The Adventures of Caring for a Mom With Alzheimer's Disease
Thankfully, things have been fairly quiet on the mom front. My brother and I visit at least once a week, separately. We have every intention of bringing my mom to our family Christmas Eve gathering to celebrate with her two brothers and their families. It is something my mom has always looked forward to as have I. On my recent visit I took time to check out each ornament on my mom's Christmas tree. We leave the decorations on the tree so I have not looked at them individually in a long time. I also took a few pictures of my mom by the tree.
I was a little alarmed to see a large bruise on my mom's hand. When asked, as always, she has no idea what happened. Whatever it was, it had to be painful. So frustrating...
Then, I sat with her and we chatted. After a few minutes, I realized my mom was having a pretty good day. I can usually tell because I am not as anxious to leave!! She thanked me for her watch and her Croc shoes and raved about them several times (these are not new). She asked me if I saw Saturday Night Live and told me how funny it was. She looked to see when her next blood pressure check would be. I asked if she was excited for Christmas Eve and and she said she was. She asked whose house we would be going to...several times.
The days of my mom organizing the Secret Santa gift exchange are gone. Santa no longer visits the party like he did when I was a kid. I have taken over purchasing small gifts for her grandkids and her nieces and nephews kids. Within the last five years, things have changed significantly, for my mom especially. I wish she was more aware, but perhaps it is better that she is not. I also wish I could get her involved more with something-- I'd love to be able to drop some gifts for her to wrap or ask her to make some simple slice and bake cookies. However, none of that is to be so I try to remain grateful that she is still here armed with her sense of humor and always willing to "party"!!
I asked her what she wanted for Christmas this year and she said, "peace and happiness". Me too, mom. Me, too!
Thankfully, things have been fairly quiet on the mom front. My brother and I visit at least once a week, separately. We have every intention of bringing my mom to our family Christmas Eve gathering to celebrate with her two brothers and their families. It is something my mom has always looked forward to as have I. On my recent visit I took time to check out each ornament on my mom's Christmas tree. We leave the decorations on the tree so I have not looked at them individually in a long time. I also took a few pictures of my mom by the tree.
I was a little alarmed to see a large bruise on my mom's hand. When asked, as always, she has no idea what happened. Whatever it was, it had to be painful. So frustrating...
Then, I sat with her and we chatted. After a few minutes, I realized my mom was having a pretty good day. I can usually tell because I am not as anxious to leave!! She thanked me for her watch and her Croc shoes and raved about them several times (these are not new). She asked me if I saw Saturday Night Live and told me how funny it was. She looked to see when her next blood pressure check would be. I asked if she was excited for Christmas Eve and and she said she was. She asked whose house we would be going to...several times.
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| Mom and Her Two Brothers |
I asked her what she wanted for Christmas this year and she said, "peace and happiness". Me too, mom. Me, too!
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| All Of Us Grandkids, 1988 |
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| Megan Made This Years Ago, Seems To Have More Meaning Now |
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| Me, My Brother and Our Beloved Dog... |
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| Mysterious Injuries... |
2 comments:
OMG, I forgot all about Mac! Your mom loved that dog so much! Looking forward to Christmas Eve!
I just returned from our family gathering and my Mom is really good but I can tell the aging process has been nipping away at her also. It's hard to see the changes and know that a time will come when we won't have her. However, I also know my aging process is happening too..and that's just as scary! I'm glad your Mom was having a good day and I hope Christmas Eve will good for her too. That is one nasty bruise also...
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