tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post4914799046713746211..comments2023-11-14T00:05:35.172-05:00Comments on One of Life's Little Surprises: Dementia Progression and Communication ChallengesCarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-76838135913758880432017-06-24T07:03:23.913-04:002017-06-24T07:03:23.913-04:00Hi Jude. We have a followup appointment with Dr. S...Hi Jude. We have a followup appointment with Dr. S. next week. And while there has progression over the last 8 weeks, I have to say that the anxiety is so much better. And I realize I really can't ask for anything better than this. Upsets are fewer and are less intense, when they occur. Jim just seems more content than he was before.<br /><br />I have my moments where I get discouraged, but I am so grateful for you, and the other kind readers of this blog. Your support means so much to me. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-44621880885060815002017-06-24T02:03:31.548-04:002017-06-24T02:03:31.548-04:00Carole it is heartbreaking to read about the rapid...Carole it is heartbreaking to read about the rapid progression of Jim's disease. Even as the decline is happening so fast, the deterioration has been going on and on for years. I truly admire you for your fortitude, and the loving care you give your husband as he goes down that dreaded road. <br /><br />JudeDr Sock https://www.blogger.com/profile/13378594360241846301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-46050433914171142022017-06-20T08:56:26.225-04:002017-06-20T08:56:26.225-04:00Hi Jan. Oh yes! You hit the nail on the head with ...Hi Jan. Oh yes! You hit the nail on the head with your comment. Even if friends visit, we are still so highly attentive, unable to let our guard down even for a moment. In fact, it seems even more challenging as we try so hard to make sure our spouse is included in the conversation, as opposed to just being an observer. <br /><br />So grateful for our friendship Jan. Thanks for the comment!Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-38022430633048357392017-06-20T06:48:09.649-04:002017-06-20T06:48:09.649-04:00Wow, Carole, many more changes to keep you off bal...Wow, Carole, many more changes to keep you off balance - what a challenge! Thanks for the kind word, I also find your and Alice's blogs extremely helpful. One thing a caregiver has is reduced contact with friends, and even if you are with them, you are limited in what you can say - so finding "friends" through blogs has been a God-send. Keep writing!Jabberwalky08https://www.blogger.com/profile/06554545417173075680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-75924799168468005602017-06-17T13:17:35.997-04:002017-06-17T13:17:35.997-04:00Hi Patti. Thanks for the link. I will definitely c...Hi Patti. Thanks for the link. I will definitely check it out. You are right. Dementia is not a respecter of person. Any one of us could be vulnerable, or know someone who is. <br /><br />Jim just finished sweeping the driveway and said to me "I have to go home now. My mother is waiting for me." Another new challenge, as I had not heard him say that before. Fortunately he responded to my suggestion for a nap first. I'm guessing when he wakes up he will have no recollection of that conversation. Dementia is keeping me on my toes!Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-73587393321592651242017-06-17T11:59:17.930-04:002017-06-17T11:59:17.930-04:00You are so amazingly flexible and accommodating I ...You are so amazingly flexible and accommodating I find your writings a lesson in how we should all be. This blog is an eyeopener for not one of us is immune to going through what either you are going through or even what Jim is. I read a blog written by a man going though the decline in his own mind. Here is the site if you are interested. http://living-with-alzhiemers.blogspot.com/Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-11507658982777361272017-06-17T11:43:35.530-04:002017-06-17T11:43:35.530-04:00Hi Tehachap. So good to hear from you. I'm gla...Hi Tehachap. So good to hear from you. I'm glad you discovered that the low blood sugars were causing the confusion and mood changes. As they say, knowledge is power. The good control of the diabetes should help to keep his kidney healthy. Diabetes and hypertension continue to be the major causes of kidney damage. The good news is that with good control of the diabetes and the blood pressure, kidney function can be preserved.<br /><br />Hang in there Tehachap, and thanks for your comment.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-10769762280888593732017-06-17T11:17:28.733-04:002017-06-17T11:17:28.733-04:00Goodness, it seems like you are playing catch-up a...Goodness, it seems like you are playing catch-up as each phase hits. He's never really had a plateau or stabilizing point, has he?<br />The norm of your life seems to be forever moving. We're discovering that my husband's confusion and mood changes are due to low blood sugar. It's been good to be able to finally connect the dots in his own disease progression. Right now, we want to keep his remaining kidney alive and well. Life is work -- and for some of us, it's an unimaginable journey. Thanks for continuing to keep us informed -- I learn so much from reading your posts. Tehachaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973382680508334105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-38184461624198066602017-06-17T10:36:43.989-04:002017-06-17T10:36:43.989-04:00Hi DJan. Jim's dementia is definitely progress...Hi DJan. Jim's dementia is definitely progressing faster than what is typical. There are different theories on why it progresses faster in some, and not in others. <br /><br />Thanks for your kind words. I so appreciate the support I receive from you and the other dear readers of this blog :-)Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-17862249437737981102017-06-17T09:03:06.025-04:002017-06-17T09:03:06.025-04:00I am a little astounded at how quickly this all se...I am a little astounded at how quickly this all seems to be happening. I thought, before I "met" you, that it was always more slowly progressive. Jim's rapid decline makes me afraid for my own dear partner. He has dementia in his family, but so far, at 75, he seems fine. My heart goes out to you and I so appreciate your honest appraisal of the process. :-(DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-31503727752960006642017-06-17T07:41:37.991-04:002017-06-17T07:41:37.991-04:00Hi Valerie.Thanks so much for your sweet comment. ...Hi Valerie.Thanks so much for your sweet comment. You know only too well what it feels like to be losing the love of your life. I imagine that you, too, were drawing on inner strength and your love for Joe to get you through this loss. Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-34461667973162680552017-06-17T06:26:05.130-04:002017-06-17T06:26:05.130-04:00I am not sure I would be able to cope with all the...I am not sure I would be able to cope with all the emotion but then I didn't have to. Until his death my Joe had a very high mental capacity and always talked more sense than I did. You are doing a wonderful job supporting Jim through the various stages. I applaud you.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12099030819314552958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-82998341025558182762017-06-16T20:11:33.275-04:002017-06-16T20:11:33.275-04:00Hi Marty. I hope that others will find it helpful....Hi Marty. I hope that others will find it helpful. I follow a couple of Alzheimer's forums, and I find it very informative. In addition I've learned from other bloggers, including Jan (Caregiving in the Forest and Alice (Alice in Memoryland). All of this helps me feel less alone.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-22011447090809592082017-06-16T19:26:12.755-04:002017-06-16T19:26:12.755-04:00While we don't need it (yet), I'm sure cha...While we don't need it (yet), I'm sure charting the progression of Jim's dementia is helping someone else who's at the beginning stages, or preparing those of us who may find this in our lives in the future. Martyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02366449267039641100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-90561095879057434402017-06-16T17:34:35.110-04:002017-06-16T17:34:35.110-04:00Hi dkzody. I do have my moments. They tend to be w...Hi dkzody. I do have my moments. They tend to be when Jim is especially affectionate and tells me how much he loves me and can't live without me. It can make me cry, as I become overwhelmed by emotion, realizing that these tender moments may not be here in our tomorrows. <br /><br />If we didn't have such a strong, loving relationship, I'm not sure if I would be able to cope as well as I am. Thanks so much for your kind words.Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237805282007404140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268654142180590336.post-38239878224276160772017-06-16T17:06:42.989-04:002017-06-16T17:06:42.989-04:00You are doing an amazing job taking care of Jim an...You are doing an amazing job taking care of Jim and all of the other tasks. I would just sit down and cry but you keep going and accomplishing so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com