28 May 2012
It has been a nice weekend. We didn't do much of anything; just relaxed and enjoyed being together. I got flags for Chris and put them in his bedroom. Chris is very patriotic and loves flags so he really liked that. Today, Jim, Chris and I went out to eat and then grocery shopping. It was a nice day. Chris is so excited when Jim is home and we can do stuff together. I am so blessed to have a husband that is so good to my brother and so caring. Having Chris live with us now has changed everything for us. We use to just go do whatever we wanted to do or I'd go ride in the truck with Jim and we can't do that now. We got really use to it being just me and Jim. As much as it has changed our everyday life, it is a joy to take care of my brother and I am fully committed to doing whatever I have to do to make Chris' life as easy on him as possible. Chris living with us? I wouldn't have it any other way!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
24 May 2012
Yesterday was a good day. Chris and I went over to Moms and took a drive, stopped for lunch, and then went to Cane Creek Market. It's a mennonite store that sells in bulk and has such wonderful things. Chris and I brought Mom a large geranium and a mandavilla and planted those for her. It was a nice day and Chris did well and enjoyed his time with Mom. He doesn't want to stay at Moms for very long though. He always asks if we are going back home soon. I think it's because he needs that stability and consistancy. Our house is a comfort spot for him. It definitely is a happier place for him instead of Moms. Mom has been kind of trying to put a guilt trip on him and I hate that. She has been telling him that she's lonely and misses him and asks him if he wants to come home. The thing is that she can't take care of him and has even admitted that. I think she wants him to be with her because she is lonely but doesn't want to do all the work that it takes to care for him. Can't have it that way. I want for Chris a stable happy home where he feels safe and he knows that he can do whatever he wants. He can watch his TV and watch whatever he wants to, not what someone tells him to. He can wear whatever he wants, eat whatever and whenever he wants, and there is no negativity or talking about others. I love Chris so much. I will do anything and everything for him.
Yesterday was a good day. Chris and I went over to Moms and took a drive, stopped for lunch, and then went to Cane Creek Market. It's a mennonite store that sells in bulk and has such wonderful things. Chris and I brought Mom a large geranium and a mandavilla and planted those for her. It was a nice day and Chris did well and enjoyed his time with Mom. He doesn't want to stay at Moms for very long though. He always asks if we are going back home soon. I think it's because he needs that stability and consistancy. Our house is a comfort spot for him. It definitely is a happier place for him instead of Moms. Mom has been kind of trying to put a guilt trip on him and I hate that. She has been telling him that she's lonely and misses him and asks him if he wants to come home. The thing is that she can't take care of him and has even admitted that. I think she wants him to be with her because she is lonely but doesn't want to do all the work that it takes to care for him. Can't have it that way. I want for Chris a stable happy home where he feels safe and he knows that he can do whatever he wants. He can watch his TV and watch whatever he wants to, not what someone tells him to. He can wear whatever he wants, eat whatever and whenever he wants, and there is no negativity or talking about others. I love Chris so much. I will do anything and everything for him.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
20 May 2012
Chris' birthday party was so much fun! He had a great time and was so happy and surprised with everything. He ate good and was so funny. He really was his old self. He has been doing so good. He got alittle confused at Moms and didn't understand where he was for a moment. He started to cry and told me he was confused and it scared him but Jim stepped up and started teasing him and playing with him and soon Chris was laughing and teasing Jim. :) I guess it's all in how you react to things. Happy happy day for us and I love Chris so much and love to make him happy. He's precious!
Chris' birthday party was so much fun! He had a great time and was so happy and surprised with everything. He ate good and was so funny. He really was his old self. He has been doing so good. He got alittle confused at Moms and didn't understand where he was for a moment. He started to cry and told me he was confused and it scared him but Jim stepped up and started teasing him and playing with him and soon Chris was laughing and teasing Jim. :) I guess it's all in how you react to things. Happy happy day for us and I love Chris so much and love to make him happy. He's precious!
Friday, May 18, 2012
18 May 2012
Chris has had some pretty good days. Yesterday he rode in the truck with Jim and boy does he love that! He loves to do things with Jim. He calls it guy to guy stuff. It's really good for him to get out and do things with Jim. When they got home, Chris talked about it nonstop. This evening I am working on Chris' presents because tomorrow my sweet sweet brother turns 49!! I'm making him a chocolate cake as per his request and we are having pizza, chips, dip, popcorn, and cotton candy. All the things he loves and he said he wanted for his birthday. I thank God that my brother is able to tell me what he wants and is looking forward to "his day". It will be a great day and I cherish these times with Chris. He certainly has his moments of confusion and hallucinations but he is doing so well and I am so proud of how he handles everything. He keeps his room straightened and tries so hard. I will say that the other day he filled his pad that he wears and when I went into his bathroom there was potty everywhere and I do mean everywhere! I don't know how he did it. It was also in his bed, and on the floor in his bedroom. Not sure what went on there but we got it cleaned up, changed the sheets and got a shower so I told him not to worry about it. On the upside, he did know that it was wrong and a mess, but I didn't want him to be upset over it and obsess over it which he does do sometimes. He does know when he does something that he shouldn't but sometimes doesn't know why he did it. The strange characteristics of this disease. Overall, I think he's doing really good right now and we will take that! :)
Chris has had some pretty good days. Yesterday he rode in the truck with Jim and boy does he love that! He loves to do things with Jim. He calls it guy to guy stuff. It's really good for him to get out and do things with Jim. When they got home, Chris talked about it nonstop. This evening I am working on Chris' presents because tomorrow my sweet sweet brother turns 49!! I'm making him a chocolate cake as per his request and we are having pizza, chips, dip, popcorn, and cotton candy. All the things he loves and he said he wanted for his birthday. I thank God that my brother is able to tell me what he wants and is looking forward to "his day". It will be a great day and I cherish these times with Chris. He certainly has his moments of confusion and hallucinations but he is doing so well and I am so proud of how he handles everything. He keeps his room straightened and tries so hard. I will say that the other day he filled his pad that he wears and when I went into his bathroom there was potty everywhere and I do mean everywhere! I don't know how he did it. It was also in his bed, and on the floor in his bedroom. Not sure what went on there but we got it cleaned up, changed the sheets and got a shower so I told him not to worry about it. On the upside, he did know that it was wrong and a mess, but I didn't want him to be upset over it and obsess over it which he does do sometimes. He does know when he does something that he shouldn't but sometimes doesn't know why he did it. The strange characteristics of this disease. Overall, I think he's doing really good right now and we will take that! :)
Monday, May 14, 2012
14 May 2012
This past weekend was so great. We went to Memphis on friday and came back home on sunday. We stayed with Jims Mom and had so much fun. Saturday night Jim and I went to downtown Memphis to see our Grandson Tre' and his band play at the New Daisy on Beale St. It was so awesome!!!!! We had such an awesome time! Chris stayed with Jims Mom and he did so well. He loves Mary so much and she loves Chris. She is so good with him and she is a retired nurse. I'm sure he kept her entertained. We got Chris some Elvis glasses with sideburns on Beale St. and he loved them. He wore them everywhere on sunday. We took Jims Mom to church and I was afraid he would wear them in church lol. After church, we all went to Jims sisters house for a birthday celebration for Jims Mom. Great food, great people and as always it was perfect. Chris ate good the whole weekend, didn't have any problems to speak of and was so happy and cheerful. He really didn't like Jim and I going out saturday evening without him but we told him we would be back soon and we kind of slipped out while Mary was talking to him. Mary said he only asked once where we were so that was good. I also called and checked on them and she said he was doing real good. I have to say it was so nice to be able to get out with Jim and have some time to ourselves. I had never been to Beale St. and we walked up and down it looking in shops, eating great food, drinking yummy drinks, and ofcourse getting to see our grandson play with his band. It was so wonderful to see him up on stage where Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Nirvana, and etc...had played. So So Proud!!! I think the medication that Chris is on is really helping. Everything is really great right now and I am enjoy every second of it for I know that we have no idea how long it will last but I will take it, embrace it, and appreciate every second! :)
This past weekend was so great. We went to Memphis on friday and came back home on sunday. We stayed with Jims Mom and had so much fun. Saturday night Jim and I went to downtown Memphis to see our Grandson Tre' and his band play at the New Daisy on Beale St. It was so awesome!!!!! We had such an awesome time! Chris stayed with Jims Mom and he did so well. He loves Mary so much and she loves Chris. She is so good with him and she is a retired nurse. I'm sure he kept her entertained. We got Chris some Elvis glasses with sideburns on Beale St. and he loved them. He wore them everywhere on sunday. We took Jims Mom to church and I was afraid he would wear them in church lol. After church, we all went to Jims sisters house for a birthday celebration for Jims Mom. Great food, great people and as always it was perfect. Chris ate good the whole weekend, didn't have any problems to speak of and was so happy and cheerful. He really didn't like Jim and I going out saturday evening without him but we told him we would be back soon and we kind of slipped out while Mary was talking to him. Mary said he only asked once where we were so that was good. I also called and checked on them and she said he was doing real good. I have to say it was so nice to be able to get out with Jim and have some time to ourselves. I had never been to Beale St. and we walked up and down it looking in shops, eating great food, drinking yummy drinks, and ofcourse getting to see our grandson play with his band. It was so wonderful to see him up on stage where Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Nirvana, and etc...had played. So So Proud!!! I think the medication that Chris is on is really helping. Everything is really great right now and I am enjoy every second of it for I know that we have no idea how long it will last but I will take it, embrace it, and appreciate every second! :)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
10 May 2012
Alot has happened since last post. Sunday evening my throat was still hurting after choking so I told Jim I was going to go lie down. I just get in bed when I hear a huge crash. I jump up and see Jim running into Chris' room. I thought he had fallen. I get in there and Chris is standing over by his bathroom door and the bookcase on top of his dresser is lying partially on the bed and stuff is lying around everywhere. I think that Chris might have lost his balance when he left the bathroom and instead of grabbing the wall or dresser, he pushed againist the bookcase and down it went. How he didn't get hurt God only knows. The next morning Jim left early to go to work and after I saw him off I looked down the hall and saw Chris looking out his window watching Jim drive away. He then looked out down the hall and saw me, I waved at him and he smiled and waved back so I went back to bed and was just dosing off when I hear this blood curdling whail. I run into Chris' room and he's not in bed but has some stuff packed and other things lyhing on the bed. He's standing in his bathroom crying and moaning and I thought he was hurt. He told me everyone has left him and no one cares about him and he's all alone. I hugged him and led him back to his bed. He was so upset and confused. He had gotten himself so upset that he was shaking and crying hard. I sat with him talking to him for a long time. I could tell that he wasn't even focusing on me or who I was. He finally started coming around and then he hugged me and said he was so glad I was there. I laid by him comforting him for a long time talking to him. He was so upset. I tried to reassure him and calm him down. He told me that he prayed to God every day to help him and he was scared. I later cried and cried. My heart broke for my brother. He knows something is going on with his brain but doesn't undertand what it is. He gets so scared and it kills me that I can't take that fear away from him. I'm angry and sad that he has to go through this. What a terrible horrible damn disease this is. Today, while he was eating lunch, he got choked real bad. He had taken way too big a bite and got choked on it. Alzheimer patients have trouble with choking and swallowing. I think Chris just took too big a bite but I realise with all these incidents that I have to watch him every second. You just never know what is going to happen next. However, I was able to take a much much needed nap this afternoon after his doctors appt which was wonderful. I can't stand sleeping during the day and usually get a bad headache but no headache and I actually felt refreshed. :) Great news too that Mom has been dismissed from the wound center and we do not have to go to Jackson every wednesday now. It frees up my week now and I am so happy. I am happy for Mom that her leg has healed ofcourse but selfishly am happy that I don't have to drive 130 miles every wednesday. Wild terrible week but it will get better. This weekend Jim, Chris and I are going to Memphis to see Jims Mom and to see our grandson play in his band on Beale St. It's going to be a fun happy weekend.
Alot has happened since last post. Sunday evening my throat was still hurting after choking so I told Jim I was going to go lie down. I just get in bed when I hear a huge crash. I jump up and see Jim running into Chris' room. I thought he had fallen. I get in there and Chris is standing over by his bathroom door and the bookcase on top of his dresser is lying partially on the bed and stuff is lying around everywhere. I think that Chris might have lost his balance when he left the bathroom and instead of grabbing the wall or dresser, he pushed againist the bookcase and down it went. How he didn't get hurt God only knows. The next morning Jim left early to go to work and after I saw him off I looked down the hall and saw Chris looking out his window watching Jim drive away. He then looked out down the hall and saw me, I waved at him and he smiled and waved back so I went back to bed and was just dosing off when I hear this blood curdling whail. I run into Chris' room and he's not in bed but has some stuff packed and other things lyhing on the bed. He's standing in his bathroom crying and moaning and I thought he was hurt. He told me everyone has left him and no one cares about him and he's all alone. I hugged him and led him back to his bed. He was so upset and confused. He had gotten himself so upset that he was shaking and crying hard. I sat with him talking to him for a long time. I could tell that he wasn't even focusing on me or who I was. He finally started coming around and then he hugged me and said he was so glad I was there. I laid by him comforting him for a long time talking to him. He was so upset. I tried to reassure him and calm him down. He told me that he prayed to God every day to help him and he was scared. I later cried and cried. My heart broke for my brother. He knows something is going on with his brain but doesn't undertand what it is. He gets so scared and it kills me that I can't take that fear away from him. I'm angry and sad that he has to go through this. What a terrible horrible damn disease this is. Today, while he was eating lunch, he got choked real bad. He had taken way too big a bite and got choked on it. Alzheimer patients have trouble with choking and swallowing. I think Chris just took too big a bite but I realise with all these incidents that I have to watch him every second. You just never know what is going to happen next. However, I was able to take a much much needed nap this afternoon after his doctors appt which was wonderful. I can't stand sleeping during the day and usually get a bad headache but no headache and I actually felt refreshed. :) Great news too that Mom has been dismissed from the wound center and we do not have to go to Jackson every wednesday now. It frees up my week now and I am so happy. I am happy for Mom that her leg has healed ofcourse but selfishly am happy that I don't have to drive 130 miles every wednesday. Wild terrible week but it will get better. This weekend Jim, Chris and I are going to Memphis to see Jims Mom and to see our grandson play in his band on Beale St. It's going to be a fun happy weekend.
Monday, May 7, 2012
7 May 2012
Well, it's been a few days since I've blogged. Not alot to tell and yet there is always alot that has gone on lol. Sunday, Jim, Chris and I went to our favorite mexican restaurant El Vallarta and had yummy yummy food. It was so good; especially since Jim and I have been dieting. We then went to Wal Mart and Chris did good. Jim had Chris sit on the seat of his walker and he pushed Chris around. It was hilarious and Chris laughed and laughed. On the way home, Jim and Chris sang songs and I was driving....I got so tickled that I choked REALLY bad on my water and it went into my lungs. I thought I was driving. My throat is still sore from that. We made it home and then we watched movies. All in all a great day and Chris only had a moment of head pain that went away quickly. Our miniature schnauzer, Bentley, is really doing poorly. He has lost alot of weight and I've brought him into the house. He is old and has arthritis so bad in his hind legs and hips. I'm babying him and hoe it helps. I know that we won't have him around much longer. It will absolutely break my heart when he passes. He has been with me for a long time and we are crazy about him. The picture of Chris on this blog is of him holding Bentley. It hits home how all of us are just here for a short time on this earth, be it human or animal. That makes me think about Mom being old and having health issues and ofcourse Chris and his alzheimers. Sad; have got to remain strong though.
Well, it's been a few days since I've blogged. Not alot to tell and yet there is always alot that has gone on lol. Sunday, Jim, Chris and I went to our favorite mexican restaurant El Vallarta and had yummy yummy food. It was so good; especially since Jim and I have been dieting. We then went to Wal Mart and Chris did good. Jim had Chris sit on the seat of his walker and he pushed Chris around. It was hilarious and Chris laughed and laughed. On the way home, Jim and Chris sang songs and I was driving....I got so tickled that I choked REALLY bad on my water and it went into my lungs. I thought I was driving. My throat is still sore from that. We made it home and then we watched movies. All in all a great day and Chris only had a moment of head pain that went away quickly. Our miniature schnauzer, Bentley, is really doing poorly. He has lost alot of weight and I've brought him into the house. He is old and has arthritis so bad in his hind legs and hips. I'm babying him and hoe it helps. I know that we won't have him around much longer. It will absolutely break my heart when he passes. He has been with me for a long time and we are crazy about him. The picture of Chris on this blog is of him holding Bentley. It hits home how all of us are just here for a short time on this earth, be it human or animal. That makes me think about Mom being old and having health issues and ofcourse Chris and his alzheimers. Sad; have got to remain strong though.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
3 May 2012
Not much to post today which is a good thing. Chris is doing very well. No head pains and not alot of confusion. He ate good today and was in a positive happy mood. I'm so glad that he is doing well. I think the medicine is starting to work and it is making a difference. He's still sad that Jim isn't home but I think keeping Chris occupied with activities and making sure he stays happy helps greatly. I, on the other hand, have had a headache all day. I think it's a mixture of allergies and stress. Time for bed for me and as always, hoping for a wonderful day tomorrow full of great things.
Not much to post today which is a good thing. Chris is doing very well. No head pains and not alot of confusion. He ate good today and was in a positive happy mood. I'm so glad that he is doing well. I think the medicine is starting to work and it is making a difference. He's still sad that Jim isn't home but I think keeping Chris occupied with activities and making sure he stays happy helps greatly. I, on the other hand, have had a headache all day. I think it's a mixture of allergies and stress. Time for bed for me and as always, hoping for a wonderful day tomorrow full of great things.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
3 May 2012
Very long day today. Got up early, got myself and Chris ready (Jim got himself ready lol) and off we went to get Mom and take her to Jackson for her weekly wound center visit. Then it was off to Memphis to get Jim's truck after 2 weeks of having it overhauled. Jim went on in his truck so he's back to work and I got to drive me, Mom, and Chris back home through rush hour traffic in Memphis. Ugh!!! Long long day. Chris and I are back home now and he is in bed asleep and that's where I should be but I'm still winding down. Jim is on the road and after him being home for 2 weeks I miss him so bad. Chris has had some really good days recently but tonight on the way home, he was confused about Jim not coming home and I kept telling him that Jim wasn't coming home tonight and Chris just couldn't grasp that. Then, he started crying and saying how he missed Jim so much. I tried to comfort him but it was hard because I miss Jim too. I let Chris talk to Jim on the phone and I think that really helped. Chris stilled talked about Jim coming home and he thought Jim was going to surprise us but I finally just so of let it die down without saying much. Sometimes it's better to not say too much or correct him too much about something. I just let it slide by or change the subject. I don't want Chris to worry about things and when I see that he is worrying or obsessing about something, I try to change the subject. I do think his medication he is on now is working. The Aricept seems to be helping the confusion and hallucinations and the Topamax seems to be helping with his head pains. Hope this continues. I also give him vitamin E with his Aricept because that is suppose to help the Aricept work better. It's the "Do whatever I can" treatment to help my precious precious brother.
Very long day today. Got up early, got myself and Chris ready (Jim got himself ready lol) and off we went to get Mom and take her to Jackson for her weekly wound center visit. Then it was off to Memphis to get Jim's truck after 2 weeks of having it overhauled. Jim went on in his truck so he's back to work and I got to drive me, Mom, and Chris back home through rush hour traffic in Memphis. Ugh!!! Long long day. Chris and I are back home now and he is in bed asleep and that's where I should be but I'm still winding down. Jim is on the road and after him being home for 2 weeks I miss him so bad. Chris has had some really good days recently but tonight on the way home, he was confused about Jim not coming home and I kept telling him that Jim wasn't coming home tonight and Chris just couldn't grasp that. Then, he started crying and saying how he missed Jim so much. I tried to comfort him but it was hard because I miss Jim too. I let Chris talk to Jim on the phone and I think that really helped. Chris stilled talked about Jim coming home and he thought Jim was going to surprise us but I finally just so of let it die down without saying much. Sometimes it's better to not say too much or correct him too much about something. I just let it slide by or change the subject. I don't want Chris to worry about things and when I see that he is worrying or obsessing about something, I try to change the subject. I do think his medication he is on now is working. The Aricept seems to be helping the confusion and hallucinations and the Topamax seems to be helping with his head pains. Hope this continues. I also give him vitamin E with his Aricept because that is suppose to help the Aricept work better. It's the "Do whatever I can" treatment to help my precious precious brother.
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