Descent into Alzheimer's Disease

Mom fell down in my living room today. I suppose it was inevitable. She paces almost constantly when she’s here and frequently stumbles. But today she went all the way down. Just one moment before she fell she had done a complete twirl around and almost fallen. Then she looked out the window on the door for a second, turned quickly around and began to fall forward. It seemed like slow motion. First she fell to her knee, but she just kept going… all the way down until she hit her face and head on the floor. She never even put her hands out to break her fall.

She has a little strawberry on her knee and sore spots on her cheekbone and forehead, but she’s okay. Chris supported her back to help her sit up on the floor for a bit before we tried to get her up. She got up with us helping her. I stood in front of her and pulled on her arms while Chris hoisted from the back. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her and she smiled and hugged me. How sad that the natural reflex of breaking a fall is no longer with her.

I worry about her safety around my house. I don’t want to quit bringing her here because this is her only outing all week. I guess I’ll have to keep trying until it’s obvious I must stop.

She was leaning sideways two days this past week. The first day it was so bad they sat her down and restrained her so she wouldn’t fall. The second day she wasn’t leaning as much and seemed more stable and they let her walk. She’s not leaning now. I think she had another episode. *sigh*

She did seem happy today. In fact, she’s been happy all week when I’ve seen her. That’s an encouragement.

Josh aced the management test for Applebee’s. In fact, his score was so high that the testing company called Applebee’s and asked if Josh had been supervised while he took the test! Hee. Apparently he had the highest score ever on the exam. I have no idea how that happened, but he did pray before the test. Then he had his first interview with an owner. He was given a written assignment which he completed successfully and is now awaiting his second interview. I guess after that he will receive more intense management training and be given his new location. He sounds excited and very upbeat when we talk and that makes me happy. Maybe all this activity will help him keep his mind off Leah somewhat. He misses her terribly. They are both extremely fortunate to be living in this age of high technology so they get to talk via telephone several times weekly.

Leah is doing well, but things are going on that she’s not allowed to talk about and we are concerned for her safety. I think she is seeing some pretty serious injuries and will have to be tough to get through the next months. She is such a quiet, sweet, sensitive girl. I have trouble imagining her as an EMT, dealing with all that they witness. I know the Lord is with her and there are no better hands.

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This past week at work was a nightmare. I think all the hurricanes have disturbed the atmosphere and made all the psychos flip their neurotic lids. I didn’t think the week was ever going to end and each day was worse than the previous day. Somehow I made it and I’m hoping this week will at least be back to a more normal level of craziness. We’re having a potluck on Monday, so that should be fun.

Wednesday Chris is taking me out for a birthday lunch. Isn’t he just the sweetest? Speaking of my birthday, my sons went together and bought me a CD player for my car because mine was broken. Chris took my car and had it installed professionally for me. That reminds me… I need to go out and take off the face so someone won’t break into my car for it.

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Church was good today. The pastor preached from Ecclesiastes. One verse really struck me and I pointed it out to Chris. “This is so true,” I whispered, nodding.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief : and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Ecclesiates 4:13 ¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.