A year passed...
For someone who was formerly a prolific writer, I find myself neglecting this journal again. I am only a few courses away from graduating with my A.S. in Business Management (how many courses, you ask? Who knows! I have a phone conference with my academic adviser tomorrow morning.) Mother has recovered amazingly well, but she is now living with the diagnosis that many senior adults dread to hear: Alzheimer's Disease.
Last summer, after I noted her health issues in my journal, we began trying to get her to a senior adult specialist. When we were finally able to attain new patient status, the doctor began concentrating on her health, but he was watching her mental state closely as well. She went from being the all-powerful master of the kitchen to a confused, underweight, and shaky figure who was unable to remember to turn off the stove. We blamed her heart attack, but there was more to it than that. The diagnosis, given to us in October of 2009, was like a splash of icy water in our faces. Alzheimer's means that you lose your precious loved one long before they actually pass away. I cried many nights over the thought. My mother is my best friend.
Today I can write that Mother is doing much better. Aricept (a miracle drug!), vitamins, and an adjusted dose of blood pressure medicine has allowed her to regain, or at least maintain, a great deal of herself. That sounds strange, but that is how I see it. I have my mother back, not 100% as she was before, but she is here, with us, present in her own mind and capable of interacting and being generally a happy, content person. I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for this. With her health stable for the first time in a year, we were able to find a hearing aid that worked for her. She attended church last Sunday for the first time since Christmas 2008. She got a standing ovation from our precious church people when I escorted her in the door! She was tired when we got home, but she stated she heard almost every word the preacher said, and that "he did a pretty good job!" God is so good!
I know that college is set up to become harder and harder the farther along you go, but this last 5 months have been a meat grinder. I hope to find out for sure just how many classes I have left. I fear that my student adviser neglected to check the degree list in my file when I requested this year's classes, and I have taken classes that I don't need. At almost a grand a pop, I don't need any extra bucks added to what I already owe! Perhaps the fact that I am on the President's list (grade point 3.80 or above) will aid me in graduating as early as possible.
Stress has taken its toll on me physically. About 5 weeks ago I caught the 'stomach bug' the same time as my diabetic husband. He ended up in the hospital. I called the paramedics to come and get him when I could not get him out of bed. I was sick and weak myself, but at least I could get to the bathroom under my own power. He spent 4 days in the hospital, and thanks to IVs and constant care recovered quickly. I still have all the symptoms of the bug, except for the nausea, and I have lost 8 lbs in the process. This is not a good diet plan, let me tell you! My doctor thinks once I reduce my stress level my body will heal itself.
Hopefully I will keep up with my journal from now on. I post thoughts and feelings on here that are a snapshot of where I am at the moment. It is good to remember those moments. If you forget where you came from, how can you be truly thankful for where you are right now?
My song quote for the day:
Thanks, thanks, I give you thanks,
For all you've done...
I am so blessed,
My soul is at rest,
Oh, Lord, I give you thanks!
--Carol Cymbala
Last summer, after I noted her health issues in my journal, we began trying to get her to a senior adult specialist. When we were finally able to attain new patient status, the doctor began concentrating on her health, but he was watching her mental state closely as well. She went from being the all-powerful master of the kitchen to a confused, underweight, and shaky figure who was unable to remember to turn off the stove. We blamed her heart attack, but there was more to it than that. The diagnosis, given to us in October of 2009, was like a splash of icy water in our faces. Alzheimer's means that you lose your precious loved one long before they actually pass away. I cried many nights over the thought. My mother is my best friend.
Today I can write that Mother is doing much better. Aricept (a miracle drug!), vitamins, and an adjusted dose of blood pressure medicine has allowed her to regain, or at least maintain, a great deal of herself. That sounds strange, but that is how I see it. I have my mother back, not 100% as she was before, but she is here, with us, present in her own mind and capable of interacting and being generally a happy, content person. I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for this. With her health stable for the first time in a year, we were able to find a hearing aid that worked for her. She attended church last Sunday for the first time since Christmas 2008. She got a standing ovation from our precious church people when I escorted her in the door! She was tired when we got home, but she stated she heard almost every word the preacher said, and that "he did a pretty good job!" God is so good!
I know that college is set up to become harder and harder the farther along you go, but this last 5 months have been a meat grinder. I hope to find out for sure just how many classes I have left. I fear that my student adviser neglected to check the degree list in my file when I requested this year's classes, and I have taken classes that I don't need. At almost a grand a pop, I don't need any extra bucks added to what I already owe! Perhaps the fact that I am on the President's list (grade point 3.80 or above) will aid me in graduating as early as possible.
Stress has taken its toll on me physically. About 5 weeks ago I caught the 'stomach bug' the same time as my diabetic husband. He ended up in the hospital. I called the paramedics to come and get him when I could not get him out of bed. I was sick and weak myself, but at least I could get to the bathroom under my own power. He spent 4 days in the hospital, and thanks to IVs and constant care recovered quickly. I still have all the symptoms of the bug, except for the nausea, and I have lost 8 lbs in the process. This is not a good diet plan, let me tell you! My doctor thinks once I reduce my stress level my body will heal itself.
Hopefully I will keep up with my journal from now on. I post thoughts and feelings on here that are a snapshot of where I am at the moment. It is good to remember those moments. If you forget where you came from, how can you be truly thankful for where you are right now?
My song quote for the day:
Thanks, thanks, I give you thanks,
For all you've done...
I am so blessed,
My soul is at rest,
Oh, Lord, I give you thanks!
--Carol Cymbala