David was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in October of 2005 (I was suspecting Alzheimer's in 2003). I started my 'Moving Forward with Alzheimer's' blog in January of 2009.... I'm wishing I would have started it sooner...... but....oh well, I'm glad I started it when I did............. (my sweet David and Casey, four years ago) Writing my feelings, keeping track of the changes we're going through, looking at our pictures, and taking pictures..... has been very therapeutic for me!!My spirits have been lifted on many a day, by the comments of love and support I've received from people who read about our journey. (David, our son and three grandsons 4 years ago).Never ..... in my wildest dreams would I have imagined having friends all over the world; reading about our journey and corresponding with me. What a blessing this has been to me!! Thank you!!!! Recently, I've been looking at pictures and reading some of the post I've written in the past. I wanted to see and compare what was happening now, this time last year..... or the year before..................sigh. I've always loved this picture of David with Ellie..... so typical of him pretending. He's pretending "it's hot tea"...... Almost 8 years later, ..... Ellie feeding this wonderful man, her grandfather...God is good!!!
My sweet David continues to teach us 'life lessons' in the midst of Alzheimer's ...... I hate the disease, but I praise God for the love I see that transpires from/through it........ Our daughter and her family came for the day. We arrived around lunch at AlzCare, and David was still in bed, sleeping soundly....very peaceful. It took awhile to awaken him, but once he was awake our daughter and granddaughter, Ellie fed him. I can't begin to express how much this touched my heart and made me thankful to see the 'love' they were showing for David.Each person's reaction and action when dealing with someone sick is different, but that's okay. We show love in our own way. The bracelet on our daughter's arm is one that I gave David. He never took it off until I noticed recently that one of the links was worn in half. I had the gold re-plated and gave it to our daughter. She calls it her 'good luck' bracelet because it was her dads. David didn't respond or recognize us, but that's okay. I looked at his handsome face and saw peace. I've prayed for peace...... and I say, "thank you God.""HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE TERRIFIED; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO."Joshua 1:9
Its been awhile since I've posted. I've had no desire to update, but here goes. On Thursday David's sister went with me to see him. He looked more rested than previously, but no real recognition or response to us.On Friday the visit was the same until I was ready to leave. For the first time in several weeks......he looked at me (I had to hold his head up) and he said I was pretty and he loved me. Wow, what a sweet surprise and a blessing for me!......................I'll hang on to those words forever.Today (Sunday) I took David's precious dog, Casey to see him. I was hoping she'd make him smile, but she didn't. Most of the time he sits stooped over in his chair with his head bowed down. He doesn't walk anymore and when he talks, it doesn't make sense..... except for those precious words on Friday. I was raised not to hate anything, but 'by golly' I hate Alzheimer's with a passion. On a positive note: I feel blessed that David is calm and in a home where he is nurtured and cared for.Next month will be our 49th anniversary. We are blessed that we've had so many wonderful years together. I can't complain. God is good!!
Alzheimer's the roller coaster! David was doing well one day last week. When I ask him who I am, he says, " Karen"... (our daughter), but then he remembers that I'm Sweetie. A peek into David's thoughts and feelings. Breaks my heart! A few days later and he's totally unresponsive........Our best friends .... singing to him, cutting his hair and trimming nails. How good is that.....we are blessed!Jillian combing David's hair. The picture below.....touches my heart. Not too often that I'm speechless.......but right now I am.God is good!
A good day visiting with David; actually the best day in several weeks. Thankfully, he is calm! Here's a very short video, I love the sweet familiar way he raised his eyebrows.What would I do without my faithful companions? They give me comfort and joy.....!Easter and my birthday on the same day....... a good and melancholy day for me ........I went to Church, Sunday school and I had our family of 15 together for the day. It felt strange that David wasn't with us, but I was also very thankful that he is being cared for by loving care givers. Life goes on and God is good!!!
A rough week! For over a week David wasn't sleeping at night and keeping all the residents awake with his anger and severe agitation. He's also needed one caretaker full time to watch over him.Several days ago he was sent to the ER to have a sonogram of his bladder and check his urine to see if pain was contributing to his severe agitation and anger. Everything was clear.(this picture was taken March of last year)His doctor recommended we call in Hospice. I met with them this week and so far they've been helpful. The new plan is to give him pain medication on a regular basis (we don't know if he's in pain or not). Also a new medication that's helping to keep him calm. So far the combination is doing a good job. (March of last year)David's Alzheimer medications, Aricept and Namenda have not helped him for almost a year. For six or seven years these drugs were wonderful. I was told there would come a time when they would no longer help. I'm thankful for the years they helped..... we made some sweet memories together during this time.David no longer recognizes me or anyone else. However, as long as he's calm and peaceful I'm happy. So much is changing so rapidly as Alzheimer's continues its destruction of his brain.I'm so thankful that I continue feeling surrounded by loving and faithful friends and family through all of this.God is good!
David is walking and eating!!! One of his caretakers looked down the hall near his room one morning this week and he was walking. He's not real steady on his feet, but heck ... he was in bed for two weeks, what do we expect. He also tried to do a little sweeping yesterday.Here's a short video of Casey giving David a kiss. His appetite is back and he's eating soft food!!So far no more outburst of agitation or anger. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.GOD IS GOOD!
David was in the hospital for two long weeks. They moved him back to AlzCare on Wednesday. It's so good having him out of the hospital and closer to home. My best friend, me and our dog, Casey were there to see him when he arrived on Wednesday. He appeared to have a slight memory of Casey and thoroughly enjoyed having her sit on his lap. It was so sweet to see them together. I took him chocolate candy and he ate it without any trouble swallowing. AlzCare will watch him closely because he's lost some weight and he's weak. He can stand with assistance, but he can no longer walk. They/we aren't sure if it's the weakness or if he's forgotten how to walk. David NEVER took naps before Alzheimer's; he was always reading, jogging, working and ..doing busy work. After Alzheimer's.....he still didn't take naps. He stayed busy sweeping , clapping to his music or walking around. Now he's taking naps.........sigh........ I've prayed for 'peace'.... and this is peace....thank you God. So far, no more outburst of agitation and anger. He's only taking 1/2 mg. of a pill in the evening to calm him. My prayer is peace for this kind and gentle man.Three of our grandsons went with me today to see him and afterwards we went to Olive Garden in remembrance of how much their Pope loved eating there. One of the boys had peach tea and another had eggplant parmigiana, David's favorites.Our best friends went to see him today, and Jillian found his stuffed animal for him.These pictures were taken several weeks ago .....David enjoying his music and clapping. Alzheimer's is often described as the 'long good-bye'....which it is, but it also gives us the opportunity to discover so much love from our family and friends.God is good!
David is still in the San Antonio hospital and responding to a very low dose of medication given to him in the evening. He's sleeping 8 hours at night, which is wonderful. (over 20 years ago)He hasn't experienced anymore outburst of anger and agitation. AlzCare will take him back 'one more time'. My prayer is peace for David.The doctor said the goal is to return him to AlzCare within the next few days. I'm thinking/hoping it will be Monday. (6 years ago with our daughter's 6 children) They did a swallow test on him today, it showed that he's losing the ability to remember to chew and swallow. His food will now be pureed.....one more step of moving forward with Alzheimer's. As sad as I am, ...... I must remind myself ...the reward for David is better than anything here on earth.The psychiatrist in charge of the 21st floor where David resides right now, has been a God send to me. She's so very honest, compassionate and a Christian lady who says her job is also her ministry......(March of last year)Our family, friends and pastor have been so supportive during this difficult time. I can't imagine walking this road without them. God is so good! HE knows what I need ... and there they are.(Last dance)Our granddaughter was married March 19th of last year. Thankfully, David was able to attend the wedding. I'm thankful for the pictures of them together. Our granddaughter stayed with me this week. Having her with me has been a good distraction, plus it was a blessing to have her go with me to see David. I wish he would have recognized us, but he didn't. The disease continues.......(Our son and his family, Summer 2000)Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!
I'm sad and I'm mourning the slow decline of my sweet David ....... but I'm also blessed with the sweetest, most faithful and compassionate friend anyone could ever dream of having.( Israel - 1998) March 7th is my best friend's birthday....(Marriage - May 2000) There are no boundaries on ages of friends..... my best friend is the same age as our son. We met on a spiritual (Emmaus) walk .... sponsored by our church in July of 1994. God knew we needed one another......the rest is history.(Port Aransas several years ago)Nelwyn, Keith and Jillian....thank you for loving us unconditionally. We love you all!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY NELWYN!!
