" (causing great suffering or the like). An event, in other words. Alternatively, you could take it to mean some sort of story - an interlocking series of events, if you will - with each part (whether individually happy, sad, incongruous or whatever) inevitably leading to some momentous downfall or disaster.
For me, the term "tragedy" always suggests the latter. It's the more or less "literary" approach, I confess, as it's what what tragedy is generally considered to be in literature, from Greek plays onwards to, say, Sophie's Choice.
Given this view, I am frankly at a loss to understand how an individual "bad" thing happening in a book (like the boy being dropped at the beginning of A Game of Thrones) could be considered "tragic", horrible though the event is. Equally, I find it difficult to understand how someone might not find Tolkien's Lord of the Rings tragic, in spite of all the wonderous, humourous and downright uplifting things that happen during the course of that great tale.
Tragedy certainly forms a part - an important part - in Martin's series; but it does not start to raise its truely awesome head until somewhere further along, during A Storm of Swords. (And then it does so with a vengeance. Actually, I rather suspect this is one of the reasons for Martin's difficulties in continuing the series; after this, what next? Rather in the same way, Erikson seems to have some problems really picking up on the Malazan sequence after the momentous ending to House of Chains. However, that's another topic, I suppose!)
Alternatively, tragedy runs right through The Lord of the Rings like a terrible shining thread. The ending of the Third Age - the age of elves, dwarves and wizards; of magic - is set against the bravery and determination of Frodo. But Frodo fails, at the end; it is only through Sam and Gollum (each, in their own way, an antithesis of what Frodo represents) that the task can be achieved. And even so, when returning home the Shire is ravished and there's nowhere to go but away.
I suppose it depends greatly on what sort of fantasy you read - and perhaps on how you read it - and certainly on what sort of fantasy you like, but I would myself feel that tragedy is at the heart of that genre. I would certainly not feel it is symptomatic of science fiction, though! And it does strike me that the examples of "tragic" sf mentioned here - like Dune, or Martin's Dying of the Light - derive their "tragic" characteristics from the very fact that they are akin to fantasy.
Hmmm. This post is getting a bit long, isn't it? Guess I better shup up for now. Might get back to Kay, Moorcock, M. John Harrison, Hobb etc. later, though.
If I do, don't say I didn't warn you !
July 19th, 2005, 11:14 PM #29
I personally believe that certain the certain things that effect whether a book is "tragic" or not completely rely on the person.
*****!!!!! Spoiler for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince !!!!!*****
in the Harry potter series, Dumbledore and Snape were my favourite characters, and in this newest book, Snape KILLS Dumbledore! I almost stopped reading right there! Meanwhile, some people actually suspected. it! :O
*****!!!!! End Spoiler !!!!!*****
It's completly dependant on the reader.
July 19th, 2005, 11:57 PM #30
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Posts
- 98
In my posts I may have placed too much emphasis on universality or at least possibility thereof. I do believe that some things might be, and that is interesting.
However, the hidden deep down purpose of this thread for me is to know myself. I want to know why some things break my heart and some don't, though objectively similar things have happened. I cannot easily place which events, values, images, and which implications of them have saddened me. It seems that it's important information about me for me to have.
I would hope that you, reading this forum and maybe writing to it, might have a similar goal for yourself. I would hope that a sharing of reading experiences and reflections upon them will be fruitful.
So please, tell us yours!
Last edited by fybonacci; July 21st, 2005 at 12:04 PM.


text:
University Bookstore serves students taking classes at Grand Valley regional sites throughout Michigan.
Textbook Ordering
To place an online textbook order, please click here.
If you are enrolled at a regional site, take advantage of online textbook ordering prior to the start of the semester. Any order inquiries can be sent to email@example.com.
If online ordering has closed for the semester, please call our toll-free number: 1.866.299.0001.
Buy Back Quotes
To request a buy back quote please e-mail: email@example.com. Include your name, phone number and the 13-digt ISBN numbers (starting with 978).


text:
All Heart Home Health and Hospice has provided high-quality home health and hospice care in Virginia since 2006. All Heart's mission is to set a new standard in home health and hospice by providing quality of care through expertise, professionalism, and dependability to improve the lives of our patients and their families.
All Heart Home Health and Hospice has rapidly grown both in size and success - achieving recognition as a Top Home Health Agency in America for three consecutive years, and ranking among the top Medicare home health quality outcomes in the Tidewater area since our inception, and in the Top 10 percent nationally in 2010. We are located in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake. We are Medicare and Medicaid certified and accredited by CHAP.
Learn more about our home health services.
Learn more about our hospice services.
Home Care Insights is our monthly newsletter for useful information on home health care topics. Click here for more information.
Top 100 Elite Home Health Agency in America
Top 500 Home Health Elite Agency in America
Number 1 ranking in outcomes by Healthinsight.org in Virginia
October 2013
"Agency of the Month" for the Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign
September 2014
"Agency of the Month" for the Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign
All Heart Home Health and Hospice
410 North Center Drive, Building 9 Suite 102
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
757-961-0002 fax
Office Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Like us on Facebook
Join us on LinkedIn
Home HealthHospicePalliative CarePersonal Home Care AssistanceDurable Medical Equipment
© 2015 All Rights Reserved, Kindred at Home


text:
Latest update : 2012-08-15
Protests in Tunisia for women's rights
Tunisian women protesting for equal rights. Doctors in France campaigning against hospital gowns for patients. And users of video chat site Chatroulette caught out by an online prankster.
Protests in Tunisia for women's rights
On Monday, thousands of Tunisians responded to appeals launched on social networks, to take part in protests for women's rights across the country, like we see here in the capital Tunis. The demonstrations were in response to a draft constitution recently unveiled by the Islamist-led government which refers to women as "complementary to men".
An e-petition was started last week, appealing to the National Constituent Assembly to commit to protecting women's rights. The document was written by Selma Mabrouk, member of the center-left party Ettakatol, and has been signed by over 20 000 people so far.
Various groups and associations have issued a joint communiqué, describing equality as a "necessity", hoping to encourage civil society to stand up for the rights of women in Tunisia.
Blogger Emna El Hammi states that although the Code of Personal Status, adopted 56 years ago, did contribute to the emancipation of women in Tunisia, the series of progressive laws has always, in her opinion, had to contend with the conservatism of sections of society.
Some web users, like Nidhal Chemengui or Aïcha Gaaya, feel bitter they have to fight for something that should be a given, and should be spending their time fighting for greater rights to make the situation for women in Tunisia even better.
France: online campaign against hospital gowns for patients
When you think about hospitals, this image frequently comes to mind. A patient wandering down a corridor, wearing nothing but a hospital gown, often giving onlookers a glimpse of the wearer's behind. It's a somewhat comical picture, but is currently at the center of lively debate on the French web.
A young doctor using the online pseudonym Farfadoc recently launched an online petition, aimed at opening up discussion on patients having to wear these gowns around the hospital. She feels these open backed blouses, have no respect for the patient's dignity or sense of modesty, and that they have no choice but to walk around half naked in front of their roommates and hospital staff. The doctor, who practices in north-western France, feels there are alternative clothing solutions, which must be pursued, so that a patient's time in hospital is less awkward and as comfortable as possible.
She is gathering growing support from others in the hospital sector, like this physiotherapist for example who has written a blog post saying that although the famous open gown can be useful in some cases, like if a patient is bed ridden and needs to be washed or changed on a regular basis, but it should not be automatically imposed. The health care professional says the gown could have a negative impact on patient's morale.
Online campaigning seeking a change in policy on hospital gowns continues meanwhile. Around 10 000 web users have already signed the petition started by Farfadoc. And activists have already clinched their first victory, because France's Health Minister Marisol Touraine, has announced she will be reviewing the situation in the very near future.
Now trending on social networks
This photo of 19 year old dog Schoep who suffers from arthritis being held by its owner has attracted millions of views online in the space of a few days. Every day John Unger wades into the waters of Lake Superior in Wisconsin, cradling his sick dog, to help ease its pain, and every day, the dog fall asleep in its master's arms. This touching image was posted to Facebook by American photographer Hannah Stonehouse, and has moved many web users, some of whom have even made donations to help pay for the sick dog's treatment.
Working while everyone else is on vacation
Not everyone is lucky enough to get away from it all on some island paradise during the summer holidays … and after receiving numerous photos of friends sunning themselves on beaches, two French web users decided to adopt and photograph the same pose from their place of work… others soon followed suit and a Facebook group was set up, hosting all these foot shots, next to a computer, in front of a pile of files and even on a building site…
Video of the day
Steve Kardynal likes to play somewhat childish jokes on the Chatroulette site which connects random strangers for video chats. And for his latest prank, he decided to don a bikini and dance to the Carly Rae Jenson hit "Call me Maybe". As we can see in this video currently doing the rounds on sharing sites, his wacky stunt certainly took web users by surprise.


text:
Sorry, the page you are looking is not found.
Reader Favorites
Coming Up
Rock'n Western Rendezvous
May 30, 2015
For more events »
Celebrate the American West's lifestyle with events, gear reviews, and articles that bring the culture of the American cowboy to life in this monthly newsletter.
Sign Up


text:
You can control the types and channels of information you receive. We contact you only with information that is most relevant to your interests.
Phone and e-mail
Do you want to take Survey - 'Survey Title'?
Share the 2014 event replays and all the news from SAPPHIRE NOW
Discover the future of business.
Watch the keynote replay with SAP CEO Bill McDermott talking about global business network economy and learn how to simplify everything via the SAP Cloud powered by SAP HANA.
Watch Now ›
Watch the replay keynote and listen to Prof.Dr. h.c Hasso Plattner, Chairman of the SAP Supervisory Board, and Harvard Business School Prof. Clayton M. Christensen. Learn about disruptive innovation – and how SAP HANA is leading the renewal of enterprise applications.
Like That of a Startup, Keep pace with innovation to stay ahead of the game in a globalized world. Learn from Prof, Hasso Plattner, Paul Walborsky CEO of GigaOm and Prof. Josh Lerner, Head of Entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School, moderated by Aiaz Kazi of SAP.
Click Here ›


text: # AMRAD SDR & DSP Projects This page supports both SDR and DSP work. Terry, WB4JFI --- #SDR WORK --- ##CHARLESTON SDR RECEIVER #1 ##NEW MASTER OSCILLATOR FIXES PHASE NOISE (JAN.2011) I replaced the original program-once 76.8MHz master oscillator with a custom Silicon Laboratories SI570, programmed for 76.8MHz. The new oscillator dramatically reduced the phase-noise related artifacts when stronger signals hit the Charleston Receiver board. This SI570 can be ordered directly from SI Labs, at a cost of about $13 each, but I recommend group buys. The SI Labs part number is: 570CAC000729DG. In order to have access to the extra I2C program pins (not absolutely required), I placed my SI570 on top of four zero-ohm SMT resistors, that act as spacers between the board and the SI570 itself. --- ##LIVE-DVD OF UBUNTU AND QUISK FOR CHARLESTON (DEC.2010) Rob Bowers and Frank Gentges have built a Live-DVD that allows a computer to boot right into Ubuntu 10.04 and X. One of the two icons on the X desktop will load and execute Quisk for the Charleston SDR Receiver. This greatly simplifies demos and quick tests of computers for compatibility. --- ##CHARLESTON SDR RECEIVER (UPDATED July 2010): * AMRAD is working with the Charleston SDR board, developed by Dr. John Schwacke. An article describing this board was in the Jul-Aug 2009 AMRAD Newsletter. Also, see the [[Charleston_SDR]] page for more information, including the newly-added Quisk for Linux as modified for the Charleston Receiver. This info is in the MIDDLE of the page. --- #OCTOBER 2010: I have added the text file for building the Charleston SDR version of Quisk 3.4.8 on Ubuntu 10.04.1. It is modified to add instructions to fix the broken wx-gtk link caused by a change in the latest Ubuntu. The file is:[[projects/dsp/charleston_build.txt]] ##USE THIS FILE FOR NEW INSTALLS. IT ALREADY INCLUDES THE CHARLESTON CODE! If you prefer, James Ahlstrom has given us permission to make available a single tarball of his Quisk 3.4.8 code, along with the Charleston modifications. It is: [[projects/dsp/quisk-3.4.8_chas.tar.gz]], and was added here on August 21, 2010 (and updated October 2010 to fix it with Ubuntu 10.04.1). To use this, simply download the tarball (probably to your home directory), uncompress it, change to the quisk-3.4.8 directory, and run "make". It should automatically compile the Charleston stuff as well as Quisk. You can then view/print the file charleston_build.txt file (in the quisk-3.4.8/charleston directory) for notes on dependencies and the rest of the requirements necessary to get Quisk for Charleston running. --- ## CHARLESTON SDR RECEIVER AND QUISK (UPDATED October 2010): James Ahlstrom has released a new version of Quisk (3.4.8), which has a number of improvements, including adjustable decimation rate (on the config menu). Jim's source (for Linux) is available at: pypi.python.org, then do a search for "quisk". Terry has modified the Charleston SDR Receiver support code to take advantage of Jim's additions. A tarball if the charleston directory is here:[[projects/dsp/charleston-1.0.tar.gz]] . Once you download the tarball and unzip it, move all the files into a directory called charleston, inside your quisk-3.4.8 directory. You will then need to compile the quisk directory (type "make" while in that directory), then cd to the ./charleston directory, and run "make" again. NOTE: The file charleston-1.0.tar.gz was updated on Aug. 10, 2010 to correct a typo in the install instructions. Discard any previous versions. Inside the /charleston directory are a couple of (hopefully) helpful files on how to get the proper libraries and build Charleston support, and a folder with mods to the quisk.py file to add an audio filter shadow to the display. --- #GROUP BUILD We assembled a group of AMRAD members on a Saturday and we build Charleston receivers. We started by putting solder paste on the PCB using the stencil. Each builder would build one or more PCBs by placing the parts on the boards. We left off the connectors, the LPF and transformer. The boards were placed in a toaster oven. We tried to use visual inspection to tell when the solder paste was melted and while this worked, we ended up using the techFX reflow controller from http://www.thesiliconhorizon.com/cms/ which makes a professional reflow oven out of a simple toaster oven. Then the connectors, LPF and transformer were added using a small tip soldering iron and the board was tested for power draw. It was not at all unusual to find pins on the fine pitch parts with a solder bridge to clean out. Sometimes one or more pins were not soldered down to the PCB. With a power check the final bridges fixed, most boards came up and worked. We want to pass on our knowledge to others on the group build. For one thing, it sure is more efficient than building just one receiver. We find we have fun and make acquaintances who will be working with their receiver. Download and Follow the Read Me First File here.[[projects/dsp/ReadMe1stV2.pdf]] #Block Diagram [[projects/dsp/blockdiag.jpg]] To understand the receiver, first go to ti.com and search on the part number AFEDRI8201 and get the data sheet. Then we have some information on the CIC Filter you can download. CICI.pdf [[projects/dsp/cic1.pdf]] CIC Understanding.pdf [[projects/dsp/CIC_Understanding..pdf]] We checked new boards with our Power Test Fixture made out of an old floppy disk cable. [[projects/dsp/PwrFixture.jpg]] #GROUP BUILD CD Here is more information and you can download the CD ISO image of our Quick Start CD V2.0 image here. [[projects/dsp/CharlestonQSV2.iso]] The CD includes some pictures of all the fun people were having. AMRAD members will get more info than the material we present here on-line. We are putting together information on writing design code for the Charleston receiver. That is a huge area to be explored. --- ##March 2010 SDR Exciter news: Terry has designed a companion exciter to the Charleston SDR Receiver. The design uses the Analog Devices AD9744 D/A converter, similar to both the openHPSDR Penelope board, and the James Ahlstrom exciter. An article describing the exciter appeared in the Sep-Oct 2009 AMRAD Newsletter. AMRAD is looking for software and FPGA experts to help with both the Charleston SDR Receiver and the companion exciter. Windows or Linux platforms are of interest. Both projects use a Digilent Nexys2 500k FPGA board, which has a Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA on it. More details can be provided. Frank Gentges has organized one "run" of 20 Charleston SDR Receiver boards, all of which are running. A second run has been done. We have accumulated a lot of experience and it is presented in the Group Build page. --- AMRAD has been interested in Software Defined Radio (SDR) since it became of practical application within amateur radio. We were fortunate to have a talk by "the Godfather of the Software Radio", Joseph Mitola III. He authored and co-authored several classic books on the subject. (note: the following four items are not yet built/completed) Some of AMRAD's recent and current activities are described beginning on the [[SDR_Specific]] page. SDR-related hardware information starts at: [[sdrhwinfo]] SDR-related software information is available at: [[sdrswinfo]] Miscellaneous SDR links: [[sdrlinks]] Terry Fox, WB4JFI, is quite active in SDR experimentation, as described here: [[sdrwb4jfiovw]] Frank Gentges, K0BRA, has constructed an SDR demonstration display, to use as a demo and recruiting tool at hamfests. A picture of a recent demo(SDR-IQ & Mini-VNA): Some SDR background information can be found here: [[sdrbackground]] A simple example of a Software Defined Radio (SDR) using only normal computer hardware including the sound card, to receive SAQ and other VLF (0-22kHz) signals han be found here: Johan SM6LKM SAQ SDR Receiver. This receiver implements a complete phasing receiver for VLF in C++. Source code and project description is also available, and a good place to study SDR and DSP techniques. Here are some David Brainerd (WB6DHW) DDS/PIC/QSD boards: #DSP WORK --- AMRAD has been actively involved with Digital Signal Processing for many years. Originally, we used the Motorola 56000EVM board, and various TI DSP evaluation boards. As PC computing power has increased, the use of special-purpose DSP CPUs and boards has diminished significantly. Today, many DSP functions are being handled by the normal PC or MAC (desktops or laptops). AMRAD (and Terry) still have some of the special-purpose DSP hardware and software, but is VERY RARELY used. Some related DSP information (temporarily shown): DOS-based spectrum analyzer: [[dosanalyzer]] SM5BSZ hardware/software: [[sm5bsz]] --- Additional information will appear here soon. As of now, three sources are being made ready to provide the necessary data: