Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[Bunchkin]

Well, I had this whole post typed out when the screen went wacky on me. UGH!

So here's the just of it, as I am too tired to retype the whole thing.

mac ....and anyone else who wants to learn more about the stages of ALZ, look here: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

 

[rmom50]

Supposed to have another summer day NW of you tomorrow! My magnolia trees are in full bloom and SPECTACULAR. My daffodils are also out. Crocus are done and gone. Crazy. I like it, but it's a bit spooky?

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Good early evening all! Beautiful weather out here today. Mac, sure hope you are getting at least a hint of it here and there. (you could always come out and visit me if you need a little bit of warmth)
Washed the van today, spent some time outside. It was just gorgeous.

rmom, unfortunately I fit in with several of those on this thread with parents with dementia. Docs say hers is due to several small mini strokes that occurred over time. She was a smoker, overweight, and not the best diet. So I guess it can get us in the end. She never noticed the strokes. The MRI just showed several small "lesions" in the brain where oxygen had been lacking over time. She still knows everyone, but gets confused on here whereabouts at times (doesn't realize she is in her own home). She hasn't driven in about 2 years now. She got lost going to the hairdresser one day, so we just sort of started driving her around. She never asks to drive. Thank goodness. She is battling bladder cancer now, and some arthritis in her hip. Walking is a struggle.

Well, off to start the grill.Marinated chicken breasts all day. Sure hope they taste good.

You all have a wonderful evening!

 

[macraven]

Good early evening all! Beautiful weather out here today. Mac, sure hope you are getting at least a hint of it here and there. (you could always come out and visit me if you need a little bit of warmth)
Washed the van today, spent some time outside. It was just gorgeous.

rmom, unfortunately I fit in with several of those on this thread with parents with dementia. Docs say hers is due to several small mini strokes that occurred over time. She was a smoker, overweight, and not the best diet. So I guess it can get us in the end. She never noticed the strokes. The MRI just showed several small "lesions" in the brain where oxygen had been lacking over time. She still knows everyone, but gets confused on here whereabouts at times (doesn't realize she is in her own home). She hasn't driven in about 2 years now. She got lost going to the hairdresser one day, so we just sort of started driving her around. She never asks to drive. Thank goodness. She is battling bladder cancer now, and some arthritis in her hip. Walking is a struggle.

Well, off to start the grill.Marinated chicken breasts all day. Sure hope they taste good.

You all have a wonderful evening!

i'm sure it is difficult taking care of your parental unit.
i'm sorry to hear about the bladder cancer.

 

[macraven]

Bunchie, i want to thank you for posting that link.

i'm so glad you did.

the maternal parental unit is definitely a full #5 and at least half of #6.
she does have some of the #7 issues.

the other parental unit is okay but can get confused on dates.
he says he lives in a prison and he has no idea what day of the week it is.....

i'm with them everyday.
since i went back to work, i go over on my lunch hour or after school on weekdays.
weekends i have lunch with them and spend a lot of the day with them.

at this point, we kind of just look at each other as mom doesn't talk much and dad says he has nothing to say.

at the rate they are going, they will probably out live me............
i'm the one that is stressed and worn out..


i'll be glad when baseball season comes on tv.
that is the one thing they both watch.
all.the.time.


we finally got great weather!
and i got stuck inside a building all day long teaching calculus and trig.

 

[rmom50]

Tiggerrn ... I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Really sounds like she has been through so much - and still suffering. I probably missed this, but is your dad still around? Did your mom work outside of the home before she became ill? Saying a prayer for you all. It's so hard on everyone.

Mac... You have been so good with your folks - I remember reading about all you did for them a LONG TIME AGO. I'm so sorry you have to stress about this on top of your kids, 'dump', geriatric kitty, and all the other stuff that happens daily (CALCULUS! ). Just doesn't seem fair. I'm so glad you moved them closer to you. I'm sure your dad does feel like he is in a prison. Just having you come to look at them once a day is probably a huge deal for your dad. Were your parents active before your mom's illness? Hang in there. How do you get away for your trip in the fall? Saying a prayer for you too.

Cleaned my porch (screened room) today top to bottom. Not sure anyone but me notices, but it feels so good. Took several hours. There is construction - a huge project- going on right behind my house. The dirt and noise is unbelievable. The work is supposed to go all summer, but decided to clean anyway. The clean won't last long.

Went out to vote (next door). Evidently the ballots in our brilliant town were cut too big for the computers, so tonight they are manipulating them to count the votes. Unbelievable.

Have a good hump day everyone!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Tiggerrn ... I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Really sounds like she has been through so much - and still suffering. I probably missed this, but is your dad still around? Did your mom work outside of the home before she became ill? Saying a prayer for you all. It's so hard on everyone.

Have a good hump day everyone!

rmom, my mom worked for the school in our town, but she was retired before all this happened. My dad passed away from lymphoma/leukemia before all this started with my mom. I actually think all the care she had to give him, and all the running around they had to do, kept her symptoms hidden for some time. She had so much to keep track of for his drs and all, she was writing everything down. We never thought much of it, just figured there was too much going on for her to remember everything. But looking back on it now, she was probably in the early stages of dementia even then.
Thanks for the prayers. I'm just glad my sisters and brother are helping with caring for her. There are 5 of us, so we share the struggle. Mac does it all. It would be really hard for me, with 2 young kids and work, to be available all the time.

Looks like another record breaking warm day. I plan to enjoy some of it today along with giving the dog a bath. Have a great day everyone!

 

[slo]

Well, I had this whole post typed out when the screen went wacky on me. UGH!

So here's the just of it, as I am too tired to retype the whole thing.

mac ....and anyone else who wants to learn more about the stages of ALZ, look here: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

Thank you so much for posting this link

It's been over a year since my dad's neurologist put in stage 4, and after reading this, he is very much at the beginning of stage 7.

He has no idea who most of us are anymore. The only people he remembers is my brother and Kevin (I think it's so weird that he knows Kevin). My mom has to help him with everything from getting dressed, going to the bathroom, brushing his teeth - absolutly everything - he can't do any of it!!!

He has no memory of what he says or what he does. Several times he has fallen, and Kevin has to go pick him up, and we'll ask him 5 minutes afterwards if he knows why we are there, and he doesn't. We ask if he knows he fell, and he doesn't.

My mom has said that the minute he hits her (which he's come close to doing sometimes when she is helping him) or can't use the bathroom, that he's going into the nursing home. She's so tired, and wants her life back. She's only 65 years old, and she's a prisoner in her own home (my dad is 81). The whole situation is so sad for everyone. I pray everyday that this cup will be taken from my mom soon, and for God to call him home where he will be healthy, happy, and the fun loving man he always was. But he has longevity in his blood, and his dad lived until 98 and his dad's brother until 102. When he goes into the nursing home, my mom will end up having nothing, because the nursing home is going to take all her money, and then what happens to her? She certainly doesn't want to live with us - she wants her own life, and her privacy, and everything else that comes with living on your own.

Alzheimers is such a terrible disease, and it's so much harder on the family, than the member with Alzheimers. My dad doesn't know any different, he just lives each day as it comes in his own little clouded world. It's the caregivers that suffer - truly suffer!!!

To answer your question from another post, my dad definitly showed signs of Alzheimers many years before he was diagnosed. My mom kept telling him to go to the doctor and her REFUSED!!!! He kept telling her that she's the crazy one. Finally when my mom took the keys away from him, because he got lost in a familiar neighborhood, my mom told him that if he doesn't go the doctor, than she's putting him in a nursing home right then and there. At that point he didn't have a choice, and he went - that was in 2006. If he would have gone earlier, he would have been medicated earlier, and then maybe not be to the point he is today. I love my dad very much, that was totally selfish on his part to only think of himself, and not the whole family. But, what done is done, and now we just move forward.

I pray for you while taking care of your FIL. It's not an easy job, and you are a true saint for taking care of him. May God give you strength during these difficult times, and give you peace during dark times. Keep the faith, and may God always be with you!!!!

 

[slo]

What a glorious day today!!!
After I got the kids to school, I put on my walkin shoes, and took a 4 mile walk it was AWESOME!!! I'm so tired of being on the eliptical - I need fresh air!!!


So many hugs to everyone dealing with our poor aging parents . I'm so glad that we have each other to talk to, and get advice from, and to just plain listen. You all our wonderful people
I will keep you, and your parents in my thoughts and prayers. God will help us get through this, and remember, God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. Sometimes it's VERY hard to believe that, but it's true, and with God's grace, we'll get through this.



Have a good day everyone!!!

 

[Bunchkin]

Good morning Chicago friends.

The kids and I slept in today, one benefit of doing school from home.
Well actually, I get up at 5:55am every morning to get breakfast ready for my FIL and then after he's done I sometimes, but not always, go back to bed for a little while. Today it was a long while.

2 weeks from today and Tony comes in for a visit. The kids will be on spring break then so hopefully we'll be able to some fun stuff.


slo Thanks for sharing your family's experience. And I appreciate your kind words. I totally sympathize with what your mom and your family is going through. And I agree, it is the hardest on the caregivers. Does your mom have hopsice come in to help? At this point he does qualify. She should have his doctor place an order for it. Medicare will cover/pay for everything he may need at this point: meds, any equipment he may need. Hospice can help find other people to come in and help or visit. They can help with bathing too.

My FIL went undiagnosed for years. He's 91 and was a life long drinker. Aside from having ALZ, his drinking lead to dimensia, which is likely for someone who drinks for so long. And he too could have benefited from meds a loooong time ago. We are suprised by how long he's lived. All his siblings died much earlier in their lives. But he is relatively healthy for his age. We do not have him on Aricept or any other form of memory helping meds. We chose to take him off of them as it didn't seem to be helping at all and at this point it really doesn't matter. Something he is on that your mom might speak to your dad's doctor about is Depakote. My FIL was getting very angry with me, verbally abusive and threatening violence. This med helps keep him more mild mannered.

Do your kids now know what is happening to your dad? I can remember you saying that you weren't going to tell them. We told our kids right away and explained things to them, also showed them the videos on the ALZ Youtube page that are geared for kids. They were helpful.


Tigg I'm glad to hear that your family is all helping take care of your mom. It's just slightly easier when there are multiple people who can share the burden.

mac Are your parents living apart from you? It sounds that way. Do you have someone to stay with them during the day or check in on them?



Busy day here, so I'm off. Have a good day all.

 

[piglet too]

Hi everyone!

Alzheimers scares me, many hugs to all those here touched by it.

Life has been about the same as always for me. Can't remember when I last was here, it has been so long. I am busy with Tastefully Simple, and running around with the kids. Kevin was accepted to Carroll University up in Waukesha, WI and will be going there next year. He is going to do Air Force ROTC, so will be going over to Marquette 2-3 times a week. We are still struggling with Nathan and homework, he just does not seem to get it. (he went from all As & Bs for the first month of the quarter to ending it with 1 F, 3 Ds and the rest are Bs) Lauren is shaving her head for St Baldrick's tomorrow night. Here is a nice article the local paper did, http://mokena.patch.com/articles/mokena-girl-9-shaving-her-head-for-cancer-research

 

[irish dancer]

Happy Friday all!!

Alzheimers scares me too Piglet, to those dealing with it on a daily basis big hugs! My DMom doesn't have Alzheimers but I like to say that she has "Sometimers", she will get mixed up which grandchild goes with whom (my DSis kids are similar ages to mine) and will often ask you the same question a couple of times.

Finally a slower weekend around here. DD15 left for Orlando Wednesday night for a cheer competition at Universal. It is her first time there. She must be having a blast as I've barely heard from her. I'm just happy that the two trips a weekend to Frankfort are over.

DS11 is on break next week, his only request is for Playstation time. I think I can provide that. The girls aren't off until the week after Easter.

Well, I heard the dryer buzz so I guess it's time to change the load. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[macraven]

oh i forgot, it is friday..........

took off work today and it felt like a saturday...



it has poured rain here today.

slo, i thought your area was going to be hit hard today with the rain too.
did it happen?

bunchie, i'll fill you in on the saga of the parental units later.
it's a real downer having to go thru it right now.

hope all youse homies have a great weekend.

stupid me started to unwind today as you know it really is saturday today....


and a big shout out and hug to all the homies that have posted here the past week.

 

[geffric]

and a big shout out and hug to all the homies that have posted here the past week.

me too..

sorry..gonna type more , but have things to do and then get my cousin from my sisters at 11..

 

[SgtClaymore]

I just was reading through and wanted to say hi everyone! I'll be there in May and you might see me back on this thread with questions so for now...

 

[slo]

I'm sitting here having my first ever Greek Yogart, and I'm undecided if I like it or not. This particular one is Pomegranate, and I definitly know I don't like that flavor The seeds in here are just NASTY!!!


What is everyone doing this weekend?
Not to much going on here
Today I'm working and then we are watching the Muppet Movie tonight(I'm so excited since I didn't get to see it at the theaters, and I LOVE the Muppets)
Sunday I'm taking Katie to get her 8yr old picture taken (she only been 8 since August ) and doing some errands - nothing to exciting


Bunchkin - Yes, the girls know about my Dad I didn't tell them in the very beginning, because Stephanie was going through to much stress and grief with the unexpected loss of my grandma, but after she started to feel better about that, I told them both. They both do really with my dad, which I am VERY impressed about, since he doesn't remember their names, or remember who they are. They love to give him hugs, and make him laugh (especially Stephanie). I'm very proud of both of them!!! Thanks for mentioning the YouTube videos - I will check them out

piglet - I saw Lauren's pictures on facebook. She looks beautiful w/o her hair God bless her for doing that

ID - I hope your daughter has a safe and fun trip in Florida

Mac - Yeah, we got a decent amount of rain yesterday The grass is really gonna start growing now - I'm so glad that I don't have to cut it (to bad for Stephanie, who does have to cut it )

geffric -

SgtClaymore - Welcome Feel free to come post here anytime



Well, I gotta look over my church reading one more time (I'm lectoring tonight) and then get going. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

 

[macraven]

I just was reading through and wanted to say hi everyone! I'll be there in May and you might see me back on this thread with questions so for now...

welcome to the sgt.

May is a good time to be in our city.
it might even be warm when you get here........

our weather truly sucks big time.

any questions you have, just bring them on!

 

[macraven]

I'm sitting here having my first ever Greek Yogart, and I'm undecided if I like it or not. This particular one is Pomegranate, and I definitly know I don't like that flavor The seeds in here are just NASTY!!!



Sunday I'm taking Katie to get her 8yr old picture taken (she only been 8 since August ) and doing some errands - nothing to exciting

greek yogurt, ick.
put sugar in it.
sugar makes everything taste yummy...........


that was so cute!!
Katie's 8 y/o picture taking .........

i laughed when i read that.
sounds like what i used to do with my boys.

one year i did the pics late and turned around for the upcoming new birthday but had them in the same outfits.

don't do what i did....




i need to clean the dump today.
but if i don't get to it, i should on sunday.
and if sunday does not suit me, we are on spring break from school all next week.

just sayin.......

 

[Tiggerrn2]

greek yogurt, ick.
put sugar in it.
sugar makes everything taste yummy...........
just sayin.......

Mac you kill me! I think adding the sugar sort of defeats the purpose of eating yogurt in the first place.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. DD and I went to see Hunger Games this morning. Enjoyed the show-very close to the book, but some of the parts they changed were not good choices (like how she got the mockingjay pin), and some of the omitted parts were missed-like the very end of the fight. But, all in all, it was good. Wanting to reread "Catching Fire" now, and DD loaned her book to a friend who has yet to return it.So I have to wait. Already read all 3 books last summer, but they are quick easy reads. I need to end the story again in my mind. Can't wait until the next movie comes out.

Slo, hope you enjoy your movie night. Saw the Muppets when it came out-fun show.

Bunchkin, hope your visit with your hubby is a great one.

Welcome to our new friend. Come back and visit with us often. Some of us are very familiar with the city and can give you all sorts of good ideas of things to do and see.

geffric, piglet, ID and everyone else, have a great rest of your weekend.

 

[Bunchkin]

It's a beautiful weather day here but it makes for horrid allergies with the windows open.

Nothing exciting happening here. Laundry, a little cleaning, and some school work. Hunter is playing catch-up because of so many doctor appointments and dentist vists lately for various people here. We can't work if we're not home.



mac Where do you stay when you go to Universal? Stay on property?


slo We haven't seen the new Muppets movie yet either. I'm hoping to rent it from Redbox during our spring break.
I'm not a fan of Greek yogurt. Blech!

irish dancer Hope your DD is having a great time!

Tigg Lauren soooo wants to see the Hunger Games movie! I'm making her wait till Tony comes into town to take her. I don't want to bring Hunter with.
Speaking about loaned out books, Lauren loaned out one of her Percy Jackson books 2 YEARS ago and hasn't seen it since!