Still Living in the Shadow of Alzheimers

 As part of Sheri's doctors therapy plan, Sheri has gone back to the beginning of her blog and is reading it out loud ... Sheri is learning so much about herself.

Sheri is pausing, praising and praying. 

Still living in the shadow the Alzheimers

 It has been 5 years since Bob's passing, but Sheri is learning the hard way that just because "Al" is gone does mean that all is well. Sheri is learning that the coping skills of day-to-day life that she used for all those years to survive, are not necessarily serving her well now. How does one change? How do you undo the desperate inner need to keep all plates spinning at warp speed, to prevent the possibility of failure, of life crashing down all around you. Especially if that fear no longer exists.

Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living in the shadow of Alzheimer's

Sheri is still tripping over the shadow of Alzheimer's. She has tried running from it, ignoring it, pretending it didn't exist, and of course her old stand by of laughing at it. She knows she just needs to embrace it but it is so hard, because at the end of each day as the sun sets, the harsh shadows come back, but as she reaches for the shadow... it fades away.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living in the Shadow of Alzheimers

Sheri is still working on finding herself, and finding joy. Miss Elsie Rose turned one year old on Dec 30th..Sheri made a sock monkey out of Bob and "Äls" socks with a touch of Bob's flannel shirt, as her gift. Sheri definitely found the joy part. :)

Living in the Shadow of Alzheimer's

Sheri is still working on finding herself. Last week she found herself taking Sir Cooper on his first Air plane flight to San Antonio Texas for her Fathers 86th birthday. They had a great visit, and as usual Sir Cooper was the star of the show..
" The Adventures of Sir Cooper and the Wandering Widow" :)

Living in the Shadow of Alzheimer's

Sheri was invited to be a part of an Alzheimer's Caregiver Advisory Board in Washington DC this past weekend. This was way, way out side her comfort zone, but she put on her big girl pants and went! Sheri felt a little like a fish out of water to be included with some very well known authors and people very involved in the Alzheimer's world. Everyone there embraced her, and valued what she had to contribute, giving her a confidence in having shared her journey with Bob and '"Al".
Sheri felt very honored to have been asked to this event.
God is good, all the time.

Living in the Shadow of Alzheimers

Sheri keeps having dreams with a reoccurring theme. In the dream/nightmare "Äl" is driving after Bob's license to drive was taken away. Sheri is in the car and is begging "them" to pull over. Sheri thinks even though it has been almost 1 1/12 years since Bob passed away, and years and years since they pulled his license, Sheri is experience some of the true fears she had during those years when survival mode was her mode of operation.
Sheri still needs to pause, praise, and pray.

Living in the Shadow of Alzheimers

Sheri is still searching for self.

Isaiah 41:10 ¹⁰So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Living without Bob and "Al"

Sheri is having a hard time accepting that it has been a year today since Bob and Al became one again, rejoicing with Lord. She is sure he is singing in the heavenly choir.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

This is 8 minutes of Bob and "Al" trying to put Bob's back brace on. It is important to understand what cognitive impairment really looks like. This is 8 minutes long for us, but to Alzheimer's there is no clock. Watch carefully as "Al" struggles at first to put his back brace on, and then how quickly he looses track of the task and soon has no idea what he was doing at all. This is true cognitive impairment. Please watch to the end Thank you.