Snow and sleet and freezing rain then snow again

The Cincinnati area has been blasted by Mother Nature. We along with many others in the Midwest are dealing with unbelievable road conditions and many are without power. We have been fortunate. We have power, I can get to work and MIL has power. I cannot ask for anything more.

Yesterday DH was working trying to get the cars loose from all the snow etc. Our neighbor came over and helped. What a blessing neighbors are. We live in a community that is all working couples and don't get to know each other very well. But each of us tries to help out when we can.

DH is worrying about all the things that can go wrong this weekend with the move for his mother. I keep trying to encourage him so that he will only have expectations for the best. No I am not Pollyanna. But I know that I feel better if I look at the bright side of things and that I get clinically depressed if I only think about what bad things can happen. The Lord tells us not to worry and that He will take care of us. I have to lean on that promise and try to walk the path He wants me on.

In a way I think that God is trying to help DH heal from all the illness of the past two years. Snow is a way to heal, you ask! Getting him out of his chair and moving around is a blessing. I don't want a "couch potato" to come home to but a husband who has done things during the day and feels good about himself. Working on a car, working in the yard, and working in the garage are all things that lead to positive feelings and I do try to encourage him.

Please continue your prayers for all dementia patients and their friends.

Visit to Neurologist

Yesterday we visited the neurologist. He had not seen DH since November.

DH was asked if he was using the c-pap. Answer: only when he wants to. Dr was not pleased.

DH was asked if he felt that there had been any change. Answer: no. Dr asked me the same question. Answer: I indicated that there are rare occasions when DH has short term memory problems.

Dr said he did not need to see DH for six months unless there were consistant short term memory loss or other changes.

Hooray! We have a major milestone!

Please keep praying for all dementia patients and their loved ones.

Snow Day

We are getting a major storm here in S.W. Ohio. We have over 3" of snow now with up to 10 - 15" more expected. Wow.

DH drove me to work this morning. Thank you God that he is well and able to drive. I could have easily driven myself, but I didn't want to. We had no mishaps on the way to work and DH got home safely as well. I expect my employeer to dismiss us early today as they have a history of sending us home early when the weather is really bad.

DH and I have an appointment with the neurologist today. I wonder what he will say. DH is declaring that the diagnosis was totally wrong. Are we going to stop the Namenda? I hope the doctor will strongly advise against it.

Please continue to pray for all dementia patients and their families and friends.

Move for MIL

Saturday we spent 6 hours packaging MIL's clothing and the items she wants to display on her curio cabinets in her room at the nursing home. She is starting to show a little more interest in this move when she realized that she would be taking more than her clothing. We packed all the really pretty afghans she has made over the years to take as well.

DH is in an up roar. Things are not going his way and he is furious. Yesterday after a comment he made about not being in control I put him in control. I said nothing more about the move except that I would do what he wanted. He is not happy with that. DH has never been in control. He has never been allowed to be in control. His parents always controlled him and his father always controlled his mother. He is very uncomfortable right now. I do not know how this will turn out, but it should be very interesting.

Since his accident in 2007 and his diagnosis of dementia in 2008 I have been the caregiver and the lead on all things responsible. Now he is being pushed into the place of head of house. I am going to have a hard time standing back, but I knew in my heart and mind that it is exactly what he needs. Please pray for me to have the patience to give him the freedom to make this work or make mistakes that can be fixed.

Please continue to pray for dementia patients, their caregivers and extended family.

Epidural appears to be a success

DH had an epidural yesterday to help with a slipped disc. He is walking better already today. There is still some numbness in his back and leg. They say that it takes at least one week for full results. So far great!

Tomorrow is the great planning day. We are getting together with our daughter and son-in-law to plot the great move. (MIL to nursing home is the great move.) I am sure that DD will have many suggestions. Cannot wait to see DH response. Should be interesting. I need to back away and let him step forward and make his needs known. It has been a long time since I didn't make all the decisions.

Last night I reminded DH that we have an appointment with the neurologist next week. He thought these were no longer necessary. I asked if he wanted to get off the Namenda. He didn't really answer the question. We will see what the doctor says, but I still see minor short term memory problems occurring.

Please keep praying as our God is a great God.

Another wife struggling with life

I have been following another blogger who has two young boys and a husband with cancer. Angie is surrounded by family and friends that are blessing her daily with support and help. She has an attitude of belief and trust in God that surpasses understanding. She can complain about a school closing yet deals with the major crisis in her life with such a spirit of God. I wish I knew her personally so that I could emulate her.

Please pray for Angie, Brian, Gavin and Grant as they walk the steps of life. If you would like to follow Angie and her family her blog is at: http://aboneill.blogspot.com/.

DH is having an epidural for a slipped disc today. Thank God he has healed so well from the illness in October. He is dealing with this in such a wonderful way that would not have been possible six months ago. Our God is a wonderful God.

Please continue to pray for dementia patients and their extended families.

Another great day

Today I drove myself to work. DH had an appointment on the east side of Cincinnati at 8:00 am and there was no way he could make the appointment on time after dropping me off at work. It was a long cold walk into the office and I am in the first lot because of a handicapped sticker on my car. 13 is just too cold for this slow walker.

When I got to work he asked me to call and then reassured me that I didn't have to drive to work every day until I really felt like it. Boy I would love to take advantage of that offer and never drive to work again. But...that is lazy and taking advantage of him. It would show him that one car will work for both of us, but at what expense? I think I had better plan on driving myself as soon as I am really ready to do it regularly.

He has really stepped up to the plate to become my caregiver. I will never be able to say thank you enough to him. There have been a few moments when we didn't see eye to eye, but that is typical of any marriage. We iron them out and go forward.

We go to see DH neurologist next Tuesday. I think he will see little if any change for the worse. Maybe we can go back to once every three months for visits. I surely hope so and I an certain DH would like it too.

Bless all of you who are praying for dementia patients and their extended families.

DH is on top of things

Yesterday DH called the company that has put alarm systems on all of our vehicles. They are going out of business and selling everything at half price. We are going to get additional remote controls for both vehicles and have an alarm system put on the newest vehicle with a remote starter as well. The older vehicle needs some maintenance work on its alarm system and we are going to try to get it back in full working order. DH thought of this on his own and pursued the necessary information. When he told me about his research he indicated that we had about 24 hours to act on it.

This morning it was the first thing on my mind. I wasn't trying to test DH, but busy getting ready for work, and didn't remind him of the conversation. As DH was driving me to work he brought up the subject himself. This indicates to me that his short term memory is not as impacted by the dementia as we were afraid it was. This is a big Woo Who!

DH has been a wonderful care giver and now it is time for us to trade the titles again. He injured his spine over the holidays and after an extensive MRI he is going to have an epidural to try and move the disk back 1/4" into the proper position. If the epidural doesn't work spinal surgery is the next step. This will not be an easy time for us.

MIL is moving to our hometown the last weekend in January. She will be in a nursing home within 2 miles of our house. We will start packing her heirloom possessions this weekend. We will also be packing some of her off season clothes as well. I anticipate 9 boxes and some large sized garbage bags will come back to our house this weekend. It is a small start, but it will be an accomplishment. She has held on so long that it is harder on her now than it would have been a few years ago. I feel for her. She is loosing her Independence and her privacy. Two very hard things for an individual to do. Thank God I had a long week in a nursing home during my recovery from surgery. As a patient I now know what to look for and how to help her with the transition.

Please keep praying for all dementia patients, their caregivers and families as they struggle to love and help.

Working Girl

Today is my first day back at work. You wouldn't believe it but I had over 600 e-mails in my inbox. It will take hours to clean up.

DH drove me to work as I am not released to drive yet. He actually got up with me at 6:15 and took care of the dogs and me before the drive. I love having coffee with him first thing in the morning.

Last night he discovered that his right ankle was badly swollen. He has a rash that is being treated with hydrocortisone on the same leg. This morning the swelling is down, but we will be watching it. He was the one that discovered it. This is good because it means that he is watching his body for symptoms that might lead back to the staph infection. He is back in the early stages of dementia!!! Happy Dance!

Please keep praying for patients with dementia, their caregivers and families.

Return to posting

It has been over a month since my last post. DH is doing very well. He has been taking care of me since my surgery and doing a very good job of being a caregiver. I will be returning to work next Tuesday. It will be 5 weeks since my surgery.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson came over during the afternoon and we exchanged gifts. It was great to see them here. The dogs, Max and Roxie, were very interested in our grandson, who does not really trust big dogs. We will have to find the opportunity to make it easier for all.

My MIL is moving to our city the end of this month. She will be entering a nursing home. She has been refusing this for over four years. James has promised to visit her daily. This will keep both of them active. Initially we will go to church services in the NH weekly to get her involved with the other members. This will be good for all of us.

Please continue to pray for all dementia patients, their family and caregivers.