As we left the dental specialist today, we started to walk along the Lachine canal where we could see the St. Lawrence going out to Lac St. Louis, and what a great distraction from my yukky frozen mouth...after having root canal work..and both of us i.e. Mac and I stopped and just gaped as the sun shone through the trees and as Mac exclaimed...'it's all really beautiful...and so it is.
Before we left for the appointment, we spent our usual Friday start of the day, with Richard, who is the music therapist who sings - plays his guitar and generally starts our Friday off to a super day. I'm not sure how others would feel sitting in the group - seeing about 20 women and men all with advanced Alzheimer's nodding - to the music, most in wheelchairs - some with their heads hanging looking like they are fast asleep, but then wake with a smile as Richard sings songs to them - When he sings he makes sure to include their names in the songs - and now he knows Mac and Mac's name get's included too, which seems to please Mac, although he never mentions it.
Sometimes it makes me feel so sad as i can kind of see the future and it's not exactly pretty, as one lady spends much of her time, peering through another lady's hair - while that lady just kind of is in a trance sleeping and waking not even noticing that someone is going through her hair, this for almost the whole hour while Richard sings. Doesn't faze Richard who livens
most of the patients and certainly also the nurses , some of whom, dance with the more lively of the men.
One lady danced with her friend who has the big A. and spoke to Richard saying, she and her friend had been friends for 50 years..their husbands worked together, when Richard said to the patient, 'this lady has been your friend for 50 years' the patient just looked and didn't respond, her friend took her hand saying you remember me, right? But no response was forthcoming, and so Richard quickly filled in the void by singing including the name of the patient in the song, and got a wonderful smile and both patient and friend brightened up...Mac doesn't comment on any of this, and seems to just accept and enjoy the music...tapping his toes and nodding his head - then he we go back to our apt and he doesn't remember.
He also doesn't remember that he had a woman stay with him on Wednesday that he didn't like or know...The woman - linda - who stayed with him while I went to the shopping center - on the bus...trying out that bus route for the first time.....Interesting new scenery for me, and it only took 15 minutes to reach a neat shopping center with one of my fave stores - The Bay - where i managed to buy a pair of shoes and then stand in a bus shelter on the way back, while the rain came pouring down...happy to report that Mac was o.k. with the trip, although he tells me contantly, he can stay alone...but no way is that going to happen.
So we will try it again next Wednesday...I guess as time goes on he will get accustomed to being left with different people, we shall see. Actually, most of the time we are together, now I'm beginning to think the person who really gets the most benefit is myself. Can't picture a life without him, and so I appreciate these days, these walks, these funny times, where his jokes can make me laugh, like today when i was brushing some lint from his shirt front, he said, "hey can I do the same thing to you, i promise i won't be rough, and I'm sure no one will notice"..and then he gave one of his sly smiles ....hmmm, gotta watch this guy. Anyway, he's in bed and waiting for me so gotta get my hugs...g'nite.
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