Such a Good Sport

Mom is such a good sport. We're waiting for her ride to her Thursday coffee date when she says "I don't seem to know where I'm going or what I'm doing." Good thing she says it calmly, for my sake. I just told her where and what and then her ride pulled in and off she went. I can't imagine what that must be like for her!

Something No One Wants to Talk About

This morning, when I came down stairs, there was urine all over the bathroom floor. These are things we don't usually talk about, but I feel I'm here to, not only help myself, but to also help others in the same situations. After I cleaned that all up, I found the toilet was plugged as well.

I had just said to one of my granddaughters that we've been lucky that she's sort of stayed in this same stage for so long. The very next day----was today. Hope this is a one time thing for awhile. Not sure how I'll be if it happens a lot.

Got to hold on to the fact that she was there for me when I was not toilet trained.

She Keeps Ahead of Me

While my granddaughter was changing into her bathing suit, in my mom's room, she saw 2 pills on her sewing machine. She called me in and they were actually MY night pills. Don't know how, when, or why Mom got them, but she did. Now I not only lock her pills up but I also lock mine as well.

Another Fall

Today Mom had her third fall in a relatively short period of time. We've been lucky so far with no damage. Today's fall happened when she was rushing out to tell me I had a phone call. I was putting the car in the garage for the night. I think she thought I was leaving and she was rushing to catch me before I left. Anyway, she fell down the two back steps and landed on her seat.
I'll see if she has any "hurts" tomorrow. Right now she has forgotten the fall but says she knows she did something because of a "few places here and there".

Breakfast Again

I came in from gardening and found Mom eating her second breakfast. I leave a note now when I'm outside working. I think I'll leave another note saying she's had breakfast already and leave her one snack for mid morning.

They Don't Understand

When Mom and I first got to her Rebekah meeting, several women came over to greet Mom. They each started out with "Do you remember me?" She would say something like "Your face is familiar, but I don't remember your name". Then they would tell her their names and give her a lot of facts to help her remember. She would smile and laugh and it looked "normal". Mom's so good at that!
They don't understand that she can't remember. The memories aren't there to retrieve. I found myself getting very teared up. I was worried that it would upset my mother and I was sad because these people were part of her life for the last 69 years.
At the end, a weekly coffee buddy said she'd see her Thursday. Mom asked me what was happening Thursday. I told her that was coffee day. Her reply was "I don't still go to coffee do I?"
Unless you live with someone with "Alzheimer's, I don't think most people understand.
You have to go where they are; you can't keep them in present time.

Frustration

I went upstairs to finish watching a movie while Mom watched the news. When I came down an hour later, she was very upset. When I inquired about it, she said she was very mad at herself for not going to the celebration.
I told her we did go. I showed her the flowers she got and the new pin she got.
She had found the letter and couldn't remember going. I've got to throw away that letter as soon as I can.

Mom Introduced Me

Today Mom and I went to a Rebekah meeting which honored all who had been there for over 60 years. Mom was the longest at 69 years. They asked each to introduce their family members in attendance. I held m y breath as they asked Mom.
She said, "This is my daughter, Pamela. She's a teacher and I'm very proud of her." I couldn't believe it! Not only did she know who I was, but she gave me a compliment that I'd never heard from her before. Wow, what a day!

Leaky Sink

This noon my mother said she'd do the dishes while I went upstairs. When I came down she had forgotten so I started them. When I went to get the dish detergent out from under the sink, I saw that the water was leaking. The sinks have separate pipes so I switched the way I do the dishes. Mom came out to help me by drying them. She couldn't figure out where anything went after it was dry and she called me "Mom".
So much for switching things around. I sure hope the repair man can come tomorrow!!!!! It could be a LONG time before they get fixed----if you know what I mean!

Visit to Hospital

Today my mother fell down two steps and landed on her head and backside. We took her to the hospital and had a cat scan. The cat scan was OK.
We were there for 3 hours. When we left I said, "I don't want to do that again."
Mom replied, "Not any time soon anyway!"
Still funny!

Choosing Clothes

Yesterday was not sunny, but it was plenty warm. My mother wore a winter sweater. I tried to get her to change but she wouldn't. This morning a threw that sweater down the laundry chute.

To my surprise, she came out dressed in yet another winter sweater this morning.

I guess I should lay out her clothes the night before.

Humor Again

This morning, when I went to start the car, it was completely DEAD!
I told Mom I had roadside assistance with my insurance, but didn't think they'd come to the house. She said, "Want me to help you push it out into the road?"

She's so funny!

Mom, the Joker

I didn't sleep all that great last night so today, while watching TV around 4, I said I'd really be ready for bed tonight. Mom responded, "Let's wait until at least after supper."

God Bless Her

I'm leaving for the afternoon so I put on the "old shows" that Mom really enjoys. I Love Lucy is on. Part way through she said, "Isn't it amazing how they can think of new ones after all these years."

Lost at Breakfast

Mom's been getting her own breakfasts. She always has the same thing every morning (she always did this even before Alzheimer's). This morning I saw her hunting for something, when I asked her what she was looking for, she answered--"There's nothing opened." I thought her cereal was empty so I got the new box down. She said she thought there was one open somewhere. I looked where her cereal always is and there was still a little left. She had forgotten where her cereal is located.

Yesterday we went to a funeral, a cousin of my father's. She didn't know anyone, even one woman who goes to coffee with her every Thursday. Mom handled it well. She smiled and answered questions. I can't help wondering what it's like for her to go off to coffee each Thursday not knowing who she's going with and maybe even where she's going. She seems OK with it, but she seemed OK yesterday also.

It's like a small child---you wonder what they are really thinking.

Trip to Greenhouse

Mom and I went on a trip to a greenhouse today. It was great; cold but great. On the way home with our many plants, Mom was telling a story about when she was young and she said " It scared the hell out of me, but it was fun." If you knew my mother you would know just how "out of character" that is for her. I've only heard her swear one other time in my whole life. I wanted to laugh, but I just listened.

Here We Go

While at Mom's dentist appointment today I found out that I now have to help her brush her teeth. That should be interesting! I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but don't have much choice.

Finally I Make Good Coffee--Sort Of!

It's been a LONG standing joke in my family--Pam doesn't make the coffee! Well, I saw that Mom's coffee looked like left over dish water (well, you could see through it) so now I make the coffee. I might question even that except for the fact that my sister showed me how before she left AND (the real test) my ex-brother-in-law came for a visit and asked for a second cup. I was shocked when he even asked for the first---with a lot of jokes of course. I think it's kind of fool proof--these new pots.

Party Time

When my granddaughter called the house this morning, my mom told her that we had gone to a party and that we were gone until the wee hours of the morning. When she asked what party we went to she said it was some kid's party in town.
I hope we had fun!

I'm Going Away

This weekend is my daughter's birthday so I am going to visit her. My granddaughters will be taking care of Mom and one will spend the night. Hope all goes well. I'm sure it will. Don't really know how Mom will be, but they can handle it, I'm sure.
My daughter and I are both very excited about this visit. I've only seen her once in the past 3 years.