He's Afraid

Nancy called me at 8:45 this morning and said CP was a mess. He didn't know who he was, where he was and so I called Reid and he called CP. After talking to CP and getting him calmed down Reid asked if he wanted him to come home, he did not as his memory was improving and knew what was going on.

Nancy's notes:
I was fixing CP's breakfast and heard the garage doors open. I ran down to find the back door and both garage doors open and CP walking towards the street. I called to him. He was very confused. He said that Morrow Mountain had been hit by a tornado. He asked me where his wife and baby daughter were and if they were ok. I got him to calm down and I told him he lived with his son Reid. CP knew who I was but thought we all lived in NC. He said he wanted Reid becuase he thinks he has had a stroke. I ask why do you think you had a stroke. He says because his arm hurts and because he can't remember anything. I remind him about the fall on Monday and tell him that is why his arm hurts and then tell him that he has Alzheimer's and that it's okay.

I ask, do you want me to call Barbara? He says yes he wants to talk to Barbara. I called you and then Reid called. After he talks to Reid he is calmer and I paid extra attention to him today. I hope he does okay tonight.

Still sore

Nancy's notes:
He wanted to go for a short walk today. So we took it slow and he paid close attention to the sidewalk. We enjoyed looking at a book of NC that we got at the library. Seems more confused today playing checkers, cannot remember what color he is and like the other day gets angry if I win. Do you want me to always let him win?

Doing okay

CP is a little sore, which is to be expected.

Nancy's notes:
CP says he is going to buy a house and live alone. We talk about Alzheimer's and that he can't live alone. So, we change the subject! His memory is good today. We play checkers and read and sat outside for a while. Caught him trying to sneak the dog a banana!

ER visit

Well, it was an uneventful weekend but today made up for lost time!

At 11:15 CP and Nancy went for a walk. CP and his walker took a tumble. CP tells me, "If I'd been watching where I was going and not running my damn mouth I wouldn't have fallen!" He fell on his elbow and jammed his shoulder.

I came home from work and he is eating his lunch. He refuses to go to the ER until after he is finished eating. He stalls and KNOWS he is stalling by talking instead of eating. I tell him we have to go, he tells me not until he is done eating. I finally took his food away.

We get to the ER and start all of the x-rays etc. Whenever the nurse walks by he asks him for a beer. He tells him he can't have one. He says I want a Budweiser. We say you can't have one. He says, that is okay I really want a Schlitz! I say you are in the hospital and with your meds you can't drink. He starts singing LOUDLY...."Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry, if a tree don't fall on me I'll live till I die!"

Later he tells the doctor he is "swimmy headed". Off for a CT scan. Everything comes out fine so they release him.

Friday

Went for a walk, sat outside and played checkers. He enjoys checkers and laughs a lot. He had a hard time concentrating today while playing checkers. Overall it was a pretty good day.

CP asked me to marry him. This isn't the first time. We've talked about the fact that I'm happily married and I show him my wedding ring. He asks me if I'm his wife. I tell him I'm his caregiver.

Thursday

Nancy's notes:
Went for a short walk today as his knee is a little swelled an bothering him. We sat outside for a while and he watched the neighbor kids play on the swingset. It was a good day today.

Nancy's notes:
Today he forgets where he lives. He thinks he is in Colorado for some reason and is surprised when I tell him he is in Missouri. He does remember that he is in Reid and Barbara's house.

He did fine walking today and we sat outside and visited for 25 minutes. Seems to be doing okay today.

Tuesday

Nancy's notes:
After breakfast CP laid on his bed for a while. He later wants to play checkers and then we go for a walk. After lunch he wants to take a 2nd walk, it is beautiful outside so I think it is a good idea. We sat outside on the patio this afternoon for a while too. Today he shared stories of his childhood he is a very interesting man.

Monday

Nancy's notes:
CP does not like using his walker, I told him that we can't take a walk unless he does. Today he is cranky. I tried to get him to play checkers or UNO or do a puzzle. He tells me that he just needs to watch TV and think of past memories. He is agitated after lunch. I went up and washed the lunch dishes and then he agrees to a walk after a nap. I read while he naps.

Turns out he doesn't want to walk after lunch and he refused to play a game and decides he doesn't want to do anything. He sayd that he is retired and if he doesn't want to do a damn thing he doesn't have to.

Doesn't want her to go home today and asks her to stay to dinner. She tells him she has to go home to her family. Told her he enjoys her company.

Jenni again

Well, it's Saturday and we need another "afternoon date". I still don't have a dress and the wedding is on May 23rd. I'd better get my rear in gear!

Jenni comes and spends a few hours with CP. They played checkers and had a good time. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Friday

Nancy's Notes:
I heard CP banging around while I'm fixing breakfast. I checked on him and he is fine. We was working on getting the sugar out of the sugar bowl. We played UNO tday and we played with less cards so that he doesn't get confused. We worked on a puzzle that I brought today. We went for an afternoon walk and he did some stretches as well.

Cameron's Concern

Been busy for the past 2 days so I didn't write anything. Nancy has started writing the days events for me. Cameron is concerned about CP because he is more confused today than normal. He and Nancy will write down examples tomorrow.

Reid and I are not surprised since it is a huge change to have Reid gone all day, Nancy and Cameron here all day.

Nancy writes:
CP is ready and anxious to take a walk today so we decided that we will after breakfast. Today we walked, played checkers and talked about doing a puzzle together.

A New Start

Reid started his new job today. Nancy stayed all day with CP and then Cameron spent 2 hours with him before we got home watching movies. All in all nothing out of the ordinary.

Easter!

I forgot to write that Cameron arrived on 4/10.

Today is Easter and we have a house full. We "put on the feed bag for " Reid, Barbara, CP, Cameron, Mom, Dad, Brenda, John, Justin, Bryon, Gerri, David, Sarah, Billy, Brent, Melinda, Austin, and Andrew. CP had great difficulty navigating the stairs, he cannot chew his meat even though we put it in the food processor. He chews it and spits it out and hides it under a napkin on his plate.

More Confusion

Tonight at dinner CP is very confused. He thinks it's lunch time and won't take his dinner meds. He keeps saying that he only takes pills 2 times a day. We show him the digital clock which has the day, month, year and time and he finally agrees to take his pills. After dinner we tell him that I am going to cut his hair before he showers. He gets mad that he has to take a shower and says he showered and shaved this morning. Reid shows him that his facial hair is rather long and then I cut his hair and go back upstairs while they tend to personal hygiene.

Nancy J.

Today our "Visiting Angel" Nancy came to spend some time with CP. Reid starts his new job on Monday and so they are going to spend four hours together today and get to know each other a little better.

It went very well and they seem to get along fine.

Sleeping woes

After dinner CP fell asleep in his recliner. Reid went down at :00 and told him it was time to go to bed. At 10:30 I go into the kitchen and hear the TV and the radio on the baby monitor. Reid goes down and helped him get into bed.

Days and Nights Confused

Well, CP got his days and nights confused. He stayed up all night thinking it was daytime.

Reid went to help him get showered and ready for church. CP thinks it is 7:00 pm instead of 7:00 am. He is confused and dizzy. Reid gets him in bed and stays home with him. We let him sleep until 12:00 and then took him out so that he will be tired tonight and will sleep.

Welcome Jenni

My niece, Jenni, is 19 years old and going to school to be an RN. So, we asked her to CP sit this afternoon while we have a "date afternoon".

CP is angry when we tell him that Jenni is staying with him while we are gone. Says he hasn't been confused in over a year. We talk about what happened on Sunday evening and then he is okay with Jenni staying.

It was nice to get out for the afternoon! We went shopping as I have to get a dress for Ryan's wedding. Who in the world is designing "Mother of the Groom" dresses. Hello....I don't need somthing slinky, I need something that says I'm the Mother of the Groom! Poor Reid was patient as we went from store to store and mall to mall. The dress eludes me this time!

Dressed all wrong

Today CP's bedroom temp is 73 and he is wearing a hat and a heavy leather coat. We ask him if he is cold. "No, but I don't want to be either!"