Living with Bob and "Al"

Yesterday morning Bob was really struggling with his pain. Sheri was trying to reassure him and explained they had been to the doctor and that they had a "plan" for his back. "Al" looked at Sheri with confusion on Bob's face and said "we went to the doctor? Well, I must not have been there."   :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri's note to Doctors and Nurses
Dear Nurse or Doctor, I have the utmost respect for you and your dedication to helping people, so please take this in the spirit it is intended.
I do not understand why when I try to be proactive and tell you my husband has moderate  Alzheimer's and that he will not be able to answer your questions, such as how long have you had this cough, and is it productive, or what is your birthday, why do you continue to try? His chart must confirm his diagnosis?  He is uncomfortable and stressed in this new environment and as a caregiver it is frustrating to see their anxiety heighten unnecessarily. I do understand not ignoring the patient, or acting like he is invisible, but maybe that could be accomplished by saying things like I am sorry you are not feeling well Mr. fill in the blank, do you mind if I ask your wife some questions,we are going to help you feel better.
This is new and uncharted territory learning to handle communication with Alzheimer patients and every patient is different so this is not meant to challenge your professionalism, maybe there is some requirement I am not aware of. This is just personal feedback from my personal experience thank you Nurse or Doctor for all you do.
Sheri hates this disease.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Dear sweet Bob. Sheri took him with to the pharmacy to try to find something to help with the foot pain. "Al. was picking up random things like hair coloring,  vitamins, and toys asking "is this what you are looking for", Sheri was frustrated at first, but then it dawned on her, Bob knew something was wrong with Sheri, "Al" just could not understand what she needed. Actually when Sheri realized he was trying to help, her foot did not feel any better... but her heart sure did. :)

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 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 is always surprised at how little the general medical community seems to know about the effects of Alzheimer's and cognitive impairment. When Sheri took Bob and "Al" for his injections in his back, they did the procedure and then wanted "Al" to tell them what "percent" improvement he felt after an hour sitting in the waiting room. How he answers is going to determine whether or not he moves to the next procedure. Huh? "Al" can not possibly tell you what percent improvement there is, when "Al" has already forgotten that he had a procedure and what the procedure was for, much less how to put it in a percent.They would have been far better giving him a physical test to see his movement restriction (because of the pain) before and then again after the procedure. She knows it is probably not as simple as all that, but she is baffled by the lack of understanding.
Sheri hates this disease.

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"

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.