WORDS TO LIVE BY

TODAY I HOPE IT WILL BE ALRIGHT IF I VENTURE AWAY FROM MY USUAL POST.  I WANTED TO  SHARE TWO THINGS I TOOK  AWAY WITH ME FROM THE MEMORIAL OF MY DEAR FRIEND THIS PAST SATURDAY.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING MY POST, I MENTIONED HER SUDDEN PASSING AND MY SHOCK AND SADNESS OVER IT, IN AN EARLIER POST.  IF I HAD TO SUM UP IN JUST ONE WORD HOW I FELT LEAVING THAT SERVICE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE "UPLIFTING".  NOT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM SUCH A SOMBER OCCASION I KNOW.  ONE OF THE THINGS SAID THAT TOUCHED MY HEART THE MOST, WERE THE WORDS OF MY FRIEND HERSELF TO HER HUSBAND. SHE KNEW SHE WAS DYING, AND SO IN HER TYPICAL GLASS FULL ATTITUDE, SHE SAID TO HIM " I WILL CLOSE MY EYES, AND WAKE UP IN PARADISE, AND THE FIRST PERSON I WANT TO SEE IS YOU!!  CALL ME CRAZY, BUT I JUST CAN'T SEE THE DOWN SIDE TO THAT"!!  THAT WAS MY FRIEND-ALWAYS POSITIVE, ALWAYS TRYING TO HELP AND COMFORT OTHERS. THERE ARE NOT MANY LIKE HER IN THIS WORLD-NO MATTER WHAT SHE WAS DEALING WITH-SHE ALWAYS MADE TIME TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.  THE OTHER BIG THING I WENT AWAY WITH WERE THE WORDS OF THE SPEAKER (WHO BTW IS MARRIED TO MY FRIENDS SISTER). HE SAID IN CLOSING THAT LIFE IS LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND.. IT CAN BE SNUFFED OUT WAY TOO SOON BY ACCIDENT, OR ILLNESS. HE THEN ASKED IF ANY ONE OF US HAS ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE-ESPECIALLY A FAMILY MEMBER, TO MAKE OUR PEACE WITH THEM TODAY. HE ADDED,  NONE OF US ARE GIVEN A 100% CERTAINTY THAT WE (OR THEY) WILL BE GRANTED LIFE TOMORROW.  WELL, HOPEFULLY, TOMORROW I WILL BE BACK ON TRACK WITH SOME NEW MIKE SR. ADVENTURE, BUT FOR TODAY, I FELT THIS MESSAGE WAS TOO IMPORTANT, AND TOO CLOSE TO MY HEART, TO IGNORE.  JUST ME

CUTIE PIE-WISE GUY!!

ANOTHER CHANGE-I MUST ADMIT, I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE.  MIKE HAS BECOME QUITE FUNNY.  I DON'T KNOW IF HE DOES THIS BY ACCIDENT, OR IF IT IS IN SOMEWAY HIS ATTEMPT TO  GET MY ATTENTION, OR THE ATTENTION OF OTHERS, BUT IT IS WORKING!!!  THE OTHER DAY WE WENT SHOPPING AT THE HOME DEPOT.  AFTER WALKING AROUND THAT STORE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE HOURS TO ME (MIKE WALKS MUCH SLOWER THAN HE USE TO), WE FINALLY FINISHED, AND WENT UP TO THE CASHIER.. I'M SURE THIS IS WHAT THEY MUST SAY TO ALL THEIR CUSTOMER'S, BUT I DON'T THINK SHE WAS EXPECTING WHAT MIKE SAID IN RESPONSE.  SHE ASKED "DID YOU FIND EVERY THING YOU WERE LOOKING FOR"?? AND WITHOUT BLINKING AN EYE, MIKE RETORTED "YES, WHY, WERE YOU HIDING SOMETHING"??  SHE BURST OUT LAUGHING, AS DID I.  THEN THE OTHER DAY MY FRIEND SAID SHE HAD JUST BEEN TO THE BANK, AND AGAIN, MIKE SPRANG INTO ACTION WITH "DID YOU BRING ME ANY SAMPLES"?? THEN THIS MORNING, WHILE I WAS STILL HALF ASLEEP (DID NOT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT), I TOLD MIKE, "HONEY, I'M MAKING YOUR COFFEE", AND OUT COMES "DID YOU GO TO BRAZIL"??  ANY HOW, I DO ENJOY THESE MOMENTS OF HUMOR. THEY MAKE ME FEEL LIKE HE IS CONTENT WITH HIS LOT IN LIFE, WHICH MAKES CARE GIVING SO MUCH MORE PLEASURABLE FOR ME.  FOR TODAY, TRY AND FIND SOME HUMOR IN LIFE-HUMOR CAN MAKE ALL THE SITUATIONS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH SEEM SOMEHOW MORE BEARABLE.  JUST ME

MIKE-THE KID MAGNET!!

THE OTHER DAY I HAD GONE OUT FOR A SHORT WHILE, AND WHEN I RETURNED, I SAW ONE OF THE CUTEST THINGS EVER!! MY HUSBAND MIKE WAS TRYING TO TEACH A SIX YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR GIRL, HOW TO PLAY RUMMIKUB!!  THEY EACH HAD THEIR LITTLE STANDS FILLED WITH NUMBERED CHIPS, AND WHEN MIKE SAW ME HE SAID "CAN YOU TEACH HER HOW TO PLAY". THEN HE LOOKS AT THE LITTLE GIRL (WHO BTW, LOST HER FATHER TO LEUKEMIA LAST MONTH) AND SAYS TO HER "SHE KNOWS ALL THE RULES".   SO NATURALLY I JOINED IN AND HELPED THE CHILD WIN THE GAME. THEN SHE WANTED SOME MILK AND COOKIES-APPARENTLY MR. MIKE (AS SHE AFFECTIONATELY CALLS HIM) HAD PROMISED HER SOME AFTER THE GAME. WELL, ABOUT THEN HER MOM CAME OVER AND WAS THRILLED TO FIND HER DAUGHTER HAPPY AND IN SUCH GOOD HANDS.. SHE THANKED US, AND WHEN SHE LEFT, I ASKED MIKE "HOW DID ALL THAT HAPPEN"?? HE SAID "I DON'T KNOW, SHE JUST FOLLOWED ME INSIDE"  HE EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS SWEEPING LEAVES FROM OUR DRIVE WAY WHEN THE LITTLE GIRL RODE HER BIKE OVER AND STARTED HELPING HIM. "SHE WANTED TO, I DIDN'T ASK HER" HE SAID. THEN I FOUND OUT HE GAVE HER A DOLLAR FOR HER HELP, SO THE NEXT DAY-GUESS WHAT HAPPENED??  HE COMES IN FROM OUTSIDE AND SAYS "THE LITTLE GIRL WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE CAN COME IN AND PLAY WITH ME AGAIN-IS IT OK"?? I SAID SURE HONEY GO AHEAD TELL HER TO COME IN. THEN HE SAID " THERE ARE TWO THIS TIME". YES, TWO LITTLE GIRLS ONE SIX AND ONE FOUR, HAVE BECOME FAST FRIENDS WITH MR. MIKE. IT IS SO CUTE TO WATCH HIM PLAY GAMES WITH THEM.  AND SO IT WOULD APPEAR THAT AT THE AGE OF 77,  MR. MIKE, HAS BECOME THE PIED PIPER OF RUMMIKUB!!!  I'M SO GLAD THEY FOUND EACH OTHER!!!  HAVE A HAPPY DAY-JUST ME

BLESSINGS OF CAREGIVING

YESTERDAY I WAS REMINDED BY MY DEAR BROTHER, (WHO IS ALSO A CARE GIVER), OF THE MANY BLESSINGS WE RECEIVE BY BEING CARE GIVERS..  HE SAID "LATELY I SOMEHOW GET THIS FEELING THAT I AM DOING SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.  WHEN YOU ARE HELPING SOMEONE WHO CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES, IT GIVES YOU A BLESSING IN YOUR SPIRIT TO KNOW YOU ARE DOING A GOOD THING.. IT PUTS THIS JOB IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT LIGHT.  IN FACT, IT IS NOT AT ALL ABOUT WORK NOW, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOD'S WILL, AND HELP ANOTHER HUMAN BEING.  I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE MORE REWARDING THAN THAT."  IT REALLY HIT HOME, AND BROUGHT BACK TO MIND THE WORDS OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR WHO SAID " THERE IS MORE HAPPINESS IN GIVING THAN IN RECEIVING".. IT REMINDED ME THAT IS SO EASY TO FORGET THAT WE TOO ARE BLESSED WHEN WE HELP OTHERS.. ONE OTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY ARE THE BLESSINGS WE GET FROM OUR PETS!!  THEY LOVE US UNCONDITIONALLY, AND GIVE US MUCH JOY.. IN MY HUSBAND MICHAEL'S CASE, WE HAVE TWO DOGS, THAT HE WALKS TWICE A DAY.. HE SAYS HE HAS A CONTRACT WITH THE DOGS TO DO THAT FOR THEM.. IT GIVES HIM A FEELING OF USEFULNESS, WHICH WE ALL NEED.. I LET HIM DO WHAT EVER HE WANTS TO DO TO HELP AROUND THE HOUSE TOO.. YES, OFTEN I HAVE TO PUT THE DISHES HE UNLOADED BACK INTO THE DISHWASHER AS THEY WERE NOT WASHED YET WHEN HE PUT THEM AWAY.  NO MATTER, IT IS A SMALL THING, AND IT GIVES HIM JOY TO FEEL LIKE HE IS CONTRIBUTING.. I GUESS I'VE LEARNED THAT NO MATTER ARE AGE OR CONDITION-WE ALL WANT TO FEEL NEEDED AND USEFUL.. WELL, THAT'S IT FOR ME TODAY-HOPE SOMETHING IN MY POST WAS HELPFUL TO SOMEONE. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW.. MANY THANKS, JUST ME

DEALING WITH DISSAPOINTMENT

THIS MORNING I GOT UP TO A CALL THAT WAS NOT WHAT I HAD HOPED FOR.. I HAD HOPED THAT MIKE WOULD QUALIFY FOR THAT GAP ALZHEIMER'S CLINICAL STUDY I HAD MENTIONED IN AN EARLIER POST.  HE DOES NOT.. IT SEEMS THAT THEY CAN ACCEPT THE FACT THAT HE HAS SKIN CANCER, BUT HAVING HAD BLADDER CANCER IN 08 RULES HIM OUT.. EVEN THOUGH MIKE HAS BEEN CANCER FREE NOW FOR TWO YEARS, THEY ONLY WOULD TAKE HIM IN THE STUDY IF HE WERE CANCER FREE FOR FIVE YEARS OR MORE.. SOOOOOO, IT LOOKS LIKE I AM BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.. IF ANY ONE OUT THERE KNOWS OF ANOTHER CLINICAL STUDY FOR ALZHEIMER'S-PLEASE LET ME KNOW.. I CONTINUE TO BE HOPEFUL THAT SOON THERE WILL BE A CURE FOR THIS HEART WRENCHING DISEASE, BUT TILL THEN, WE CONTINUE DOING ALL THINGS WE KNOW OF THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN SOME PROMISE.. MIKE TAKES A MULTITUDE OF VITAMINS DAILY, COQ10, FISH OIL, ABOUT 12 PILLS IN TOTAL.. ALSO HE TAKES THE NEWEST DOSE OF NAMENDA, HE ALSO TAKES ARICEPT... HE IS A WONDERFUL PATIENT, NEVER (OR RARELY EVER) COMPLAINS, AND BEST OF ALL IS PRETTY HAPPY MOST OF THE TIME.. PERHAPS THE OLD ADAGE IS TRUE "WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW-CAN'T HURT YOU".. WELL, SORRY I DID NOT HAVE BETTER NEWS TO REPORT TODAY-THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW-JUST ME

CARE GIVERS ALSO NEED CARE

AFTER READING AN ARTICLE IN SUNDAY'S PAPER TITLED "PROMISES, BUT NO HELP, FOR TROOPS' CAREGIVERS", I DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT THINGS THAT A CARE GIVER NEEDS IF THEY ARE TO SURVIVE THEIR PATIENTS CARE.. THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS REST.. CARE GIVERS NEED SOME TIME OFF-AWAY FROM THE PATIENT.. EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE DAY A WEEK FOR A FEW HOURS IT IS A NECESSITY.. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU MAY LOVE YOUR PATIENT, OUR HEARTS SOMETIMES WANT TO DO A LOT MORE THAN OUR BODIES ARE ABLE TO.. SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME THAT IT'S AS IF OUR HEART  IS WRITING A CHECK THAT OUR BODY CAN'T CASH..  IN OTHER WORDS, THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK... WE ALL NEED TO KNOW WE HAVE LIMITATIONS, AND LEARN TO ASK FOR HELP..  IT IS SURPRISING HOW MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE OFTEN WAITING FOR SUCH A REQUEST.. THEY WANT TO HELP, BUT MAY NOT KNOW HOW, OR THEY MAY THINK IF THEY ASK TO HELP, YOU MIGHT SOMEHOW FEEL THAT THEY ARE SAYING YOU AREN'T DOING A GOOD JOB... PLEASE THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN TODAY.. EVEN WHEN YOU'RE ON A PLANE, THEY TELL YOU IF THE OXYGEN MASK FALLS DOWN, FIRST SECURE YOUR MASK, AND THEN HELP THE CHILD.. IF YOU DON'T TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF-WHO WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU?? WELL, I GUESS I AM THROUGH PREACHING FOR TODAY, I SURE HOPE THIS INFO. WILL CAUSE SOMEONE TO MAKE SOME POSITIVE CHANGES AND BE HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER FOR DOING SO.. TILL LATER-JUST ME

FUN THINGS THAT CAN HELP

TODAY I WAS REMINDED OF A DEAR MAN I CARED FOR A WHILE BACK, WHO ALSO HAD ALZHEIMER'S.  HE LOVED TO PLAY THE GAME OF DOMINOES MORE THAN JUST ABOUT ANY THING.  MIKE ALSO LOVES TO PLAY GAMES, AND IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT PLAYING GAMES WITH HIM IS NOT JUST FOR FUN, IT CAN HELP KEEP HIS MIND WORKING A LITTLE LONGER.  I OF COURSE DO NOT PLAY TO WIN-MOST TIMES MIKE WILL MAKE HUGE MISTAKES (OR ARE THEY??) THAT CAUSE HIM TO WIN.  NO MATTER-HE IS KEEPING HIS MIND BUSY, AND THAT'S WHAT COUNTS. SOME GAMES THAT WE PLAY ON A REGULAR BASIS ARE BACKGAMMON,  RUMMIKUB, YAHTZEE, PHASE 10, AND YES, DOMINOES. IT IS PART OF OUR DAILY ROUTINE, AND MIKE REALLY LOOKS FORWARD TO IT. WE EVEN HAVE A PLAY DAY (USUALLY ON WEDS.) WHEN OUR DAUGHTERS AND GRAND KIDS COME OVER TO PLAY GAMES WITH US.  HE REALLY LOOKES FORWARD TO THAT!!!  I CAN ALSO RECOMMEND GAME PLAYING  FOR YOU CAREGIVERS, AS IT IS A LITTLE TIME DURING THE DAY WHEN YOU CAN SIT AND REST. WE ALL NEED THAT, AS OUR JOB (EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE OUT OF GREAT LOVE) IS A TAXING ONE. HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE SOME WAY TO GET A DAY OFF NOW AND THEN. THANKS TO MY WONDERFUL CHILDREN-I DO. HERE'S HOPING YOU HAVE A FUN FILLED DAY-JUST ME

THE TEN SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S

MANY PEOPLE WONDER-DO I OR DOES (SOMEONE CLOSE TO ME)HE/SHE POSSIBLY HAVE THE START OF ALZHEIMER'S??  SO, TODAY I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE THE TEN MAIN SIGNS THAT WILL LET YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.. I DO NOT PROFESS TO BE AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ALL TEN SIGNS MUST BE PRESENT AT ONCE FOR THE DISEASE TO BE PRESENT.. IF AT LEAST 4 OR 5 OF THE SIGNS ARE EVIDENT, I STRONGLY SUGGEST A VISIT TO A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHO DEALS WITH THIS DISEASE AND OTHERS THAT MUCH RESEMBLE IT, LIKE DEMENTIA IS IN ORDER... HERE GOES...

#1 MEMORY LOSS THAT DISRUPTS DAILY LIFE.
#2 CHALLENGES IN PLANNING OR SOLVING PROBLEMS.
#3 DIFFICULTY COMPLETING FAMILIAR TASK AT HOME, WORK, OR AT LEISURE..
#4 CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE.
#5 TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES & SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS.
#6 NEW PROBLEMS WITH WORDS IN SPEAKING OR WRITING.
#7 MISPLACING THINGS & LOSING THE ABILITY TO RETRACE STEPS.
#8 DECREASED OR POOR JUDGEMENT.
#9 WITHDRAWAL FROM WORK OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
#10 CHANGES IN MOOD AND PERSONALITY..
WELL, THERE YOU HAVE THEM.. HOPE THEY WILL BE OF HELP TO SOMEONE TODAY.. TILL LATER-JUST ME

"GOD'S PLAN" ACCORDING TO MIKE

THE FIRST THING OUT OF MIKE'S MOUTH THIS MORNING WAS          " I'VE FIGURED OUT GOD'S PLAN".. VERY UNLIKE MIKE (IF YOU KNOW HIM WELL), AS HE USUALLY STEERS CLEAR OF ANY AND ALL RELIGIOUS TOPICS.. SO OF COURSE OUT OF CURIOSITY, I ASKED HIM-"WHAT'S THAT"??   HE THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE AND SAID "WELL, WE ARE ALL SUPPOSE TO LIVE TO BE 100 YEARS OLD, AND THEN WE DIE".  THEN HE ADDED "SOME GET LESS THAN THAT BECAUSE OF CAR ACCIDENTS AND STUFF, BUT WE ARE ALL SUPPOSE TO LIVE TO 100". AGAIN IF YOU KNOW MIKE WELL, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT HIS GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO LIVE TO 93.. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS NEW LOGIC OF HIS IS HIS WAY OF TELLING ME THAT HE HAS CHANGED HIS MIND AND NOW HE WANTS TO LIVE TO BE 100..  IN ANY CASE, I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE CUTE-LATELY I NEVER KNOW WHAT HE WILL COME UP WITH NEXT.  AT LEAST IT KEEPS ME ON MY TOES, AND LIFE WITH MIKE IS ANYTHING BUT BORING!!...HOPE YOUR DAY WILL HAVE MANY CHUCKLES-WE ALL NEED THEM.. JUST ME 

ONE GOT BY ME

I TRY AND GET ALL THE MAIL EVERYDAY SO THAT I CAN DISTROY ALL ADVERTISMENTS, AND CATALOGS.. AS I MENTIONED IN MY LAST POST, MIKE NOW TENDS TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING HE SEES, READS,  OR HEARS!!  WELL, HE GOT A LETTER SAYING HE WAS A FINALIST IN A DRAWING AT AIRPORT CHRYSLER DODGE & JEEP.  THERE IS A PHONY CHECK AT THE BOTTOM (WHICH OF COURSE MIKE THINKS IS REAL).. I HAVE TRIED AND TRIED TO TELL HIM THIS IS JUST A WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTO THEIR DEALERSHIP TO SELL THEM A CAR. WE DO NOT NEED A NEW CAR, AND ONE OF THE WORST PUNISHMENTS YOU CAN GIVE ME IS TO SIT ME DOWN IN FROM OF A DETERMINED CAR SALESMAN.. ESPECIALLY WHEN ALL MIKE DOES IS AGREE WITH THEM.. WELL, I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONVINCE MIKE THAT IT WILL BE A HUGE WASTE OF OUR TIME AND GAS TO GO DOWN THERE TODAY,  HE SET THE APPOINTMENT ANY WAY WHEN THEY CALLED HIM BACK.. UGG!!!  SO, LIKE IT OR NOT, AFTER LUNCH, I WILL BE TAKING MIKE TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP (AGAINST MY WILL)!!!  I GUESS WHAT I SAID IN YESTERDAYS POST, ABOUT HIM NO LONGER BEING A HARD HEADED IRISHMAN WAS A LITTLE PREMATURE!!!  THIS COULD ACTUALLY BE FUN, WATCHING THE SALESMAN SQURIM.. HE WILL ASK MIKE ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS THAT OF COURSE MIKE WILL NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO AND WILL LOOK AT ME TO GIVE A REPLY.  HOW FUNNY WOULD IT BE IF I WERE TO  RESPOND BY  SAYING "NO  AVELO ENGLES" ??? I DO KNOW ONE THING FOR SURE-WE WILL NOT COME HOME IN A NEW CAR.. TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

CHANGE IN PERSONALITY

HAS ANY ONE ELSE EXPERIENCED (WITH THEIR SPOUSE OR PATIENT) A COMPLETE CHANGE IN PERSONALITY??  MIKE, MY HUSBAND, HAS GONE FROM BEING A SOMETIMES HARSH, HARD HEADED IRISH MAN TO A MELLOW MARSH MELLOW!!!  NOT ONLY DOES HE NOW TRY AND BUY ME STUFF ALL THE TIME, BUT IS ALSO SO SWEET AND LOVEY.. HE TELLS ME HE LOVES ME CONSTANTLY, HUGS & KISSES ME.  GOD FORBID I GET AWAY FROM HIS SITE FOR FIVE MINUTES-HE STARTS SEARCHING FOR ME FROM ROOM TO ROOM, YELLING "MOM" ( THAT'S WHAT HE CALLS ME NOW)  UNTIL HE LOCATES ME (USUALLY IN THE BATH ROOM).. I MUST ADMIT, I RATHER LIKE THE NEW MIKE-SURE WISH SOME OF THESE CHANGES HAD OCCURRED A FEW YEARS EARLIER!!  ANY HOW, ONE OTHER CHANGE MIKE HAS MADE WHICH I FIND TROUBLING-HIS NEW FASCINATION WITH INFOMERCIALS!!!  HE WILL CHANGE CHANNELS TILL HE FINDS ONE. DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEY ARE SELLING-FOR SOME REASON HE FINDS THEM IRRESISTIBLE!!   HE  NOW WILL ALSO WALK AWAY FROM A FOOTBALL OR A MAGIC GAME TO GO OUTSIDE AND WATER PLANTS OR PULL WEEDS-UNHEARD OF BEHAVIOR FROM THE "OLD" OR "REAL" MIKE FROM DAYS GONE BY.. ANY HOW, HOPE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME KIND OF CHANGES IN THEIR PATIENT OR SPOUSE.. ON A DIFFERENT NOTE. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR IF MIKE WILL QUALIFY FOR THAT "GAP" ALZHEIMER'S CLINICAL STUDY THAT I MENTIONED IN AN EARLIER POST.. WE SENT IN ALL THE PAPER WORK THEY REQUESTED, SO NOW IT IS A WAITING GAME TO SEE IF HE GETS IN IT OR NOT.. IF HE DOES, WE WILL NEED TO TAKE 3 SEPARATE TRIPS TO MIAMI (2 WEEKS APART), AND THEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS TREATMENTS THEY WILL COME TO OUR HOME-YAHOO!!!!  LET'S ALL KEEP POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR MIKE.. MANY THANKS-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

A VERY SPECIAL WEEK END!!

THE ALZHEIMER RESOURCE CENTER IS HAVING THEIR 17TH ANNUAL CAREGIVER RETREAT-APRIL 1-APRIL 3, 2011...THE WEEK END INCLUDES (FROM ORLANDO ONLY) BUS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM AMELIA ISLAND!!  TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) AT THE HAMPTON INN & SUITES.. ACCESS TO THE FITNESS FACILITY AND POOL OVERLOOKING THE HARBOR.. A HOSPITALITY SUITE WITH SNACKS, REFRESHMENTS, GAMES, AND SING-A-LONG.  THERE WILL ALSO BE DOOR PRIZES AND GIVEAWAYS.. SATURDAY IS YOUR DAY TO RELAX BY THE POOL OR EXPLORE THE TOWN WITH IT'S MANY SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.. 
REGISTRATION BEGAN ON FEB. 7TH, AND THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MARCH 18TH, 2011.. THIS RETREAT IS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED, AS THE COST IS ONLY $75. PER PERSON.. THEREFORE, THIS RETREAT IS ONLY OPEN TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS.  REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS AMELIA ISLAND IS A HOTSPOT FOR WILDLIFE WATCHING.  RARE SEA TURTLES, MANATEES, AND EVEN SOME WHALES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED THERE!!  HERE IS THE NUMBER YOU WILL NEED TO CALL TO REGISTER-(407) 843-1910 EXT.301 AND ASK FOR CINDI.  I UNFORTUNATELY WON'T BE ABLE TO  MAKE IT THERE THIS TIME, BUT I HOPE SOME OF MY READERS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS MARVELOUS PROVISION.  THEN, HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL COMMENT ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE YOU HAD ON MY BLOG FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO COULD NOT MAKE IT THERE TO ENJOY. MANY THANKS,   JUST ME

BACK SAVING HINTS FOR CLEANING OR MOVING A PATIENT

TODAY I HEARD FROM MY BROTHER WHO BTW, ALONG WITH HIS WIFE, ARE ALSO ACTING AS CARE GIVERS TO HIS MOM. ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE HAVING IS IN THE CHANGING DEPARTMENT.. I DECIDED TO WRITE TODAY ABOUT A COUPLE OF TRICKS THAT I HAVE PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL NOT ONLY HELP MY BROTHER & HIS WIFE, BUT PERHAPS SOME OTHER NEWBIES AT THE CARE GIVING PROCESS.. FIRST, AT ANY MEDICAL SUPPLY PLACE WORTH THEIR SALT, THEY WILL HAVE THESE BIG BLUE AND WHITE (PLASTIC ON THE BOTTOM) DISPOSABLE SHEETS.. THEY ARE REALLY A LIFE SAVER TO ANY CARE GIVER WHO HAS AN INCONTINENT PATIENT TO CARE FOR..  SECONDLY, IF YOU WILL PUT A TWIN SHEET FOLDED IN HALF UNDER THE PLASTIC ONE, WHEN YOUR PATIENT SLIDES DOWN ON THE BED, IT IS A PIECE OF CAKE TO LIFT THEM BACK UP.. JUST GET BEHIND THE PATIENT, AND PULL ON THE TWIN SHEET-THE PATIENT WILL MOVE UP THE BED WITH EASE.  THIS FOLDED SHEET WILL ALSO WORK WELL BEHIND A PATIENT IN A RECLINER.  THESE SIMPLE FIXES WILL  SAVE YOUR BACK FROM UNNECESSARY ACHES AND PAINS...WELL, SURE HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE OF HELP TO SOMEONE.. I AM OFF TO WATCH MY TWO BEAUTIFUL GRAND DAUGHTERS ONCE AGAIN.. TILL LATER, JUST ME

I DID GET A COMMENT ON THIS POST THAT I WILL NOW SHARE WITH YOU.. IN ADDITION TO USING THE TWIN SHEET FOR LIFTING A PATIENT UP, IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO TURN THE PATIENT TO ONE SIDE (YOU CAN THEN ROLL THE USED DISPOSABLE PAD UP TO THE PATIENTS BACK WHILE PLACING THE NEW PAD IN PLACE). THEN ROLL THE PATIENT BACK THE OTHER WAY TO GET THE OLD PAD OUT, AND PULL THE NEW PAD THROUGH!!  IT WORKS GREAT-QUICK AND EASY-TRY IT AND SEE!! THANKS FOR THE COMMENT GAIL!!! JUST ME

Forgotten Memories

I'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT OF ALL THE THINGS I'VE LOST-I MISS MY MIND THE MOST... I'M NOT SURE THAT WOULD APPLY TO MY HUSBAND WHO SUFFERS FROM ALZHEIMER'S, BUT MORE LIKELY TO ME-HIS WIFE OF 41 YEARS.. WHERE MY HUSBAND MIKE SEEMS TO BE PERFECTLY CONTENT PULLING WEEDS EVERY DAY-I LONG FOR THE DAYS WHEN WE HAD MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS, AND COULD DISCUSS DAILY MATTERS THAT CAME UP.. NOW I AM LOSING HIM BIT BY BIT, AND AM THRUST INTO A WORLD FOREIGN TO ME.  PAYING BILLS, MAKING ALL THE MAJOR DECISIONS, TAKING CARE OF THE THE HOUSE OR CAR REPAIRS AND SO ON..  THIS BLOG IS HOPFULLY FOR OTHERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH ANY TYPE OF CARE GIVING ISSUES.. WHETHER YOU ARE THE CARE GIVER, OR NEED HELP FINDING ONE. I HOPE THIS SITE WILL ALLOW OTHERS TO VENT THEIR FEELINGS, EXPRESS THEIR NEEDS, AND AS A GROUP-WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER ADVICE, AND HELP COMFORT ONE ANOTHER..  MAY GOD BLESS ALL YOU ARE DOING FOR ONE WHO IS NOW NO lONGER ABLE  TO DO FOR THEMSELF!!  Linda

DEALING WITH A LOSS

YESTERDAY I LOST A DEAR DEAR FRIEND, AND IT HIT HARD.. I THINK THAT WAS MOSTLY BECAUSE SHE HAD BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL AT FIGHTING BREAST CANCER, AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO BE FINE, AND ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL LIFE WITH HER WONDERFUL HUBBY WHO HAD BEEN WITH HER AND SO SUPPORTIVE THROUGHOUT HER BATTLE WITH CANCER..  IT WAS NOT TO BE, HER BODY HAD OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WERE HIDDEN WELL UNTIL JUST A FEW BRIEF DAYS AGO.. IF LOSS OF A FRIEND GOES THIS DEEP, AND IS THIS PAINFUL I THOUGHT, HOW WILL I COPE WITH THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF MY SPOUSE??  THE SAME WAY WAS THE ANSWER THAT CAME TO MIND.. WITH A STRONG FAITH THAT I WILL SEE MY DEAR FRIEND AGAIN, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SHE IS NO LONGER IN PAIN, AND WITH CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALL AROUND ME TO COMFORT ME.. THERE WAS ALSO A BLESSING THAT CAME TO ME YESTERDAY-I MAY BE ABLE TO GET MIKE INTO THAT  CLINICAL STUDY  (GAP) THAT I MENTIONED IN AN EARLIER BLOG,  AFTER ALL.. I WILL GO INTO MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT IN MY NEXT BLOG.  THANKS FOR LISTENING, LOVE, AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL.  JUST ME

Helpful Numbers

Hello and Good Morning!!  It will be a busy week with my son and my two BEAUTIFUL grand babies in town, so I thought I would just write about some helpful phone numbers just in case any of you might need them.. First is 211. They can direct you to the phone numbers you need for crisis abuse of any kind, and any elder help issues.  They also will prepare you taxes for FREE!!
Next is the phone number for Seniors First (407) 6282884.  They offer many services also free, and much helpful information as well.. Then there is Florida Respite co. (407) 740-8909 for those who are Disabled and or have Special needs. Also there is Home Stead Senior Care at (407) 445-8885, Share the care (407) 423-5311, and Partner's in health care at (407) 788-9393. They ALL provide light house cleaning chores and other needed services. Lastly and often FORGOTTEN-the VA!!  They have a LOVELY facility, and if you have plans to go on a trip, and can not take your spouse (Or the one you are giving care to), they are able to stay at the VA facility for a maximum of 13 days-of course they would have to be a member of the VA (have a VA card)...Well, I truly hope this information will be of help-I would truly welcome any comments, or suggestions for my Blog.. Please tell us what is important to YOU as a care giver?? What are some of the issues YOU are facing???  Please share, there is help out there, and together we can find it.. Have a Blessed day-Just Me

Good News/Bad News

Can someone PLEASE explain to me WHY the phrase "I have some good news" is almost ALWAYS immediately followed by "and some bad news-which do you want to hear first"??  Yesterday quite by accident on my VERY own BLOG, I found out about a NEW Clinical Study (GAP) that is being conducted for Alzheimer's patents.. Of course I called right away, and guess what?? Mike QUALIFIED.. Now for the BAD news-the CLOSEST place they are doing the study is MIAMI!!!!!  Boo Hiss!!!  Get our hopes up only to DASH them moments later.. ALSO, on a different note, trying to save some time because our Dear Son and two beautiful grand daughters are coming in from CA. today, I laid out BOTH Mike's morning pills and mine-covered with a napkin on the table.. Lesson learned-that was NOT a good idea, as this AM his pills were all gone, mine were still under my napkin.. NOW for the dilemma-do I still give him his AM  pills, OR since I am pretty sure (90%) that he already took his last night before coming to bed-do I not him give any more till tomorrow, or do I risk an overdose???.. Decisions decisions-Woe is me. Hoping your day will be sunny and bright-Just Me

Hop Along adventure

I woke up this morning to Mike saying he could not walk.. After asking him a battery of questions and checking out his foot and ankle, I decided to soak it-BIG mistake.. You are NEVER suppose to soak extremities (or so I just found out). R I C E is the correct proceedure.. Rest Ice and two other things which have now slipped my mind. Could I be having a Senior Moment???  Any how I first called my Daughter, then my sister who said I should see if his Dr. could see him before the week end.  Sounded like a good idea, since I had NO idea what was causing the swelling and pain in his foot.. I got an apt. with his Dr., so  I decided to go get my hair cut (I already had an apt.).  While I was gone, my Son in law (a WONDERFUL young man who also happens to be a PA) came by to check on Mike.. I did not know he was coming, so I did not cancel the Dr.'s Apt.. We went, and the Dr. ordered some X-Rays, and pretty much word for word said the same thing my Son in Law had.. LONG story shorter-it was AFTER 6PM by the time we got back home.. Then time to fix dinner give Mike his meds. and put ice on his boo boo.. BOY do I need a foot rub!!!  AH, the life of a caregiver!!!  I know I will sleep well tonight-hope you all will to.. Just Me