Living With Alzhiermer's

It has been a difficult journey to watch a strong and robust man who could do anything and worked until he was 74 become more and more feeble.  I took him to the doctor for diagnosis after he kept forgetting where we lived and went outside to void off the deck one night.  He couldn't find the bathroom. His MRI showed brain shrinkage and the doctor would not give a definitive diagnosis.  Richard had hidden his right hand tremor from me but after he retired, he was unable to do so.  When we returned to the doctor, we were placed in a room that had a Parkinsons poster with all the symptoms.  When the doctor came in, I told him that Richard had those same symptoms.  He looked at me doubtfully but said it wouldn't hurt to start him on Sinomet and within 24 hours the tremor was gone.

We have added Meripax to help in the production of dopamine in the hippocampus. (a side note--I have fibromyalgia and research has shown Meripax can help because fibro is also caused by decreased dopamine production.  I tried Richard's and it  works wonderfully.)

At present, he is freezing more and more and cannot move for sometimes 15-20 minutes.  When he gets an infection, he cannot move at all and he gets so confused he doesn't know who I am.

I can usually tell when an infection is coming on because of an increase in sundowners along with the freezing. Along with the Parkinsons and Alzhiemer's he also had prostate cancer that is escalating and congestive heart failure.  We decided in May that it was time for the Universe to take it's course. He is on Hospice and Pallative Care and we are not doing anything to stop the natural course of his diseases.  He only receives medications to keep him comfortable and control the congestive heart failure.

He was able to use the riding mower and mow the yard until last year.  He is too unstable on his feet now and has to use a wheelchair in the house sometimes. 

It has been a difficult journey to learn acceptance and non-interference with Richard's path even if I know of things that would make him more comfortable if he would receive them.  We each have a path to walk and we choose to make the path smooth or rocky.     

Add your comment

    : Comment:

Comments


  • SunDew
    February 9

    Edit | Reply
    I have never lived around anyone with it, but I know Alzheimer's runs in my family. My great-grandmother died of it. I met her after she was clinically dead, so I doubt she knew I was there.

    It's always very hard to watch someone die. I think it's harder for those of us who will go on after our loved one dies, than it is for the one who is dying.

    You're right, we all have to choose that path & the way it will be. Kudos to you for supporting him & sticking by him during all of this!


  • Adrien-Ethos
    February 3

    Edit | Reply
    I know it's hard to have a loved one with Alzheimer. My grandmother died two years ago at the age of 84. She had Alzheimer for over 10 years, and it was painful to see her like that. At the beginning she would do the craziest things. Once, she escaped from the house, walked to the bus stop, took the bus, and went to the house where she used to live before with my grandfather, which is like 30 minutes away. We just stood beside her, and tried to make her life as comfortable as possible in those last years of her life. By the time she left us, we were all prepared.

Recent Journals

  • Tired of Being Sick
    I've been sick for 2 weeks now and the pain and fatigue has been almost too much to bear.  I'm on my second round of antibiotics and it is finally kicking in.  Being sick and taking care of Richard has been a challenge and last night he got sick with congestive heart failure and the same symptoms I star
    on May 15 12:03 AM, In First person, Life, Pain, Personal.  100 words. → Make first comment?
  • We've moved again

    It would seem our house has been moved 20 miles down the road.  Richard says the rooms are the same but the outside has changed.  He usually doesn't talk about moving until the weekend.  He has been very confused this afternoon.  I hope he is not getting an infection.  It is supposed

    on Feb 5 4:18 PM, In Diary, First person, My life.  100 words. → Make first comment?
  • Reality

    I picked up the phone to call Mom tonight.  It is hard to realize that she is really physically gone. I know her spirit surrounds me.  Yesterday while I was at her house helping to clean up for Blake, Richard and Teena were here.  Richard was in his recliner and he heard the front door open.  H

    on Jan 31 8:43 PM, In Death, Family, My life, Sad.  200 words. → 2 comments, Add one?
  • Living With Alzhiemer's

     

    As each day dawns, our journey continues and let us celebrate this day the Lord has made. 

     

     Love as if each day is your last.

     

    Our Journey began five years ago and after a brief period of wanting to do everything possible to stay the progression of the disease, eac

    on Jan 30 5:28 AM, In Diary, First person, Life, Love, My life.  200 words. → 2 comments, Add one?