Living with Bob and "Al"

 The beginning of the end chapter 1

Sheri is going to go back to April 25... the beginning of the end, to help her process in the way she has grown accustom to doing.

Sheri got a call mid day on the 25th, that they were sending the boys by ambulance over to the hospital. The staff had reported that Bob had a "change in mental status." Sheri was not sure what that meant but she let her boss know and headed right out to the faculty that was 30 minutes away. She begged them not to send him over until she got there because they do not send anyone with them, and she did not want him left alone like the last time.
All Sheri could do was pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri only thought the last ten years was the hard part.

Living with Bob and "Al"

This morning while Sheri was sitting on patio drinking her coffee, the first humming bird of the season flew right up with in inches of Sheri's face and stayed there for several seconds. A smile spread across Sheri's face as she heard the soft hum of it's wings. It felt like it was looking straight at her, and as it flew away Sheri thought she heard it calling "come follow me, there is so much more of this life to lead."

Living with Bob and "Al"

Okay, Sheri...brand new day, you CAN do this.
Thank you Lord.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Before they lost their house to what Sheri calls "Alzheimer's foreclosure" sitting outside in the early morning with coffee in hand was one of Bob's favorite things to do with Sheri. He has not been able to do that in many, many years. Soon Bob will be able to do that again from a whole new perspective.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has decided that numbness is not just a feeling... it is an emotion.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri's anxiety, depression and ability to cope seems to change daily. She will be signing new care plan documents today, "the boys " will be fitted for a wheel chair. Sheri is feeling like she needs a care plan too.
 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV

Living with Bob and "Al"

There is a sharp contrast, from "the boys" a year ago, even since this past Christmas and now. Every once and a while Sheri can get him to sing a few words. This was the song he had a two line solo in , in the choir at the day center he attended for 5 years. A Pastor friend has been going with Sheri to pray over "the boys" and sing hymns with "them", my friend is holding Bob's hand keeping beat, "Al" is no longer capable.
Sheri's heart hurts.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is working hard on centering her life around Christ instead of "self", because she knows she not still walking on this earth because of her own abilities.  It is only through the Grace of God she is able to share her journey, and she is nothing without Him.
Sheri will continue to Pause Praise and Pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sometimes it just takes a second to bring Sheri to tears. She was visiting with "the boys" last weekend, when they got out to the hallway out side the locked door "Al" put Bob's arm around Sheri and Bob kissed the top of Sheri's head. She is not sure why for that very split second , Bob knew who she was, but the dam of emotions Sheri has been holding back for years...has a hole in it.

Living with Bob and "Al"

The "boys" have had 3 falls in the last 2 weeks. The medicines they have put "Al" on for his aggression, has had a challenging affect on Bob's balance.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri got out this morning for some much needed camera and God time. The frost on the trees and the hazy fog was a great reminder that Jesus's blood covers and protects her every single day.
Sheri stopped to pause, pray and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is trying hard to accept a new normal. She will look for the positive in every breathe God gives her. Life is too short.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri learned a lot about the Geri Psych unit these last two weeks. Sheri things everyone dealing with this should watch the videos this hospital has produced. Follow the link and scroll down the page to the family video section at the lower right.Ridgeview Medical Geriatric mental health
Although for Sheri the information itself was not new, the way it was presented was very helpful.

Living with Bob and "Al"

This slow death known as Alzheimer's is pure evil. "Al's" aggressive behaviors forced Bob to be sent to the Geriatric Mental Health ward at the hospital yesterday. Where he will spend at least the next 2 weeks and where he will no doubt be medicated into a catatonic state. That may be a hard statement to hear but it is just a fact.
Sheri has no strength today to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is facing new challenges everyday, both on a personal level coping with the changes in Bob and the behavioral issues with "Al". She is trying hard to get outside herself, to care about others and their challenges because she looks around and sees a world of pain, this is just her journey and we all have one.
Sheri is going to continue to pause , praise and pray. 

Living with Bob and "Al"

Christmas was not without challenges. Bob struggles with the most basic tasks. Trying to get "Al" to turn his legs so they were under the table to eat, reminded Sheri of the "how many people does it take to screw in a light bulb"  jokes. It took 3 of them working together to  accomplish this task... and that is not include Bob and "Al".
Heavy sigh... :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

After much thought and prayer, Sheri fulfilled daughter number 2's wish to have her Dad at her new home where the player piano found its new home. So as a family we made it happen. the tears at the end make the effort worth it. It is not the voices that are important it is what is in the heart. God is good.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri finally got in some much needed camera time. That singular focus through the camera lens on God's amazing creations is what allows her to focus on the Lord and get off of her self pity. She has been spending way to much time wallowing in her losses and not enough time in the present, caring for others,  and in the presence of the  Lord.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had a blessed Thanksgiving. Daughters 1 and 2  played the guitar and sang for the "crowd".
Every one was blessed. Sheri tried to have Bob join in for Bless this House the one they always sang last at the player piano. "Al" did his best. Simple pleasures Sheri, simple pleasures.