Living with Bob and "Al"

On the way home from "work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday, "Al" explained how he had been out painting every single fence they passed along the road. Bob was frustrated however because his work crew was not was not able to stick to the blueprint. Sheri chuckled to herself as she envision that sweet little lady that sits by the door at the Day Center, holding onto her walker with one hand and a paint paint roller in the other. :)

Living with Bob and "Al" Epiphany part 1 of 4

Epiphany part 1
Several weeks ago Sheri was speaking to Bob's healthcare coordinator about getting back out to look at care faculties for wait lists and she was asking about what other help Sheri thought she needed right now, a topic Sheri is not good at evaluating. Sheri has been struggling with Bobs showers and mentioned it to his worker, and they discussed maybe bringing someone in to the house to help with that but Sheri's work schedule was going to make this challenging. Then Sheri had Bob's quarterly review with the daycare and found out that the daycare could do his showers and foot care. Sheri was very excited to hear this realizing it would lift one burden off of her shoulders. She could not really imagine how they would accomplish this though. She could see embarrassment and humiliation written all over this situation for "Mr. Bob" the boss at "work". She was extremely nervous and nervous for Bob as the first shower day approached.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" told Sheri "he must have gotten a new crew at "work"(code for Adult Day Center) yesterday, everyone was really working together to get the work done. His old crew was never this good." 

Well his new crew and his old crew are one in the same so maybe Bob stepped in momentarily and got them all trained them for "Al"?  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri was only 51 in 2008 when Bob was diagnosed with both Frontal Lobe Dementia and Alzheimer's. Her daughters were 17 and 15, Bob had just turned 64. (Seems like a life time ago) Looking back Sheri realizes "Al" had moved in many years before that diagnosis. Sheri still works full time and would be lost without the full time day care that Open Circle Day Center provides for Bob and "Al" he has been attending now for 4 years full time 5 days a week. He is so much a part of the family there. Last week when Sheri picked him up from "work" they had done these memory type papers, things they knew about him, it had the Montgomery Ward logo, music notes for the choir he loves dearly. It was very sweet and brought a tear to her eye. Thank you Open Circle you are all great. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri and Bob climbed in to bed last night they were tired from running the regular weekend errands."Al" stretching out Bob's back in his usual way said questioningly " I am surprised I did not get any calls today." Now Bob has not used a phone in many years so Sheri replied " Calls? Calls from who?' "Al" replied with an air of frustration in his voice like Sheri should have known "from work, ( code for Adult Day Center) without me there know one has any idea what to do!"
Yep, he is right, I should have known :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had Bob screwing nuts on bolts again yesterday evening. Right away "Al" began to chuckle explaining that he had handed out these bolts at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) but none of his team could do this task, not even when he put 3 of them together to work on it, they are just not that swift.   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is sure where she dropped Bob off yesterday, but "Al" not so much. "Al" told Sheri he had the "best crew " he ever had yesterday at "work" (code for Adult Day Center). 'They all worked really hard outside moving all the equipment." He got everything on his list accomplished. Well Sheri is just glad that wherever "Al" was, he was back in time for Sheri to pick Bob up... after all it is the start of the weekend  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob must have watched a Christmas movie at "work" yesterday. As Sheri left the Day Care Center parking area, "Al" looked around and said "I don't see many people from work's cars, they were having trouble with the dancers, certainly not sugarplums, no initiative to do anything thing at all."
Heavy sigh... :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

When Sheri asked Bob how is day was at "work" (code for adult day center) yesterday, "Al" replied with the now common disgust in his voice and said " I think all my employees took their holiday early... they had no motivation to do anything today. I had to pull a few off to side to speak to them about it."  
Sheri would love to be a fly on the wall :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob had a choir event at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) yesterday. On the way home "Al" asked Sheri "Have you been singing in a group where you work?"  :)
Gotta smile it is so sweet.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri really does not know anymore what Bob knows or what "Al" still remembers. She is not sure what made her ask, but she threw it out there. "Bob" she said "Where did you and I meet?" Bob paused clearly pondering the question. "Al" with an air of confidence in his voice replied "must have been about the time I joined the choir".
Well, Sheri should have known better than to ask the question, but at least she is associated with something he enjoys :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

A few weeks ago the sweet ladies at Bob's Day Center and Sheri were concerned about Sheri's Bob because Bob's best friend at work ( who was also a Bob) was moving to Memory Care facility. The two Bob's were best buds, sang in the choir together and spent all day together. So everyone was worried about what would happen when the other Bob was no longer around, well Sheri guesses sometimes there are blessing in the horrible disease, Bob has not asked about the other Bob at all, like he  never knew he existed.
What an interesting disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al" told Sheri he waited till no one was around to collect this last stack of napkins (used of course) from "work" (code for Adult Day Center) stashed deep in every pocket possible. Said he thought he had enough for a ten person meal.
(And then some:)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had s wisdom tooth extracted yesterday. Brain is still foggy today, but with Thanksgiving a round the corner Sheri is thinking of where she was just a few short years ago. So this morning before the Vicodin kicks again she will take a moment to share how thankful she and take a glimpse back at all the things has to be thankful for God is good.


Year in Review  from 2011
Sheri is very happy and willing to have this year of 2011 come to an end.
1.In  January Bob ruptured a disk in his back., for about the 4th time.
2,February spent with multiple procedures to lessen extreme pain, without surgery.
3.Bob and Al spent March and half of April in a nursing home, undergoing physical therapy.
4.Mid April Bob and Al release to daycare, doctors decided he can not be left alone any more so daycare was the only option to avoid him continually injuring himself.
5. May Sheri decides she is in overwhelm and that they would be better off in Texas closer to her parents, weather better, no snow no boiler to deal with.
Sheri gives notice to job of 22 years in anticipation of the move.
Sheri has to let the house go to beginning of the foreclosure prosess and has to file bankruptcy.
6.June Sheri begins the process of packing the house for Texas.
7.July still packing and sorting, packing in sorting, packing and sorting,
8.Beginning of August Sheri finds out benefits for Bob and Al will not be the same in TX, and daughter number 2's ( the one that shields her heart with her sleeve) 4 year college scholarship is partially based on being a MN resident EEK.
Sheri, within a week of moving,  began to have doubts about her decision and after much prayer decides too much is at risk, and stops the move. Stops the move with no home no job.Only faith.
9.Most of August and September Sheri spends job and home searching, relying on Gods promises.
10.October Sheri beings to panic, the sheriff sale of her home is November 21. October 25th, God gives Sheri a home and a job all in the same week. An unbelievable answer to prayer.
11.November week one starts her new job and week 2 through the grace of God and help from friends at church gets moved to a new home.
12.December the family is mostly settled, very, very thankful and so very ready to be done with 2011!
Having to make all the decisions, as an Alzheimer spouse is very, very difficult, Sheri can not believe she and the family survived this year!

Sheri is wishing everyone a very blessed new year! God is good!

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is so very thankful for the wonderful staff at  Open Circle Adult Day Center. They treat Bob and "Al" with such dignity. Even if "Al" thinks there is too much "chit chat" going on.  :)