Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is drained and tired. Sometimes she thinks maybe she is in denial about how much longer she can care for Bob and "Al" at home. She write this blog daily because Alzheimer's is a daily disease. It is not just the spot you see on the news, or the quick mention on the radio.
It is a personal blog, because Alzheimer's is personal disease. It affects the most personal of issues and it is happening everywhere to someone and that someone's caregiver, every moment of every day. As caregivers we just keep evolving to meet the demands of the evolving disease, making our perspective on our world distorted and convincingly tolerable.
 Then even as Sheri says that in her head, her heart is still beating to a different drummer, for reasons even Sheri does not understand.

Living with Bob and "Al"

There are people in every corner of the world experiencing such suffering. Sheri has no right to be dissatisfied with her life. How can she know about these awful things and in the same breath be selfish in her desire for a relationship she can not have? She wants a hug, when children are parent-less, she wants romance when others want food. She wants conversation when others don't have the freedom to speak what is in their heart.
Sheri need to pause ( because breathing deep before taking action brings clarity), praise (because giving thanks for all the things God provides for her, and the promises of what He will bring in the future, helps her see what she does have, and not focus on her losses) , and pray (because asking God to heal our world, give her strength and show her the plan for her life) is the only conversation that will matter in the end.
It helps Sheri when she puts a little perspective on her life.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is sure God has a plan in all of this. She won't say she is happy about living in this Alzheimer world. Most days the loneliness, the repetition and giving direction overwhelm her. But if she loses her faith that God has plan ( and a good one too),  how would she get up each day and face this world. The church service on Sunday was a good reminder that we all have a Goliath standing in our path, Sheri is choosing her faith as her slingshot of choice.
Thank you Pastor Jon I needed that.

Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Living with Bob and "Al"

"Al's" lack of ability to identify in Sheri's world , leaves her feeling like she is alone. The spouse she knew was a sounding board her "Bob, you won't believe the kind of day I had" board. When Sheri's stress level goes up in her real world, her isolation goes up in her Alzheimer world.  :(