It’s almost a year since OH began his several weeks of meltdown which led eventually to his ’brainflip’ and and complete switch in his personality.
To date, we have not had one argument and life has certainly been much more pleasant and peaceful. For me, I still balk at the restrictions that I have. Everyone I know is going to Queensland, Bali or Europe and I get itchyfeet just thinking about a holiday. But I accept that just how things are and it’s worth having my peace of mind and calm life,
His short term memory continues to slip ever so slowly and his speech and confusion are a little worse than a year ago. Physically, he is deteriorating and our GP said to me recently that he is amazed at how he has lived beyond expectations. His old computer chair finally collapsed with him in it the other day and he had no idea of how to wriggle out of it and how to get up. Totally unhurt.
And on the day of my volunteer group, he was still asleep when I left. Anyway, at about lunch time, he phoned me wanting to know where the dog was. After suggesting to him that he should look around the house, he finally found her on my bed. I think he had woken up and had no idea what time it was and got thoroughly muddled.
He was talking to his brothers on Skype last night and one told OH that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was not a surprise as both brothers have often talked about troubles with their memory and other things that sort of fit with the usual signs of AD. It must be quite a concern as OH’s mum died as a result of AD and was really difficult for a long time. We do know that the family is very close and that he will be well supported. Mostly, he lives with his cousin but after various surgeries, he has stayed with his daughter.
OH has his defibrillator checked at the cardiac clinic once every six months but apart from that, our GP manages all his health issues without input from anyone else these days. We are certainly not going back to the geriatrician so GP, dentist and defibrillator check is how it now is. And I think OH is happy to do it that way without all the visits to various doctors and just finds it makes his life a little easier.
He is still playing bridge regularly and takes dog out for a stroll but doesn’t do much else. He enjoys going out for a meal and enjoys a glass of wine with a meal.
So I am one of the lucky ones and am grateful that the year has been so different to the ones that went before.
To date, we have not had one argument and life has certainly been much more pleasant and peaceful. For me, I still balk at the restrictions that I have. Everyone I know is going to Queensland, Bali or Europe and I get itchyfeet just thinking about a holiday. But I accept that just how things are and it’s worth having my peace of mind and calm life,
His short term memory continues to slip ever so slowly and his speech and confusion are a little worse than a year ago. Physically, he is deteriorating and our GP said to me recently that he is amazed at how he has lived beyond expectations. His old computer chair finally collapsed with him in it the other day and he had no idea of how to wriggle out of it and how to get up. Totally unhurt.
And on the day of my volunteer group, he was still asleep when I left. Anyway, at about lunch time, he phoned me wanting to know where the dog was. After suggesting to him that he should look around the house, he finally found her on my bed. I think he had woken up and had no idea what time it was and got thoroughly muddled.
He was talking to his brothers on Skype last night and one told OH that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was not a surprise as both brothers have often talked about troubles with their memory and other things that sort of fit with the usual signs of AD. It must be quite a concern as OH’s mum died as a result of AD and was really difficult for a long time. We do know that the family is very close and that he will be well supported. Mostly, he lives with his cousin but after various surgeries, he has stayed with his daughter.
OH has his defibrillator checked at the cardiac clinic once every six months but apart from that, our GP manages all his health issues without input from anyone else these days. We are certainly not going back to the geriatrician so GP, dentist and defibrillator check is how it now is. And I think OH is happy to do it that way without all the visits to various doctors and just finds it makes his life a little easier.
He is still playing bridge regularly and takes dog out for a stroll but doesn’t do much else. He enjoys going out for a meal and enjoys a glass of wine with a meal.
So I am one of the lucky ones and am grateful that the year has been so different to the ones that went before.
