Lately, for some reason, he doesn’t seem to remember he has a room at the care home. I take him out to shop/walk/eat if it’s daytime and we tour the facility if it’s dark. At one point I suggested we go back to his room. He readily agreed and said he’d like to see it, has never been in it before. This puzzles me.

I stayed til later in the evening so I could wash/brush/change him into his jammies. When the nurse brought his meds, she asked if he’d like water or juice with them, “I guess you’re out of wine, eh?” How he still comes up with humor is really something and I love him for it.

I arrived at his room to find him on the bed, eyes staring at the ceiling. If he were at home, I’d have a bag of tricks to make his day sunny – like offering pizza!

I think there is an AD angel, well, I know there is! I thought of DQ.
“How about a soft ice cream cone at DQ?” His eyes lit up and he jumped off the bed. It was so funny as I wasn’t sure there was a DQ in the little city where he lives. After two querries, we roared up to DQ, ordered and enjoyed.

It’s interesting, we used to go to DQ for supper about once a month after our long work day. I was thinking last night about how lucky it was that we did, as this seemed to twig a good memory.

Wayne had a bit of trouble removing the paper from the cone, I helped and was amused to see he ate the cone til it was about a half inch high.

“Aren’t you going to eat the rest?”

He eyed it and very firmly said no. I wondered about his reasoning.

Bought him new soft cotton cargo pants for summer. They have elasticized waist but tailored with a fly and belt hoops. He looked very spiffy!:)

Much as I am warned (in order to be prepared), it tears me up.

He saw me and dropped her like a hot potato. When he ran to me, she followed and ran her hands urgently over his arm – the aides took her. Many hugs later, we sat in the common area, enjoying a coffee. A shadow darted back and forth, she was spying on us from the depths of an artificial plant.

This is especially useful in the night as he is prone to wandering a bit now.

All prescribed drugs have a purpose and I have to say Aricept was a miracle drug for us. Within 2 weeks, Wayne had clarity and was morehis old self. His first Rx was written 01/04 and I still call it a miracle how he responded.

Not sure why it was so helpful for him, maybe because he rarely took anything, avoided even Aspirin. His biggest side effect was night mares for the first while – I don’t remember how long the nightmares lasted as it’s like a big, bad continuing dream anyway.

Aricept has very good AD general info in their site – I believe they also may help if one can’t afford the drug.

Initially, the drug was paid wholly by Wayne and I – it was expensive but one has to choose what is worth what in life. Happily, now our provincial government helps with the cost.

If you know someone rocking on the precipice of AD or has been diagnosed, please suggest they check with their specialist re: AD drugs. Our family MD did not prescribe it – his locum did during a routine visit – We are forever grateful to her.

Maybe later today the big black cloud will lift – the sun did just break through high overcast:)

Years ago, we’d meet after work for dinner. When he came into view, my heart would “skip a beat”. Now I know why:)

As I got closer, I saw his genius.

The heavy fireplace tongs were duct taped to the handle of the vacuum pole – plucking bricks out of the pool!

Sadly, the bricks had landed on pointed edge and ruined the liner in several places – as witnessed by the low water the next morn.

Two thousand and three marked the end of our swimming days – we had the pool removed in 09.

Anyway, they will be out soon and I know you and Mark will take a nice long drive together.

One tends to observe couples and their interactions, at least I do.

Several times in the first hour, a fellow caught my eye. He was a gentle, handsome soul with a shock of snow white wavy hair. We seemed to connect. Was standing by the BBQ and he smiled at me and said, “You have beautiful teeth.” He left the patio and his wife appeared concerned her husband may be “bothering” me. I assured her it was quite the opposite – he is a kind and gentle man.

“He has AD, we don’t get invited out much anymore, I guess people are uncomfortable.” I could have cried. Wanted to tell her people are just greedy and unloving if that is the case but just gave her a hug. Later in the hour she came up to me, sharing she had just been told that Wayne is in care. Like a sponge, she soaked up answers to the questions she posed to me.

Two new friends in one week, in my life. Of course we are all in our 60’s plus but darn – the future is indeed, not friendly, for too many. Bless your hearts C&B.