many people seem to say about someone with Alzheimer's...'he has a short term memory loss' or words to that effect...in mac's case I always say he has Alzheimer's, - then for further enlightenment, if asked, i usually say he has memory loss. Today I was able to observe short term memory loss so many times, but one that really stood out was...Mac got out of his chair to walk to another room, and said.."oooh i don't feel good, i feel dizzy, my eyes - i don't seem to see well.
This really had me worrying...i quickly said. o.k. sit down again, after a few minutes I asked ...are you o.k. do you still feel dizzy...'yes still not too good, my eyes.' i said o.k. how many fingers do you see. as I held up one then five then three. In each case he was able to identify how many fingers...then I pointed to a picture and said, do you see flowers or a tree...he said a flower ...so i relaxed but decided that he should have some eyedrops, kind that are just tears...that seemed to make him feel a bit better... and then we just sat for awhile...or he did.
After i finished a few chores, i said well i thought we could go out for a short walk, but i guess we better not if you are dizzy...mac's answer..'what are you talking about, i'm not dizzy, no i'm fine let's go....and so we did..although he didn't complain about being dizzy, he complained constantly about the wind being cold on his face and how he hated cold winds...but we still got to the lake, and i at least enjoyed the whole walk there and back wind or no wind...
When we had been home and were doing our thing, i.e. me doing a crossword puzzle out loud, mac helping every now and then, he actually got one ...which always makes me happy...he commented on the beautiful sunlight coming through the windows of our apartment...wow the sun is so warm and it's just terrific the way it shines through our windows...i agreed then said, at least it's not the wind ...which you certanly hated when we were out. 'What wind, said mac...when were we out"
This memory or lack of continued steadily through the day, even to the poor woman who was getting him ready for bed, he kept calling her a man, saying 'what is he doing with my pyjamas.'...i'd say...she is Celine she is getting you ready for bed....' and so it went on, and even when she had left. he said "what did that man do with my clothes..' i replied, SHE put them on the bench, it's o.k. you still have your clothes...oh o.k. said mac, "now are you coming to bed..." well in a few minutes...my few minutes are up, and i'm going to bed, Thank God, he remembers ME. I hope ..G'NITE.
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