Actually, that's what mac said last night "Im confused tonight...' just as I was crawling in bed with my good book...so I answered ..."I'm just going to be here reading my book, so, why don't you close your eyes and try to sleep, in the morning you will probably be o.k. If you can't sleep and still feel confused - we can talk about it but try closing your eyes first"..Really didn't think that would work, but surprise it did...But even though he did not discuss that in the morning, that is, he didn't say he was confused..Mac did try to figure out why he couldn't remember some particular thing (which i can't remember now - ha)...so I just go into my usual litany, you have a memory problem, it's called Alzheimer's, and it means you don't remember ...so we just live in the moment...right now is what's important...what we did yesterday was great, but what we do today will be fun too, so let's just live for today...
Right, what's on for today...replied Mac...Well today we have to take Mischa for grooming...He is going to get all his mats and knots cut out of his fur...Paul will drive us..hopefully. But look out at the weather it's blowing - and there's lots of snow...Not too long after that conversation, Paul phoned and all was well, he would come soon and take us - and he did...Now poor Mischa has no fur on one side at his hind end and not too much on his rear either...but he wasn't unhappy...and it all took 10 minutes..The drive there and back was not too bad either. The snow though high was cleared away on the road, and the sun was fantastic, so beautiful, just the way Mac loves it.
We also went to the teapot for lunch, where a lady spent a good part of her lunch watching Mac - she had told us friends were coming and so we couldn't sit at her table, turns out her friends didn't show, ??? When Mac eats he is not always careful, sometimes drops food, and instead of using his fork uses his fingers...so she was intrigued or maybe disgusted, but who cares...we sat with a nice couple of women and Frank the driver of the Teapot bus...and i tried to avoid looking at her looking at Mac, - anyway, most people are friendly, helpful, and understand...so really it's not a big problem - or not so far..No one has commented on the fact that he and i go in the ladies room together..and that's another good thing...but i always wonder why Mac never comments, but he just goes along happily, into the bathroom with me- never notices that no men are in there with us only ladies...so there we have another so far so good .
I realize not everyone who has a husband or wife with A. is as cheeky, but I think that given the situation, most people are helpful...We met another woman with her husband there, he has A. as well, but she has a person (paid) to help, she just can't manage on her own- finds her husband too hard to handle..tells me how much he wanders away from her and may get hit by a car etc. Funny though when we were there the person who wandered the most was the woman, talking to others and wandering around, leaving her husband to stand with the paid person..in fact she was giving people a poem.
This is it; Alzheimer's Request
Do not ask me to remember, don't try to make me understand,
let me rest and know you're with me, kiss my cheek and hold my hand
I'm confused beyond your concept, I'm sad and sick and lost
All i know is that i need you to be with me at all cost
Do not lose patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry
i can't help the wayi i am acting
I can't be different though I try.
just remember that I need you
That the best of me is gone.
please do not fail to stand beside me,
love me until my life is gone.
Well that's why she was running around, it is a sad but true poem,
For one thing it makes one remember that the person with A. is the one who needs sympathy not the caregiver...we're the lucky ones, we are healthy... But I must say, that for Mac, he needs sympathy, but at the same time he does enjoy or seem to most of the time. As long as we try to work on his confusion, or explain as much as possible what's going on he tries to go with the flow, and i really admire him for that.
Have to thank eveyone for their thoughts and comments on my blog, especially those who have sent me videos and ideas for videos thanks so much... here's one comment
"I was just reading your blog, and I just had to write back to you. I'm so impressed with both of you! You're obviously both working hard and getting well-deserved results! Caring, motivation and patience accomplish a lot. Others in a similar situation who read your blog will surely benefit. I'm sure the book version will be a best seller!
Sasha is bored looking out of the 11th floor window. She needs more stimulation. So, every day
she watches her bird and mouse videos on my computer. She loves it! She will sit on a chair close to the screen and focus for 30 minutes! At supper time she takes a break to go eat and then returns to the computer. I entertain myself by watching Sasha. This could be an equally enter-taining activity for your whole family: you, Mac and Mischa. Go to U-tube and type in either:
Feeding the Birds or Videos for your Cat--Red Winged Black Birds. Let me know how it turns out.
Gotta go,"
I have to go to, Mac will be waiting, I know...he doesn't sleep soundly till i'm there,so g'nite...
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