I'm starting to work again on my book "One Foot in Heaven: How Spirituality Helps Families Cope with Alzheimer's Disease," which I had to put on the shelf for many months. (I had a very traumatic year which was highlighted by the placement of my husband in a memory care facility. He's had early-onset AD for 9 years, and I was diagnosed with a chronic form of leukemia.)
I'm glad to say that I'm fine, and have no symptoms. But my diagnosis was the universe's way of saying "Enough is enough. Now take care of yourself!"
I'm looking for more contributors (people to send me their stories) to the book, but I have enough contributions (stories) from people who practice a mainstream religion. I'm seeking people who are spiritual and who can articulate how their philosophy, meditation practice, yoga, etc. have helped ease the stress and pain from caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease.
Thanks for taking the time to consider this and let me know if you are interested in hearing more.
Blessings to you and your family,
Barbra Cohn 303-447-8300 Boulder, CO NOTE FROM JOAN: This is the link to last year's discussion on this topic: http://thealzheimerspouse.com/vanillaforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=61&page=1#Item_0
Without God, I would be in a mental institution already. He is my strength, my guide, my everything. However, I missed the "articulate" gene. I'm glad you have recovered, and I wish you the very best on your book.
Thanks Mary...yah I'm okay...just a little harried. Things are very busy and challenging at work. We have had our caregiver here on Monday-Friday for 2 hrs a day and that is helping immensely. B. just seems to very slowly get worse. And for me, there never seem to be enough hours in the day. But I am okay :), my little house of cards is still standing...today anyway.
I'm a little less stressed with my 19 year old grandson living with us and being my husband's daytime caregiver. He loves to cook (wants to go to the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley afterwards), so I'm enjoying that! My husband is getting worse, has more accidents now, and last night CHEWED his medicine and we couldn't get him to stop. One of them was a capsule, but he is the same this morning, so obviously he didn't do damage. (I hope)
Mary my DH has issues with capsules too for some time. he would do the same thing and chew all his meds capsules or not-so i just open the capsule and dissolve best i can in a tbls of water and give it that way. some of the pills i have to pulverize and do the same. if it doesnt dilute in the water put it in a tbls of yougurt or pudding or jello and it can still be ok-i dont know if its supposed to be done like that but theres no options -i have been doing it a while now. no problems. things are working ok.. divvi
divvi, crushing the medicines could be a problem if they are slow-release for long acting. For these crushing could destroy the slow-release feature and he may get a large dose all at once. Giving the pills in yogurt or pudding is OK if they are not crushed. Check with your doctor.