He can count!!!! Oh my gosh, what a wonderful surprise to hear him count to 27. He stopped at 27, because that's how many cars were driving by as we waited at a red light.
Hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that I'm so excited that he counted to '27'.......David, a CPA.... one of the smartest men I've ever known, and I'm thrilled that he counted to '27'....
Hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that I'm so excited that he counted to '27'.......David, a CPA.... one of the smartest men I've ever known, and I'm thrilled that he counted to '27'....
He's lost so much, but I've never thought of asking him to count. Maybe it's like singing...... he continues to sing and remember a lot of the words to the songs.
I'm hoping I won't change our good night's sleep by saying anything, but here goes.
I'm hoping I won't change our good night's sleep by saying anything, but here goes.
I'm saying it........ the 2 huge capsules David takes before going to bed (Melatonin and Valerian)....and listening to his music turned down low, is keeping him calmer and helping him sleep better most of the night.. What a difference a good night's sleep makes for me!
Years ago I remember reading about Alzheimer patients 'shadowing' their care taker. David has started this..... he's confused, doesn't know where he is, and he needs the comfort of being close to me .... he follows me everywhere I go.
I'm so very thankful for the care-takers we have that give me a break.......
David still feeds Casey by hand. She won't eat out of a bowl..... she's a blessing and a pain in the rear too!
I'm so very thankful for the care-takers we have that give me a break.......
18 comments:
God loves him and you too !
Yes I am around I chose to keep busy,instead of thinking about what I dont have anymore I focus on what I do have and am greatful for.
Today I took my MIL out of the home for an outing, wow has she lost a lot of ground, she could not remember how to dress herself,could not even figure out how to push her heel in her shoe.She hardly spoke 10 words , only food seems to bring her speech back a little bit, I took her to a local coffee shop after our little ride and I got her a hot coffee just how she likes it and a very small donut,she gobbled it up and said it was delish,wow.....when I brought her back later on she thanked me for taking her out,I was surprised.She will be 92 next month on the 12, we are leaving for France on the 11th.
I wish she was herself like old times, I miss her a lot.
Take care of David and you too.
Diane
Isn't that amazing? I'm so happy that he gave you a sign that he's still in there! Isn't it funny that when we're young, we want someone around 24/7 and now we want space? Oh, how things change...
I think of you every day. You're my hero!
love,
barbara
Dolores, that's so good to hear! He can still count! It's not gone, my dear - there is still some of David in there. I know that's such a good feeling to catch a glimpse of your guy...
And at least David's got plenty of time to feed Casey. So cute!
So David is caretaking, too. How odd that your dog won't eat from a dish.
I remember the shadowing thing. My nan was so tiny and sometimes when I'd turn around, I had to be so careful not to bowl her over. I doubt that you have that problem with David.
How exciting to hear him count and to hear him sing. Those things are special gifts.
So glad that you are both getting some good rest. I love falling asleep to music played very softly.
Grab all the bright spots where you find them. So sweet to see him feeding the dog by hand.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
This is incredible, he hasn't forgotten to count. When mom was at the home, they had a school teacher that had Alzheimer and she went around all day spelling. She would say a word like say school then she would spell it, she never forgot either. What a handsome young man he was, well still is but you know what I mean. He still has that beautiful smile. Blessings to you both...Lu
Dolores,
As you know I am a caregiver too, only my husband is in stage one. I feel like I am shadowing you, learning from you! Good to know about melatonin and valerian for sleep. I have also noticed my husband loves music.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey.
Hugs,
Carol
Our friend's mother suffered from Alzheimers, and even when she no longer recognized her family, she could pipe right in to read the bible aloud, and sing old familiar hymns. Children always made her smile...David is amazing, but I have to think he is doing this well because long ago he fell in love with and married the perfect woman for him.
Yesterday Larry and I went to visit our good friends at Midway Park where they have parked their motorhome for a few days...They had visitors we hadn't seen in years (we all went to school together). The visitors wife has Alzheimers, although we didn't realise it until she'd asked her husband, "Is This our motorhome?" My heart breaks for Anyone with this terrible disease...
Wish I had the answers.....
hughugs
You made me laugh...Casey and David can sometimes be a pain but you love them just the same...lol. I love that David found a job he loves and so does Casey. They each love the attention.
I know about the 'shadowing' my dog, Dash does that a lot, especially if I have been gone from the house for several hours. It just means they love us and don't want to miss a thing we do! Ha.
Continue to have a good week and I am so glad the herbs are helping 'your' sleep.
Oh yes! You brought back memories of me almost stumbling right over Mother, coming close to knocking her down in the process! Now the memories are funny .. not so much then. Keep up with the number games and sleep-filled nights. Glad you liked dress #3, my fave too. Most appropriate for a
70-year old!!!
Hi Dolores,
I am so glad that David is singing and counting. I am glad also that you have caregivers that give you a break.
Shadowing is difficult. How wonderful that you and David both get sleep. I am sure it helps David with keeping calm.
You are such a blessing in David's life.
Karen
My heart skipped a happy beat reading your post, its good that God gave you a sign that your beloved is still with you. Its the little things.
I pray for strenght and more good days.
I'm always encouraged by your devotion to your husband.. in sickness and in health. I continue to learn from you and Carol. May the Lord continue to flood you with his grace.
It sounds like David's counting made your day and I'm glad for you. Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot.
Glad he's sleeping better so you can sleep.
Your beloved David is still in there. It is just hard for his brain to show you that he is.
Elbert's thing was traffic... 'boy, they are flying by aren't they' when the cars passed our house at about 45 mph. or if we were in the car and met more than two cars he'd say 'This traffic is bad'. But, he was still in there, noticing things even when they weren't correct.
Alzheimers just takes away so much of our lives. I wish it would just go away!!
Oh my goodness David counted til 27, how sweet those numbers must've for you and him, caz he probably enjoy counting cars! I'm sorry I din't visit more often as you know with my house painting and all...but I'm fixing it! I'm loving your family pic again, your children were such adorable kids, thank God for all those past happy and irremplasable times in our lives. Luv ya, FABBY
Melatonin and Valerian are good things for him to take. You have very healthy reactions to what is going on in your lives, Dolores. I'm sure feeding Casey by hand keeps her close emotionally. I'm glad you aren't obsessed about the food in the bed. You're doing great.
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