An E-Mail

Thanks for asking about Gregory, R. Gregory has evened out again, even if at a much lower level of functioning but he is happy and content. My experience with Lieberman continues to prove itself to be loving, supportive, and provision of excellent care. 

While I still grieve and will probably do so for the rest of my life, but I face each day with renewed strength and excitement. As you saw, I just published my second book of poetry, am working on the possibility of creating a second Michael's Museum which will be known as MCM or Michael's Closet Museum: A Large Collection Of Tiny Treasures in a Tiny Space. 

Am repainting the condo, making it my "single pad," and while do not want to be away from Gregory for great lengths of time am planning a future trip to Amsterdam and will embark on a few three or four day adventures, the first on probably to Quebec City. 

I hired a private care person to be with Gregory seven days a week from 11:30 to 5:30. That covers lunch and dinner and the time between. It helps keep Gregory active. While the aides there take good care of Gregory, it is not a social, interactive experience. 

With Manny, he gets extra exercise, companionship and help eating at meals, the ability to go to functions at Lieberman, ability to go down to the library and out to the gardens, watch movies (usually musicals) in his room, have snacks and his beloved chocolates, do music sessions with his iPod and earphones (as set up by Manny,) have massage, read aloud. None of which Gregory could do for himself but with Manny's help is easy. 

Also because Gregory is a "fall-risk" and because cognitively his brain has great trouble controling his legs and muscles, he is confined to a wheel chair. Normally he would have to always be with the "crowd" of other residents but with Manny his time can be more individualized. 

I visit almost every day and take one off now and then when I feel the need. Gregory's condition is much worse but his situation is much improved. My heart is light.

Love to you and N.

Michael

Stress Reliever

This is a retelling of the retelling of a story that my friend Jan told at dinner this evening. I think there is a lesson for Alzheimer's Caregivers here!

A woman is in the grocery store with her young daughter. The daughter is sitting the the grocery cart having a major tantrum. Flailing, screaming, crying. The mother's response is, "Now Jennifer, calm down." "Jennifer, behave." "Jennifer, get yourself under control."

A fellow shopper is watching and listening to the woman's comments. She goes up to the woman and compliments her on how well she is responding to her tantruming daughter.

"I am Jennifer," replies the woman.

Just Checking In

Hi. It's been a while since I've posted so I guess you can assume that for now (how ever long that may last) things have settled down. That either means that Gregory's changes and lapses have slowed down or he has not been challenged or confused recently or it means that I have reached a new level of coping, supporting, anticipating, covering, running interference, etc.


Oh, did I mention that that last Tuesday: 1) He didn't remember how to use his key to get into condo ... but did have sense to get help from management office. 2) Because the ususal “lunch meat” in the refrigerator ran out I left him a tin of tuna for lunch but the change caused him to be totally confused about how to make lunch ... but did have sense to go out to a restaurant. and 3) He forgot how to run DVD again even though it is “one button on” and “the same button off." Then he knew how to turn off the DVD after the movie with the “one button” ... but when I complimented him, he thought he had done it all wrong and apologized.


But you know what, I remained even and that helped both of us.