It was a great weekend for the most part :)
Hubby and I had the pleasure of a visit from our oldest daughter and a couple of our grandsons :)
HAPPY HEART!!
Hubby was very happy to see her. Even though he tried very hard to associate with us all it was painfully obvious to daughter that her Daddy's condition had deteriorated quite a bit since her last visit with us.
It also didn't help that he spoke about me not as her mother but as another person, addressing me by name to her. That coupled with the announcement from Hubby to Daughter that he wouldn't be around much longer.
Hubby needed to say it. Daughter cried and my heart hurt for them both.
We did find time to share our feelings, as sad as they may have been, but more importantly we took the opportunity to laugh until our faces hurt. Hubby enjoyed the boys running around peeping in on him. He tried very hard.
Now the visit is over and we find ourselves at a juncture. Today we woke to a new issue.
Hubby wanted oatmeal for breakfast as usual. I prepared it and set it on his table. After a few mins I noticed he was struggling and was becoming frustrated. I asked Hubby how I could help. He asked for his table to be raised so that the bowl was almost level with his mouth. Still struggling to eat I noticed his problem. Hubby was not putting his spoon to his mouth but instead trying to move his head to his spoon and having a terible time of it. I offered my observation but Hubby never grasped what I was saying, the end result was me feeding him.
At first he laughed at me and the prospect. I reached over and stroked the side of his head and face in a gentle manner and smiled at him. He agreed that it would be a good idea.
I don't know how long this new thing will last. Who knows, by the time he wants to eat again he will have no problems. But he knows I am willing to patiently feed him if he would like help.
I shall look for other food choices for him to continue as much independence as he can until he just can not any longer.
It was a wonderful weekend. :)
This is dementia, it's not just a memory problem. My husband was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in Oct 2007. This is our story. The ups and downs, the sorrows and joys. A non clinical view of living the Lewy life. Our story ended Feb 11, 2014. Lewy Body dementia hasn't been cured yet so until it is, this blog will be timeless in it's approach to caregiving, love and faith. It's a daily approach to those things.
Disclaimer
This is dementia. It's not just a memory problem.
What you read in this blog is purely my own personal experience in dealing with Lewy Body Dementia every day.
This is not meant to offer any medical or legal advise.
I have no professional training in care giving or experiences in formal writing.
I'm just a woman that loves her husband deeply and wants to provide him with the best quality of life he can and chooses to have.
My prayer though this is "Lord, What am I learning from this; how can I use it help someone else and to glorify You?"
If just one person finds comfort in this public blog. I will feel like it was a success.
What you read in this blog is purely my own personal experience in dealing with Lewy Body Dementia every day.
This is not meant to offer any medical or legal advise.
I have no professional training in care giving or experiences in formal writing.
I'm just a woman that loves her husband deeply and wants to provide him with the best quality of life he can and chooses to have.
My prayer though this is "Lord, What am I learning from this; how can I use it help someone else and to glorify You?"
If just one person finds comfort in this public blog. I will feel like it was a success.
Kathy, so glad that your daughter and grandsons came to visits. It is good that you all got to share happiness mixed in with the sad.
ReplyDeleteTamara