Two good days & good news!

July 19, 2006

, you don't know how glad I am that your Mom has started Aricept. She

feels something is wrong, and is taking steps to help herself, which is a big

plus. You will be able to talk to her much more easily. It usually works well

for about a year. It sure did for my LO.

But, do keep a log. You have read how patients have kept their own log, and

was surprised later on, well, keep one for your Mom, and for the doctor.

After the event with her have happened, and if she remembers the events, and

is once again placid, that is a good time to disguss them with her. It will

help her see the need for the Legal aspects of her situation.

You sure are jumping in head first. You do have a little time, as a rule.

But, not a whole lot. I mean do the legal within weeks. Don't wait.

I am very happy that she can live near you. You both need that.

Imogene

In a message dated 7/19/2006 12:28:18 PM Central Daylight Time,

wtheri1022@... writes:

I thank everyone who responded to How to make a plan? The caregivers

web site that was recommended is especially good. My gut feeling had

me following advice that hadn't even been given to me yet. But it

helps immensely to have these thoughts and feelings validated by

experienced people. I will move forward one day at a time. Each day

seems to be dictated by what kind of day mom is having. If she is

good I can gently approach the issue at hand. Looking back on some of

the bad days I can see where I have gone wrong in pressing her on

something she just couldn't handle. Sometimes she just goes off out

of no where. Just the thought of those days has me nervous...waiting

for the ax to fall. I will just psyche myself up on how I am going to

handle the next bad day. Ironicly, I am beginning to notice that on

her good days she is more docile than she has ever been as she has

always been the queen of negativity & hostility. Now we just focus on

what is going on in the moment... did she sleep well, does she need

groceries, is the laundry done.

The good news is after waiting 4 days for the pharmacy to receive her

new meds, Aricept (small town they had to order them) mom was able to

pick them up yesterday and she actually took her first dose last

night! This is a huge because she has a history of not cooperating

with meds. Also yesterday I checked in with the manager of the senior

apts that we are trying to get her moved into, closer to me,

and she is only #13 on the list. There is a good chance that we could

get the next available apt. Please send positive thoughts on this as

she absolutely must get moved closer to me ASAP.

Thank you to all. You are amazing people.

Hugs from

Daughter of Ginny, 83

July 19, 2006