17 Mar 2013
What a week this has been. I am so glad it is over. First, found out a dear family friend died suddenly. He was 55 and passed in his sleep. He has a brother with Down Syndrome that is good friends with Chris. They went to school together and Dan (who passed away) and I went to school together. He always checked in with me every few days to see how Chris was doing. So sad. Wednesday Chris and I went to the doctor for my weekly allergy shot and Chris had a routine check up. He was really out of it that morning and at the end of his checkup he said he hurt. Doctor said maybe he should rest when he got home. He noticed that Chris' fingertips were very blue so he checked Chris' oxygen level and it was low. I had to sit there for 20 minutes after my allergy shot so as we're sitting there Chris starts to cry and says he hurts. His eyes got that wild horse look with the white showing all around his iris and he made weird sounds. I yelled for the doctor and he came back in, checked his pulse and took his blood pressure real quick. It was 43/13. He told his nurse to call an ambulance immediately. Chris almost flatlined. His pulse was 30 something. I thought I was losing my precious brother. He was in the hospital this week but is home now. They ran all kinds of tests and his heart just isn't pumping enough. I thought it was the alzheimers or his medication but it is the down syndrome. What a cruel twist is that? He is on some medication and is resting at home. He is suppose to rest and is going back to the doctor on thursday. My precious precious boy. I stayed with Chris nonstop. I slept on the other bed in his hospital room. Normally they put a pacemaker in for this problem but I don't think he would handle that well. He's happy at home and feeling pretty good. I am watching him like a hawk. Chris' dog, Barney, has been very sick and on medications and friday he got so bad I took him to the vet while Jim stayed with Chris and sadly had to put Barney down. I cried and cried. This week has been so sad and such great losses for us all. I didn't tell Chris about our friend Dan and I didn't tell Chris about Barney. I took Barney into Chris' room so he could see him and he said "Who's dog is that?" I told him it was his dog and he said "Can I call it Lassie?" He didn't remember the dog or the fact that he named it Barney after Barney Fife. Such sadness! It's just more than a person can handle. Cherish each and every day. I love every minute that I have with Chris. Jim and I love Chris and make his days happy and carefree and no worries about anything. Chris makes our days bright and happy and full of joy.

7 Mar 2013
Went to get weekly allergy shot today. Chris started out this morning very out of it but later in the day he perked up some. Yesterday we went to Jackson to my appointment with the allergist. Chris could barely walk around with his walker. I know that soon it will be wheelchair time. We went to O'Charleys for lunch and Chris could hardly lift the spoon and fork. He almost lies his face in the plate. He kept putting his arm in his plate and I had to really help him eat lunch. He does alot of mean or confused looks towards me. I think he's confused and he's looking at Jim or I trying to figure out either what's going on or what Jim and I are doing. Jim made a rail for Chris' bed so he doesn't fall out of bed again and every night he asks me why I'm locking him up. He doesn't understand at all. I think it confuses him when I take him to the nursing home to see Mom. He doesn't seem to understand what's going on. I can't not take him though so we will just have to work through it. Mom has actually been pretty nice and loving to me. It's a big change and I will take it. I don't count on it being this way forever but for now I'll take it and enjoy. At least I'm in alittle better frame of mind now. After all this time, I got an email from my older brother asking for an update regarding Mom and everyone. Hmmmm.