JOAN’S BLOG – FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009 – ONE DAY AT A TIME.

One day at a time. One day at a time. I keep saying that to myself repeatedly. I wake up in the morning, turn my head to look at my husband, and try to judge from the way he is positioned and the look on his face, if it is going to be a good or bad day. I extend my hand and touch his. If he does not move, I know I am in trouble. My stomach knots up, my body tenses, and stress begins for the day. If he entwines his fingers in mine, I breathe a sigh of relief. If I don’t do or say anything to upset him, it will be an okay day.

Is this any way to live? Maybe not, but it is the way we Alzheimer spouses live. I am willing to bet a similar scene is played out every day in many of your homes.

I have had two good days in a row. He has taken both his Risperdal doses without fuss or comment. Although he would never admit it, the medication is working. I can see it in his face. The dark, twisted look is gone. He may not be happy, but he is not raging.

Today, with hope in my heart that it will be one of the good days, I am going to get my hair and nails done. I have been so busy and stressed putting out AD rage fires, that I have not had my hair cut in 3 months. I look as frazzled as I have been feeling. .  Unless of course, you have seen the picture of me in my Wonder Woman costume, in which case, I look, well, click here and see for yourself.

We are all Wonder Women and Supermen, trying to educate ourselves about Alzheimer’s Disease, caregiving, stress relief, medications, drug trials, coping with the slow, torturous loss of our husbands and wives, and we are doing the best that we can ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Please post comments under Message Board Topic - Joan's Blog - One Day at a Time

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com

The material included on this website contains general information intended as information only. This site is not intended to provide personal, professional, medical, or psychological advice, and should not be relied upon to govern behavior in any certain or particular circumstances. The opinions in the blogs are solely those of the owner of the website. The opinions on the message boards are not necessarily endorsed by the owner of this website, and are the opinions of those persons writing the messages. All material on this web site is for demonstration and informational purposes only.

The Alzheimer Spouse LLC 2009 All Rights Reserved