Happy New Year.

Sweetie, 1/1/'20

Happy New Year! That was the greeting yesterday as we did our mall walk. I'd smile and return the greeting, for me it isn't. For I face another difficult year caring for Sweetie. Last year we started out with her in daycare, giving me three days a week alone time. Then the pandemic, Coronavirus, lock down, stay at home, and just what do you do with a lock down? I'd been happy to sit and watch TV, work in the yards, take day trips, but those simple pleasures were gone, for I am Sweetie's caregiver. So, instead of doing some bitch, moan and complaining (BMC), I got busy. What can we do? We can walk the neighborhood, we can take day trips, and wait for things to improve. And they did. What was open, and how can we use that to our advantage? Soon, the golf courses opened, and we had something to do. Life seemed to be heading up.  

Now I look back that what Sweetie was like, just one year ago. How far Dementia has taken her. One year ago, we still could have some conversation. She was able to understand simple things. We still do the simple things, yet they are different. Some of the more simple things, eating, getting into the car, getting dressed, brushing her teeth, stuff that I take for granted are now a struggle for her. 

I can see Dementia growing on her like weeds in the yard. It doesn't care how much I care for her, they just keep growing. 

When I went up to get her yesterday morning, she wasn't ready to get up. I gave her a dose of Happy Medicine, and let her go back to sleep. An hour later, I got her up and changed. Her left shoulder is really giving her trouble. No matter what I do, it doesn't seem to help. It is the side she sleeps on, and that is the culprit. I'm experimenting with Stress Relief and Ben Gay. Putting both on to see if she can relax while the Ben Gay is working. Worth a try. 

Driver knows we are heading into hard times this year. He wants me to know, that no matter what happens, we will get to the end of each day, safely. There are Easter Eggs to be found, and tears to be shed. So is life. That is how it is as we travel down the Road to Dementia Town. Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv ya, and God Bless.