I could not find where someone started an August thread, so I will. If they have, then feel free to change this.
In the RV park I work at, the parking for the back-in sites is confusing. Example: the parking for the site has a patch of grass and then the parking site which is right next to the site next to us. We are going to be pretty full this weekend due to the Prosser Wine and Food Fair so there is someone next to us. When the people parked the one next to us told Art that he had to move our car and car dolly cause he was parked in that guys spot. I try to remember to explain the parking to people when they check in but someone else checked them in.
This is where I could see hb having trouble explaining things - actually the first time. Instead of explaining the parking to the guy, hb told him that was the arrangement we had with the park allowing us to park there. He moved the car and dolly (which is hard work) to the site on our other side then came to the office to tell me. I went and explained the parking to the people but it was hard to explain why my hb could not explain that to them. I did apologize numerous times for not explaining the parking to them when they checked in and they seemed alright but they could not understand why hb did not tell them - why he just said: we have an arrangement with the park to park in that spot.
another wake-up call.
Also spoke with DIL the other day and found that 3 year grandson does not remember Papa. He remembers the man who took him on rides on the lawnmower but he had trouble putting it together with grandpa. I think I will print out some pictures of him and grandpa so he will have a face to put with the name -after all he is only 3 and has not seen grandpa since April which is a long time for a 3 years old.
This may not be proper to ask (I'm not too sure about how message boards work) but I'll risk it. Are you campground hosts? We camped for almost 40 years from pickup slide-in to 27 ft. 5th wheel. We spent every summer going somewhere and at one time 2 1/2 months going to and from Alaska. Last fall we were all set to travel again when he had another stroke and traveling with a 5th wheel became a big no-no. He can't understand that we will never camp again - those days are over. It is so sad for me, too because we had such fun and saw so many places - all but one state, Nova Scotia, and parts of Canada. Our 5th wheel sits partly outside its shelter because when our neighbor helped him pull it in he told him he needed it to be forward! When I saw how it was parked I really realized that he just wasn't who he had been and no way could we ever be campers again. I always enjoyed the campground hosts - we have even shared watermelon, tomatoes or whatever produce we may have brought along with the hosts.
flo - I am a workamper - I work in the office of the park. We use to both work usually me in the office and my hb doing cleaning and maintenance, now it is just me. It is really hard on him not working. When I am on duty he will come tell me things he sees people doing, when someone pulls out, etc. I have to just smile and tell him it will be fine. I feel bad for him but after sitting around for two plus years I decided as long as he can travel I want to still work. I found this place that was willing to hire a single and it has been a life saver!
We do enjoy talking to the people. In fact, we just got home a little while ago after talking with a couple for over 2 hours.
tomorrow we are heading to Vanc. to see the grandkids. Did the packing tonight after getting home from visiting the people and he was tired and it showed. He obsessed over his pills even though I kept saying I had them packed. Oh well.
What kind of rig do you have? I just don't feel secure driving the 5th wheel - can't back up - now that's a real reason ;) although I have driven down the road many times but then there's always maneuvering those gas pumps. I have thought if we had the slide-in for the pickup I could handle that but that's probably not feasible at this time. FD is so upset for many reasons but not camping gets on his mind occasionally and he blames me for all. We've been going to his alma mater for the football season for 10 years. We camped at the state park, visited relatives, and saw the games. Our home is over 700 miles away so we don't see relatives more than once a year and now that is gone. The football team is a national title contender often and the season tickets I didn't renew can never be had again. My fault for letting them go - another thing that gets to him but there was no way I could take us to more than one game and the expense (motel, eating out, etc.) I thought just wasn't worth it. Anyway - off subject good luck to you in your travels and have fun for us.
flo39 - have a motorhome and hb makes sure people know I have not driven it yet. I have had many lessons from people on how to drive it!!!
Had a great time with the grandkids Sunday and Monday. I loved them up as much as they would let me. Lots of playing and goofing off!
Was a nice drive - we went up the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge vs the interstate - a whole different view. Came back that way too. The weather was even nice while we were there.
My sister from CA was here for 1 week. She was amazed at hb; hadn't seen him for 2 years, but I'd told her of decline. She said it's one thing to hear bits and pieces; it's another to be with him 24/7. She'd brought info she'd learned about dementias, medicaid, medicare, MEMORY LESSONS by Jerald Winakur, etc. I smiled sweetly and thanked her for her caring, but she soon realized I already knew more than her about all of this. :) (I have an advance proof copy of Winakur's book because my daughter was asked to review it by Amazon.) She went to a caregivers' conference w/me and was impressed with that, too. Went with me when I dropped hb off at his Circle of Art support group, too. She was impressed with activities there as well as staff and spouses who've become close friends. I explained this site to her, too. So, I believe she went home w/a better understanding of dementia and the close bond of friendship we have with our support groups. She's a licensed family counselor in CA and works with teens who are in the court system. Now, she's seen something of the other age spectrum.
Had a bit of a set-back today. When my wife got home from day care, in their van, I was told they would not transport her any more since she resisted getting into the van. This happens occasionally, but not often enough to cancel her use of the van. Also, to have this happen when I am still recuperating from knee replacement makes it even harder. I'll have to discuss it with the site manager on Monday when I take her in (I don't use the van in the morning since it comes too early)
Not a good August. My brother passed away yesterday. He had lung cancer...since he had a liver transplant a few years ago, he was unable to have Chemo, the mass was too advanced for surgery...his only option was radiation which has been really hard on him. He had a heart attack on Monday evening, was life-lined to the hospital, however, all attempts to save him were not successful. He was taken off life support yesterday. It has been a really tough year for me. My brother-in-law passed in February, my sister in May & now my brother in August. I am really fearful for November. My husband has had so many infections lately, a fever that just won't go away & weight loss of 28 pounds since March. Thanks for listening, just needed to tell someone my fear.
Kadee, we've been on this site a long time together, and I've grown to love you. I'm so sorry that you've had this long run of grief. You are in my prayers and will be each day.
kadee so sorry for you losses. man life throws some hard punches. I thank God for this website and everyone of you that open your lives to all of us that need to know there are others out there sometimes 24/7. May comfort be present to you in the days to come.
Oh,Kadee, I am so sorry for all your losses. The grief just continues. I, too, have had many loses over the last 10 months and I dread the next few months. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
(((hugs))) Kadee. Some years just seems like things pile up and you lose so many you love. Praying that your fears will be calmed and your DH will recover from this latest issue.
As August comes to an end, plans for the winter are in the making. I have a winter job which we will head to October 15th. Unfortunately, it is on the west side of the state in Hoquiam, WA where it will rain all winter! The bright spot is - it is only for 5 1/2 months cause we will be back here April 1. The job will be just two days when the managers takes their days off. I will watch the office and hb will get to work helping me clean the bathrooms and showers. We will have full hookups including wi-fi and laundry. It has cable but will keep DISH as hb would really miss having the guide to find programs. He gets so frustrated at my sister's - she has cable and the guide slowly moved at the bottom of the screen.
Today we went into Tri-cities for shopping and he had me drive back. About half way home he started crying but didn't know why. I was ready Rick Phelps post to him. He identified with some but said so far he is not confused when he wakes up in the morning. We got talking about it being 3 years since his diagnosis, which didn't seem that long, and the galantamine he is on. I told him the only way to know if it is working is to go off it. He said he had been thinking about it which he has spoken of before. I have already decided that once he starts going noticeably downhill I will stop it and let the disease go on its own. Otherwise, once his quality of living is gone, why prolong it? If the drug worked when he goes off maybe he will quickly get to where he is not aware of all his losses. When that will be - I don't know.
Charlotte, when you said that you drove, was that your motor home or was it a car? Do you trailer a car behind you? Do you anticipate having to drive the motor home in the near future? I’m asking because I’m ……… well I’m nosey! You are definitely one of my heroes. With everything you have been through in your life you just seem to take things in stride. Hugs to you!
We were driving the car. We tow it behind the motorhome on a car dolly - it can't be towed with all 4 down. Yes, I am going to have to drive the motorhome if I want to keep traveling. Every time I get ready turns out we have bad winds which I don't see as a good time to learn to drive it. But, I will have to bite the bullet and do it someday cause he won't be driving forever. He mentioned the other day that giving up driving will be hard so I think maybe things are changing when he drives and he is aware of it. He just has not said anything about it. We have lived in the MH since 2004. Until it is paid off, which will be a long time unless his brother stops stalling on selling the house they all own jointly, we have no other place to live. SSDI only goes so far.