More short term forgetfulness

We are back to a two car family. I have the choice of the Buick or the Mercury. The Mercury has a heater for the winter that plugs in to keep the oil and engine warm. Yesterday DH reminded me four times that if I took the Mercury to work today I would have to unplug it before I drove it. This morning he reminded me a fifth time.

I think he is aware of what is happening. Last night a medium sized fight of words broke out. He has been so stable with his temper for the last two months. I don't know if this is a sign of frustration.

Until I have sufficient information I am not going to confide in the doctor about what I am thinking. More observation is needed between then and now.

Please keep praying for all dementia patients, their caregivers and extended family and friends.

I hope that what I see isn't

DH is starting to show very tiny signs that he may have Dementia. We went through this before and it was no fun. We thought that the diagnosis was wrong because of the severe staph infection. He has been off his Namenda since October 28, 2009.

The tiny symptoms started during January. I don't think he is aware of it. Somehow I need to start a journal at home and note down each time without his being aware.

This is a total set back and I am depressed about it.

Keep praying for all dementia patients, their caregivers, family and friends.

Revelation

I have realized that the various hospitalizations that DH has experienced over the last two and a half years has played havoc with his memory. Several times lately when I say something about a plan that has been made and discussed with him he replies "It's nice you finely told me about this". It is more irritating that anything else. BUT...it may be a symptom that I need to watch.

DH is off all of his medication for dementia. The neurologist reminded me that I should look for symptoms and I think this may be one of them. As soon as DH is reminded he remembers that he already knows. The look on his face is one of pain.

Please continue to pray for all dementia patients, their families, friends and caregivers. They need all the prayers that they can get!

Recovering

DH has been home from the hospital for a week and a half. He is very worried that this will happen again. He is having memory issues. We are still adjusting his medications from what the hospital physician set up to what he really needs. It is a daily or weekly process.

We are must closer than before. Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. This time around he didn't spend a lot of recovery in rehab and therefore we are recovering together. This is very special in our marriage. I think we have taken a major step forward and it feels good.

Please continue to pray for all dementia patients, their families and friends and their care givers. They need all the prayers we can make.

We just spent another weekend in the hospital

DH collapsed Thursday while in a local auto repair shop. He had a temperature of 103.7 and his blood sugar count was 47. He was rushed to the hospital and put into intensive care. He was very combative and between trying to sit up and get out of bed they had to restrain him. Friday he managed to pull out all of the IV ports so they had to install a pic line.

He doesn't remember much until Sunday morning. They moved him from ICU to a semi-private room late Monday evening.

He wants to come home. He called earlier and said they may send him home today. They still are not sure what caused the whole thing. I think it was like last October when he had a massive infection that went undiagnosed. This lead to his blood sugar doing amazing things and ended up with him in a diabetic coma. I have already talked to our family doctor and suggested that we need to keep an eye open for future infections. Either test him regularly or just put him on a broad spectrum very intense antibiotic.
Yesterday the doctor in ICU told DH that he had almost died. Dear doctor did not give much information about that statement and I am not really happy about that.

The doctor this morning said that he thought DH had a seizure. We will see what the future brings.

One thing I do know is that we are not leaving the hospital until we have total copies of all the doctor and nurse notes as well as the results of all the tests. This will go to our family doctor to be available when (God forbid) we need them in the future.

Please keep praying for all dementia patients and their extended network of friends, family and care givers.

Doctor Releases DH

We had a visit with the neurologist last Wednesday. He said to stop all Namenda. But he also said not to throw it away for a while to see if it truly is not needed.

DH is grumpy and still himself. I see no signs of dementia at all.

He keeps telling everyone that he never had dementia. He is correct as far as that goes. He had all the symptoms and failed all the dementia tests that were given to him. He was literally a basket case a year ago. He still doesn't remember things that happened while he was so ill. It is hard to believe that a Staph infection can cause so much damage and give such strange symptoms. We are lucky he is still alive.

I may not have any updates for some time on this blog.

Please keep praying for all patients who are diagnosed with dementia, for their families and caregivers. They need these prayers from moment to moment.

Another Infection

DH is on antibiotics again. His symptoms are lack of appetite, sleepiness, lack of energy and a horrible temper. He is still on 1 Namenda per day. I don't know what to do! He is showing the same symptoms from January, 2008. If it is just the staph infection, we can deal with it. If it is something more I don't know how much strength I have left.

Please keep praying for all dementia patients and their extended family and friends. We really need it!