An October Memory

October brings back a memory ......   October 2005 was the first diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's (David  was 67 years old), he scored 18 out of 30, on 'the test.'    I had been suspicious for several years, always hoping it was anything other than Alzheimer's.

Several months later,  we had the 'official' diagnosis from Houston's Baylor College of Medicine Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center after several days of testing. 

I 'thought'....if he really has the disease, he would be in the early stage, but the testing said moderate.

  The doctor in Houston  said no more driving for David.    Right there in the doctor's office he handed me his car keys, and has never once asked to drive. I'm blessed that he accepted this change, but I'll admit, I sure have missed him driving.

I can honestly say the year 2005 and 2006 were the saddest and scariest times of my entire life.    There were so many big life decisions,  so many changes, so many tears, so much fear,  and feeling so alone, even though I wasn't alone.

After the diagnosis I expected the bottom to fall out anytime, but here we are 5 years later, and David's doing better than I expected.    I truly believe the medications he's taken from the very beginning, (Namenda and Aricept) has helped to slow the progression.  

David's slowly declining, I can see and feel it,  but I'm so thankful that he still enjoys 'looking' at the newspaper, he still loves to go out to eat, go for rides in the car,  attend Sunday school, sweep outside, walk our dog,  and most of the time he's in a good mood.

David was  an outstanding grandfather (Pope).  He doesn't play and interact with the children anymore, but I am thankful that I have tons of pictures of him 

with the children.

Here he is today, looking at the newspaper.  

And I say, "thank you God for more time with David  than I expected in October 2005."