Once a week I do the nails (all 20 of them), and several times a week I trim the beard. I've thought about shaving off his beard, but when I think about shaving him everyday, then I say to myself,..... "lets keep the beard."
I never had a desire to be a juggler or a tight rope walker, but by golly, if you're living with someone with Dementia or Alzheimer's, this becomes your life. Moods often change from minute to minute, and you never know what to expect. As time has progressed, I've improved my balance and juggling a 'wee' bit, but I still have a long way to perfection.
I never wanted to sleep with one ear tuned to the slightest noise, (it's reminiscent of when our children were babies). David is more confused at night, many times he can't find the bathroom. I need to listen and guide him in the right direction, turn on the light, and guide him back to bed.
I'm so blessed that David continues to be fairly stable.
Would I trade my life ..... NO WAY..... God has been so good to us! We've been blessed with so many happy/sweet/exciting years together!!!
Kitten report:
David is calling Lily....."Buddie"....he says that she's his buddy.
I'm calling her Lily Bud...... She's growing up so fast.
And I say, "thank you God!"
20 comments:
Dolores, I think you are an amazing lady, to so cheerfully take on the roles of manicurist, pedicurist, beard trimmer, juggler, tightrope walker, and middle-of-the-night guide. David is very lucky to have you.
Gilda
Lily Bud is such a cutie!!!
You forgot psychiatrist and nutritionist...not only does Alzheimers warrant this but any life altering disease a spouse has...I remember my short six weeks of caring for my 43 yr old husband who died of colon cancer...you can learn a lot in six weeks!!!
Best wishes for you and David my friend...wish I was closer!!! ...ps...God does have a plan!!!
You are a trooper, Delores.
I would be so insecure about my skills in the area of beard trimmer, pedicurist, manicurist. "I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me" comes to mind.
Lily Bud is adorable and appears to know she is loved. :D
Hi sweet friend, I hope you aren't wanting to disown me it has been forever since I've been for a visit.. time around here is so full at times and then I feel bad that I've done posts back to back and not gotten around to everyone..Bill's test showed a cyst or something unfamiliar is the way they described it on his left kidney.. however he's had one on the right kidney and it was full of calcium and the kidney absorbs it. The doctor isn't too concerned about it at this time... wheeeeeeehhhhhh!!! At least another scare overted.
I'm sorry your bookend got broke in the move.. even with one I know it's darling.. I haven't treated myself to anything in a very long time.. and I have to say this is one of the greatest purchases I've made... many many hugs to you and David, I'm so glad to hear he's holding his own... continued prayers for you.. ~lynne~
Funny you should say that David sometimes cannot find the bathroom. We took my mom to a cruise one time and she got out in the middle of the night, thinking that door led to the bathroom. But it was the way out of the cabin and cabin doors close behind you automatically. Doors from the hallway all look alike so she did not know which door was to our room. About 3 AM, someone was knocking on the door (my sister and I who roomed with her were both asleep)and surprised us with my mom, lol. Fortunately, she knew her name so whoever found her took her to the purser's desk to find out the cabin number.....Christine
None of us expected to be caretakers.
The difference is that you accepted it with love for David, instead of anger about the disease. I used to have to remind my mother that my dad didn't mean to do the things he did.
We're tired, we're wondering why, but we're dealing with it. And the kindness you give your husband will be your legacy to him.
Bless you for loving your husband so well.
Amen, Dolores, to what Barbara said. You have such a wonderful attitude and a servant's heart to take care of your husband.
Your little Lily is very cute - she's marked a bit like our Sammy. Our kittens went to the vet this morning for their first shots, flea and worm medicine. They did very well. Then Sammy came home and promptly caught a huge grasshopper and ate the whole thing. Yuck!
Hi Dolores, glad to see the kitten helps you both as company...and distraction with its antics...lol...:) Best wishes, Jenny
I have to say it is a good thing we don't know the future when we "sign on" for so many things in life. It really is true that He gives us the grace and ability to handle adequately and well all things in HIS time.
yep, and you thought you wore many hats as a mother! I found I need a new hat rack,.
Lily Bud is cute and little critters do make a big difference, I know Nibbles is a blessing.
hugs,
Judi
Sending you BIG HUGS Girl!! You're Wonderful!
And I Love Miss Lily!
Have a great day!
hughugs
Dolores, sending you a big hug! What a treasure your David has in you. God gives grace for each day. Praying that David has a good day.
Delores...
I love what Barbara said. She is spot on. My father-in-law also has Alzheimer's but it is VERY different from my father's dementia. My mother-in-law has turned into a mean, bitter woman and no one wants to be around her. It's very sad. Her anger over her husband's illness is directed at him and everyone around her instead of the disease.
They live two states away and so it's hard to "be there" for her or him. I try to remember that she, too, is suffering and all she has known for the past 58 years has changed.
I pray for a cure so my children will not have to experience seeing their father or me decline in such a way. I pray if they do they will face it with the loving, kind, graceful spirit which you possess.
Love to you~
Rebecca
Once again I am inspired by the gracious manner in which you accept the challenges you are faced. When we are young and heathy it is hard to imagine ever becoming a caregiver to our partners.
A few years ago the only nails I had cut other than my own were my kids. Last year I cut them for my mom, my husband and my sister. Never would have thought I would be doing that some day.
Lily Bud sure has grown into a cutie.
Take care, Dolores.
Thank you for sharing your story. Love the cat.
As always you have touched my heart. that picture of you and David is just so sweet, so precious and the love shines through. You are an amazing woman and I look for strength for myself through your posts and your friendship. My love and hugs,
Latane
Great picture. You two are so cute together. I hate washing hair, trimming nails and all the other stuff. I am kind of a tom boy and would much rather be out in the yard or playing basketball. Doing all these girly things for mom is not my thing. But she did it for me so it is my turn. I do love her and so I am becoming all those things that you are now. You are a great lady.
Lady. When I read your blog I cried.Why? Because we are all going through the same Pattern. We all are at different speeds and levels, but we are all going to the same place. and wives, husbands and love ones give their all to care for us!
Delores, I take my hat off to you. You are a special woman and God is going to reward you richly. It's tough to weather through the 'worse'.
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