I Didn’t Plan This Trip – The Road is Getting Harder

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”  James 1:2-6

This is not the blog I wanted to write. I wanted to talk about some funny things that happen. I’d rather talk about how God has answered our prayers lately. But I just can’t. My heart is breaking into a million pieces. Maybe another day.

          After Larry started taking a medication for his mood swings, I began to see his old personality come back, and I thought Yes, we can do this. When we would have a special moment together, share a kiss and a hug, I thought Yes, we can do this. Those times made it ok that I was having to take over all the responsibilities of taking care of the house and having to hire people to do the yard and repairs. It was ok because I could see glimpses of my husband and our love.

          Suddenly, things changed almost overnight. He suddenly became very confused, like he’d not been before. After two trips to the ER, the second one at 3:30 am in an ambulance, the doctor told me what was happening to my husband. The diagnosis was that he had Acute Delirium. It can happen for several reasons, but it’s not uncommon in Alzheimer’s patients. It may or may not lessen, it could even go away temporarily.

          This is how it went with Larry’s dad. He would talk to people who weren’t there, hear or see things that weren’t there. He even called the police once because these imaginary people wouldn’t leave the house. We tried having him stay with us, but that didn’t work out, Larry’s niece tried staying with him at night at his house, but that didn’t last long either. The family had no choice but to place him in a memory care facility because there was no one he’d let take care of him.  

          This is where we are. I’m trying to work with the VA to get him Home Health, hoping having someone else come tend to him  a couple of days a week might help. But the VA doesn’t make it easy. If that fails, we’ll use his Medicare and see what they will cover. But I’m not ready yet to place him in a facility. Not yet.

          I’m requesting prayer from all my praying friends. I need wisdom on what to do, and we need favor with the VA, and we need a doctor to verify this is what he needs. The ER doctor said it verbally, but I need it in writing. Yes, the road had gotten very difficult, but one thing I know – my God is faithful and He will see us through.   

Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Dee