This Hasn't Been A Real Good Week

This hasn't been a real good week for either of us. It has been wet and cold most of the week. That is rough on Sue because of her Osteoporosis and Arthritis, it causes my Arthritis to act up too. I've had some kind of eye infection/problem most of the week, so my computer time has been limited. At one time we thought it was a sty then we thought it could be Pink Eye. It is a lot better now. It should be, over the last few days it seems like I've dumped about a half gallon of eye drops on my face trying to get a drop in my eye. We still don't know what caused the problem. For most of the week Sue hasn't wanted to do much of anything but stay in bed and sleep. When I ask if she's OK she says she hurts. That could be her Osteoporosis and Arthritis. Or she could be sleeping more because she is depressed and telling me she hurts so I won't wake her. Maybe we'll get some answers at her doctors appointment Monday.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

I'm Back

I got the computer back Friday. I had close to 800 e-mails to go through so I've been kind of busy. I have missed being able to visit your sites, I'll be stopping in soon.

I read an article that mentions a product called phosphatidylserine (PS for short) and was wondering if anyone had heard anything about it. I haven't been able to find the newsletter, Prescription for Healthy Living on line so the one article on PS is all I seen about it.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
Personal Liberty Digest

The Computer Is In The Shop

Our computer went into the shop a couple of days ago. I'm at the library using a public computer right now. I wanted to let you know about this. I probably won't be posting as often until we get the computer back. I hope it's not much longer, I think I'm going into computer withdrawl.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Feeling Better Today

Sue seems to be feeling better today. She slept in which is probably good for her. When she got up she started making her daily phone calls. One old friend told her she was cleaning house and needed to take a break. She ask if she could come over to visit. That made Sue happy. I can hear them laughing and talking in the living room right now. This visit will mean a lot to her I'm sure since it was the old friends idea to stop in when there wasn't anything special going on.

She has a scheduled appointment for a check up tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure we'll find out more about the ear infection while we're there.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Took Sue To The Emergency Room

I'd planned on working three and a half hours today. Since Sue hasn't been feeling well for the last two or three days I figured I might get a phone call. It came at noon, Sue needed me to take her out to the emergency room. She still said it was the Crohn's Disease that was causing the problem. She had me convinced that yesterdays fall was because of a limp she has had every since she broke her leg years ago. She still claimed she had not hit her head when she fell and didn't know why there was swelling around her ear.

When we pulled up to the ER doors a nurse came out to get Sue and take her in while I found a parking spot. By the time I got to the registration desk Sue had started letting the hospital staff know that she'd better not be shown the disrespect she was shown the last time she was there. Not many people like this hospital but its the only one within a forty mile radius. After we made it into the exam room they drew blood and gave her a shot of morphine. After all of her test results came back the doctor said it was not Crohn's Disease that was making her sick, and the swelling around her ear was not caused by hitting her head. Sue has an ear infection. I brought her home. Except for when she was eating shes been asleep every since we got home. They gave her a prescription's for Lortab, Ciprofloxacin and Ciprodex (ear drops).

It has started to rain since I started this post. The sound of rain helps Sue sleep. This could be a blessing.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

What A Day

I guess I should have known this was going to be a rough day when Sue woke me at 1:30 AM to ask me if I could hear our dogs barking. Yes I did. I looked out back in the garage and dog run area. There was a strange pickup parked in our drive. I went out to check things out and found the dogs were looking toward our outside basement stairs. There was a twenty some year old woman at the bottom of the stairs. She said she was looking for someone I'd never heard of and took off on foot. I called the police to report a prowler and an apparently abandoned pickup. The officer never found the woman but he did find a meth/crack pipe in the pickup. He had it towed in. I got back to bed around 3:AM and had to get up to officially start my day at 6:30.

Sue got up at around 8:15 AM and went in the rest room. Shes been limping the last few days and says its because of arthritis in a leg she broke years ago, she also has Osteoporosis. She fell on her way out of the restroom. She said she'd be OK. Every since she has complained about not feeling well. She said she needs Morphine and antibiotics. There seems to be some swelling around one ear but it is not discolored. She said no, she did not hit her head when she fell and no(!) she does not want to go out to the ER. "They never do anything anyway and then they send you a bill". I won't argue with her that's the way most folks feel about the only hospital in our area. She wants to wait and see if she can make it until she goes in for a regular check up Monday.

A Saint Joseph Police Department Captain called me this afternoon. He said they think the woman I found at the bottom of my basement stairs is the ex wife of the owner of the pickup that was abandoned in my driveway. They think she was driving when they tried to stop the pickup for speeding earlier.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Am I Getting Worse?

A while back an article in our local paper told about a new insert magazine "Kin" that will soon be a part of their Sunday addition. The magazine will have articles about family issues and activities. The publisher ask for suggestions. I told them that Sue and her Mother both have Alzheimer's and that she had lost her Grandmother and a Great Aunt to the disease. We believe her Great Grandmother also had Alzheimer's but that was never diagnosed. Today I got a response from the papers health reporter. She said that she wants to do an article on Alzheimer's in November, Alzheimer's Awareness Month. That still has to be approved by her editor.

When I shared the above with Sue she was happy to hear that someone with the paper planned on doing an article on Alzheimer's. Then she ask, "Am I getting worse?". She said she thought she was doing OK but she thought others might see something else. I did not lie, I told her I see her have good days and bad and that so far the good out number the bad. That seemed to ease her mind. This has got to be a rough time for her. She sees what it has done to her Mother so far. She watched it take her Great Aunt. We were her Grandmothers care givers for five years. Now shes told she has this devastating disease. I'm not so sure I could handle it if I were in her place.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

World Alzheimer's Day, 2009

Also posted at A Republic, if you can keep it.

Please don't forget tomorrow September 21, 2009 is World Alzheimer's Day. I'm thinking that would be the perfect time to contact your elected officials to urge them to support S.1492 and H.R. 3286, the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009. If passed this legislation will help provide researchers with the funds they need to find new and better treatments and possibly a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
Alzheimer's Disease International

The Weekend Is Going Well

This weekend is off to a great start. I took Friday off to take care of some things that needed to be done. I hated the idea of missing work but it was necessary. The plan for Saturday was to go over to Sues Mothers house to get an oak dinning room table and chairs she wants us to have. That plan got changed when Sue decided that table will be going into our kitchen. Other things need to be moved before that's going to happen. A friend is coming over to help me take a kitchen table and our freezer to the basement tomorrow.

Sue and a couple of friends are planning another friends October birthday celebration. So she spent a good deal of time on the phone with old friends Saturday. That is great. For a while it seemed old friends were leaving her out of things. She felt she was being abandoned because of the Alzheimer's diagnoses. Shes been hearing from them more this past week or so. I'd been trying to figure out how to let them know they were hurting her without causing a problem and they started coming around and calling again without me saying a word. Possibly saved me from being the bad guy.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Obituaries And Memories

I found a familiar last name in yesterdays obituaries but the first name of the deceased didn't ring a bell. I did find a familiar first name in the list of survivors. I told Sue that I could remember one of the survivors names but I couldn't put a face with it or remember where I knew the name from for sure. She told me we went to high school with him. Neither of us ran around with him, he was just a face in the halls or class rooms (We attended Saint Joseph, Missouri's largest high school). She had a smile on her face when she told me her Alzheimer's lets her remember people we knew, places we went and things we did years ago that I may have forgotten and I can remember the people we talked to yesterday that she has forgotten. When you talk with Sue it is clear that she knows what she is facing a good deal of the time. That smile means a lot to me. It tells me the lady I've loved for years is still here and ready to face the next challenge.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic

Truck Insurance

When Sues birthday rolled around last April she decided she didn't want to renew her drivers license. She says shes afraid to drive. I've heard some say it was hard to get a loved one to quit driving so I should be happy. I didn't know she was told to turn in her old expired license. I guess a letter was sent to us, I didn't see it. Sue may have got it and put it up for safe keeping. The insurance company has dropped me over this, this letter I saw. So the truck (pickup) is parked until I can get this straightened out. I guess it could be worse. I could have been in an accident or pulled over before I found out I'm uninsured.

Lesson learned. Watch the mail closer.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Teen Stricken With Alzheimer's

Some of you may have read this Washington Times article. Now it seems Alzheimer's has no age limits. It seems to me that in eighteen years Ashton has already faced more hardships than anyone should have to face in a lifetime. Ashton and her Mother will be in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Washington Times

A Little Concerned

When the day first started I was a little concerned about how today was going to go. Sue was looking at some magazines and catalogs that came in yesterdays mail. I mentioned it being about time to take her medicine. She snapped, "I can only do one thing at a time". A few minutes latter I mentioned it again and she thanked me for reminding her.

Later I mentioned a video clip I'd seen. The name Jack Webb didn't mean a thing to her. I seem to remember her saying she liked the TV show Dragnet as a child.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Having A Real Good Day

Sue slept the whole night through despite the fact that she went to bed before dark. She started off with more energy than normal. She helped with some of the household chores then said she had to make her daily phone calls. She talks with her Mother and one of her Cousins every morning. Today she added a couple of old friends to her morning calls.

She was very happy to hear a friend is letting us use a TV until we decide what we want and can afford. A couple of our friends and I were talking about how I'd get rid of the old one since trash haulers won't take them. Sue suggested I leave it in the back of my pickup parked out back, she figures someone will go by and steal it. That's the old Sue.

I have noticed today that she hasn't seemed to have trouble remembering things, no confusion. She is really happy. I know there will be good days and bad, for now I'd have to rate this one great.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

TV Shot Craps, Sues Bored

At about 6:15 PM our TV shot craps. Sue called her Mother right after it happened. When she hung up she said her Mother is about as bored as she is. She didn't want to get on the computer. She doesn't want to go watch the old TV in the basement. "There's just nothing much to do". She laid down at 6:40. I hope shes able to go back to sleep after I get her up to take her medicine at 10:PM.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Letter To The Editor

Also posted at A Republic, if you can keep it.

I wonder if the title my local paper gave my letter to the editor means someone on the editorial staff sees the importance of passing both S. 1942 and H.R. 3286 the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009. If that is the case I'd count writing that letter as a battle won. The problem is one battle doesn't decide the outcome of any war. More letters to our elected officials urging them to support the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009 are needed. If you haven't contacted your United States Senators and Representatives about this matter would you please do so now? If you have contacted your elected officials take the next step. A letter to the editor of your local paper will let the folks in your area know where you and your elected officials stand on this important issue. If someone develops Alzheimer's every seventy seconds I'm thinking just about all of us have been touched by this devastating disease. So getting public support for this legislation should be fairly easy.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Saint Joseph News-Press

Labor Day, 2009

Sue did have her just before bed coffee, and she woke up without a headache, or problems with her Crohn's. Of course she was awake longer than on most nights. Might have been the coffee or a real good night for SyFy and Fashion Design TV. She got up this morning and took her medicine as usual. When she made her morning call (Part of the daily routine) to her Mother (A widow with Alzheimer's) she found out Mom's house is going on the market tomorrow. She is moving in with her Son Mark until spring then she is going into a care facility where she will have her own little apartment. Being the owner of a pickup and a moving dolly I fail to see any logic in moving twice in a short time period but that is between Mom and Mark.

Sues Mother moving causes me to think of something I don't care to think about. We have talked about it. What happens if/when the day comes that I can no longer take care of Sue at home? Do I continue to live in our house or throw my hands in the air and walk away? Sue is concerned because I did that once before. Years ago I was to marry a lady that developed Lou Gehrig's Disease. After she passed away I found there were to many memories in the house, I didn't want to be there. I gave most of our possessions to her family and signed the house over to her parents to use as a rental to recover some of their losses from helping get her to out of town doctors. I've promised Sue I would not do that again. Life without her around would be strange/lonely, but I intend to keep that promise.

I hope your having a great Labor Day. Ours is to be a quiet one at home. I'm thinking this would be a good day to grill some Bratwurst but I could say that on most any day.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Headaches

We postponed having friends over Saturday because Sue was fighting a headache for a good deal of the day. She woke up with one again this morning. Several years ago she had to see the doctor about what he said was cluster headaches. He had her on Valium for a while. I don't know if she could take that now because of other medications she takes for Alzheimer's, nerves/depression, blood pressure and high cholesterol. She says she doesn't want to see the doctor about the headaches. We'll leave it up to her for now. She has an appointment later this month. She just came in to tell me that if she has a cup of coffee just before bed she won't wake up with a headache. She may have forgotten that she cut back on her coffee because it was causing problems due to her having Crohn's disease.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Reminisce Magazine

A post at the Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox reminded me of an annual Christmas gift we get from my Brother-In-Law. A paid subscription to Reminisce Magazine. A magazine about the good old days packed full of interesting articles about and photos of life in the 20's 30's, 40's and 50's. Sue seems to spend more time reading and looking at it now that she has been diagnosed with early-on-set. It does stimulate the memory. One of my favorite parts of each issue is "Name That Car". You see a photo of a car and get some info on it. You are ask to name the make and model of the car. The answer is found on another page. I feel some of you might find a subscription to Reminisce Magazine to be a helpful tool as you care for your loved one.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Friends?

One of Sues old friends did stop in for a short while this evening. Right after she got here she told Sue she couldn't stay long because she would miss the baseball game on TV. Sue offered to tune it in here. The old friend told her no she was going to go watch it with a friend from work. Maybe she figures Sue will forget she said that. I won't. To me that's like she told Sue their friendship meant less to her than a televised baseball game. To be honest I'd just as soon Sue would forget that part of their visit, I'm sure it hurt her feelings.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Visitors

In the past couple of days we have had visitors four times. By visitors I mean people that just stop by to say hi I wanted to make sure you guys are OK. Or call on a cell phone and tell you their in the neighborhood and want to know if your home and up to company. Their actions tell you they really care. We're hoping to see them and some other old friends Saturday.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Sunday, Laundry Day

We'll be staying in today, it's our laundry day. Trust me it needed to be done, it's hard to believe how many towels two people go through in a week.

Sues Daughter stopped in to visit yesterday so we didn't make it to the antique/craft shop like I'd planned.

Sue did go visit a friend with me. She really enjoys seeing old friends but I think she'd rather they come to our house because she is concerned about having an accident. That happens sometimes because of her having Crohn's Disease, we've been dealing with that for about seven years now, it seems to be getting worse. She used to see old friends a couple of times a week and talk to them on the phone daily. All that changed after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Now they talk on the phone a little bit, when she calls them. None of them (Except family) have stopped in since Sue had them over for my birthday. Three of the guest were leaving for an annual week long trip to Canada the next day. I thought they'd stop by and tell her all about the trip when they got back. That's what has happened in past years. So far she hasn't seen or heard a thing from them this time. I think about talking to them about how their absence hurts Sue. I'm afraid that if I do I might make them angry. In a case like that if word of the conversation somehow get back to Sue she might be upset with me. I feel a little stuck here, got any ideas?

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Sleeping More

Sue has gone to bed early almost every night this past week. That is strange considering when I worked a swing shift full time she became quite the night owl trying to keep my schedule. When she laid down last night she said she had a real bad headache. I'm wondering if it could be depression because of the Alzheimer's diagnosis, or stress brought on because of her Daughter's health problems. Last night I heard that the doctor told her (Sues Daughter) to take antibiotics for the lumps under her arms and to come back for another mammogram in six months. I've got some running to do later today (Saturday) I think I'll ask Sue to go along. There is a real nice antique and craft shop here in town, right across the street from Jesse James home (Now a museum). She has enjoyed going there in the past. Maybe getting out of the house will be good for her.

There are comments on Alzheimer's research funding legislation posted at.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Not What I'd Hoped For

In my August 17, 2009 post Our United States Representative Is Coming I said I'd let you know how the Sam Graves (R-Mo)town hall meeting turned out. Graves started by telling how his office works and that they really want to hear from us when we have concerns. He then spoke on legislation he supports and opposes. When it came time for the Questions and Answers I was ready to ask him where he stood on H.R. 3286 the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009. I even had notes to help me remember some of the reasons I support the bill in case he disagreed. As they handed the microphone to the person just ahead of me they announced this will be the last question. All my plans shot down in flames. As we were leaving Graves staffers were offering little cards to fill out to anyone that didn't get to ask a question. I filled one out telling a little about Alzheimer's in Sues family history. Once again I ask where Congressman Graves stands on H.R. 3286. I will keep you updated.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Went To Bed Early

Sue is still able to do the majority of the cooking. Tonight while fixing dinner she ask what we will do when she can't do it any longer. There was no response when I told her I guess we'd have to eat what I cooked. I don't know if the silence was an insult or if she was trying to come up with a better idea.

She went to bed early tonight. Tomorrow will be a big day. Shes spending the morning with two of our three Great-Grandchildren, I'll pick her up after work four hours later. She enjoys her time with the Great-Grandchildren. She fears the day that she won't know them. Both of us do, they are two and three years old. There will be no way to explain their Me Me (Sue) not knowing who they are to them. For their sake I pray that day doesn't come until they have time to develop more fond memories of Me Me (Before she got sick) that they can carry for the rest of their lives.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

An Example Of Why

This message is also posted at, A Republic, if you can keep it.

I just read a pretty good example of why I'd like to see our elected officials pass H.R. 3286 and S.1492, the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009. "UCLA researchers determine toxicity levels of Alzheimer's clusters in brain". The researchers mentioned are working on finding the cause of Alzheimer's. Someone develops Alzheimer's every seventy seconds, finding the cause could reduce the number of folks that are at risk of developing Alzheimer's in the future. The funding that H.R. 3286 and S.1492 will provide will help keep this much needed research going. Expensive? Yes, but I feel it will be less expensive than providing care for the millions of folks that now have Alzheimer's and the countless number that will develop Alzheimer's in the future if this research comes to an end due to a lack of funding.

Please contact your elected officials and urge them to support H.R. 3286 and S.1492.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
UCLA Newsroom

Today Is Our Twenty Third Wedding Anniversary

Twenty three years ago today in her Brothers backyard in Hemple, Missouri Sue and I made a commitment to stay together through the good times and the bad until death do us part. Our vows did not say until one of you develop Alzheimer's so we will stay and fight this battle together.

Last night I walked into the living room right after midnight and ask Sue, "What anniversary is this?" She looked at the clock and said, "Well yes it is, thank you. Some of my first thoughts were shes getting worse, or maybe she didn't take her medicine. As it turns out she misunderstood what I said, she thought I'd wished her a Happy Anniversary. At that point I did. Maybe my hearing problem is rubbing off on her.

We cooked steaks on the grill and have a quiet evening at home planned.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Plans Change

We had planned on going to get Sues prescriptions filled today (Shes not completely out) but Sue decided she wanted to stay home so her Daughter could call her. Her Daughter had been to her doctor early in the morning for a check up. They found lumps on her breast and under her arm. They were both very concerned because there is a history of cancer in the family. Her Daughter told her she had to get off the phone but she would call her back later. She hasn't called back or answered her phone when Sue calls her. I'm thinking she just needs some quiet time to think/pray. My being sure of that isn't doing much to calm Sue.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Our United States Representative Is Coming

Sam Graves, our United States Representative is coming to Saint Joseph to hold a listening-tour stop on August 24th. I plan on going, I've already RSVP'ed. I hope to find out where he stands on H.R. 3286. This legislation authorizes the necessary resources to restore momentum in the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (Continue Reading). When he e-mailed me on the matter Representative Graves was a little vague.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


August 11, 2009





Mr. David Glenn Schantz

525 East Missouri Avenue

Saint Joseph, Missouri 64504



Dear David:



Thank you for contacting me regarding funding for Alzheimer's research. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, the National Institutes of Health is the focal point for federal health research. An agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it supports more than 300,000 scientists and research personnel working at over 3,100 institutions across the U.S. and abroad, as well as to conduct biomedical and behavioral research and research training at its own facilities.

As the House of Representatives begins work on the appropriations bill funding NIH for the coming fiscal year, please know that I will be sure to keep your views and concerns in mind. In the meantime, if you have any further questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or visit my website at www.house.gov/graves.



Sincerely,

Sam Graves
Member of Congress

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I hope to get something better than, "please know that I will be sure to keep your views and concerns in mind." when I urge him to support Alzheimer's research funding in person. I'll let you know how the meeting turns out.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.


Thanks go to:
The St. Joseph News-Press
Alzheimer's Association

A Quiet Day

The plan for today had been to go to the hardware store to get some paint swatches. Sue wants to paint the living room, it does need it. Last nights rain has caused it to be very hot and humid. That causes problems with her Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). So today will be spent watching SyFy TV, playing games and doing puzzles on the computer and enjoying the AC.

Sue refuses to stop smoking despite her COPD. I heard about another Alzheimer's victim that like Sue also had COPD. One day a caregiver was planning a run to the store. When ask if he needed cigarettes the Alzheimer's victim ask if he smoked. They told him no and let it go at that. He never ask for another cigarette. I'm afraid her cigarettes are one thing Sue will never forget.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Mayo Clinic

Tired/Cranky

Friday the 14th Sue was worn out. She got up Friday morning like normal but tired early. I'm thinking the birthday celebration she put on for me (Yesterday) was to much for her. At about 7:pm we we're watching TV, Sue went in our bedroom to play games/puzzles on the computer. I've (We've) heard this is good for the memory. At 7:30 PM I found her in bed, sound asleep. I let her sleep until about 11:PM, the time she normally takes her medicine, big mistake. She didn't want to get up, "I'll do it in a little bit". A little bit was nearly an hour later, after several attempts to wake her.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Happy Birthday To Me

Sue did a great job of putting my birthday party together. I think there were twelve guest in all. The house is a wreck, I'll worry about that tomorrow. Two of our three Great Grandchildren were here. Both of us always enjoy our time with them. At two and three years old they know that when Pa Pa (That would be me) says no the dogs have had enough treats Me Me (Sue) will give you more to take to them. Sue played with them and tried to keep up. She has told me that she dreads the day that she won't know them. At such a young age they won't be able to understand Me Me not knowing them. She is concerned about the hurt it will cause them.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Happy Friday

Earlier this afternoon Sue walked into the room and wished me a Happy Friday. Then she said this is Friday isn't it? I told her no it was Tuesday the eleventh. Then she remembered that Thursday will be my birthday. We haven't really celebrated our birthdays for quite some time. She is planning my party and inviting guest now. I'd be OK without a party myself but Sue really enjoys having old friends over. She was feeling pretty bad when they weren't calling or coming around like they used to. Having friends over last week really cheered her up. She seems to be enjoying planning the party too. If having a birthday party for me will help her in anyway I'm all for it.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Visitors

Sues Brother, Sister-In-Law and Mother all stopped in to see the hardwood floor and to visit today. Sue really enjoys having guest over and the day seems to go better for her even after the guests have gone.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Alzheimer’s And Crohn's Disease

In the first post at Alzheimer's In The House I mentioned Sue having several health problems. One of them is Crohn's Disease. The doctor that diagnosed her Crohn's didn't put her on a strict diet. He simply told her of some foods that could cause her some problems and told her to make up her own mind about them. She figures that means she can have anything in moderation. Over the past month we have heard (From several sources) that coffee/caffeine might help in the prevention of Alzheimer's. Coffee/caffeine is on the list of things to avoid if you have Crohn's Disease. Sue drinks coffee until she feels it is aggravating her Crohn's then she takes a break from it. We do feel that her thought process and memory are better while she is able to drink coffee.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
Web MD

Visitors, Another Question For Caregivers

Four of Sues old friends stopped in tonight. One of them brought their significant other along. That gave me someone to visit with but I never got the chance to mention the Alzheimer's Association web site like I'd planned.

I am sure Sue really enjoyed the visit, so did I. Our guests seemed to enjoy themselves. The girls talked about the Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. The one male guest and I just swapped stories like two oh boys will do.

Now I'm wondering, again. Do you suppose Sues old friends could have been staying away because they were in a state of shock/denial? Maybe now they see that she is still the same oh Sue they were there for when she was battling other health issues. I hope so. I hope they will realize how important their friendship is to Sue and continue coming around to help us fight this battle.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

A Question For Caregivers, On Old Friends

How many caregivers out there have noticed that some of your loved ones long time friends seemed to become real scarce after your loved one started showing signs of Alzheimer's or after the diagnosis came in? Did you ever wonder, why is that? The news media has made it pretty clear, Alzheimer's is not contagious, so they shouldn't be concerned about catching it. Could it be that they don't want their last memories of your loved one to be memories of an Alzheimer's victim? I feel that could be in some cases. One of my family members refused to go visit an old friend that was dying of cancer. He'd let it be known that he wanted his last memories of his old friend to be memories of the guy that rode the Harley to the bar and didn't leave until they threw him out. He didn't want to remember him as the guy that couldn't get out of bed to go to the bathroom without help. I think most of them stop coming around because they don't understand Alzheimer’s disease,fear of the unknown. One of Sues old friends is supposed to stop by tomorrow. Sometime while she is here I'm going to walk into the room their in to tell Sue about something I just read at the Alzheimer's Association web site. I'm thinking that if I do this every time one of them comes around they just might become curious enough to take the time to visit the site themselves.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Took Up The Living Room Carpet

Sue is doing great today. We were sure that there was a hardwood floor under our living room carpet. Sue and I took the carpet up this afternoon. The hardwood is going to be beautiful after it gets mopped. Sue has been removing the staples that were in the carpet pad. Right now she is calling friends and family to tell them about how great it looks. I think seeing her get this excited about working on the house is great.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Good News

Last month there was some good news released for the victims of Alzheimer's Disease and their families. If passed The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009 (S. 1492 & H.R. 3286) will provide needed funding for researchers in pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention, treatment and possibly a cure for this devastating disease.

We have also learned of some good news for people like my Wife Sue with younger-onset Alzheimer's. The Social Security Administration (SSA) held a hearing to examine whether these individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease or related dementias should be included in its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. (Continue Reading) Adding younger-onset Alzheimer's and related dementia victims to the Compassionate Allowance list will take a huge burden off the shoulders of the victims and their family members when bills come due.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Thanks go to:
The Alzheimer's Association

Welcome To Alzheimer’s In The House

Alzheimer’s In The House was created because my Wife, Sue has had a number of health problems for several years, no doubt some of them will be mentioned here from time to time. About four months ago we started to notice she was having memory problems. We were quite concerned because her Mother has Alzheimer’s disease. Her Grandmother passed away as a result of Alzheimer’s, and the family has reason to believe her Great Grandmother was also a victim of Alzheimer’s but in her case it went undiagnosed. When Sue went in for testing they first told her she had Dementia. Now they tell us she has and are treating her for the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease. So to help her (us) out I've taken on a few more of the household duties/chores. I know that I'm not the first person to find theirself in this situation. Sue and I had her Grandmother in the home with us for five years before she had to go into a care facility. Back then I was working full time, Sue was the primary live in care giver.

Alzheimer’s In The House will be a place for us to tell others what we're doing to deal with the problem of living with Alzheimer’s. We hope others will share their stories/solutions to problems with all of us. We'll also share news about new treatments or possible cures, Hope. If you know of anyone that is dealing with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease tell them to stop in and see us.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.