Our Location today is Windsor, Ontario.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
After going back and forth last night, I managed to be hooked up to my CPAPs long enough that I felt rested this morning. After having Cereal for breakfast and Coffee while I checked The Weather Network. As soon that Kathy knew that it was comfortable outside, she suggested going for a walk. (That means moving your legs to transport yourself around, all while getting exercise.)
As soon I started in the direction of the sidewalk, she said she want to go to the Park where Danny her brother was. She did not believe me that he was at home selling the seedlings that he start as early as January in his Greenhouses. Again, she started the line that he was not her brother, that he had Red Hair, wore Glasses and raised money for Charity. (He helps collect donations for the less fortunate, right before the Christmas Holidays.) The picture she keeps showing me, has him wearing a Winter Parka and Winter Toque, not a Baseball Cap and Jacket.
Tired of the screaming that I endure, we were soon headed back to LaSalle. It was not until we were within a Mile of his home that she started to settle down.
Danny was surprised to see us since we only spoke yesterday and even more surprised when Kathy gave him a hug. Unfortunately, Kathy’s eldest son Ken and his friend Anita were there. Ken had never seen his mother like that. I apologized to Danny and asked him to say loudly what his relationship was to Kathy and when was the last time we saw him. He answered, but said to me, “I can’t keep doing this”.
Less than a Mile down the road, Kathy again started screaming that wasn’t her brother. Knowing we have food to eat before it spoils at home that was where I headed.
In our parking lot, Kathy told me to go eat and she would drive herself to find Danny. The easiest way to stop her, was to sit in the driver's seat listening to her berate me for the next Ninety Minutes. I was told that I was losing it and needed my head checked. Finally, Two Fire Trucks with their Sirens blaring, went by. I started the Car, did up my Seat Belt and said, “Let’s check it out”.
After the Ladder Truck turned to head back to the Station, I kept driving along Riverside Drive, towards Tecumseh. She continued talking about Danny but at a more reasonable tone. It was already past 3:00 and we had not had lunch, so we stopped at Dairy Queen and took advantage of their Value Meals. There was more talk about Danny until we finished our meal.
I drove calmly back to our building, not commenting about anything that could start screaming again. Everything was going well, we watched the “6 o’clock Local News”, before I started cooking the Salmon Fillets, Potato Slices and Baked Beans for supper.
It was past 7:00 when our daughter Karen calls to see how things were going. She had already heard from her brother Ken, about his interaction with his mother. Karen understands what is happening and tries to be helpful taking Kathy on Girls Days and tips for me. We always talk on the Speaker, so when she insisted that I look at what she texted me, (though I knew it was there), when Kathy read over my shoulder, she was back in a rage telling me to Delete it. She didn’t talk to me for the rest of the evening.
Trying to cut the tension, I turned on the movie, “Martian” with Matt Damon. She barely watched it before kissing me good night.
I know that she still cares but cannot help her disbelief.
I was still writing the Blog when she came out to talk about the Truck and Trailer for nearly Thirty Minutes before going back to Bed.
Hopefully, things will be better in the morning.
Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment, unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion, or is Spam.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
Krackers
What did the ocean say to the boat?
Nothing. It just waved.
You have to get some help and sooner rather than later. Please get her to the doctor or the Alheimzer's facility for help and advice. There has to be a medication that will help to calm her down. Take care and stay strong.
ReplyDeleteMy father had Alzheimer. He saw a neurologist who prescribed him medication which helped. They did have to keep upping the dose over time. His thing was that his mother needed help and he had to get home and help her. When he started down that road we knew he need to see the Dr and get the dose increased.
ReplyDeleteI can relate all too well. Good luck.
Ditto ... there are medications that will help this situation. Can you get her to a neurologist or at least a doctor?
ReplyDeleteMaybe help Kathy develop some hobbies.? She doesn't seem to have anything to "do" - except the computer. Start with coloring - get several books & the biggest box of Crayola crayons available. Eventually move into watercolor pencils & advanced stuff like Old Fat Man. Or does she like to knit or crochet? Or, cute easy jigsaw puzzles. When finished can be glued & saved. Or Legos. Or go to Michael's & get some little wooden chests, plaques, crosses. At Dollar stores get lots of art supplies - paints, stickers, washi tape, press on sparkles, mod podge. Decorate the wooden items. Go to thrift store & get a few cheap children's books or magazines. Cut out pictures & make greeting cards. Or at Michael's get some beads & stretch cord. Make little bracelets or earrings. Get a little bit of lace fabric & felt. Make little angels & Christmas decorations. Walk around in craft depts or look on Etsy for ideas.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your situation is 100 times worse than what you say in blog. But, it is painful for Kathy too. Get some help & support wherever you can - as fast as you can.! But, these are things you can start Today. At least go to Walmart & buy an assortment of craft items (especially books & crayons) - dump on table & let the curiosity & new thoughts begin. Good Luck.
I think its time for help. Medication at the very least.
ReplyDeletePS - try not to be so argumentative all the time. You don't have to prove yourself to be right in every situation. Just agree & try to change the subject. You can't "reason" with Kathy when she is like this. Her mind is in another world that we can never understand. And, she is angry & in pain because she knows she is Lost. And, never sit in a car & be screamed at for 90 minutes.! Just re-buckle your seat belt, start the car, & say "let's go for a surprise.!" Do you have a petting zoo, little farm, or pet store you could visit.? Animals are sometimes calming. Anyway, the whole family needs to be helping out - don't try to hide it or protect them from her condition. Spread the wealth.
ReplyDeleteI know it's tough to think about, but her condition will not get better...at some point, she'll need more care than you can provide. Does Canadian health insurance cover the cost of memory care centers? I would suggest you get proactive and start researching and contacting them to figure out next steps. I had a neighbor who put the phone in the oven and turned it on. The phone melted, but didn't burn the house down. That was when the family knew it was time to put their mother into a center when she would be safe from herself.
ReplyDeleteRick, I'm going to echo what others have said here, Kathy's condition is not going to improve. As difficult as it my be for you, it is time to investigate an institution that is able to provide more care for here than you can provide. You cannot do this by yourself, it is just too hard. I wish you both the best, good luck.
ReplyDeleteYou are in a duff situation and not an easy one to deal with especially with your life partner. We watched and dealt with my mother-in-law go through this terrible decease. No one can tell you what or when to do what needs to be done for Kathy, only you and your children can make those decisions. Lots of suggestions/advice out there. My comment to you is to make sure you take care of yourself and you may want to hide the vehicle keys.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to echo what others have said. My grandmother had dementia which my mother dealt with for many years. You cannot reason with Kathy. Nothing you say is going to change what she thinks as it is not based on logic or real thought processes. It's also not going to get better over time so you really need to start looking into what resources there are to support you. Also ask for help from the rest of your family. You can't do this alone.
ReplyDeletePlease, please contact the Alzheimers Society. They have so many resources you can access. It sounds like Kathy is escalating. If this keeps happening and you are driving...well it's just not safe anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou also need to organize a family meeting so you can explain to the whole family what is happening. It's not just "your problem", it's something the whole family needs to understand. The Soxiety can help you find you a facilitator to help with this.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with my grandfather was no arguing because he was always right and play music....it has a calming effect. Prayers as you travel this journey.
ReplyDelete