“The thing Margo told me about, is that here now?”
“What thing?”
“The thing, you like it”
“Oh you mean the weekend?”
“Yes when does that start? We never had weekends when I grew up in Ohio so this is new”
“Yes it starts TODAY!!!” 🙂
So went the conversation between Curt and I this afternoon.
It reminded me of the good and bad of life these days. The good being the weekend, the bad the reminder of Curt’s progression with Alzheimer’s.
I feel like this school year has been a roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs, good and bad. The bad is the daily reminder of the progression of Alzheimer’s in Curt. He is having trouble finding certain rooms in the house now. He will say he is ready for bed and be so tired, but then ask, “where should I go?” He gets confused on where the bathroom is frequently. The anger of last spring is starting to rear it’s ugly head a bit also. In the last month or so, he would suddenly become so angry at me for random things. He was getting mad when I told him to take his shoes off so we could get his pajamas on for bed, he saw no reason to take his shoes off and thought I was being pushy telling him to take off his shoes first.
And the spatial concepts of life are totally gone, he is even having trouble being able to place himself in a chair with out assistance. Just today while out at a yard sale, Curt was saying he was losing his water. (He had been walking around yard sales with a water bottle). I looked over and he had been holding his water bottle at this angle not upright. He had NO idea that this was not the best way to hold a water bottle. It happens frequently….. darn spatial concepts!
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Alzheimer’s is so much more then losing memories I am painfully finding out!
But there is some good in amidst the misery.
Tyler has been writing these beats on the computer with garage band, he and Curt are enjoying sharing some music time together just like they did in days gone by.
Madi turned 16….finally!! She got her driver’s permit and we enjoyed a nice morning together while a friend stayed with Curt on her birthday.
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Tyler had a great baseball season….he won All League honors and ended the season with a .520 batting average, hitting 8 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs. It made for a fun season watching him play his senior year of high school baseball! It was such a joy especially after his broken ankle frustrations of basketball season.
I survived the spring sports season, there were moments when I questioned my sanity and ability to persevere. But I made it!! 🙂
Tyler and his sweet girlfriend enjoyed a nice night at Prom, and they looked so nice. Just another moment for this sentimental mom to cherish of a special time for my soon to be grad.
I started this post sometime in mid may and got caught up in the whirlwind of life and never finished it until today June 1st! Tyler’s baseball team made it into the post season so that kept baseball season going until late May, there were awards ceremonies, baseball banquets, laundry, (ok, the laundry never really gets done anymore, we just wash what we need for the week ahead, we all wear non matching socks these days. And we totally rock the look!), lacrosse practices for a team Madi is playing for this summer, a special 4 day visit from Curt’s parents. May just got so busy……and then there are those emotional mom moments when I ponder the fact that Tyler’ is graduating!!
Curt REALLY enjoyed his visit with his parents, they live deep in the depths of southern Texas and don’t get this way too often so it was indeed a wonderful time!
So alas I am finishing this post……I survived SPRING!!! Actually I am pretty happy to have gotten through all that craziness still intact, sure a few tears were shed in the process, but I pressed on! 🙂 And I must give a big shout out to all the friends who continually walk this journey with us. Truly I would be lost with out all the help! Forgive me for not always thanking you personally or not at all, I feel certain that I forget to thank people at times….really I want to, intend to, but it all gets lost in that constant brain fog! But you are cherished and appreciated…….and really needed!
Friends just finished up Tyler’s senior collage for me…..just another example of the help we have gotten. And let me assure you, not in a million years could this craft/scrapbooking disabled mom ever have made anything look this good. Thanks to my sweet crafty and talented friends Cindi and Sherry!
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Tyler graduates in 12 days, a big milestone. I am thankful for each of the milestones Curt can enjoy with us. And thankful that summer vacation starts for this weary mom on June 14th!
Thanks for your prayers friends!
Jesus and Dark Chocolate 
It is heartbreaking each time they lose another ability. 😦 It always makes me realize how much we take for granted in life – who ever thinks to be grateful for the simple ability to understand what a weekend is? Keeping your family in my prayers. Enjoy each moment with those children!
I never realized that spatial concepts would be difficult for Alzheimers’ people. Oh Sandy….you really are an inspiration to so many of us. Thanks for the update, congrats to Madi for getting her permit!! Congrats to Tyler on graduation and whoo hoo to you for finishing the year…..( I have to go until june 20!). Enjoy your WEEKEND!
You have such a contrast with the sad times vs. the happy times. In between is the time for you to put it together and then that is when it gets emotional for you. I can’t imagine how hard this is at this time of your life. You have a beginning for the kids and an end for your husband. It has to take it’s toil on your emotions. I feel for you Sandy, that is all I can do for you being so far away. You are in my prayers every single day. Love, Aunt Carol
Congratulations to your kids for their accomplishments! I’m so glad you’re having some normal moments in the midst of the non-normal. I hadn’t realized spatial concepts would be hard for a person with Alzheimer’s, either. Hope you’re able to have a restful summer.
So what is in store for the Summer? Will you really get to have a vacation, or will you tied up “kid” activities?
Oh, the heartbreaking spatial losses and general lack of comprehension of how to manage basic, fundamental tasks and understand things. I’m so thankful you have friends to walk alongside you and who “get it” – the need for tangible tasks that need doing and who are there for the long haul. Praying that Curt will not be completely overwhelmed by graduation and that he will have a clearer day that day and be able to enjoy what is happening.
Hugs to you, my friend. As always, wish we could spend some time together.
Sandy,
I pray Philippians 4:13 for you, often. That on days, weeks, months….that are so challenging…you will rely on Christ’s strength and that you will find peace there. Although I have never walked the journey that you are on….I can only imagine how difficult it is to lose your husband a little bit at a time. If I lived closer I would give you a big hug, a nice cup of coffee, AND do all your laundry for you and match all your socks:)
So many things we don’t really realize about alzheimer’s unless we actually live through it with someone. I had no idea about the spatial concepts. Continuing to pray for your family!
Congrats to Madie on getting her license and Tyler on his graduation. And if it makes you feel better I am totally scrapbooking illiterate.
Here, in Georgia, school is out in May – and I completely understand the anticipation of THE END! No more IEPs to write or meetings to attend, no more lessons to teach or tests to grade…I hope this summer will be a time for you and your family to rest and build up strength for the continuing challenges – praying for you!
I was reading my Bible in preparation for Sunday services when I came across your name written in Philippians 1:6, 7–Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. Even though we’ve never met, I do have you in my heart and can pray with confidence for you and your family that God will stay will you and work in you until He’s finished! I’m 72 and befriended a young woman who was 29 and diagnosed with ALS. I met with her each week for 20 months, until her death at age 30. And I often asked, why am I still alive and relatively healthy? ALS usually strikes older people. Why is Curt going through Alzheimer’s, an old-people’s disease, and I’m still healthy? And I know that one of my purposes is to pray and encourage. So this morning, I prayed and wanted you to know, as a way of encouragement, that I’m confident in my God. Even when questions come, I’m confident in His love for you and your family. Stay strong. Know that an old woman is praying for you. And having you “in my heart.” Blessings.
So happy for your son and his accomplishments! What an exciting time for him! And to have a sweet sixteen daughter…it make me smile. My son turns sixteen mid August. He’s so much fun to be around. I know what you mean about trying to soak up all these moments as we watch them truly grow up before our eyes. I continue to pray for you and your family and think of you often.
Hugs