Brief Update

I have just learned something new about Dementia. It is non linear. There are peak and valleys. We have just struggled out of a very deep valley and are working our way back to what must be called normalcy.

DH was severely depressed for four weeks. Saturday he suddenly broke through and was eating, talking and walking with no assistance. He is back to what was normal prior to Labor Day. It has been a valley of death in many ways. I thought I was going to loose him.

Now it is back to one day at a time. Sometimes it is only one minute at a time. We struggle with the daily issues and try to show each other our love.

Bless you and keep you.

Dear Husband

I will not be blogging for a while. My husband has gotten much worse and I will be trying to get him into the hospital today.

Please pray for us, Karen

Downturn

DH is starting to hallucinate. Last evening he asked me where the people were. When I asked what people he was unable to answer. I told him the only person that I was aware of visiting yesterday was his nurse. He gave me a blank stare and drifted off to sleep again. During supper last evening DH almost fell asleep while eating. This is not a good sign.

We go from day to day not knowing what the next day will bring. I had hoped to get a respite the first weekend in October. Now I have to find someone to stop by the house several times during each day to check up on James or I cannot go. We were scheduled to vacation in Pigeon Forge in November. I have a wheel chair and if the weather is good we can still get around. It all depends on how DH is doing.

Right now I feel that we are on a very slippery slope with no plateaus ahead.

Again I ask for prayers for all dementia and Alzheimer's patients, their extended families and caregivers.

Have a blessed day.

Difficult Weekend

This weekend was the most difficult so far. DH was stumbling, unable to remember things and it was difficult to understand what he was saying.

He spent most of the weekend sleeping. We went to visit his mother and she was in shock. She even said she didn't realize how ill DH was. She is dealing with her own heartache. Her only son.

Yesterday was Alzheimer's remembrance day. Please pray for all dementia and Alzheimer patients, their extended families and caregivers.

I am watching my husband die an inch at a time.

HAPPY DANCE

The power is back on in our neighborhood. It took an ambulance ride for a child down the street (dehydration) to get Duke to work but within 8 hours after the event we had power. A local policeman was going house to house yesterday checking on everyone without power. I am sure the interview with DH and my neighbor who has known me for 29 years and knows all about DH helped push Duke to get into our area.

THANK YOU to all DUKE energy staff and personnel. THANK YOU to the FAIRFIELD Police Department. You made my life much easier!

DH is on oxygen 24/7. He hates it!

DH cannot find his car keys. I may have to go home this afternoon (taking 1/2 day of vacation) to help him look for the keys.

Bless all of you who are praying for us and all Alzheimer and dementia patients and caregivers.

Things are slipping

Yesterday's visit by the home nursing staff has brought about many changes. DH will have to go on oxygen 24/7. He is going to fight that.

Pray for all who have Alzheimer's and other dementias and the caregivers of those who are ill with this disease.

Help may be on the way

Today I went home at lunch. I was worried about DH. While I was there the home health care nurse that was requested by our primary care physician called and asked if she could come over and do an assessment. Yes. Immediately. Long story short it looks like there are programs that we might be eligible for. Meals on Wheels would be a God send because I would know that someone is checking on DH while I am at work. Anything else would be icing on the cake.

While the nurse was there should checked DH blood oxygen saturation level and it was too low. She was going to call our doctor with the news. DH may have to go on oxygen to keep up the numbers. The nurse also said that James must not drive in order to be eligible for these services. This may be the only way I can get the keys away from him. I will have to sell the 2nd car asap, too. This has been a bone of contention for several weeks and even the doctors have told him to stop driving. He still wants that adult freedom. If I can convince him it is only as long as he needs the home health care assistance, maybe he will buy into it.

September 21 is Alzheimer's Day. Please pray for all patients and caregivers.