It's been a pretty good day here, nothing unusual - thank goodness! Tonight, however, is different. We have tornado warnings, sirens going off. DH is sleeping through it, as is Millie in her Thundershirt. I keep meaning to get a large ace bandage to wrap myself in! Guess I'll be the only one with no sleep tonight.
Was a beautiful day here - winds died down and it was around 60. I love my job and really enjoy interacting with the people as I register them and when we walk around the park. The manager is younger than us (he is 44) but has no problem with Art's repeating and letting him help him. I really thing they both enjoy the ribbing they do each other. They are always walking around laughing. This morning they went to the store to get parts to hang signs and the manager said Art was most helpful in helping him find the correct ones. Hb is so tired he is back to sleeping his 10+ hours but that is fine. He is enjoying himself which makes it easier on me.
Monday he has his neurologist appointment in Portland (a 4 hour drive but we are going over Sunday). I should be making a list of changes since last May but I can't get myself to think about them. You all know when they are slow and you live with them 24/7 you often don't really notice them. I guess his biggest is still the short term memory loss but then again he is remembering he is to help the manager do things.
Well, we did not get any storms overnight. Kept waiting - but nothing! Now they are saying later today and, of course, it always either rains or snows on Easter!
DH is back to playing golf on his laptop! Must have been a "phase" he was going through that he didn't want to play, or said he couldn't. Who knows??
Bad T-storms last night. Was going to look into a Thundershirt for OT. Now, I'm getting one for sure. Usually he velcros to me on the couch or in my recliner. Last night I was in a chair at the computer. I picked him up planning to comfort him and then put him in my chair. That didn't work. Have you any idea how heavy 17.5 pounds is when you're holding it for nearly an hour? Now to figure out size. When chosing a sweater he needs a size 16 to fit the chest, but the length of the back should be for about 12-14. So do I go with small or medium?
Carosi, look at the Thundershirt.com website and it will tell you how to measure. Their sizes are not the "norm" for sweaters. You measure around the girth, just behind the front legs - the biggest part of the belly and then find the size that matches. Millie weighs 17 lbs., she measured 20", but now I can't remember what size that was. It works with her!
Still lots of rain here is southwestern PA . Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter. This Easter weekend will be hard for me. Until he got sick, Charlie and I always traveled to Kentucky to visit his family. Always made a mini vacation out of it. We always went in on Good Friday which was "our night" out, Saturday night was "family night out", brothers and sisters and spouses. Easter was extended family. I was still numb at Christmas (he died on the 15th). We never made much out of Valentines Day, but Easter was special and this is my first one without him. Have spent the day looking at picture albums and missing him. I will be traveling to Kentucky next weekend with my step son for a belated Easter visit, but it will not be the same.
Edis-dear-nothing will ever be the same. This is a year of firsts for me, too. Somehow we will get through it. This was my first Passover alone. Not fun.
Had appointment with the neurologist today - a different one than before but it went well. Hb was so nervous about it but laughed his way through it. He scored 22 - same as last June. I mentioned when hb could not remember something that it didn't mean a lot and the doctor agreed. He said it just gives an indication what parts of the brain were being affected. I found that interesting as I had not heard that before. he didn't do the clock drawing either??? He is not going to change his galantamine or add an anti-depressant back. He has been on the 16mg for 2 1/2 years now.
Last night when we saw the grandkids, my 5 year old called me into the bedroom and told me "grandma, I want you to bring the motorhome back'. I had to give her a big hug cause she knows if the motorhome comes back we will too. Her `2 year old brother told me later he didn't want us to leave. Saw them again this afternoon and again she told me she wanted us to bring the motorhome back and park it at aunt Della's!! Bless her heart.
Tomorrow we drive back to the east side of the state where the sun is shining.
Well, after several days of severe thunderstorms and tornados all around (but missing me), today we have brief sunshine with strong winds, which is a nice change! I'm ready for the "May flowers" - these "April showers" have been hard!!! So much damage and tragedy with these storms!
I hope that all of you find something to smile about today. The smiles and hugs keep us going!!!
Feeling good today: got an A on my essay at UBC and B+ on a presentation I had to give earlier in the semester. The exam was last week, and I had lots of time to study for it, and the questions were thought-provoking. Maybe the prof. won't agree with my thoughts, but it was fun to do. Cold for April here in the Pacific Northwest.
This is THE week in Rhode Island when all the flowering trees are bursting into bloom, the daffies are starting to fade but the forsythia's going strong, and it really is SPRING! YEA!! Not a minute too soon!!!
windy today but no rain - so it was good weather. A very quiet day in the office here but tomorrow we have quite a few checking in so should have more to do. I didn't get laundry done last night cause I was too tired after the drive back so will have to do it tonight if I want clean clothes for tomorrow.
The wild flowers were in bloom in the mountains when we went to Portland last Monday. On the west side spring is much further along than on the east side - the trees are bursting with new green leaves. The cherry trees are in bloom and trees are just starting to open their new leaves.
Nora, do you get love bugs that far south? A few are beginning to appear hereabouts, in advance of their usual May swarming -- a sure sign that summer is almost at hand. Not to mention the fact that the weatherman is predicting heat indices near 100 degrees F for the next day or so.... And we're eating squash from a small garden we planted a month or so ago, and tomatoes aren't too far behind -- if the deer will just leave them alone.
New wife Joyce and I are both going through screening/training to become volunteer respite givers for our local Alzheimer Foundation. Joyce is still hung up trying to get fingerprints that will satisfy FBI criteria for background checking, but I've already begun "training" by participating in a couple of support group meetings this week -- the first involving men only, five of whom have lost their wives during the past few years, five who have placed their wives in ALFs or nursing homes in recent years, and two who are still actively taking care of their wives at home. After the meeting, pretty much the whole bunch retired to a nearby Bob Evans restaurant for lunch -- which is evidently their usual habit. Presumably because men have difficulty forming the same sort of close friendships that women do, this support group has evolved, evidently over a period of years, into mostly a social club for these guys based on shared past experiences that they no longer talk about very much. The other support group I attended today had only two participants other than the "facilitator" (who was a trained social worker) and myself -- both women, one of whom is taking care of an AD husband and the other a paid caregiver for an elderly AD woman -- so both of these were looking more for answers than just company.
As respite givers, we'll be paid $4.50 an hour for a maximum of four hours per session, plus a mileage allowance, (both from a state grant), and it will be "hands off" respite caregiving we'll be doing -- no hands-on help with walking, eating, toileting, etc. -- just social interaction with the AD patient and keeping an eye on them -- with specific instructions to call the normal caregiver right away if any hands-on help is needed. Should be interesting and (I hope) personally rewarding!
The love bugs have arrived. Usually when I drive down to Deerfield, Fl. to be with my daughter on Mothers' Day my car is covered with the nasty critters. GC-good for Joyce and you with your respite work. At this point in my life I feel I have given enough and lost enough with this disease. I am working with youngsters in 1st and 2nd grade to help with reading skills.
Mary, still raining here today. The creek behind my house looks like the Mississippi River. But tomorrow we should get the sun! Soon as my house went on the market the storms came in but I was so exhausted getting it ready that I didn't even care that no one would be coming through. What unbelievable weather. Horrible flooding, scarey to drive down some of the roads out here. Bring on the son!
GC, good on you and Joyce. I really admire you two for what you're doing and how much you must be appreciated.
Hoping for a great weekend in Central Kansas....heading to the lake (7 miles from home) with the RV for the weekend. Hope to have a stress-free 4 days. Also hope to catch some fish. Our RV is new (to us) and trying to get settled and acclimated so DH knows what is what. Some friends will camp with us so that will help me.
sheila1951, if I were in Kansas right now I'd head for the Brooksville Inn for their fried chicken. Understand that they moved from Brooksville to Abilene. I have many fond memories of my visits to Hutchinson and love the whole state.
Sun returned today. A friend took DH out for a walk. They were gone 3 hours. Even though I worked my ass off the whole time I was happy or what now goes for happy as I could actually get some things done and mug H of the work outside. what a difference a little sunshine makes.
Charlotte, you'd think so. I sent my realtor lots of pictures with the creek, waterfalls, etc but he said his buyers are afraid of water,fear of flooding, dampness, mold.....
At last no rain or storms today! This is DH's 88th birthday. He isn't particularly happy about it, however. I took him to lunch and he did pretty well. He cried when I gave him his birthday card. No birthday cake, since he doesn't like cake or pie; just his cherry cordial ice cream and oatmeal cookies! We shall go light on dinner.
terry, I know what you mean! I can’t get much done with DH around. HE is always coming & asking me if he can help, but I always tell him no since he can’t follow directions. Even when I ask him to do the easiest things he can’t & then he gets frustrated & angry. It is so nice to be able to work uninterrupted for a few hours. Unfortunately when I have a few hours of respite I usually go grocery shopping. I’d rather go myself then have to take him along.
I went to a wedding...and I had a front row seat too...well it was on the tele....but hay it was great, the bride was lovely and the groom was handsome.. Some of those hats looked like satellite dishes! And the Aussie woman wore it the wrong way it was said...so that you can do those air kisses without bumping hats..who knew?
Elaine--this is when you have to give him things to do that have no "wrong way". My hb at late stage 6 still asks if he can help. You can always pull out a stack of towels or washcloths that are already folded, mess them up, and then give them to him to refold. They'll still be a mess when he's done, but at least he'll feel successful. Please try to help him avoid the frustration and anger--it's nonproductive for both of you! Looking back, I wish I had done this more earlier on.
marilyninMD, you are right I need to find some activity for him to do, but for as much as he has lost mentally I think he would still know that folding wash cloths is “below” him, but it is worth a try. I think I will have him try to set the table tonight. I do need to be more interactive with him. Thanks for the advice.
My dh was always the perfectionist. Today when I took things out of the dryer, I handed him a tablecloth to fold. When he finished and I saw it, I couldn't believe it. It was a wrinkled up mess. He thought he had done a good job. I never said a word. Before I put it away, I refolded it. He always sets my place for breakfast and I think that is so sweet. When he stops that, I will cry.
You'd be surprised how they do not KNOW what is "below" them. My husband is a PhD mathematician, and he loves to fold (into a mess) anything he's given. Be sure, Elaine, that it isn't YOU who thinks it's below him!!
I have done all of cooking for the past 3 years. DW used to set the table while I cooked. I can cook the meal now before she can figure out how to set the table for two.
Briegull, you are soooooo right. so often, We as caregivers will say our LO won't do this or that, --- and forget they are not the people they used to be. Folding and stacking is therapeudic too. One of our friends' husband folded toilet paper into little squares and stacked the little squares into equal stacks everywhere. Napkins, kleenix.. they fold them all. So, don't deny them the offer to help, anymore than you wouldn't let your children help "fold" when they were little.
Gotta agree with briegull. My husband is a PhD chemist who also seems to like folding the laundry, also loading and running the dishwasher. and he's an expert at racking leaves and then bagging them up and putting them in every conceivable WRONG place possible. He's also good at watering the houseplants to the point that even with protective saucers under the pots two different new oak window sills are stained so badly they have to be redone.
but I always gush over his help (and occasionally it actually is) and he appreciates that a great deal.
Oh yeah and sorry if I already mentioned this on another thread. I have lost my mind. Was it last week when DH asked if he could help so I said he good vacuum the living room rug. He's good at that. When I came upstairs he was rolling up the "room size" area rug and said he was going to take it outside to shake it out first. Obviously he was unable to do so.
Lovely spring weather here, but we've had no rain for weeks and still none expected. Starting to need it badly. VERY different from our usual showery April. I'm going to have to do some watering. DH can't do much, but he will hang onto a hose (and point it in all the wrong directions). He will also come out with me when I'm hanging up clothes or taking them down and try to "help." It's OK, at least he's moving around a little and getting some exercise. Yesterday we took a walk to his brother's house, about half a mile from here through the village. We stopped to rest once on a bench. When we got there he was so tired that he sat and slept the whole time. BIL took us home in his car, I was afraid DH would fall. Perhaps that walk is too far for us now -- but another day it might work out fine.
I took a picture of my lilies of the valley to send to my granddaughter Lily in PA. She said she didn't know what they looked like.
When spring comes to Holland And skies are blue Lilies of the valley Remind me of you.
Nice way for April to end - tomorrow is suppose to be sunny and near 70. In fact the next few days are suppose to be in the 70s. The nights still get down into the mid 30s, but the days are beautiful.
I feel bad raving about our good weather when all those people back east having to deal with the tornadoes and loss of everything - they smile and between tears are thankful for being alive.
You ought feel bad Charlotte. We had our first sunny day yesterday since our house went on market. And today the dreaded rain came back and will be here again tomorrow. I think you have our sun. I didn't think PNW got sun!
Elaine and others--I think it is sweet when they ask if they can help. Surely, on some level, they realize all the responsibility we have taken on and why deny them the opportunity (even if it is an illusion) that they can "help" in some way? Of course, we all know we can't give them anything to do that is even minimally complex, but I agree with Nancy that there's something about folding and rolling that they enjoy. On that note, DH is now is a rolling mode and constantly rolls up small rugs, runners, etc. He has even tried rolling up the room-sized rugs in our living and dining rooms. The only thing that deters him is that there's furniture sitting on them! I guess when he starts trying to move the sofas, dining table, etc. I will have to put a stop to it. BTW, when he rolled up the corners of the living room rug, I found two of his pills that apparently the aide had given him and he had hidden!
Anyone else's LO try to lift up the granite countertops from the cabinets? You've gotta laugh!
Every week after I come in from mowing the yard. DH will say I can do that. I will mow next week. Next week never comes. He just likes for me to know he wants to help.
The helping thing is a real problem here. G is constantly wanting to help, but he can't stand up without falling or having someone steady him. I have had to remove the coffee table as he was falling against it, so no place to "fold" except his very unsteady lap. He simply cannot get up and go alone thus the inevitable frustration that is constant. I do believe the left over "antsy" behavior is creating this situation with no solution. Large sigh!
No, not from Kansas, but an old college sweetheart was and we started seeing each other again after 40 years. I spent time in Hutch and we travelled all over Kansas. And it's not just the best fried chicken in Kansas, it's the best anywhere! I just love that place, but will probably never get to go there again. Our long distance romance lasted a few years, but eventually you have to live in the same place. He died a few years ago, but I hadn't seen him in a long time.