Monday, January 25, 2010

Three Beautiful Sisters




Maxine, Mag, and Chrissy - with beautiful smiles.  Aunt Mag is now in heaven.  I wonder how old they were when this picture was taken. 

Monday, January 18, 2010

Doctors and Family Not Good at Detecting Alzheimer's and Dementia

Really informative post by Bob DeMarco - thought it might be of interest to some.

Doctors and Family Not Good at Detecting Alzheimer's and Dementia

Just Rambling.

I had the dreaded stomach virus all weekend, Friday evening through Sunday. My sweet man was in SC hunting so it was just myself with Chrissy and Sam, my husband's dog. My little mother has always been one to care for and continues to do so as best she can even with this "brain death", Bob DeMarco's words. So Saturday I had hoped to stay at home and check in with her by phone, thinking once she knew I wasn't well and just next door, that would be okay. In less than an hour, after answering repeated phone calls where she was just checking on me, I thought I might as well be on her sofa and throwing up in her bathroom. I kid you not, with every trip to the bathroom she would follow and just kept yelling out my name - as if hearing her would make me stop throwing up! She would lean over me and say "we use to always give our kids sprite" - I'd say okay and off she went to get sprite. Another time it was "we use to always give our kids jello," and with assistance, we both had jello that afternoon. Later that evening her phone rang as she was in her bedroom; I took the phone to her knowing she wouldn't want to miss a call. Afterwards she comes into the living room, lays the phone down, and clearly states - "please do not disturb me again" - Those words are so out of character - she is such a hoot sometimes! It simply says she was worn out.

The following day I was still on her sofa, different jammies, and no longer throwing up. Mother wanted to repay my husband for picking up some trash bags for her. Handing the money over she stated she "wasn't broke yet, badly bent but not broke." Never ever have I heard that phrase from her!

I'm back at work today and have just checked messages, two of which are from Chrissy reminding me to eat something for lunch.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Update

Looks like Chrissy will have some extra help on Friday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00. Chrissy knows and likes this person as she is the one who already comes once a month to do house cleaning. Normally, I don't work on Fridays, plus my sister usually will come over on Friday mornings. Recently she was unable to come and I had a full day scheduled at work; fortunately, I called my brother and he was able to come by Chrissy's that afternoon. That got us talking about need for a backup person, in addition to the lady with Home Helpers on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. As I'm having to be at the office more and more on Fridays, having someone scheduled for that afternoon is just where we're at now.

In the past couple weeks, Chrissy's social activity has increased. She's had several people come and visit with her, which she enjoys, and she's had phone conversations with two long-time friends from KY. I wish she was able to get out and about - well, I wish a lot of things!

I am so thankful she has not been sick. And, I'm thankful she is doing as well as she is.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Alzheimer's Disease -- The Front Row



Today was hair and nails day and Chrissy put on her lipstick and waved hello!  We have been together, all day until evening, for four consecutive days so this wave may indeed be a goodbye -just leave wave!

Bob DeMarco from the Alzheimer's Reading Room wrote an article today about caregivers and I have pondered his words off and on since this morning. While I have included the link below, should it not work, you can go to http://www.alzheimer'sreadingroom.com/ and the post is Alzheimer's Disease - The Front Row.  

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Alzheimer's Disease -- The Front Row