Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is in significant pain this morning. He had an epidural in his lower back yesterday to try to relieve some of his severe back pain. But of course pain always gets worse before it gets better with this type of procedure. Bob always had an extremely high pain tolerance, "Al" apparently... not so much. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Unfortunately, the injections Bob had in his back a month or so ago did not help his pain this time. As a result "Al" is agitated and hurting. Sheri wonders if there are studies about the affects of pain on Alzheimer's. Bob is not himself even the "self " Sheri lovingly refers to as "Al".  :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob is sure that Sheri has not done anything to help his back. Sheri is just glad "Al" does not remember how miserable Bob was laying flat in that MRI machine on Friday. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob's back pain is intense, but the sharp jabs come no matter what position he is in. Walking , sitting, laying no position is good. The MRI showed no significant changes, but his back is in really rough shape and has been for many years and after several surgery's pain relief is really all that is left. Sheri tried the distraction technique yesterday. She grabbed her camera and went on a short drive. Bob and "Al" were in pain but somewhat content. She stopped for short changing position breaks in and out of the car. Sometimes nature is the best medicine, for Sheri too.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is very thankful that Bob's back procedure went well. Sheri was also very grateful that the nurses were willing to listen to Sheri in regards to how best to get "Al" to understand what they needed him to to do. Both visits there were handled wonderfully by their staff.
Unfortunately, this time Bob's pain has not been quite as manageable, and Sheri has needed to give him some of the stronger pain medicine. She is just grateful she has this weekend to help him through it before a new work week begins. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is preparing for the second half of Bob's back procedure tomorrow. The first half went rather well and it has only been in the last couple of days that he has had an increase in pain. Sheri thinks that is because Bob was feeling so much better so"Al" was trying to do to much. Too much these days is picking up 5 twigs in the yard. Keeping "them" in one piece is a challenge. Sheri just keeps telling herself to take it one day at a time. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is tired. The procedure went well. The doctor said he had never needed to do this many levels and that Bob back was really bad, but he did say he was a great patient and agreed with Sheri that Bob has an extremely high pain tolerance. They went easy on the sedation when Sheri explained the cognitive issues so that was a blessing. Sheri was able to convince the nurses that they would have the best success with "Al" if they directed him slowly and specifically. Which they figured out quickly when they said "Now loosen your pants and climb up and the bed" and his pants dropped to the floor. :)
Thank you for the prayers.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is worried about today. The procedure will elevate Bob's pain for a while. They are burning the nerve endings at 5 disk levels in his back. It is hard to make choices for someone with this disease. It does not seem right to do nothing and let him him suffer with such back pain, it limits what he can do and how he feels, and the pain can't be good for his cognitive issues either.
Sheri just needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is preparing for the first half of Bob's back procedure on Friday. His back is so very bad and yet there are so many issues to deal with when having a medical procedure on done on an Alzheimer and Dementia patient. His doctor has agreed this is the best option, but Sheri still finds herself second guessing herself. Is the chance of his back improving enough to improve his quality of life enough to out way the risks involved? Sheri has realized over the years, that she wants the impossible. She wants 100% assurance before she takes action about something or she becomes paralyzed with fear and then she chooses to stand still. The reality is standing still has not worked very well, because life is moving forward with or without her.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri decided she needed to distract Bob from his pain yesterday, and since the temperature was in the twenties in the frozen tundra, they ventured to one of their favorite bird watching spots. With one finger in his belt loop stretching out Bob's back in his usual way, sweet and gentle "Al" suggested that next time we come, we should bring enough wood to build a shelter for the birds so they don't have to eat out in the cold. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob had the second set of 6 injections, the ones on the right side of his back yesterday. Bob is thinking he should be done now. Insurance says " No,we must put you through this painful procedure one more time " before we burn your nerves". Sheri's thinking they have already frazzled her nerves... that should count for something. :)

Living with Bob and "Al'

Sheri was pleased with how the procedure went yesterday, they allowed her in with "Al". They injected numbing medication to simulate the effect of the burning of the nerves they plan to do. They had to do this on one side of his back yesterday, the other side today, at 6 disk levels. According to the doctor this is allot of area. Bob had immediate relief and was quite excited to be somewhat pain free, he was smiling and joking around calling it a miracle which it was...  until he got out of bed this morning  :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Today the doctors will start the 6 appointment process to burn the nerves in Bob's back. Sheri is a little concerned "Al" won't understand what they want him to do since he will be awake for the procedure, and "Al" loses new information in 30 seconds. Sheri not sure if she can be in the procedure room or not... everything is so much more difficult with an Alzheimer victim.

Living with Bob and "Al"

After somewhat of a battle with the insurance company (and concentration of prayer from her church), Sheri was able to get Bob's  prescription  approved. She is calling this the "Magic Miracle Patch." Fifteen minutes on his back and Bob and "Al" are almost completely pain free and it lasts for 12 hours, now that is a "Miracle". Now of course, Bob wants to go bowling... NOT going to happen. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri asked Bob yesterday, how his day at "work" (code for Adult Day Center) was. "Al" was very excited to tell her that they bring all the new people to him to train. Then "Al", scratching Bob's head said " I am not really sure sure when they started doing that, it was about the same time all my back trouble started I think."
Gotta love him :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri does not understand why the insurance company gets to decide the best treatment plan for Bob and "Al". The doctor that wrote the prescription is in their network. How can they say no, you must do "this" or have tried "this" first. Sheri just does not get it.The prescription would still  be less expensive than a nursing home.

Living with Bob and "Al"

The information Sheri had been given in the past about the condition of Bob's back turned out to be true. It is beyond repair.Their next option is a 12 hour patch that would release a Novocain type product directly where his pain is... but it is being disputed by his insurance and is $300 for a months supply.Sheri will try to figure out how to be at work today and on the phone with his insurance and doctor. Sheri is frustrated and Bob and "Al" are still in pain.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is taking Bob to a back specialist today. The steroid injection did not help this time. She is praying there will be something they can do that will ease his pain, but that "Al" will tolerate well. It is a very fine line we walk between pain management and brain deterioration.
Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob managed a hardware store in his second career in life. "Al" is sure that if he could just get a hold of some "shims",  he could convince the doctors to put them between the disks in his back... and he would be all better.
If it were only that easy  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

The doctor is going to try injections in Bob's back. It was suppose to be an "as soon as possible appointment." The clinic doing the shots however, did not receive the fax with the order so... Bob will just have to relay the message to "Al" that his pain will have to wait. Sheri has already tried to explain but "Al" is not being a very patient, patient. He is asking Sheri over and over if they are going to do anything about his back. Maybe Bob can do the old ignore the pain thing, just one more time.