The one thing I have learned about this disease is that there are transitions that occur quite frequently with my DH. He is slipping farther away again. He has known who I am off and on but he doesn't anymore. He used to follow me so closely that I called him my velcro husband. He isn't following me anymore. He had gone through a stage where he sat on the couch all day and slept off and on but that stopped a few months ago. It's back. He is complaining of being cold all the time. The weather has changed and I know that that is part of it. I dress him every day now. He is like a 2 year old where he tries to help himself. I guide him. I miss my old husband.
I got sweatsuit sets in gray and navy - the old fashioned kind - plus thick socks - last winter. I've brought them out. I'm going to Penney's after work because they have flannel shirts on sale for $9.99 and I'm going to grab some for now!
Yes, we miss our husbands. Very much. But we still have to take care of the teenager/boy/toddler/baby we have left. And give him all the love we can. And it is HARD. I'm trying NOT to feed him, but let him continue to feed himself, but it takes him over an hour....I am STILL working on more patience......
I'm with you Mary, I'm STILL working on more patience as well. I wasn't even thinking about how long it takes my husband to eat. It is at least an hour. I do have to cut up his food in bite sizes though. Thanks for the tip on flanel shirts and sweatsuit sets. I think I will visit Costco or Penney's.
My DH 24 hour attire is short sleeve t-shirt and sweatpants, in summer it was shorts. He would never wear anything long sleeve other than a jacket. He, so far seldom complains of being cold but I found a fleecy vest for him and had him wear it one day when he complained of being cold. He loved it, so I am going to buy a second one for him. I also like them for me because they add extra warmth without restricting your arms. I am buying all gray ones at WallMart for under $10. and they have the loose bottoms, which I prefer. Gray because of our cat and cat hairs.
Imohr, I understand about the cat hairs. I once matched a carpet to my dog's coat color.
Sometimes the body temperature control seems to get all messed up w/AD. I knew a woman whose DH was always cold--even during warm summer days. It was so bad, she kept a separate warm room for him in the house all the time & he was always bundled up.
Bettyhere, that's how my DH was all this past summer! So cold all the time. Couldn't stand the a/c or overhead fans; put on winter PJ's, plus a sweater, comforter, blanket - and I was sweltering! Now that the weather is cooler - he's pulled out his summer shortie p.j.'s! Wants the overhead fan on (thank goodness, not the a/c!). Even he said his body temp is all messed up.
Jim loves the jersey type pajama pants from Penney's. I buy all black or navy so that they can be easily matched to his mock turtlenecks. He will sometimes layer a fleece vest or chamois shirt over the turtlenecks. Funny he would NEVER have worn a turtleneck before, now he loves them. I also got him a pair of sherpa lined crocs to slip into, great for his poor edema swollen feet.
Last night, my mother and I were talking in our family room when my husband walked into our kitchen. He took the donuts and cookies and opened every cupboard until he found a place to hide them. We just watched in amazement. I know others have said their loved ones hide things but this is the first time I actually saw him do it. I didn't say anything and just put them back in the pantry after I put him to bed. I guess the wind is still changing . . . .
My DH collectss brochures. We just came back from vacation (what a vacation =(. I'm exhausted) Anyway, he collects those pieces of paper, telling about tours and trips. Anything, he can find of that nature. You wouldn't believe what he took off the ship, they will have to reprint everything because they won't have enough since we left. Then I have to surreptiously toss them, or we'd be living in collyer's mansion (am i dting myself with that metion?) And he must know that his precious brochures are missing, because he will ask , not specifically, but saying I feel like I lost something. (Yes dear, your mind)... No I don't say that but I'm tempted. LOL
Chris, E.L. Doctorow has just written one of his semi-novels about the Collyer brothers, called "Homer and Langley" - I enjoy his books mostly and look forward to reading it.