November 10, 2013

I had a good visit with mama today. Got there around 10:30 a.m. She let me clean out her chest of drawers. I let her help fold her socks and pajamas. She did a good job and that way I felt comfortable as I went through her stuff. Then I called Mitch Sands and Nancy Smith on my "smart phone" and let her talk with them. It was a good move, because I was able to go through her closet while she talked with them. I told myself I wasn't going to worry about straightening her closet again and I'll explain later, but I was on a mission - a mission of finding her missing dentures, lower and upper! LOL. I did find 1 pair of the two pairs of shoes I just ordered for her - don't know who might be wearing a new pair of taupe hush puppies! In the top of the closet I saw a little pile of something on the top shelf, so instead of looking into what it was, I just slipped it all in a gift bag she had and decided to wait and look at it when I get home. It... just hit me - her dentures could be in there. So I just went through the few clothes I brought back (socks and clothes missing top or bottoms or mate to socks) to wash and hang onto in case the others are found. And now I just went through the "little pile" hoping I would be lucky to find her dentures. I found a knife, fork and spoon wrapped up in lot of napkins and some type of petrified food (think it might of been a chicken leg-yuck! - that's why I don't like going through the closet! There is always a surprise)! But just a hunch that her dentures might have been rolled up in there. No such luck. Going to call her case worker tomorrow to see if they can find her teeth, don't know how she is eating without them. The nurses tell us that sometimes the residents glasses, dentures, etc. wind up in the laundry. This long story is to ask you, my dear friends and family to pray that her dentures can be located. Alzheimers is such a sad disease and each visit is such a surprise or lesson for me. But she is happy (got to talk or see all three of her "chillens" today), says she feels good and likes where she is staying. What more can I ask for. I'm blessed and thankful for the care she gets at Good Samaritan Center at Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park, FL. God bless them.

"Therefore, pray for the remnant that still survives"  (2 Kings 19:4b).  When mama was diagnosed with early cognitive impairment we were told that she would not get better.  No one recovers from Alzheimer's.  Now instead of praying for her health and physical needs I needed to pray for her emotional well being.  But I didn't know what to pray for.  Do I pray for healing?  Do I pray specifically for mama's health - Lord please make her remember?  With God's guidance I learned that I could pray for all of the above and also work to maintain what remains.

One of the cargivers strategies listed in the book, "My Mom Has Alzheimer's", is to play games with your loved one that they may have enjoyed in the past, but don't attempt to teach a new game.  I tried to teach mama RummiKub, should have just played scrabble with her instead.  Lesson learned and many more to come I'm sure.

   

Day 1 of my new blog.  Alzheimer's - Mother & Me.  My mother has Alzheimer's.  After a visit with my mom today I feel the need to write down my feelings so thought the best place to express my feelings, findings and amusements would be in writing - here.  Please let me know what you think and also let me hear from you about your story and encounters as you deal with or care for parents with this terrible disease.