Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri would like to share some information given to her from alzheimers.net regarding research spending compared to care costs. It is important to understand that nobody survives Alzheimer's, and it is not a normal part of aging, nor is it only an older person's disease.

There is a link in purple below the graph to see the full article, and the graph in more detail.

Alzheimer's research spending verses annual care costs

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is facing new challenges with grooming 6.4 ft Bob and "Al".  She is not sure if she needs a bigger bathroom, or just longer arms. Or maybe both.  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is surprised that so many people still think Alzheimer's is just about memory loss... it is about so much more that. The loss of cognitive functioning is sometimes much harder to deal with. Sheri sees this happening at a much faster pace with Bob now. Sheri can remind him of his past... but trying to explain how to do life's everyday tasks... that is what becomes overwhelming.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Most of the Sheri thinks she knows Bob and "Al" pretty well, but she was caught off guard last night when "Al" asked her what side of the bed he should sleep on.
Sometimes the changes are so subtle :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

It is a brand new day. Sheri is going to try hard to snap out of it and set her worry and loneliness aside. She can be content with life in each little joy she can find.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matt 6:25-27 NIV

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is struggling with her perception of life, happiness, sickness and health. She is not sure if it seeing her parents and the stage of life they are in or if is dealing with Bob and "Al", and feeling cheated out of a life she wanted. She does try to not focus on the negative and embrace each day, but the reality is, embracing each day is hard. Sheri's brain knows it is what it is, getting her heart to listen is an entirely different matter.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose

Living with Bob and "Al"

The trip to Texas and then right back to work as finally caught up with Sheri. She is exhausted. She wishes Bob and "Al" would stay in bed just a little bit longer, but all days are the same for them, Alzheimer's has a way of messing with their concept of time ... big time. Ugh.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" goes into the bathroom to get his pajama's on, Bob comes out still fully dressed...three times.  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri drove Bob and "Al" to work on Tuesday, she said "well I am sure they missed you at work" Bob said "well did they know I was gone?" Sheri said with a smile "Yes they knew you were gone, they approved your vacation request." "Al" replied "well where should I say I have been?" Sheri replied "Well tell them you were on a trip." "Al" looking quizzically at Sheri said "Well ok... where did I go?"  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri stepped way outside her comfort zone last week, and took the whole family ( including Bob and "Al") to Texas for her parents 60th wedding anniversary celebration. Sheri had not tried traveling with "Al". She must say that having Daughters number One and Two, with her, was such a big help. Overall, things went rather well, and the things that didn't, were expected. The most important thing was sharing in her parents special day and that they did! Sheri's parents were dancers their whole lives. Square dancing and round dancing were their passions and her Mother's wish was to dance with her husband again for her anniversary. Her Mother did not let her paralysis (from a car accident several years ago) stop her from achieving her wish, her aid was down by the ground steadying her feet and helped her pull herself to a standing position and ... they danced. It was a beautiful display of love and commitment.