Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri and Daughter Number 1 went out to see "the boys" yesterday. This ambiguous loss thing turned out to be a little too much for her when Bob started singing Amazing Grace and "Al" had stolen most of words. "Al" may be able to steal the worlds from Bob's lips, but he can not steal them Bob's heart.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Emergency room visit part 4:
Sheri sat with Bob and tried to have light conversation as she tried to evaluate the situation. She looked for any sign that someone coming into the room would quickly know how cognitively impaired he is, but there was none. There was one of those boards that should have had his name and so forth on it that still blank, may be it could have been there when they had time. When a nurse came in she asked Bob if he was feeling better to which "Al" replied, "yes.", (of course he is... he has no recollection of the event or where he is). So as the nurse was walking out she said " well we are waiting on the chest ex-ray and then the doctor will be in. She was a very friendly gal so Sheri said, "can I ask you  a question?" She replied "sure!" "does it say anywhere in his file that he has advanced Alzheimer's and highly cognitively impaired"  The nurse replied " I don't know let me look". The nurse went to the computer clicked into many screens scrolled way..... down and said "yep it is in here." Sheri paused a minute and said "Oh good...because that is really important for everyone working with him to know right away."
Heavy sigh...

Living with Bob and "Al"

Part 1.
Sheri rushed to the emergency room, the 30 minute drive felt like an eternity. She found her way to the check in and explained who she was. The check in nurse was very nice, but Sheri felt anxious about "the boys" and she asked "is anyone back there with him?"

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri brought Bob's cloth napkins in to "work" for him to fold. She asked him to help her with the new project and "Al" was eager  to get started "Al" began separating and folding right away, and Sheri could tell he was pleased. Unfortunately, Sheri did not notice the aids were setting the table for dinner, but Bob did... and "Al" began collecting all the cloth napkins off of the tables to add to his pile :)
Heavy sigh...

Living with Bob and "Al"

In Sheri's never ending quest to find things to keep Bob active and engaged she tried something new. She saw on pintrest a color matching game to make with cloth pins so she enlisted the help of Daughter Number 2 and her husband and they spend an hour or two duplicating this game with Paint swatches and clothpins. It only took moments for "Al"  (fashionista that he is) to decide to make a new fashion statement with the clothspins. :)
Gotta love him.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is so very blessed to have such an incredible church family. The wedding was a huge success with all the helping hands with Bob and "Al". A tremendous group of people that did the set up and break down and worked tirelessly to make the day magical. Sheri really can not thank them enough.
Sheri was not the photographer this time so she does not have much to share yet, but here are a few to share. God is good all the time.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is living one day at a time, Bob and "Al" are living one moment at a time. She is grateful, prayerful, and joyful.  God is good.

Living with Bob and "Al"

About 45 minutes after yesterdays video, "Al" was back to putting Bob's building blocks into Bob's mouth and his frustration was high. Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is not sure how much the full moon had to do with it, but there was no sleeping in her house last night, for anyone. Judging by the intensity of the slapping this morning, does not look like a nap is in the plan either.
gonna be a long day.

Living with Bob and "Al"

In Sheri's never ending quest to keep Bob actively involved,  she has had to go kind of backwards in time to find things to keep "them" busy at home. The pipe cleaners had to go away when "Al" kept stripping the fuzzys off with Bob's already in rough shape teeth. Nuts and bolts had to go away as "Al" had taken to saying nasty words under his breath and blistering his fingers trying to tighten the nuts, and then trying open them with his teeth (eek). the puzzles went away when "Al" tried to chew them to make them fit. So Sheri took a chance that "Al" would not recognize the "first building block" set she just got at Walmart. Bob seemed content with these, although "Al" is still putting them in Bob's mouth, at least "Al" can"t swallow these. :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is tired, the hustle and bustle of the move, and dealing with "Al's" changes has caught up with her. If she were honest she would tell you she sometimes feels defeated by "Al", almost as if she stills believes somehow that if she keeps the routine the same as possible and keeps him engaged she can win this challenge. She knows in her head that this will not change the progression of the disease and it is not Bob's fault, but she does feel like she is fighting a fierce battle, but the real battle is in her heart.

 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Is. 40:31

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob was with Sheri all day yesterday, but "Al" kept insisting it was time to go home and that his wife would be picking him up soon. So after some distraction techniques did not work, she bundled him up with his coat, put him in the car drove around a few minutes and brought him back, and said with great excitement in her voice "Were home!" "Al" said Oh thank you, it was a long day." Sheri thought to herself... yes, and it is going to be an even longer winter." :)
Heavy sigh....