Random Worries For Today

I look back at photos of Mom from only 6 months ago, and the change from today is so dramatic. It's so hard to believe how much this disease has snowballed. Though we may level off again for awhile.. who knows. There is no set timetable, they say.

So much to worry about on a regular basis. And not just about her health and safety, but his, as well.

I wish I could get her to exercise more. And eat more. And bathe more. She gets so easily upset.. and she and Dad push each others buttons so easily, too, creating friction. Friction they've always had, but for me, I see it different than Dad. I just feel it's so important to keep her from blowing up. Of course, her spat's don't last too long, but still, it can't be good for her.

At least she sleeps well and often takes little naps.

I worry about Thanksgiving. All the commotion and noise and confusion. She doesn't really want it. Yet, it is important for her to continue to participate and be involved. Once or twice she's said to me, "I can't wait until I get over 'this' so I can get back to work in the garden." Then other times she hangs her head in defeat and says aloud something like she just wants it all to be over.

But these moments pass quickly, too.

Her attention span is very short, so I try to keep her flowing when she wants to be active in movement or speaking. Many times, out of the blue, she'll bring up a memory or individual from the past. The other day she remembered the name of something that we had been talking about the day before.

I saw our neighbor yesterday at voting and she told me she was surprised Mom remembered who she was and her name when Dad took her in to vote earlier that day. AD isn't just about forgetting things, though. It's so much more than that. It can fool most people who are only casual friends.

Mom has trouble getting dressed... buttoning and unbuttoning. Putting on gloves.. her body is caving and stiffening. Her skin is dry.

Oh dear. Well, today she is getting all cleaned up with Maria. She'll feel better after that.