MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 5000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'KnowItAlz.com Blog' source. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:44:26 +0100 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/28/what-you-see-is-what-you-get/ Today, some of you will see this blog just like any other day. The rest of you are seeing this blog on our new and improved caregiver website. If you cannot see it yet, check back over the next few hours. Our wonderful webmaster, Casper, tells us that different operating systems will see the change at different times. My sister and I have added 40+ pages of information, tips, resources, laughs and stories to KnowItAlz.  Our goal is to create a community to help caregivers find information and the support they need to make this job easier.  The success of KnowItAlz is dependant on all of us who have already been “blessed” with caregiving sharing our stories, support and encouragement with each other and those who are new to caregiving.  All of us may need some specific advice or support on any given day. Please register for the site over the next few days, so you can join the chat, submit personal stories, and let others know about missing persons with Alzheimer’s.  This will also alllow us to email you when we add new information or features to the site. We also really need your feedback about any features of the new site that do not seem to be working for any of you.  If you find any glitches or have suggestions please email me a note at Kathy@knowitalz.com. P.S.    Dad tried to stab David with a fork (not really but he did gasp, exclaim “Good Lord!” and move the plate out of reach!) when David tried to taste a bite of his giant chocolate cake at dinner last night.  More funny stories from our trip to Atlanta in days to come…. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=986016 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:31:49 +0100 986016 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/27/making-up-for-lost-time/ By Nancy Hatfield As you know, Dad, Kathy and David are all in Atlanta visiting me for the weekend.  With all the stress in Kathy and David’s life, I thought a nice surprise would be to schedule massages for everyone.  The only time with 4 spots available was 10 am.  For the regular blog readers, you know Dad doesn’t like to get up early–”8:30…that’s the middle of the night!” To prevent a fuss, we decided to use a regular trick from the bag and set his watch an hour ahead. Thirty minutes before our scheduled time, we got a call saying Dad’s therapist had been in an auto accident.  She was ok, but we would have to move our appointment. I told Dad he could slow down since we had an extra hour and our new appointment time was 11.  He said “oh Lord, we better hurry it’s quarter to 11 now!”       (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=984063 Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:27:06 +0100 984063 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/26/georgia-on-my-mind/ Dad, David, Lola and I are heading for Atlanta this afternoon to see my sister Nancy, in Atlanta for the weekend. I have already packed for David, Dad and Lola.  I’ll get to my own stuff at the very end. Last time I forgot all of my pants.  The time before that I forgot Dad’s pajamas.  I made a checklist this time to make sure we all have everything. Seems like I found a lot of checklists in Dad’s room when cleaning out his condo.  Hmmmmm. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=980696 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:17:37 +0100 980696 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/25/100-plus-your-age/ Dad has been having unusually low blood pressure over the last few weeks, so both Katie (CNA) and I check his blood pressure three times throughout the day. Each time the reading is announced, he says, “100 plus your age is the best blood pressure.” He especially enjoys it when it is 121 over something.  He’ll say, “Now I can get a legal drink!” I told him that the “100 plus your age” rule was only true way back when people only lived to be 60! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=977456 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:46:25 +0100 977456 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/24/need-more-dad/ Dad came in to my office earlier, and I was frantically looking for something for one of my customers.  I’ll admit, there was a small amount of cursing going on, and Dad asked what was wrong.  It has been a VERY busy and problem-filled morning for me at work. “I am having a problem with work.” I replied.  “I hope I have not done anything to make your day worse.” He said. “This is the first I’ve seen of you today, how could you have done anything to make my day worse?” I asked. Dad said, “Well, if this is the first you have seen of me, maybe that’s your problem!” (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976576 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:04:33 +0100 976576 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/23/dads-good-fortune/ Dad went to dinner with my sister, Susan and brother-in-law Joe last night, while David and I went to take Jessica home. They had Chinese food, and Susan told me this morning that Dad’s fortune cookie read, “Sweet rewards will be coming to you.”  Dad took that to mean he should order dessert. Susan said that it was sort of a “no-brainer” fortune, since it did come inside a cookie. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=971538 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:01:51 +0100 971538 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/22/pie-the-sixth-food-group/ Jessica, my stepdaughter was here this weekend.  She is really terrific with her “Pop Pop”, and if we go out, she always makes sure he is right with her.  She talks to him about school, and answers his repetitive questions as if it were the first time he had asked. This morning, Jessica was making him a bowl of cereal when she saw some raspberries, blueberries and blackberrries in the fridge, so she asked him what his favorite fruit was. “Anything in a pie.” He replied. I guess I will not have to worry about his Alzheimer’s taking away his appetite! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970257 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:07:14 +0100 970257 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/21/close-enough/ The weather in North Carolina is absoultely beautiful right now.  Dad’s favorite subject is the weather, since it requires no memory.  He just looks outside and says, “Looks like a beautiful day.” or “Looks like we’re going to get some rain.” Yesterday, Dad and I sat outside on the deck for lunch.  The sun was shining, and it was really warm with a nice breeze. “It sure doesn’t feel like September.” said my Dad. “It sure doesn’t.” I agreed. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=967213 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:34:19 +0100 967213 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/20/the-little-things/ Having my Dad have Alzheimer’s and live with me was not in my plan.  But as we all know, plans change.  I always try to look at the bright side of things, and one thing this experience has taught me is to appreciate the little things in life.  For example, a friend came over and stayed with Dad for a couple of hours while I went to get a haircut.  A haircut in a shop, by a hairdresser, not a cut I did myself in my bathroom with David’s moustache scissors.   She said it had been over three months since I had been in. I used to take a haircut for granted, but not anymore.  To me, it was like a day at the spa! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966019 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 21:40:29 +0100 966019 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/19/music-to-my-ears/ Dad and I had the evening alone together last night, and I had a lot of computer work to do,  finishing up adding features and content to what will soon be the “new and improved” KnowItAlz website. I hate for Dad to have to sit alone and watch TV, so I invited him into my office and turned on the AOL Radio Channel that plays all 1940s music.  Dad sang along to all of the songs, and remembered the words to most. I have read many times that music is of help to Alzheimer’s patients, but hearing Dad sing, “Chatanooga Choo-Choo” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else but Me” with a huge smile on his face, really drove the point home. I think it is like a “Senitmental Journey” for him.  Pun intended.  (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=962733 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:34:01 +0100 962733 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/18/runs-in-the-family/ Last night, I had to run into town to pick up some chicken for dinner.  Dad’s blood pressure has been really low lately, so I left him in the convertible as I ran into the store.  When I came out, I walked two aisles away from the car (not remembering where I had parked) and looked around for a solid minute. When I finally saw Dad he was waving his arms wildly so I could see him.  “Where were you going?” he asked. “I forgot where I parked the car.” I said, chuckling. “I think you are getting senile.” Dad said. Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=961844 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:29:40 +0100 961844 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/17/the-best-medicine/ It is 3:21 pm and this is the first chance I have had to blog!  I had to get Dad up early (never fun) to go to a doctor’s appointment.  I changed the time on his watch so he thought it was 11:20 a.m. when it was really 8:20 a.m.  This trick has served me well over the years, but not today.  He was tired and grumpy. The nurse came in, talked to us a few minutes and then left, saying, “Take off your shirt and the doctor will be right in.” I told Dad, “I should take off my shirt and tell the Doctor we misunderstood.” Dad laughed and laughed and forgot all about being grouchy and impatient waiting for the doctor. Humor really is the best medicine!  And there’s no co-pay! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959065 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:32:43 +0100 959065 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/16/lymanade/ A dear reader, known as “E”, sent a comment to a blog entry that read, “Thanks for the lemonade.” I thought that was so poignant.  My sister, Nancy and I were talking about that comment this morning, and she said that I really am making lemonade out of lemons.  The point of this blog has always been to look at the “bright side” of caring for my Dad with Alzheimer’s. Since my Dad’s name is Lyman, she said I should consider it “Lymanade!” (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=954498 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:22:12 +0100 954498 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/15/k-9-update/ Sierra is fine.  We have decided she must have had some food poisoning or something.  She is feeling much better, thanks for all of your emails checking on her.  I keep forgetting how everyone around here has a fan-base!  Even the dogs!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=950989 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:46:43 +0100 950989 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/14/corny/ Dad loves corn on the cob. I bought some yesterday, knowing that it will not be available much longer.  Whenever I make corn on the cob, Dad says the piece he is eating is the “best and sweetest of the season”.  He literally makes that remark each and every time we eat corn. As he bit into the corn, he exclaimed, “That is wonderful corn!  This must be the first of the season.” “It’s October.” I reminded him. “I meant the first of the football season.” he said. Wow, what a great recovery, Dad! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=949990 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:18:40 +0100 949990 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/13/sick-as-a-dog/ Our beloved husky, Sierra, is sick.  She would not eat and did not want to even get up all day long.  Her vet made a housecall (can you believe that) and recommended that we take her to the emergency vet for an ultrasound. So David, Dad, Sierra and I all loaded up in the car and off to the doggie hospital we went. After a 2 hour battery of tests, the doctor said that she seemed fine to him, the x-ray showed nothing that was obvious, and to just keep an eye on her over the weekend. We went to check out, and the bill was $134.  I was thrilled, as other visits to the Pet ER have been over $500.  When Dad heard the total, he said, “A hundred and thirty four dollars!  They don’t even know what’s wrong with her!  I don’t think you should have to pay unless they find out what’s wrong with her!” That would be a nice policy for canine and human doctors!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=948674 Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:48:59 +0100 948674 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/12/keeping-our-brains-healthy/ Dad and I are going to a monthly meeting of Veterans today for the first time.  My hope is that he will enjoy talking with people about the days he does remember. The topic for today’s speaker is “Keeping Your Brain Healthy”.  How appropriate for our first Veterans Fellowship meeting. I reminded Dad that we were going when he got up to let Comeer out this morning, but he had forgotten.  He has been very exicted about going all 12 times I have told him about it! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=947517 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:00:51 +0100 947517 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/11/first-the-dogfood-now-this/ When it was discovered that there was tainted dogfood a few months back, Dad was obsessed.  He checked every bag of food and every box of treats at least 20 times, just to make sure his sweet dogs Comeer, Lola and Sierra were safe. Now, there is apparently some recalled hamburger and Chicken Pot Pies.  Dad is writing down all the brands of meat to make sure we are not poisoned, either. Now that I think about it, he was a little more concerned about the dogfood.   At least his priorities are in order!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=943193 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:32:59 +0100 943193 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/10/i-am-a-lucky-caregiver/ It’s October 10th, and I was bitten by a mosquito last night.  Dad had the screen door open and one must have come in the house to get me.  Remember this: http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/10/this-bites/ Anyway, I told Dad that if there were one mosquito left in Forsyth County, it would find me. “That’s because you are the sweetest girl in Forsyth County!” He said. Alzheimer’s or no Alzheimer’s, I feel very lucky to have my loving Dad. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=939982 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:57:35 +0100 939982 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/09/one-of-many-talents/ Whenever we go to the grocery store, Dad wants to push the grocery cart.  Whenever he rushes ahead of me to get to the line of carts before I do he says, “This is one of my many talents.” “You have hundreds of talents.” I always reassure him. Last night we went to Wal-Mart and Dad pushed the cart all the way back to the return cart corral in the parking lot.  He also returned one that a thoughtless customer had left on the wrong side of the fence. Maybe that should be his part-time job!  He could push carts around all day and get paid for doing something he enjoys! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=937261 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:37:11 +0100 937261 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/08/my-glasses-work-in-his-pocket/ On Friday, Dad got out of the shower around 1:00p.m. and said that he was feeling a little dizzy.  I gave him the pill he occasionally for dizziness, and immediately noticed that he had a really bloodshot eye. Well the combination of being dizzy and his bloody eye, made me think a doctor’s visit was in order.  So off we went to our wonderful Primary care doctor, who squeezes Dad in for most minor emergencies. Dad’s diagnosis was: a subconjunctival hematoma, which basically means unexplained bloody eye.  At least it’s just a $15 co-pay. Anyway, to the funny part:  Dad lost his eyeglasses about 4 months ago, and when he loses something, he just freaks out.  So since I got contacts about 6 months ago, I don’t wear my glasses anymore, so I just gave him mine.  He never wears them anyway; he just likes to HAVE them in his pocket. While we were at the doctor, the nurse asks him to look at an eye chart without glasses, and then with his glasses.  Oh crap!  I forgot to tell them the glasses were not his.  So he puts on my glasses and of course he can’t even see the big E on the eye chart, so they start to think the bloody eye is causing him to go blind. “Those are MY glasses.” I mouthed to the nurse.  But she was writing in the chart and not paying any attention to me.  So when she gave the chart to the doctor, I mouthed to him “Those are MY glasses.” Thankfully, Dad’s doctor is used to asking my Dad a question, waiting for an answer, and then looking at me for the real answer.  He is very considerate of Dad’s dignity.  After he realized that Dad is not going blind, he said that there is nothing we can do for this, it will go away on its own and to have a nice weekend.  And we did. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=934139 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:33:02 +0100 934139 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/07/fun-time-getting-exercise/ Dad would not get up at the when we attempted the 7:30 a.m. wake up call he needed in order to join us for the Alzheimer’s Association’s ”Memory Walk”.  The night before he said, David and I pretty much figured that Dad we would not willingly get up that early, so we pre-arranged for a friend to stay with Dad from 8:30-11-30am. By the time David and I got back from the walk, he was still fast asleep. Our fine city of Winston-Salem raised nearly $25,000 at the walk yesterday.  Not bad for a city of 185,000 people, I’d say!  And we still have until the end of the month to raise more money. I was glad to go, and got to see some friends from my support groups, the Adult Day Center where Dad “volunteers”, and met some new caregivers that I invited to read the blog and come to support group meetings. Our team (The Tab Williams Day Center) was in the top three teams for the amount of money raised.  I would say 150-200 people showed up. And I was not the last one there (even though I was late) and I did not finish last (hate exercise), so it was an excellent experience that I hope I never forget! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=933238 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:34:00 +0100 933238 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/06/forgot/ Off to the Memory walk, late. I forgot to set alarm.  How appropriate.   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932163 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:39:01 +0100 932163 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/05/alzheimers-memory-walk/ Tomorrow will be my first ever Alzheimer’s “Memory Walk”.  I have managed to raise about $500.00 to go toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and to raise an awareness of the need to find a cure and FAST! I will be walking symbolically tomorrow, as I have been walking through this journey every day since July 14, 2003 when my sweet Mom passed away, and I started caring for my Dad. I asked my Dad if he wanted to go with me to walk with my “volunteer” friends in the walk to cure Alzheimer’s disease. “Sure,” he said, “Then maybe I won’t get it!”  And all I could think was, “Maybe I won’t get it!”   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928990 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:37:36 +0100 928990 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/04/new-profession/ Here in North Carolina, they have been offering license plates with a symbol to the left and 4 numbers on them for about a year now.  You can order your license plate to have a symbol for everything from Breast Cancer Awareness to Protect the Waterfowl to NASCAR drivers’ logos. Last night, Dad and I saw one that had the word Litter with the Circle and Slash through it (No Litter).  He said, “I wonder if that guy is a street sweeper?” “If that guy is a street sweeper, I want to change jobs.  He is driving a VOLVO!” I said. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=926374 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:47:42 +0100 926374 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/03/so-thats-why/ Katie bought little Timmy a new chair called Bumbo Baby Sitter that is sort of like a booster seat, but she can just set him down anywhere. So, she was counting out Dad’s pills for the week, and she put Timmy in his seat on the table in front of Dad.  They both laughed and cooed for ten straight minutes.  Then, Dad mentioned to Katie that he thought Timmy could get out of that seat and someone should be watching him at all times. Katie told him that she does not leave him alone in the seat that an adult is always keeping an eye on the baby. “That’s why I moved in here, to keep an eye on my baby, right, Kath?” Right Dad. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=923827 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:01:49 +0100 923827 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/02/once-a-year/ Today is senior day at the Dixie Classic Fair.  Katie took Dad last year, and he really enjoyed the watching the pig races and the looking at the county’s largest squash.  This year, they are letting the aides of seniors in free, too.  What a great idea! Anyway, it reminded me of a saying that my Mom used to tell my sisters and me as we were growing up, when one of us would would whine, “That’s not fair!” She would say, “Fair only comes once a year and that’s the Dixie Classic!” (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=919169 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:19:04 +0100 919169 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/10/01/a-big-heart/ David’s 12 year-old daughter, Jessica, is with us for a long weekend since they have a teacher workday today.  She was asked by her Science teacher to do an extra-credit project about the heart. Well, Jessica knows that Dad has an ICD (Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator).  She asked if she could show her classmates what has saved her Pop-Pop’s life a few times. We went to the craft store and made an exceptionally nice cross section of the human heart, with paperclips connecting the ICD to the heart.  Very nice extra credit project if I do say so myself.  So in the middle of all the modeling clay and mess, Dad looked at Jessica and asked, “Why don’t you just take me into your class and show them the real thing?”  That would have been easier. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918173 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:19:11 +0100 918173 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/30/all-by-myself/ Katie and Timmy took my Dad to an Arts fesitval yesterday, and I had the entire afternoon to myself.  I mostly drove around in my convertible and listened to the radio.  I did a little shopping, and played with Lola and Sierra (dogs).  I even had control of the TV remote for a short time. Paying Katie to take him on Saturday was the best $50 I could have spent.  It was lovely. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=915478 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:10:12 +0100 915478 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/29/its-still-exercise/ Dad was tired yesterday and asked if it was okay for him to take a nap instead of going to physical therapy. “Sure”, I said, “As long as Katie can get you to do some exercise later this afternoon.” Katie said, “He’ll try to talk me out of exercising and going to get a piece of chocolate pie.” “This is my favorite kind of exercise”, Dad said as he made the motion from fork to mouth. Mine, too.  (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914584 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:23:21 +0100 914584 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/28/i-was-never-gone/ I told Dad we were having dinner with Beth and Gusty tomorrow night. He said, “Wow, it’s been a long time sine I’ve seen them!” That is what I meant when I wrote: “Hopefully Dad will not even realize I was gone!” the other day. Maybe next time I will not worry at all! Yeah right. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=912315 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:44:35 +0100 912315 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/27/perfect-baby/ Katie took Dad to his physical therapy class yesterday and Timmy (her baby) cried almost  the whole way to the hospital. She was worried that it would really bother Dad, since she was driving and could not console the baby. When they got into therapy, one of the nurses saw Timmy laughing and remarked what a cute baby he is. Then Dad said, “And he never cries!” This is kind of the memory loss that we don’t mind, losing the BAD ones!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=907207 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:41:32 +0100 907207 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/26/mountain-mama/ Well, I am home from my lighting job West Virginia and first let me apologize to you for not entering a blog yesterday.  I was working in Huntington, WV and had NO INTERNET ACCESS.  I had 193 emails this morning, and that is just since Monday!  Those of you who wrote to make sure I was okay, thank you.  It’s nice to know how much you all have come to care about Dad and me. When I got home last night, Dad and Beth were watching the History Channel and Dad asked how my meeting went.  I guess Beth told him that was where I was last night, maybe I can get he to blog about Gusty or Beth to “guest blog” adventures (by the time I got home at 11:00pm we were all ready to get to sleep, so I have not heard the tales from Beth and Gusty’s adventures with Lyman yet). We’ll see if he remembers I was even gone yesterday.  Now I understand how a mother must feel leaving her newborn for the first time!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=906328 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:12:33 +0100 906328 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/24/good-plan/ My friends Gusty and Beth are caring for my Dad tonight while I go to West Virginia for a quick overnight job.  My sister also offered, as well and another friend, Tori. Dad heard me talking about the trip, and rather than make him uneasy, I just told him he was coming with me. Katie (CNA) will be here from 8:00-5:00 today, then Gusty and Beth will take him out to dinner, and then hang out with him (I suggested Scrabble - remember zoopants?  If not, its a funny one: http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/04/23/better-late-than-never/ ). Same deal tomorrow, except I will be home by 5:00 and hopefully Dad will not even realize I was gone! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894351 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:42:00 +0100 894351 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/23/help-kathys-future/ The Alzheimer’s Association is trying to raise $1 million for Alzheimer’s research by the end of September.  The Harrah’s Foundation is matching dollar for dollar each contribution made before September 30th. When I donated, it linked me to a site that showed me that the company I work for matches the gift as well.  So it turned $200 into $600.  I wish I could do that. http://www.actionalz.org/ I know that most of you are caregivers and have limited funds, but even $5 could be turned into $10 or $15.  And maybe you could send an email to friends and family that have money because they are not caregivers, and ask them to donate! This is totally selfish since I feel sure I will get Alzheimer’s myself and I need a cure! And Fast! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=893436 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:20:17 +0100 893436 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/22/enough-said/ Dad asked me where his car was yesterday.  It has been gone for a couple of years. “I’m having it washed.” I said. “Thanks” he said. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=892993 Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:30:12 +0100 892993 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/21/always-early/ I was talking with a friend of mine from my support group on the phone this week, and when we were hanging up, she said, “See you at the 12:30 support group!” 12:30?  I thought.  Hmmm.  I thought it was at noon. So I called the lady that runs the group and she told me that when we first met in 2004, I had mentioned to her that I was always late for everything, and that was one thing that stressed me out as a caregiver.  So she told me the meeting was at noon, so I would not be late. She pulled one over on me, just like I do with Dad! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=891975 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:59:24 +0100 891975 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/20/moms-blog/ My bi-focals are perfect My dentures fit just fine My hearing aid is perfect But, Lord I miss my mind! This was a saying that my Mom had in a frame on her wall at home for as long as I can remember.  I thought since both my sisters and I have blogged here at KnowItAlz, it was Mom’s turn (albeit from Heaven).  She cared for Dad for 5 years before she passed away, and this saying just popped into my head this morning.  Thanks, Mom!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=886517 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:41:50 +0100 886517 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/19/281/ Katie took Dad for his physical therapy yesterday and asked him if he needed to go to the restroom (or ‘make a pitstop’ as Dad calls it) before they left to go to therapy.  We do this as part of his every 3 hour trip to the bathroom schedule we are using to keep him continent.    “I guess that would be better than going on the way to therapy!” he joked.   If you want to know more about Dad’s “reverse potty training” click here:  http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/05/08/too-funny-literally/   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=885538 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:51:44 +0100 885538 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/18/okahoma-city-idaho/ Dad and I went to Beth’s house last night and he “met” her sister, Ann for the “first time”.  They have really probably met twice in the last year, so I would not really expect him to remember her. She lives in Oklahoma. In 1953, Dad was drafted into the army and was stationed in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He also tells people he was in service in Texas, but with my EXTENSIVE knowledge of his military career (trying for 3 years to ‘reconstruct’ his discharge papers so we can get his VA benefits since Dad lost his copy) I know he was not actually stationed in Texas. Anytime anyone mentions any of those states, they get a full account of his 2 years in the military. Well, Ann mentioned a few things about Oklahoma throughout the night, and each time Dad told the same 8 minute story.  Ann knows Dad has Alzheimer’s, so she gently listened to the story as if it were new each time. Tonight we are having dinner with Beth’s sister from “Idaho”.  Dad has never been there. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=880422 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:35:36 +0100 880422 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/17/sex-in-the-middle-east/ Dad, David and I traveled to Charlottesville, VA this weekend for me to to a lighting job at the NBC station up there.   Dad sat in the studio and read the newspaper, and enjoyed watching David and me relight the news set.  When the time came for the anchor woman to sit at the desk for the final focus of the lights, Dad was sitting in the chair next to her and they started to talk about Iraq and the middle east. “It’s all the different sects that are causing the trouble”, she remarked. Later, David remarked that the anchorwoman really took a liking to Dad. “You were talking about sex for a long while.” David said. “Sex?!” said my Dad.  “No, SECTS, Dad, the different religious sects in the middle east.” “You had me scared there for a minute!” he said, laughing. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=876218 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:42:52 +0100 876218 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/15/suns-and-daughters/ We were heading home from dinner the other night, and we live west of the city, so we always drive into a beautiful sunset. “Wow that is a bright sun!” I said. “And an even BRIGHTER daughter.” said my Dad as he put his arm on my shoulder. Things like that make me happy to be Dad’s caregiver. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=873968 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:44:59 +0100 873968 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/14/wait-wait/ Last night the National Public Radio show “Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me” was recorded in front of a live audience right here at Wake Forest University.  My Mom used to work at the local NPR station, so Dad has always been a big fan of anything they do, and we decided to load up and go see it. So, the show started at 7:30pm and it was so crowded, the line to get in was forming before 6pm.  Not to mention the parking space situation!  Dad asked us where we were going about 10 times between the car and the auditorium. Breathless, we all glared at the 50-step staircase we had to ascend at the end of our hike from the car to our seats when Dad said, “Wait! Wait! Don’t Kill me!” Then a very nice lady showed us the elevator.  Thank goodness! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=870750 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:24:42 +0100 870750 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/13/dad-is-a-tv-star/ The local FOX station came over to interview me last night for a piece they are doing on my Insurance Company/Medicare appeal for my Dad’s home health benefit. The focus of the story is the hours and hours it takes the caregiver to file and follow up on these appeals.  Heck, it took me 3 hours sometimes just to talk to the right person at the insurance company!  Not to mention the hundreds of forms and papers that have to be filled out. My part in the story was that I am the 24/7 caregiver to my Dad, have a full time paying job, and a family of my own.  I should not have to spend 100+ hours of my time appealling the denial of a covered benefit on behalf of my 79 year old Dad. We told Dad that they were doing a story about people who work at home, and they asked him many questions about living here, and having me at home.  Dad said that if did not live with me, he would have to go to an institution and he felt he would not survive. Hearing those words made me feel like the happiest (tired, exhaused, worn out, stressed out) daughter in the world!  (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=868394 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:11:26 +0100 868394 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/12/no-stuffing-today/ Dad went to the adult day center again yesterday, and according to the administrator is taking his “volunteer” duties in stride. He keeps asking if they have any envelopes to stuff today (that is the type of volunteering he and Katie have done in the past.)  The aides just tell him to spend a few minutes talking with  the “old folks” to cheer them up, and they can do the stuffing later.  Then he gets to talking, and forgets all about the envelopes. He has gotten chummy with a group of men who are in about the same stage of Alzheimer’s as he is, and they just talk about the good old days for 2-3 hours at a time. When I asked Dad how his volunteering went, he said, “We just stuffed envelopes all afternoon.” (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867494 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:16:22 +0100 867494 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/11/how-about-500mg/ We went to Dad’s neurologist yesterday to check up on his switch from Aricept to Razadyne. I told the doctor that there was a slight improvement early on, but that it had leveled off.  He then suggested we go from 16mg to 24mg per day. “What is Razadyne for again?” asked my Dad. “Memory.” I said. “In that case, can I have 100mg a day?” he asked with a big grin. His doctor just chuckled and told him we’d try the 24mg and see how that goes!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=862267 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:51:33 +0100 862267 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/10/this-bites/ I am a mosquito magnet.  I seem to get a bit every time I go outside! Well, I got a few bites last night and I woke up this morning and my hands were itchy, all swollen up and I had hives!  HIVES! I had to get Dad up to go to the doctor with me (not fun) and the whole way over he kept saying “I have not been bitten by a mosquito since 1945!”  He must have said it 20 times! It is, however, true.  He used to work at Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey during World War II and was a tape tester to find the best repellant for the troops over in mosquito infested Asia. He was paid $1.15 per hour to stick his arm in a cage with thousands of mosquitoes and see which of the prototype repellants placed on strips on his arm worked the best.  He must have built up an immunity, so he has never been bitten since. He also passed that gene along to my sister Susan, who also is never bitten. If I were given a choice, I would still choose to inherit the “convertible car” gene rather than the “no mosquito bite” gene from my sweet Dad!   (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=858697 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:23:16 +0100 858697 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/09/flounder-fingers/ When we were in Charleston, SC last week, we tried to eat a lot of seafood (it is very hard to find fresh fish 5 hours inland in NC where we live) since it is sooooo good. We went to a restaurant near the beach, and David ordered an appetizer, grouper fingers. Well, Dad basically eats four things: grilled chicken, hamburger with grilled onions, rueben, or fish ‘n chips.  Remember this one: http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/03/28/fish-n-chips-n-trouble/ ?? When the grouper fingers came out, Dad asked what they were, and David told him they were “grouper fingers”.  “I do not like grouper”, Dad pouted. I pointed out the window to a pretty girl on the boardwalk, and Dad asked if he should go ask for a date. I then offered him a “flounder finger”.  He LOVED it! This plan rarely fails: Divert attention, and then fib your tail off! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=853289 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:07:05 +0100 853289 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/08/hot-nurses/ Sometimes if I cannot get Dad to comply with my wishes (like stop scratching an infected wound, arguing with me about his eating too much, or having to get up early) I jokingly threaten him with being sent to a nursing home if he does not comply with my wishes. “If the nurses are pretty, I’ll go willingly!” he said yesterday. Now I’ll have to threaten him with going to a home with ALL MALE nurses! (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=852211 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:26:07 +0100 852211 http://knowitalz.com/blog/2007/09/07/crap-happens/ After dinner last night, David could see that Dad was struggling with the TV tray. “Just leave it, Lyman” he said, “I’ll put that away for you.” “Boy, you sure are lucky.  You don’t have to do crap around here!” I joked to my father. “That is one thing I do have to do.” he said. (Source: KnowItAlz.com Blog) KnowItAlz.com Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=848621 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:31:20 +0100 848621