Please forgive me for continuing on the same topic day after day. I try adding some variety by writing poetry because I know I am digging the bucket deeper in the sand speaking about Al so much, but it just seems I can’t help it.
This morning I got him up and he had that stare face again. He didn’t motion to try to get up. No body parts moved. I immediately asked him if he was alright and would he like to stay home.
He must have feared staying home because he tried real hard to move but nothing went. It was like someone poured cement over him through the night. I pulled him to the sit position and changed his brief and out to the table we went.
I sang a silly made-up song maybe partially to deter my own sorry mind, but also to try to get a response out of his masked face.
Once he was seated at the table the first words out of his mouth were, ” I don’t want any breakfast.”
” Oh bud can’t you find it in yourself to eat something small so you can take your medications on a full stomach?”
He ignored me. I started rambling off a list of things he had choices of for breakfast. Eggs, french toast, waffles, sausages, fried bologna sandwich, toast, pancakes. Nothing seemed to interest him. Then I had to dig deep, and be creative. I looked to the forbidden sweets list. I named cookies, pound cake, ice-cream, donuts and cherry turnover.
Bingo, he stirred on Cherry Turnovers. I had been to the grocer yesterday and these were on sale so I picked them up for his sweet tooth. I thought, this isn’t good starting off with sweets, but what the hell. If he is wiling to eat it, then so be it.
He ate all of this and a small glass of milk.
I got him cleaned up and dressed.
The weather changed so quickly he had to wear a jacket this morning. I placed him in front of the television so he could bitch about the news. I cleaned up the kitchen and packed his lunch and put his car in his bag for his show and tell and when I put it on the back of his wheelchair, he was sound asleep.
I know there are no real answers about Al’s illness but I have a gut instinct. People say we should listen to our own gut feelings. If I do this now, I would have to say Al doesn’t have much time left. Therefore I will focus my energy trying to dote on him, making him as comfy as possible and I will continue to pray for peace and comfort as we ride this ride into heaven.
Terry, You are an Angel! Ann
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oh thank you Ann. I appreciate your nice comment
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🙂
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You are doing the right thing. You won’t regret it.
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I hope not my friend. I hate regret
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I like the menu, Terry, I do weird things for breakfast , sometimes. Cherry turnover seems fine to me!
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health, vitamins, weight loss are crammed so much down our throats, we are mesmerized without even knowing it. when i thought of the sugary, no nutrition breakfast, I shivered, and then i though, oh well, he is eating!
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Hugs Terry. Enjoy every last minute…each one is a blessing.
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I am really trying hard, anything I notice I take mental notes
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You’re doing such an incredible job Terry. It reminds me to treat my own brother each day as if it’s his last one with compassion and respect as he lives his journey with Lewy Body Dementia.
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illness is no picnic at the lake for sure. We learn from illness, don’t you agree? We learn compassion, joy and the definition of love and patience. Thank you for the wonderful comment my friend
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I had an Uncle that passed away after suffering through Alzheimers. At the end of his life there was no quality left. The only thing he still enjoyed was sweets. For Christmas my Mother had made some eggnog. He kept asking for more so I have him all that he could drink. He truly enjoyed that eggnog. He left this earth a few weeks later.
I guess my point is, being alive is not the same as living. Let him find pleasure where he can. You’ll be glad you did.
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very excellent point. keep reminding me when I think of how we are supposed to eat and live verses our quality of living
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The rules aren’t the same for him. Hang in there…..
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yes, you are exactly right, all rules here are now no rules
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VERY NICE
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thanks Andrea
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You are a saint!
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thanks but I am just me
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Please don’t apologise, or stop posting how your day goes. I log on so often and each time check to see if there is an update on how Al and yourself are doing. We want to know.
I also am quite sure you did the right thing by appealing to Als sweet tooth. I think there is a time and place for strict diets – and this isn’t it. I remember being so angry when they told me that my Dad had only a few weeks left to live, yet they took the steroids away as they would ‘eventually have an impact on his life expectancy’. I know the doctors have to cover themselves by following strict guidelines, but surely common sense must rule. I’m glad Al enjoyed his turnovers.
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sometimes I feel like a record playing with a scratch on it, it just keeps going and going. I like your comment. It gives me permission to keep feeling
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You certainly have my permission. 🙂
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thanks my friend
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I don’t know if it helps at all but a stone face is normal with Parkinson’s.
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yes this is true and his M.S.A. is actually M.S.A.- P, which means that Parkinsons symptoms are also present. It does explain but I guess I am not used to it yet. Thanks my friend
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It’s probably something one would never get used too. 😦
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You are doing the perfect thing for and with him! ♥
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thanks. You are my cheering block!
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you are in my prayers every day.
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thank you my friend
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You’re doing what’s right Terry, don’t worry about anything but focus on those things that really matter~ relationship ~family ! You’ll have no regrets over this choice dear.
“God is weaving his tapestry according to his own grand design. All flesh is in his hands. It is not our prerogative to counsel him. It is our responsibility and our opportunity to be at peace in our minds and in our hearts, and to know that he is God, that this is his work, and that he will not permit it to fail.
“We have no need to fear. We have no need to worry. We have no need to speculate. Our imperative need is to be found doing our duty individually in the callings which have come to us” (“He Slumbers Not, nor Sleeps,” Ensign, May 1983).
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thank you very much. Your words help me so much
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You are Al’s angel, and you are doing the only thing you can do, Terry. Therefore it is the right thing. Regrets are a burden no one should carry when they have done all they could and done it from their heart – exactly what you have done and are still doing. So what if Al has sugary things for breakfast. At this stage it won’t make an ounce of difference to his health, but it will make a difference in his ability to experience some enjoyment in eating. Just keep following your heart and you will be doing what is best for Al. God bless you both and strengthen you in body, soul and spirit as you travel this difficult road.
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As he struggled to hold and eat the turnover I smiled to myself. He was eating and for now this is wonderful!!! No regrets, none. Hugs to you my friend
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*hugs* oh terry. I want to hug you and cry with you and worry over al. You are such a wonderful person. Thank you for sharing your life and al’s with us. *big hugs*
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hi my friend, life is getting harder but with your support I am able to keep on walking forward. I just have to adjust to the changes………..hugs to you my dear friend
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You’re not talking about Al too much. He’s your life right now. It’s ok 🙂
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thank you for understanding, hugs
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