This blog is about life with my husband who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's and Frontal Lobe Dementia in 2008. He was 64 at the time although now, knowing more about the disease, Alzheimer's was present many, many years ago, which is why early detection is so important. As you read the blog the character "Al" that I created in 2008, represents the way that Alzheimer's is invading our daily lives.
There is an archive tab further down the page that starts from the beginning of our journey.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Living with Bob and al

Sheri took Bob to his
mini family reunion today
it was about a 45 minute drive
but Sheri had only been there once before
Trying to drive and follow directions
from "Al" was a nightmare.
Every time Bob would look down
at the Map Quest paper
"Al" would get confused about what was what
Sheri was getting frustrated but more than that
She had a flashback one of those "I have done this before"
moments... it reminded her of a trip to Boston
for her Grandfather's funeral
Before Sheri knew about "Al"
The girls were probably 12 and 14
  They were staying at a hotel 25 minutes from
her Aunts house, and one evening they were trying
to get back to the hotel and it took almost 3 and 1/2
hours to get back, " Al" was turned around and very confused
Now granted those things in Boston called "Rotary's" or something
like that.. were a new challenge,
(they don't have those in the frozen tundra) but still
"Al" would see a sign that would mention 
a city that was far away on the map and he would insist
that , that meant that was where they were,
so he would turn around
this went on and on.. the girls fell asleep in the back of the rental car
And Sheri nodded off in the front
The youngest daughter woke up at one point and said
"Daddy" isn't that our hotel over there?" pointing to the hill on the right
"Al" said no honey they must have one in this city too."
Sheri woke up just in the nick of time as they passed the hotel agian
her youngest  daughter was correct it was their hotel.
Sheri just had no idea, she thought Bob was driving.

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