Wednesday is our grocery shopping, doctor appointment, errand and cleaning/laundry day. Home health nurse usually shows up in the morning to check in. Mom has to be the easiest patient on their route. Then we work the rest of the day around Doctor appointments. Last week we traveled to Rexburg to see Jenny, mom’s neurologist PA. They went over labs we had drawn the week before and said everything looks good/normal. Today we were supposed to have a dentist appointment for an occasional bothersome R upper tooth, same tooth we had seen the dentist about previously and found no issues. But the dentist called in sick today. To be rescheduled, of course it’s not hurting NOW, so it’s probably a good thing. She doesn’t know why we are there when we go and makes ME look a little crazy.

Grocery shopping! Oi! Just did a quarterly cleanup of mom’s refrigerator and she definitely has specific habits of picking the same ready to eat snacks to stock her kitchenette whether she needs them or not. There was 20 packs of pudding at 4 puddings per pack, so approximately 80 puddings, applesauce single serve packs around 40, and So many yogurts, that she plugged up the cooling unit and they were incased in an iceberg at the back of the refrigerator. Tillamook to be precise, the yogurt she informed me she hated just 3 months ago when we cleaned the fridge.

Then there is the unknown substances too long gone to recognize…… 🤢

It’s amazing to me that the disease seems to have taken parts of her brain I had always thought was just a part of who she was. Like cleaning, I remember my mom being so sanitary, with little patience for filth or grime. It was so imbedded in my growing up, now I can’t stand dirty surfaces in my home. But it seems to escape her attention lately. I’m sure it’s the disease, but it’s a interesting observation.

I attended a small support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s/Dementia last Thursday, it was interesting and I think I’ll keep going. It takes place at MorningStar once a month. There were 9 of us, only two of us were caretakers to parents, most of them had spouses with the disease. I felt bad for those elderly folks dealing with loved ones, but the coordinator really took interest in my story. I’m sure it sounds worse then it seems, mother to 8 and 10 year old, husband and I working opposite so someone’s here with her. They were asking about financial strains of the disease and I talked about emptying our savings to build mom’s room, and transferring departments to be able to lessen work hours. The looks of pity I got made me feel guilty almost. It’s not that bad, I said. But to look from the outside in, I realize how much of a sacrifice it’s really been these last 8 months. I’m happy we are in a good position, and mom’s pretty low maintenance right now. The meds seem to be working and she enjoys some independent qualities that I’m happy to give her, even if I have to go back and redo later.

Oh GARDENING! Speaking of redos, I bought seed packets and starter soil cause mom’s been excited to get outside gardening. Unfortunately I left her at it and now have NO IDEA what is growing where. Just guesses right now…

I know the peas and beans, but I can’t tell apart the tomatoes from the peppers and broccoli, or the pumpkin from the squash and cucumbers. It’s called SURPRISE GARDENING!! 😂

Published by KaGardn1

I'm trying to live the most meaningful and intentional life possible. Minimalist, Vegetarian, Fierce protector of a full night sleep, Mother, Wife, Daughter -caretaker, Sister, Friend, Nurse. Sharing day to day life with family and friends. A quest to minimize effects of Alzheimer's Disease. View all posts by KaGardn1