It Goes On

It’s been a while since we’ve posted and I wanted to give you an update. Mom is doing okay and is much the same. Some call her the Energizer Bunny. In early February she was sleeping more and didn’t eat or drink much for a few days. Since hospice had told us in the fall that they would not expect Mom to make it to Christmas, we were concerned that this was the end. But, as usual, Mom rallied and came back alert and wanting to eat a lot! She downs her Ensure, pudding, and burgers!

Dad continues to care for Mom full time on his own. We try to provide breaks and to give him time to get out to the store or we shop for him. Hospice provides a nurse who checks on Mom once a week, a monthly visit from a social worker, and a bath aide 3 times per week. The bath aide is so helpful in making sure that Mom’s skin stays intact and healthy.

Mom is able to smile and will hold on if you offer your hand. She has the greatest smile! She spends her days in her hospital bed or chair watching her favorite movies—Mama Mia, Home Alone, Sleepless in Seattle, Ever After, and Grease. My kids have seen Home Alone with her hundreds of times…

Dad makes it a point to try to include Mom in conversations with us and with other visitors. It is so sweet and yet heartbreaking at the same time. I like to think that on some level Mom understands or at least is comforted by this.

This spring marks 10 years since Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It has been a long, terrible goodbye. We are doing our best to support Dad and are lucky to have the support of family and friends, but it is a shadow that follows us and has become part of our lives. But, life does go on, and in these ten years we’ve had weddings and grandchildren and also a lot of good times. Everyone has sorrow in their life and I know we are nothing special. We try to remain positive and supportive of Dad. As always, thank you for your prayers and support!