Living with Bob and "Al"

One of Sheri's very sweet church friends who lost her husband to Alzheimer's a few years back, lost her daughter to the same wretched disease yesterday.  She is resting, whole and well in the arms of Jesus. 
Sheri's heart hurts.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Daughters One and Two went to see "the boys" yesterday. They were excited to see that their Dad was wearing one of the shirts they gave him for Father's Day. The girls complemented him on his new shirt and "Al" responded "Yeah..... cheap o" For a minute the girls were hurt thinking that he meant the shirt was of cheap quality, but the "cheap o " was  followed by  "Al" (with a big smile on his face)  saying "Yeah I asked around if belonged to anyone and they said no I could have it"  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri turns 60 today. Sheri was thinking about Bobs 60th birthday and that "Al" was already invading Bob's mind at that point. A silent presence that not even he new about.
Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Although the wedding went off with out a hitch and Sheri is trying to live one moment at a time, Sheri would not be being honest if she did not say how sad she was that Bob could not share her happiness. When they got home from the wedding she attempted to have a real moment with Bob. She hugged him and looked up at him and said "Our Ashley got married", to which "Al" replied with frustration in his voice "well no one told me" and walked away from her.
Sheri knows it is not Bob's fault and she is so grateful he was able to attend, but she hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is going to spend the day being thankful for friends, family and her faith.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Well a trip to the doctor is in order for "the boys" tomorrow. Something has changed, not unexpected of course but seems to be a significant change. Sheri timed Bob's movements last night and "Al" had some type of jerky reflex type movement every 5 to 10 seconds for over an hour . Then she stopped counting and moved to the love seat to try to get some sleep. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

In Sheri's never ending quest to keep Bob active in engaged, Sheri gave Bob (if you remember from last weeks activities) some scotch tape for his large 12 piece Alzheimer puzzle, (in lieu of a knife to trim the pieces to fit). Well Sheri had lots of chores in the house yesterday and she guesses she may have left "the Boys" alone with the scotch tape...just a little too long.

On the bright side, "Al" has a creative side Bob never showed and the bonus is "they" taped them to the inside of the puzzle box, with of course a touch of design flare with the pink paper placement taken from "work" taped down first as the back round :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri was reading an article on the different types of grief, when she realized that according to reasons people grieve, the reality is many people (whether aware of it or not)  are probably in  some state of grief all the time. This was a great reminder for Sheri as she peeks in at her daily life with Bob and "Al". What came to mind was that we are all here for a purpose, we all have a journey. Caring for one another, celebrating with one another, weeping with one another and praying for one another, is really the purpose of our life's journey. This story that she tells is just hers, no better or no worse than anyone else.
2nd Peter 1:5-7

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 

6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 

7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is hoping Bob and "Al" will be patient with her today. She is a tad bit under the weather and has absolutely no plan other than to figure out how to make her throat stop hurting. but on the bright side Sheri is super happy she did not share "Al's" lollipop the other day, or all three of them would be crabby today. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Well Bob definitely has some kind of theme going on here. In yesterdays pocket haul we 33 sugar packets,15 straw stir sticks, five napkins and two paper place mats. She is just not sure where all the left over nuts and bolts from the weekend activities fits in with theme, Sheri is surprised the man could even walk with the weight of his pockets :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Last evening Bob politely asked Sheri "if there was a restroom at this location?" Sheri replied " yes, and got him to right "location". Then "Al" looked at Sheri quizzically and said " but does it go in both directions?" Sheri ,not sure what he was talking about paused a moment and then just nodded in agreement and said "yep" to which "Al" replied "oh good, thank you". Sometimes you just have to go with the flow:)

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" broke a new record with sweetener packets yesterday. Sheri is thinking maybe Bob "subliminally" would like Sheri to bake a cake?   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Out of nowhere yesterday a tiny bit of Bob popped through "Al's" fog. As they were driving home from "work" (code for Adult Day Center) Bob turned to Sheri and said "I don't even know if I have a drivers license anymore." This caught Sheri very off guard so in the next few seconds she was nervously thinking to herself redirect Sheri, redirect. So Sheri ignored his statement and said " Look at those pretty flowers by that fence, to which "Al" replied " Oh yeah... I built that fence." Which "Al" repeated for the next three fences they passed.
Mission accomplished.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri almost lost "Al" at the store the other day. Sheri has always tried to let Bob do as much as he can for himself so when they pulled into the parking lot,  as usual Sheri unbuckled Bob seat belt and asked him to get out while Sheri got out on her side of the car. Well Sheri dropped her keys on the ground and in the few split seconds it took her to find them and pick them up, "Al" had followed shall we say some other "pleasantly plump" lady with brown hair across the short street headed into the store. EEK! Sheri thinks she will leave the seat belt on "Al" until she gets around to the other door from now on. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is never quite sure what "Al" might have tucked away inside of Bob's shirt at the end of the day. Clearly, as usual , he was holding choir close to his heart :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was quite upset when Sheri picked him up from 'work" (code for Adult Day Center). His anger was real, and when Sheri asked how his day went, "Al" replied with jaw clenched tight "I am not doing this anymore." Apparently, "Al" wanted to ride the bus home and gave the staff some "Mr. Bob " attitude.
EEK.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri would not wish this disease on anyone, but since she has no choice but to be on this journey, she does think there is much to learn from this wretched disease. Wouldn't our own lives be enriched and enjoyed so much more if our past mistakes did not haunt us, and our future was living only in the moment? Maybe we would appreciate the simple things and be at peace with our lives.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had to think fast yesterday morning when she looked out the window and saw that the choir bus (code for Metro Mobility bus) had taken on a different shape. Sheri said with excitement in her voice "Look ! They sent a private car for you today aren't you special!" to which "Al" replied in Bob's in new found German accent "very gut (said like ui in suit, sorry the best example I could think of lol) very gut".   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is so very proud of his award from "work" (code for Adult Day Center). Bob is beaming and "Al" is sure he is the only one that was recognized for his achievements.  :)
Feeling valued is one of the most important things for Bob, thank you Open Circle Adult Day Center we are family.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes Sheri sits and studies Bob face
Taking her back, to a different time a different place.

A time when Bob's mind was clear and sharp
A time when Bob could take anything apart

A time when the problems he solved were great
A time when those problems had him work late

A time when everyone knew Bob was the boss
A time work came first and Sheri was cross

A time that Sheri did not understand
all the reasons Bob needed a plan

A time  Sheri felt very lost and alone
A time she thought Bob's heart was as cold as a stone

Sometimes Sheri sits and studies Bob face
Taking her back, to a different time a different place.