Tonight at supper we were discussing Christmas shopping, which I haven't been able to do, because of my knee, and because of Mac's balance or I should say non balance... In any case, while talking about how soon Christmas is going to be here; a week tomorrow, yikes, Mac very blithely said, have you seen mother, I mean Janet. So i put up my hand and said, here she is. "no not you, the other Janet" Well after much discussion on this subject, he said he realized he really meant his sister Janet. Well since he never had a sister called Janet, we launched into a conversation about his family. He said, I'm really amazed at how much you know about my family.."
Later in the evening watching the t.v. news re; the Ikea monkey, we were on and off talking about pets such as monkeys and snakes, Mac, remembered that his brother in law, Bill had a monkey, and that was a true, when he said that, although I personally never saw the monkey, I remember talk in the family about Bill's monkey and the various monkey escapades...So since he remembered the monkey I asked - so what's my name. Mac, said "I know you think you are Janet McConnell", well decided to leave that for later. He then added, I think you should know that tonight i'm feeling very confused.
Could be because he had the physio therapist here for his arm and shoulder problems- he finds they ache and he can't lift his arms ..of course when she was here he lifted his arms easily, said they were no problem, and that he was walking easily. The therapist, Danielle, had him go up and down stairs (absolutely no problem)..sit down - get up, walk around...and of course he did this with much glee and without any faltering...but she did realize his arms were not easily raised - and that he really did have a problem, although she said with all his resistance to having any help, she said it would be harder on me..she was thinking of giving me the exercise for arms but said, maybe later, he is so resistant she felt we would have friction about this so, no exercise.
While Mac talks a good talk, and walks a good walk, he really does have so many problems not the least of which is his eyes, he doesn't always see well, the stairs outside, getting into cars and out, walking anywhere in the snow, which we did yesterday practically gives me a heart attack watching him...this while going around the corner to a neighbour's afternoon tea party. Nights he is walking and talking but not out of bed but in bed while he sleeps peacefully, and I lie wide awake wondering what's going on there.
Sometimes as I write this blog it's like writing my diary and I kind of forget that people are reading this, so for those of you who do read this, if you have anyone in your life who is a caregiver for someone with alzheimers be sure to tell them how up and down it can be, they are not alone, there are so many of us going through this. todays "Liaison " magazine from the A. society reports that this is Alzheimer's Awareness month and that world wide Alzheimer's is on the rise and by 2030 the toll should reach 66 million. Hopefully by then there will be some light at the end of the research tunnel.
Alzheimer's disease is not to be hidden, everyone should know about it, and educating people about it improves the lives of people living with the disease..there is quality of life after the diagnosis, at least for a good while. And since i want to be there for Mac and help him to be less confused, I'll get off this computer, g'nite.
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