Hand holding is crucial.

At the zoo, full of life.

I remember this picture. We are at the zoo, and had just seen the elephants. We could talk back then, and that was just a short 3 years ago. She could still read, knew the difference when she was wearing her glasses. Now, she doesn't know she should be wearing glasses. 

The slow progression of her abilities and my part of assuming them is becoming more and more obvious. Conversations are now all one sided. She may attempt to join in and then I do all I can to make sure my response is what she is trying to say. 

She is sleeping more these days. Don't know if it is because she isn't sleeping well at night, or if it is a progression of her Dementia. In any case, that is where we are now. 

Wednesday

Not much to say about this day. More or less the same routine we've established over the years. This time, when I went to wake her, she was already awake. She was laying on her back and was happy to see me. One of the things I'm beginning to wonder is she just happy to see anyone come in to help her. 

In the shower, when I wash her bottom, I can feel a large BM waiting. I know it is there, and all she produces are these small turds. The best is like squeezing tooth paste, and she needs to squeeze. I hope we get some action soon. 

Been giving her bran flakes and prune juice for breakfast these  past mornings. Will be glad when it kicks in and cleans her out. 

Lately, when we are ready to head out to the golf course, if I don't have everything ready, she will head for her nest. So now, I have to make sure I'm totally ready, water in the golf bag, wallet, and my Golf Buddy on my belt. Then I get her out to the car and off we go. 

That day of not wanting to leave the house is getting closer and closer. I will hate to leave her alone when that time comes. Even with the cameras, she knows she is alone, and keeps looking for me. 

Even when I'm in my office, I will watch her walk by, look into the living room, see that I'm not there and then go back to her nest. When I do call to her, she sometimes comes in, and if I don't pay her any attention, she will get up and leave. It is my attention she is craving. The hand holding is crucial. 

Tried something different for dinner. Baked potato, or should I say, a nuked potato. That was all. With a little butter and sour cream, salt and pepper. Sitting on the couch, feeding it to her, and using milk to wash it down. And of course, desert. Cholate moose this evening. Our evening went well and so we ended up on a positive note. 

Sometimes I think Driver is going in circles, and what we are watching, as the scenery goes by, looks the same. He assures me that we are making progress. Yes, there are times when we have to double back the way we came, but there is are reasons for it. Maybe the last stop we left something, or forgot to see a landmark. Nothing is without its reason. For after all, we are learning as we head out down the Road to Dementia Town, Keeping our Shiny Side Up as we go. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless.   Arthur.