10 Apr 2012
I love this. I got it from my husbands cousin.
"Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks down the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness." Corrie ten Boom
I am learning to do this. It isn't always easy taking care of Chris and my Mom as well. What makes it hard with Chris is that my heart hurts so much seeing him have to go through all of this and having to deal with this wicked evil disease. Other than that, Chris is an angel. He is always so sweet and he appreciates everything and tells Jim and I all the time that he's thankful for us and ofcourse, we feel the same about him. He is always a joy to have around. He is entertaining and reminds me every day with his great attitude to keep my chin up and be thankful for everything that God has given me. My Mother, on the other hand, is the opposite. Sadly, she is not satisfied with anything and is very negative. The resentment builds in me because I truly am trying to do the very best that I can but it's not good enough for her. I need to remember that I am doing good and she wants for nothing. If she complains, I know it's not valid. I KNOW I'm doing the best thing for her. I KNOW I treat her well and take care of her needs. "Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. Forgiveness breaks down the chains of bitterness." I need to remember this every second of every day.
Chris is doing well today. He is very concerned about Jim not being home though. Jim is on the road and won't be back until wednesday evening. He said last night that he thought he saw Jim outside. This has happened before. I try to explain to him that Jim is in Kentucky and no way he could be here. I have read that some doctors say not to correct an alzheimers patient. I do see that in some instances maybe but not in this case. There are some times that I need to show him reality and tell him the truth. If I don't, he will worry more and more and get upset and the whole goal is for him not to get upset and confused. I try to keep everything as consistent as possible, to try to keep him calm, to try to reassure him.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
9 Apr 2012
Easter turned out to be a great day. I made a great dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, baked beans, hashbrown casserole, deviled eggs, homemade bread, and a strawberry cake for dessert. We took everything to Moms house and me, Jim, Chris, and Mom had a wonderful time eating and visiting. I love it when everything works out right. Chris had one moment when his head was hurting really bad so he went to lay down but then he got back up pretty quickly and finished his meal. Jim, Chris and I played Wii bowling and Chris whipped us both. He loves his bowling. We hid eggs and Chris went looking for them and found every one. The easter bunny visited our house and brought a big basket of goodies for Chris including a funny alligator hat, playing cards, LOTS of candy, stuffed chick and bunny, 2 kites, and Jim and I got Chris a cross to wear. He was so happy. Also, in the mail saturday was his dogtag and bracelet I ordered him with all his pertinent info on it. Both say Alzheimers Patient and his contact info just incase, God forbid, he were to get lost or wandered off. I keep an eagle eye on him so hopefully that will never happen but it just takes a second. Today, Chris is still looking through his easter basket and watching Gunsmoke. I am so absolutely blessed that God chose me to be Chris' sister. I know of no greater gift than to be there for Chris and to take care of him. He is the sweetest kindest person and he brings joy to Jim and I every day.
Easter turned out to be a great day. I made a great dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, baked beans, hashbrown casserole, deviled eggs, homemade bread, and a strawberry cake for dessert. We took everything to Moms house and me, Jim, Chris, and Mom had a wonderful time eating and visiting. I love it when everything works out right. Chris had one moment when his head was hurting really bad so he went to lay down but then he got back up pretty quickly and finished his meal. Jim, Chris and I played Wii bowling and Chris whipped us both. He loves his bowling. We hid eggs and Chris went looking for them and found every one. The easter bunny visited our house and brought a big basket of goodies for Chris including a funny alligator hat, playing cards, LOTS of candy, stuffed chick and bunny, 2 kites, and Jim and I got Chris a cross to wear. He was so happy. Also, in the mail saturday was his dogtag and bracelet I ordered him with all his pertinent info on it. Both say Alzheimers Patient and his contact info just incase, God forbid, he were to get lost or wandered off. I keep an eagle eye on him so hopefully that will never happen but it just takes a second. Today, Chris is still looking through his easter basket and watching Gunsmoke. I am so absolutely blessed that God chose me to be Chris' sister. I know of no greater gift than to be there for Chris and to take care of him. He is the sweetest kindest person and he brings joy to Jim and I every day.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
7 Apr 2012
Today was another pretty good day. I am so thankful for these good days. It brings so much joy to me to see Chris happy and laughing and having a good time with Jim and I. He has come out of his room twice with his Elvis glasses on and singing to me and Jim. Quite the entertainer! He is watching The 10 Commandments right now. I've got his easter basket all done and ready to be sat out in the morning. Yes, he does still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Chris only had one dizzy spell today and ate all his meals; every bite. We are all going to Moms tomorrow and he doesn't seem very excited about it like I thought he would be. He keeps asking me if we are going to be coming back home after we visit with Mom. I think he is afraid that Jim and I will leave him there. This is not to say he doesn't love Mom or love being with her but I think its stressful for him at Moms. She can't handle him now and I think he upsets her and she upsets him. She is very critical of his hair, his goatee, his hat backwards, his choice of clothes, etc... I have to keep in mind that is how my Mom has always been and now that she is 87 yrs old she's even more so this way. I'm just trying to take things in stride, do what I need to do for Mom and do what I need to do for Chris. Chris has more immediate needs right now and Mom does have a nurse that comes twice a week so thats good. Chris just came in and asked me to tuck him in. Our cat Orville is on his bed and Chris says that Orville is being ornery. Orville is his buddy and Orville loves to curl up by him and snooze. Hope everyone that reads this has a beautiful blessed Easter tomorrow and Passover.
Today was another pretty good day. I am so thankful for these good days. It brings so much joy to me to see Chris happy and laughing and having a good time with Jim and I. He has come out of his room twice with his Elvis glasses on and singing to me and Jim. Quite the entertainer! He is watching The 10 Commandments right now. I've got his easter basket all done and ready to be sat out in the morning. Yes, he does still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Chris only had one dizzy spell today and ate all his meals; every bite. We are all going to Moms tomorrow and he doesn't seem very excited about it like I thought he would be. He keeps asking me if we are going to be coming back home after we visit with Mom. I think he is afraid that Jim and I will leave him there. This is not to say he doesn't love Mom or love being with her but I think its stressful for him at Moms. She can't handle him now and I think he upsets her and she upsets him. She is very critical of his hair, his goatee, his hat backwards, his choice of clothes, etc... I have to keep in mind that is how my Mom has always been and now that she is 87 yrs old she's even more so this way. I'm just trying to take things in stride, do what I need to do for Mom and do what I need to do for Chris. Chris has more immediate needs right now and Mom does have a nurse that comes twice a week so thats good. Chris just came in and asked me to tuck him in. Our cat Orville is on his bed and Chris says that Orville is being ornery. Orville is his buddy and Orville loves to curl up by him and snooze. Hope everyone that reads this has a beautiful blessed Easter tomorrow and Passover.
Friday, April 6, 2012
6 Apr 2012
Another good day. Yea!!!!! We went this morning to get my hair done and get Chris' hair cut. He kept falling asleep. Those girls are so good to him. He loves going there to get pampered. Got home and fixed a pizza for Chris. He had a good appetite today and watched TV and read his bible. Was really tired today and went to sleep before Andy Griffith was over. I'm filling eggs right now for an easter egg hunt for Chris on sunday at Moms. He will really enjoy that. He's excited about easter and going to mass. He hasn't been able to go to church for quite a while so its going to be a wonderful easter. Didn't hear back from the neurologist today so I will call again monday morning to see what they think about Chris' head pains. It only hit him once today and he said it went away quickly. Thank you God.
Another good day. Yea!!!!! We went this morning to get my hair done and get Chris' hair cut. He kept falling asleep. Those girls are so good to him. He loves going there to get pampered. Got home and fixed a pizza for Chris. He had a good appetite today and watched TV and read his bible. Was really tired today and went to sleep before Andy Griffith was over. I'm filling eggs right now for an easter egg hunt for Chris on sunday at Moms. He will really enjoy that. He's excited about easter and going to mass. He hasn't been able to go to church for quite a while so its going to be a wonderful easter. Didn't hear back from the neurologist today so I will call again monday morning to see what they think about Chris' head pains. It only hit him once today and he said it went away quickly. Thank you God.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
5 Apr 2012
Well, these last 2 days have been good days. Yesterday, Chris, Me and our Mom went to Shiloh National Battlefield to tour it. Apr 6th and 7th is the 150 anniversary of the battle at Shiloh. We really enjoyed taking our Mother. Chris and I had been there several years back. Chris remembered going there before and really interacted with us on everything that was going on. We also saw deer, a coyote leisurely walking through the battlefield with the people all around and a beautiful huge bald eagle sitting on its nest. Chris enjoyed himself so much. We did too! Chris has been complaining alot about his head pains. Not headaches but pains that come and go. He says it feels like brain freezes but he hasn't eaten or drank anything cold. I'm going to call the neurologist in the morning and talk to him about these pains. When Chris had his ct-scan, the doctor said he had some fluid on the brain, fluid in his ventricles in the brain. He said if it gets worse or gives Chris problems, he might have to put a shunt in. I would hate for Chris to have to go through that. We are back home this evening and Chris is in good spirits and had a healthy appetite and said he feels much better. He is watching Andy Griffith with one of the cats, Orville, who is real buddies with Chris and I will tuck him into bed when Andy goes off. So so glad we are home and Chris is feeling good.
Well, these last 2 days have been good days. Yesterday, Chris, Me and our Mom went to Shiloh National Battlefield to tour it. Apr 6th and 7th is the 150 anniversary of the battle at Shiloh. We really enjoyed taking our Mother. Chris and I had been there several years back. Chris remembered going there before and really interacted with us on everything that was going on. We also saw deer, a coyote leisurely walking through the battlefield with the people all around and a beautiful huge bald eagle sitting on its nest. Chris enjoyed himself so much. We did too! Chris has been complaining alot about his head pains. Not headaches but pains that come and go. He says it feels like brain freezes but he hasn't eaten or drank anything cold. I'm going to call the neurologist in the morning and talk to him about these pains. When Chris had his ct-scan, the doctor said he had some fluid on the brain, fluid in his ventricles in the brain. He said if it gets worse or gives Chris problems, he might have to put a shunt in. I would hate for Chris to have to go through that. We are back home this evening and Chris is in good spirits and had a healthy appetite and said he feels much better. He is watching Andy Griffith with one of the cats, Orville, who is real buddies with Chris and I will tuck him into bed when Andy goes off. So so glad we are home and Chris is feeling good.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
3 Apr 2012
Yesterday, Chris and I went shopping for groceries for easter dinner and he used his walker for the first time. We walked the whole entire store and he didn't hurt at all. He loves his walker. It has a seat on it so when I would stop to look at something, he just sat right next to me. He was so happy. The walker has actually given him the freedom to move around better and I don't know why I didn't get him one sooner. He had a great day yesterday; no confusion or any problems. He is excited for easter and going to mass with me. My husband, Chris and i will then go to my Moms for easter dinner. Ham, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, baked beans and hash brown casserole-Yum Yum! Chris does get headaches fairly often now; he calls them brain freezes but he hasn't had anything cold to eat and drink. Will need to check with neurologist if this continues. Today, Chris and I are going to work in his activity books to help with memory and life skills. After that, we will probably play bingo or put a puzzle together.
Yesterday, Chris and I went shopping for groceries for easter dinner and he used his walker for the first time. We walked the whole entire store and he didn't hurt at all. He loves his walker. It has a seat on it so when I would stop to look at something, he just sat right next to me. He was so happy. The walker has actually given him the freedom to move around better and I don't know why I didn't get him one sooner. He had a great day yesterday; no confusion or any problems. He is excited for easter and going to mass with me. My husband, Chris and i will then go to my Moms for easter dinner. Ham, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, baked beans and hash brown casserole-Yum Yum! Chris does get headaches fairly often now; he calls them brain freezes but he hasn't had anything cold to eat and drink. Will need to check with neurologist if this continues. Today, Chris and I are going to work in his activity books to help with memory and life skills. After that, we will probably play bingo or put a puzzle together.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
1 Apr 2012
Happy Fools Day!! :) Today was kind of a continuation of yesterday. Chris didn't really feel good today. He had a headache and felt dizzy. He took forever to eat breakfast and lunch was the same way; just picked at his food. He did finally eat all his lunch; meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and 3 bean salad. He did not eat supper though so I gave him an Ensure to drink and he loves it. He thinks it's special chocolate milk which it actually is. I'm still ranking this as a good day. He watched "Jesus" on GMC tonight and loved it so. He has been waiting for it to come on all week. Now he is looking forward to watching "The Greatest Story Ever Told" this week. He is such a faithful person and gets great comfort from his faith. Goodnight all!
Happy Fools Day!! :) Today was kind of a continuation of yesterday. Chris didn't really feel good today. He had a headache and felt dizzy. He took forever to eat breakfast and lunch was the same way; just picked at his food. He did finally eat all his lunch; meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and 3 bean salad. He did not eat supper though so I gave him an Ensure to drink and he loves it. He thinks it's special chocolate milk which it actually is. I'm still ranking this as a good day. He watched "Jesus" on GMC tonight and loved it so. He has been waiting for it to come on all week. Now he is looking forward to watching "The Greatest Story Ever Told" this week. He is such a faithful person and gets great comfort from his faith. Goodnight all!
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