Come on in, it's comfortable in the nest

I'd love to add a picture here of the nest with our robins in it on the tree branches. Dale painted it on an Ohio shaped piece of slate we found on our honeymoon in New York. He cleaned and baked it, drilled a couple holes in the corners and knotted rope through it so we would be able to hang it up in our home. He was a talented artist, poet, loved God and his Savior, a great cook, and loved to suprise me taking me to differnt historic spots and learning about them. We did a wonderful tour of Amish Country, Niagra Falls, the Mormon historic town here in Kirtland, OH, Wine Country. He taught me about pottery he collected. We had fun refinishing our bathroom into a "Fisherman's Closet" is all I can say to describe it. We had started gardening. I try to keep it up in memory of him, but HE had the green thumb. Not me so much. Since my sister lost her husband in April I have been regrieving with her as well as dealing with my Mom who has Alzheimer's. It's an awful disease. We slowly lose a part of her each day. Some days it's not so noticeable and we are fortunate that she has a sense of humor that we have to actually do a doubletake and wonder if she really has the disease. My dear sweetie, Steve, says we should take her on the road. We'd do better than the Blue Collar Comedy Club team! She is an Elvis Presley fan. She remembers him. We shopped a day at the local Goodwill and she found a doll replica of Elvis with his guitar and swivel hips and it's her favorite toy. On our way to my daughter Chrissy's yesterday she told me she wanted to find someone and get married again. Was that ever out of the blue!! My luck she would and then "forget" she got married and take a devilish delight in living in sin! Ha ha ha! Definately have to write that certificate in BOLD Sharpie and hang it on the wall. I have her and my dads wedding certificate , it's a Catholic scroll with beautiful artistry 16x20 size, framed over the bookcase. Can't miss it. She says I haven't seen my marriage certificate in a long time! That's the way of her.
Well I can tell my emotions are all over the place today. I am still exhausted from our vacation home, that Mother doesn't remember. We went to Fulton, KY, Union City, TN, Henderson, TX,Wynne, AR, Memphis, TN to visit family and friends we haven't seen in awhile. Good thing we took pictures.
Seems we got home in time. Carolyn's cat was due to have kittens. She had them yesterday. Three in all we believe. She hid herself in what will become the computer room at my sisters. There are so cute even though I haven't seen them yet. I know I will want to bring one home, but we have allergies and I want to continue to travel for as long as I can. I love being out on the open road.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

I've Had Quite a Day,,,

and I really haven't done much. It's dealing with Alzheimer's day in and day out. Do you realize that family and friends believe that just because a person has Alzheimers they can't be visitied or talked to?

The fact is, they are just as normal as they ever were, in that moment of time they are spending with you. They love hugs, talk about the past, and may repeat themselves several times. Now, I realize that there are several stages of Alzheimers, each one varies, but with the medications they have now and with patience the Alzheimers patient still enjoys socializing.

Alzheimers patients can be shut-ins due to age, walking disabilities, or just for the fact if they leave the enviroment they are in they can become disoriented and it can set their thinking back and they wonder when they "moved".

However, they don't stop smiling, they don't stop loving, they don't stop caring. They still want to Help in daily living and be given a job to do. They are old and tired. Do they like company and folks to talk to them? YES, they are not stupid or crazy. Their memory is slowed down. That's all. Short term memory. Remember when you use to tell someone who looked at you funny, Take a picture, it lasts longer. Well,,,it's true. Taking a picture of yourself with the Alzheimers patient is a good way for the "Caregiver" to keep a journal and be able to discuss your visit once you have left. They may not remember when they saw you, but you do stay in their mind. When they mention , "I haven't seen so and so for so long, the picture journal comes in handy.

Caregivers need the respite too. When nothing new happens, the same questions can nearly drive the caregiver out of their minds. Family can be so helpful in this area. Coming and taking the Alzheimers patient for a drive or just out to the drive-thru for a coke or coffee gives the Caregiver and the Alzheimer's patient a break. Even if it's only for an hour. Phone calls are great too. Hi Grandma, How are you? I have a new job. I remember when I was 5 and you came to my party. Or how about, I love you, Happy Birthday.

Can you tell this Caregiver is on fire? I'm near burn out after 2 1/2 years of full time care for Mom. If Jaime and Kasey did not live with me, I would be out of my mind. No one comes to visit except my sister once in a while and my nephew David has been here twice. No one ever offers to come and stay and I can have a night out with a friend or an afternoon lunch. If I want help, I always have to ask for it. My dear sweet friend and sister, Jill, will call my Mom long distance so I have prep time in the kitchen to make dinner or just be able to clean something up in the house, while she chats with Mom about farm chickens, children, church.
And don't get me started on mail. The woman longs to get personal mail. Who doesn't like to get a letter!

Well enough. I'm totally and physcially exhausted. What happens if I burn out? Who takes care of Mom then? Well enough. Just yesterday was Mom's birthday and I'm ashamed of my family. I stay close to tears most of the time. Carolyn stopped by on her way out of town to bring Mom flowers and cake and ice cream. Oldest granchild of 6 is 35. Haven't seen or heard from any of them except Jaime who lives here with us and Vicki who lives with her mother.

Funny, in all those years, Mema never forgot a birthday or present or missed a party.

Well enough, now that I have blown steam it's time for a family intervention.
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