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A Holiday Outing to Remember: Breaking Routines and Making Memories

Dec10

Sunday started off as normal. Dave got up, and ate his PB&J like always. He was fine but then suddenly started drifting off in his recliner. I was headed out to Mass. I told him he might want to go back to bed for a little bit. My daughter was coming to stay with him.

Upon my return home, my daughter told me he wasn’t feeling good. I went in and checked on him. No temp but he was asleep. He grumped a little and told me his brain was acting funny and he didn’t feel right. He’s done that before, but never to this extent. It was quite alarming to me. Several hours later he still didn’t get up.

I checked on him several times and turned on Stargate for him. He loves that series. Even if he wasn’t watching it, he could hear it. I ended up sitting with him the rest of the day, ensuring he drank fluids and keeping an eye on him while playing word scape on my cell phone. Later he suddenly came to, ate a snack I brought him, and felt much better. So he continued watching Stargate into the night.

I tried to get him to eat some more, but he informed me he was watching his weight! I went to sleep to wake to a blank screen. He surprised me again. He doesn’t remember how to turn off the telly, but he is great at disconnecting. He disconnected the Roku lol.

After doing some research and entering descriptive words into Google, the AI generated a response that said, “If your loved one with dementia is expressing difficulty comprehending things, seems tired, and needs rest, it’s likely a sign that they are experiencing a “cognitive dip” which can be common with dementia, and the best course of action is to let them rest and avoid overly stimulating activities for the time being.” Hubby doesn’t remember anything that happened on Sunday.

Dave felt so much better yesterday. We went to town and stopped by Barnes and Noble, to pick up a nice bag for presents. This is the first time we have been to B&N in three years. While there, I treated Dave to a Mocha and a large chocolate chip cookie. He was so happy and it was nice to see him back to his energetic self for someone who hadn’t gotten out of bed the day prior. Afterward, we went to Walmart. I got him to look at the snack corner. The next thing I knew, he had small fruit pies and a Dr. Pepper in the cart. He also found a sandwich he wanted. Yes, the stuff gets expensive, but who knows how many years he has left, so I spoil him.

Later that evening, my daughter and her fiance’ took us to view Christmas lights. Dave actually got into it! I was so thrilled and relieved he was enjoying it. I never know how he is going to react to something new. He likes routine and this was definitely out of his routine. However, I emphasized more than once, that this was for her birthday. This is what she wanted to do. So he went along with it. The world ordinarily revolves around him now, but last night, he ensured our daughter enjoyed her day.

11 Years Later

Dec3

It’s been 11 years since I last journaled!!  My life has changed dramatically. I’m retired. I’m a full-time caregiver to my husband who has dementia.  This summer was wicked, but thanks to Gabapaten (for my husband) life is easier again.  

My husband suddenly became angry and paranoid.  His anger and paranoia got worse with each passing day.   One day he decided he was going to walk to Safeway.  I thought he was out in our woods raking. He loves to do that daily so I was not concerned.  Luckily he is pretty crippled up, got tired, and came home. It was truly a tough summer.  He was so angry.  I realize he’s lost a lot of freedom. He is no longer allowed to drive, go anywhere without someone, or be alone at home.  He makes poor choices now, and as a result, I am with him 24-7 except on Sunday morning when my daughter comes by to sit with him while I go to mass.

 I don’t want my husband sedated. That is no life. In desperation, I researched the Internet and found an article about the testing of Gabapten on dementia patients who are having behavior issues. I reached out to our doctor who agreed to try it out. What a miracle drug!  He’s back to being my sweetie!  I look back now and chuckle, but it was not funny at the time. I was exhausted mentally from the stress.  ( Collapse )

Star who is now 11 years old, slipped this summer and injured her spine.  She was on a leash for several weeks and what an unhappy girl she was.  She is an active girl but didn’t get much of a summer due to her injury.  It is winter here now and she spends a lot of time outdoors now that she is healed rolling rocks looking for voles. Her arthritis is awful in the evening. Sitting down and getting up is painful. She is on Galliprant and Gabapaten.  They help but the vet wants to put her on that controversial drug, Librela.  I refused.   I called and left a message that I’m not interested in Librela but in using Adequan.  I received a voice message from the vet once again pushing Librela and not one mention of Adequan!  So Star is still on Galliprant and Gabapaten along with her supplements.  I have to wonder if the vets are getting special perks by pushing librela on their patients? Star also had dental surgery two weeks ago.  By the time they were done along with a $5 complimentary nail clipping, I paid out of pocket $1400. 

 Veterinary costs are skyrocketing and it’s to the point if you get a pup, get health insurance!  Don’t wait.  Only the elite can now afford pets sadly. Once my furbabies pass, I won’t be getting another.  My pension isn’t much, but I love them, so I will take good care of them until they pass on.

I got my husband’s bathroom cleaned.  Ugh. I really need a hazmat suit.  I vacuumed the bedroom.  I need to plow due to the snow that fell last night but not until tomorrow maybe after mass.  I love plowing, but I can’t face it right now.   

Dinner is easy.  I love skillet dinners. Packaged in a bag it gets dumped into a skillet. Eight minutes later, done!  My hubby has a healthy meal.  I season it with Johnnie’s seasoning.  Easy Peasy and pretty healthy.  I hate cooking anymore but I like eating healthy.