Remember the Peanuts book with this title? I thought we could make a list of what AD happiness is. Maybe someone on this site could make illustrations and we can sell the book to make money to pay for nursing homes! Here's my contribution to our book:
Happiness is: having my spouse urinate on the tile rather than the carpet!
Happiness is knowing I have accomplished my goals of providing the best care I can offer to my spouse and feeling free of guilt when the time to let them go is here. divvi
Happyness is seeing the normal parts of your life, because they are still some there. Happyness is being able to find things to be grateful for. Happyness is looking outside, or being outside, in the beautiful sunny weather and smelling the flowers.
Happiness is two words togerther and a smile from my husband while I feed him lunch at the Nurshing Home.
Happiness is a brand new GREAT-Geanddaughter - Alyssia Starr - 8/13/08 - 6lbs 2oz - 18 1/2" long. Beautiful blue eyes and a full head of dark brown hair. Mom, Dad and baby are all doing great. She joins brother James 5 and sister Anya 3 1/2.
Happiness is 5 pink balloons tied to my husbands wheelchair, yesterday after lunch, when we recieved word of our newest baby.
How wonderful! Another life to watch grow and unfold. My baby grandson is 10-1/2 and I'd sure like it if someone would have another baby. So far, none of the married grandsons or their wives have started anything yet. Oh, well. I'm so happy for you guys. Have lots of fun with her.
Happiness is getting your Dr.s , and support services on the same page as regards how WE handle various issues, and having them respond when you call rather than when it fits their schedule.
Northstar, how sweet. That is what keeps us going, isn't it? And the hope that glint will be there again, even after the AD progresses to a very advanced stage.
Today, DH kissed me, patted me on the bottom, smiled that 'special' smile and said "What's your name?" My stomach just lurched until he gave me a big hug and laughingly said "I may not remember everything but I still remember you." I felt better then but it sort of gave me a premonition of things to come. Really sad, isn't it. I have such a lump in my throat. He said it right in front of our son who looked like someone had punched him in the gut.
Sunshyne; I am so fortunate the glint is still there, he is now in the final stages and can no longer walk, sit or stand, he can not even roll in bed, yet he still smiles when he sees me and tries to form the words "I love you" . His speech is pretty much gone, on good days he will say one or two words a day. This has been a very quick journey for us, he was only dx 2 yrs ago and is now listed as Palliative. Day by day now. We just have to remember all the good times and honor the man that was once a great husband and father.