Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had a opportunity to meet up with her favorite Uncle last evening. She had not seen him in almost ten years, and in fact he had never met Daughter number 1 and Daughter number 2.  Sheri had to plan this outing months in advance in order to make sure that Bob and "Al" had a safe place to stay for the couple of hours that she was able to steal away. She had a wonderful time and Bob and "Al" were better than fine when she returned. What was most evident to Sheri, was that she has a very narrow filed of vision, she is so used to focusing on just keeping one foot in front of the other and her head above water... that she has not had the opportunity to breathe in the beauty and diversity of the world around around her. So between being downtown and being with family with a deep, rich history Sheri was reminded there is a world beyond the Alzheimer world she lives in, and quite honestly... she needed that.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is still under the weather with her thumb (who knew this would hurt for so long) anyway, Sheri still needed to get groceries so off they went. Bob sitting silently in the car, "Al" suddenly speaks his mind " The guy who paints these yellow arrow signs must be rolling in the dough, they are popping up everywhere."
Heavy sigh...

Living with Bob and "Al"

The little cat "Zoey" that Sheri got for Bob and "Al" is in the "run around crazy stage". It is confusing "Al". The cat will run through the house and "Al" will say " Did you see all those cats running around? There must be ten of them!"  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Bob finally noticed Sheri's thumb. "Al" suggested she soak the open wound in salt water. Sheri thinks not....

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri went get some ice for her thumb this morning, Sheri was surprised to see Bob's comb in the freezer. "Al" must of got confused last night when Sheri mumbled to herself that wished she could leave her thumb in the freezer.Gotta love him.  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Care giving is hard enough when Sheri feels fine. This thumb injury has thrown her for a loop. She is definitely not as patient or as creative as usual. She as not been able to get the pain under control. But it is a good reminder for her that Bob and "Al" are in constant pain as well. :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

 98 degree's outside, and "Al" is wearing his jacket, well his lightweight jacket, but never the less...a jacket  :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Each day Sheri needs God's grace. She is tired, angry, lonely and scared. She knows God has a plan, and she will continue to walk by faith, but subconsciously, because she is human... she hopes this is not it.
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri had a great weekend, well except for Saturday morning. Sheri was glad Daughter number two was home from college. Bob was still sleeping 10:30 in the morning, so Sheri and daughter number two thought they would try and trim the baby kitty's nails. As Sheri was trying to open the plastic packaging on the new cat clippers, the scissors Sheri was using slipped and literally sheared off the side of the tip of Sheri's right thumb at an angle like the forward slash on the keyboard (sorry probably not  a pleasant visual). As Sheri rushed to try to stop the bleeding she yelled for help form Daughter Number Two, who after she realized Sheri was serious, came to help. Well of course she needed medical attention and they both suddenly realized that Bob and "Al" were still sleeping, hence they did not have the 1 1/2 time frame ritual to get Bob to the point he can walk in the morning, so they needed a different plan. Daughter number two called Daughter number 1 who works 10 minutes away, to come stay with Bob and "Al" while Daughter number two took Sheri to Urgent Care. They spent the next 2 hours there while the doctor tended to Sheri's now angled thumb top... Nothing to stitch back on (all though they had brought the piece that was on the scissors, very gross). Anyway they returned home 2 1/2 hours later and Bob and "Al" were still sleeping. All that excitement and Bob and "Al" never even woke up, and when "they" did... they did not even notice the big thumb wrapping. It of course could have been much worse, but it does remind Sheri that being an Alzheimer spouse means you always have to have a plan. Sheri was grateful her daughters were so close and able to help out, and that my friends... was Sheri's Mothers Day weekend!

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is very grateful and blessed to have her Mother still with her on this earth. She has many friends already with out theirs. Bob and "Al" lost theirs back in the early '90's. Mothers are gifts from God.
Happy Mother's Day Mom I love you.