Dee2rites Blog

Tag: Altzheimers

  • 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

  • I Didn’t Plan This Trip – Cold Coffee

    “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.

    They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

    I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.”

    Lamentations 3:22-24 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

              My favorite time of day used to be early mornings, when I would be the only one up. I’d enjoy a nice cup of coffee, or sometimes hot tea, while I read my Bible and prayed. I still enjoy those things, but not always in the usual way I used to know. Some days are easier than others, and some days are difficult to say the least. The best days are the ones when we don’t have to be anywhere, and can just take the day as it comes.

              I make my coffee, and about that time Larry puts the dog out of the bedroom because she’s wanting out. I open the dog door to let her out and feed her, put Larry’s bowl for cereal on the island and unload the dishwasher. A few minutes later, he’s up and usually needs a little help with shoes and socks. We get that done, and it’s time for breakfast. If we get the bowl of cereal and milk to the table without spilling, that’s a plus! Otherwise, I’m moping at least part of the kitchen floor.

              After he’s had his breakfast and taken his morning meds, he usually settles on the couch and watches reruns of M.A.S.H. or Andy Griffin. I shower and dress while he’s not needing me. At last, I’m ready for my day. But first I need to carry out garbage. And finish cleaning the kitchen. Oh yeah, I need to decide what to make for dinner and set something out to thaw. I make the beds because a nicely made bed makes me feel good about one thing being done well today.

              As I leave the bedroom to go to my workspace or the office, I see my cup of coffee sitting on the side table where I’d left it to go let the dog out. It’s cold by now. But hey, it’s summer, I’ll just add some ice and pretend I’d planned it that way.

              “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)

    Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ,

    Dee

  • I Didn’t Plan This Trip – Making Choices

              “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”  Deuteronomy 30:9

    In the course of our lives, we have to make many choices. Whether to follow Jesus and choose Him is a major one. Choosing whether to marry, have children, where to live, starting or leaving a job, all important choices most of us have had to make at some point in our lives. Daily decisions like what to eat for lunch, what to wear, whether to get up with the alarm or to push the snooze button are decisions we make almost without thought. But for the person with Alzheimer’s, sometimes even simple decisions can be overwhelming.

              In the past, when Larry and I would go out to eat, I was always the one who couldn’t decide what to order. It was particularly true if it were a new place, or if they had an extensive menu. Larry could scan the menu and know almost immediately what he wanted to eat. But on this part of our journey, he’s the one who can’t decide, not because of the choices, but because he’s overwhelmed with them.

              When we go to our regular places, he’s comfortable ordering because he always asks for the same thing. Now, new places and new menus are overwhelming for him. Ordering our food is easier if I make suggestions for him, after all we’ve been married long enough I usually know what he will like and he goes with what I suggest. But I’ve learned that I need to only suggest one thing at a time; two or more options are too confusing for him. He can’t decide, but he trusts me to guide him to the right choice.

              There are days when I have to make decisions, and trust God for guidance. What do I do about this or that problem at the house, who do I call for repairs? These are all things I’ve always relied on Larry for, and now he’s not able to take care of them. Yes, I was very spoiled being married to a man who could fix anything. So far, I’ve learned how to take the shower head off in our bathroom so I can soak it in vinegar and remove all the lime scale from the shower head. And then put it back on with plumbers putty so it doesn’t leak! Yea me! I learned how to put weather stripping around a door that was leaking air last spring when we had major wind blowing.

    Yes, I have Someone to guide me, so I know when I need to figure something out and take care of it myself, or call a friend for help.  

              “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

    In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

    Peace and blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ,

    Dee