I started this blog 2 years ago intending to chronicle Aunt Earline's battle with Altzheimer's. Life just became too hectic to journal. After the past 3 weeks of ups and downs and close calls I have decided to start journaling about this wonderful woman's life. This seems to be the best way to keep everyone updated on her changing condition.
As you all know, I brought Aunt Earline home from the hospital about three weeks ago. She was just recovering from pneumonia which can be fatal for someone with Alzheimer's. She came home very weak and with oxygen. It was at this time that the doctors were able to reassess her condition and confirmed that she had entered the late stages of the disease. I've known all along that this day was coming but it does not make it any easier to accept.
In the past three weeks I have watched as she has lost her ability to walk and to talk clearly. According to the studies this generally happens at about the same time. Our family held a vigil on that first weekend she came home. We could not get her to eat. Her vital signs were so poor and death was hovering. I called her children and grandchildren to break this sad news to them. We honestly did not expect her to survive the weekend.
For whatever reason that only the Lord knows it was not her time to leave this earthly existence. I know that God has a plan and that her survival was part of that plan. I have no idea how much longer she will be with us. It really isn't that important. I know that every day with her is precious. We have all had some wonderful moments with her. I have been able to (in a very small way) repay the kindness to her that she always had for my family. It is such a privilege to be able to lovingly care for her in this last phase of her life. I hope to be able to preserve her dignity as her body begins to lose some functions. I love that she is in a loving environment and our family will happily help her through this stage.
It has been an honor to take care of her daily needs and assure her that the world she now knows is a safe place where her mother and father are (in her mind) still here on this earth and caring for her. She talks often of her brothers and sisters that have gone before her. She has lovingly recounted the happy times that she shared with her brother, Joe, and her little sister, babe. On those few times that she is able to talk she is talking to her family and enjoying life. She is either talking to her children or her parents, brothers and sisters.
I will try to recount some of the stories she has told us. I am not sure how accurate the stories are. I will relay them and maybe some of you can verify for me.
I can tell you that today she seems to be in less pain. I think we have finally found the right combination of medications to help ease her pain. She seems to have a pulled chest muscle and muscles contracting in her neck, shoulders, and head. The physical therapist has shown Cheryl and me some exercises and light massage techniques to help her with this. Her vital signs are still stable. She eats very little these days. An average daily intake might be 2 pudding cups and, if we are lucky, 2 bottles of ensure. She will also sip water for us. I know this might seem mightily inadequate to some of you. Remember that it does not take much to sustain bed rest. She is not burning many calories, therefore her body is going to take in less. The doctors have told us this is a natural process.
Our days are pretty much routine. I get up in the morning and take care of her personal needs. Cheryl comes at about 10:00 am and cares for her until 2:30pm. She has another aide, Felicia, that comes in each morning to bathe her and report general conditions to the nurse. The nurse comes by 2 to 3 times a week and reports her vital signs and general condition to the doctor. We've all worked out a great routine.
I cannot tell anyone how long she will be with us. Things change on a daily basis with her. She will generally have one good day where she is somewhat responsive followed by a couple of days where she really isn't responsive. She does sleep about 98% of the time now. I am told this is how her brain is able to deal with the ravages of the disease. She has been feeling good enough to scold me today for letting her get too cold while I was changing her diapers and pajamas. I like these moments even though it breaks my heart for her to be uncomfortable. It's the moments that she doesn't complain that tend to scare me. She especially enjoys having her hair brushed lately. I brush it every evening and she tells me how good it feels. I can only imagine...doesn't every girl feel a hundred times better when her hair is done? Someone mentioned to me today that she might enjoy a good foot rub so I think Cheryl and I will incorporate this in her daily routine. I can't imagine how hard it is to constantly be in bed.
Sorry I rambled on. I will try to give daily updates if life permits. I will try to include pictures so that you all can see her and feel as if you are here with her.
