Tonight is DH second class for conceal to carry permit. I know that this is doing good for him. Not in the sense that it is curring his dementia. I know that dementia is a progressive disease and it will not reverse. However, he has had a migraine for almost six weeks. The migraine is going away. Whether it is because the doctor's have found a medicine that works or that he is doing something that makes him happy, the migraine is being concurred.
This is a man who has no hobbies. He collects guns. He loves scuba diving (too expensive). He loves motorcycles (again too expensive when he constantly wants to upgrade). At home and in the evening he has nothing to do. I read, quilt, use my computer for quilt design and yes I even play solitaire on the computer. I do not like sitting still and doing nothing. In many ways he is the same, but he never picked up something that can be done in the quiet of his own home.
I saw the testimony of Sargent Shriver's daughter Maria Shriver Swartzenegger about Alzheimer's disease and it really hit home. Here is a man that was a major player in the Kennedy years, a vice presidental candidate and now he can remember to go to mass and say his rosary, but he does not recognize his daughter. All dementia patients slowly go backwards in their lives. They loose the short term memories and then the mid-term memories, but continue to remember the childhood things. What a loss we all share.
Please keep praying. It helps us all.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Another Care Giver's Concern
A fellow care giver to a dementia patient commented on my blog yesterday. I have published her comment.
She has some very good insight to the problems that may arise if DH does get his conceal to carry permit. (For those of you who live outside of the U.S. we are not permitted to carry a concealed weapon at any time. If you have a gun in your car it must be unloaded and the ammunition must be in a separate compartment of the vehicle such as the trunk.) Once a class has been take and a test using the pistol that will be the weapon of choice for concealment has been taken and past a very thorough back ground check by the county sheriff's office and the FBI is done. If any part of this procedure shows that a person should not have the permit it will not be issued.
Last night was DH first class. There were a broad range of students including two ladies in their 70's and several different age groups. Some had never held a pistol let alone fired it. The first class was a discussion of a pistol and the instructor was the only one with one in his possession. He demonstrated how to load, unload and fire the pistol. Other areas were discussed and then a written exam was given.
Thursday evening the class is scheduled to discuss the laws about all firearms and specifically the conceal to carry permit. Another written exam will be given.
This coming Saturday there will be a firring range test with each individual using the weapon that they have purchased. This will be the final exam.
After passing the test a second application is filed with the sheriffs office and an interview will be taken. It will be at least 45 days after the interview before a decision will be issued whether or not DH will receive his permit.
Having said all that I must admit that at this time DH is safe with fire arms. He was raised on a farm and hunted squirrels, rabbits and other for the kitchen pot animals as well as animals that were destructive on the farm. His knowledge of firearms is extensive and he is very careful.
The future may bring about a change in the above and at that time I will probably have to make arrangements that DH be reexamined to retain his permit. It also may be necessary to remove all firearms from the residence. This will be difficult, but my reader is very accurate when she indicates that the dementia patient and all those around could be in peril.
I truly appreciate her comments and any others that will help me, DH and other care givers or dementia patients deal with their current situation and future needs.
Please keep on praying. It is the only thing that will keep care giver's sane and give the dementia patient the peace that is needed. God bless you all.
She has some very good insight to the problems that may arise if DH does get his conceal to carry permit. (For those of you who live outside of the U.S. we are not permitted to carry a concealed weapon at any time. If you have a gun in your car it must be unloaded and the ammunition must be in a separate compartment of the vehicle such as the trunk.) Once a class has been take and a test using the pistol that will be the weapon of choice for concealment has been taken and past a very thorough back ground check by the county sheriff's office and the FBI is done. If any part of this procedure shows that a person should not have the permit it will not be issued.
Last night was DH first class. There were a broad range of students including two ladies in their 70's and several different age groups. Some had never held a pistol let alone fired it. The first class was a discussion of a pistol and the instructor was the only one with one in his possession. He demonstrated how to load, unload and fire the pistol. Other areas were discussed and then a written exam was given.
Thursday evening the class is scheduled to discuss the laws about all firearms and specifically the conceal to carry permit. Another written exam will be given.
This coming Saturday there will be a firring range test with each individual using the weapon that they have purchased. This will be the final exam.
After passing the test a second application is filed with the sheriffs office and an interview will be taken. It will be at least 45 days after the interview before a decision will be issued whether or not DH will receive his permit.
Having said all that I must admit that at this time DH is safe with fire arms. He was raised on a farm and hunted squirrels, rabbits and other for the kitchen pot animals as well as animals that were destructive on the farm. His knowledge of firearms is extensive and he is very careful.
The future may bring about a change in the above and at that time I will probably have to make arrangements that DH be reexamined to retain his permit. It also may be necessary to remove all firearms from the residence. This will be difficult, but my reader is very accurate when she indicates that the dementia patient and all those around could be in peril.
I truly appreciate her comments and any others that will help me, DH and other care givers or dementia patients deal with their current situation and future needs.
Please keep on praying. It is the only thing that will keep care giver's sane and give the dementia patient the peace that is needed. God bless you all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DH and his goals
DH has set a goal for himself that 15 months ago would never have been possible. I know that you will gasp and think that this is unbelievable, but it is something that he has wanted for years and his mind is clear enough (now) that it is a possibility. DH is starting classes tonight for his conceal to carry permit. Yes, he will take classes so that he can carry a firearm.
Am I happy about this. NO. Am I stopping him. NO. Should I stop him. I don't know the answer to that question. Our primary care physician is aware and hasn't given me the evil eye so I think we are safe in letting this happen. Even if DH doesn't pass the class and the exams he will have attempted something that keeps him in the here and now. That is important in and of itself.
As for his dementia, there is little evidence of it other than occassional short term memory problems. This is very minor and only I notice it.
Please continue your prayers for all dementia patients and their extended families who deal with this disease and its daily reminder of who the patient was and who they are now.
Am I happy about this. NO. Am I stopping him. NO. Should I stop him. I don't know the answer to that question. Our primary care physician is aware and hasn't given me the evil eye so I think we are safe in letting this happen. Even if DH doesn't pass the class and the exams he will have attempted something that keeps him in the here and now. That is important in and of itself.
As for his dementia, there is little evidence of it other than occassional short term memory problems. This is very minor and only I notice it.
Please continue your prayers for all dementia patients and their extended families who deal with this disease and its daily reminder of who the patient was and who they are now.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Another journey to the neurologist
DH has been seeing a neurologist for his dementia. Today he is going to see the same doctor for his migraine headaches. The family doctor feels that he can no longer treat DH for the headaches. In my mind this is a positive move. DH didn't even complain about going to see this doctor. (He doesn't like him because he says DH has dementia and DH is in denial.)
I think we are going to a different stage of dementia. I don't know enough about the disease to be sure and need to do some research. DH is having episodes of extreme anger about minor/stupid things. Either this is caused by the migraine (5 weeks in duration) or the dementia. I will have to play this one out a day at a time. Now I understand why the dogs disappear into the basement the minute DH starts with his anger. I believe that it should become an indicator to me that I need to leave the living room at the same time. The only problem is I have to come up with a minor reason to leave...the dogs can just go and not have to explain. VBG.
Please keep praying for patients with dementia and their extended family and friends.
I think we are going to a different stage of dementia. I don't know enough about the disease to be sure and need to do some research. DH is having episodes of extreme anger about minor/stupid things. Either this is caused by the migraine (5 weeks in duration) or the dementia. I will have to play this one out a day at a time. Now I understand why the dogs disappear into the basement the minute DH starts with his anger. I believe that it should become an indicator to me that I need to leave the living room at the same time. The only problem is I have to come up with a minor reason to leave...the dogs can just go and not have to explain. VBG.
Please keep praying for patients with dementia and their extended family and friends.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Update on Brian O'Neill
Brian was taken to the hospital today after serious problems. He has been put in medication and the problems are diminishing but he appears to be in his final transition. Please pray for Brian, his wife Angie, their sons Gavin and Grant and their entire extended family and friends. This has been a journey with God as their beacon and they are surrounded by His love.
No news is good news
DH is still the same. We are at a total stand still as far as his dementia is concerned. There is very little evidence of short term memory loss, although it is still there if I look for it. He still gets things mixed up like terms for computers or terms for insurance or of all things terms for household items. I suppose this is normal for dementia patients. Still it keeps kicking me in the heart.
Please continue your prayers. Thank you.
Please continue your prayers. Thank you.
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