DH's status as of late

[Guest guest]

I am seeing a general slow decline with my DH, Lee. He was not

diagnosed until three or four years after I noticed a change in

him. He was diagnosed in 10/2006. He is doing fairly well, though I

am wondering about how long he can go on doing as much as he is. He

is still working... self employed, and he is making some

mistakes. So far, the mistakes are not dangerous, but his job is his

life time hobby. He loves his job and it is hard to think of taking

this away from him.

I am noticing more decrease in his mental abilities and find that it

is becoming difficult for me not to have an argument with him. We

basically have had a fight free marriage, however, as he is

progressing in this disease it is becoming harder and harder to not

get into small fights. He is becoming more and more difficult to

deal with. I am not sure how to handle this. I know I am the one who

is without as many problems but it is difficult to not take a

stand. The latest was at Walmart in the checkout line. I was

checking us out at the self check out. There was an item that was

not in the computer, and the salesclerk came over from her " desk " ,

and stated she could not sell it to us. The first salesclerk took

the item, putting it out of sight, who knows where. A new clerk came

on just as I was finishing up, and that item came up again in the

computer at the end of our transaction. I was explaining it to the

new salesclerk, and, DH insisted the first salesclerk had given it

back to us. I knew it was not in our bags with the other purchased

items, and, had to state that to the salesclerk. This could have

become very embarrassing if the new salesclerk had pursued it. It

would have taken a lot of time to go back through and check the list

of what we had paid for. We had several bags full of personal and

grocery items. Later, at home, I asking him to show me where the

bag of small Almond Joy's were. I know he can't help this... he

doesn't follow and process well anymore and I can see where it is

worsening as I am seeing this type of situation happening on a more

frequent basis.

I hate the confrontation that is beginning to happen, which happens

at home also over little things that used to just be ignored. I am

open to ideas on how I can more gently handle the situation,

especially when it is in front of other people.

DH's hearing was tested as severe hearing loss. I am questioning

that as sometimes he seems to hear just fine, and other times, I have

to really speak up to be heard. I am wondering if this may be due to

LBD. His hearing seems to fluctuate between bad, and fair. Of

course, sometimes when I really speak up, he gets mad and grumps

because I am yelling. Go figure....

Thanks for letting me vent. I am starting to build up resentment,

and I really don't want to do that. DH needs all the empathy I can muster.

Bonnie