From the Edge of Dementia

Pop is sleeping again.  We couldn't get anything into him other than ice cream tonight.  He didn't even want the two cookies Ma gave him afterwards.  So he had half of a peanut butter sandwich, a half of a banana, and two cookies for lunch (w/milk).  And Ice cream just now.  That's all we've been able to get into him.  Ma doesn't care WHAT he eats anymore.  She's been trying to entice him with all kinds of stuff that's not good for him but he's not biting. 

I'm sitting vigil at his bedside.  We only wakes up for a few seconds at a time but when he does, he panics if no one's here.  I can't bare that.  Especially when all I have to do is reach over and stroke his head and cheek for him to calm down and go back to sleep. 

Anyway, I'm not going to write much because I doubt there are many people reading journals tonight.  So I'm going to indulge myself and spend some time over at My Space.  I decided to blog there, too.  Remember the process started by the Spiderman watch?  Well, the me I'm evolving into has an apartment over at My Space and her address there is:   http://www.myspace.com/malagutigrrl  

So... you are welcomed to visit me there.

But don't say I didn't warn you.

It's hard to say what I'm going to be next. 

But it's certainly NOT going to be what I am right now.

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• #5 Comment from loiskpost 
  12/31/06 10:04 AM | Permalink

  I'm glad I found your blog. I'm early in this game of Dad with dementia. I just drove from Florida to Ohio and back to get my dad out of a dementia lock-down ward ( I believe they call it a "safety unit.") He is sooo much better than the rest of the people on that unit, and was very depressed. My sisters and I were crying daily at his being there so I told my older sister to prepare the doctors for my arrival because if I came to see him, I wouldn't leave without him. At 94,  he'd never been to a doctor in his life and I couldn't stand that the system finally "got him" after he had a "spell" and Mom called 911. I guess they've diagnosed him as vascular dementia. The good thing is the dr. gave him Lexapro so he's settled down quite a lot, but still wants to "go home" and every now and then asks, "Where IS everybody?" I'm sure "everybody" includes everyone from his childhood friends and cousins to his 5 kids who are now grown, but isn't it the existential question of our time?
  
  Right now he requires minimal care, and although he'll let me "bird bathe" him he is resisting the bath. Any suggestions?? I think mostly he hates to be COLD.
  
  Glad I found you.
  LoPo in Florida
• #4 Comment from helmswondermom 
  12/28/06 12:04 AM | Permalink

  My father's decline was extremely fast.  From his diagnosis to his passing was only a mere two months.  I feel for you, and hope you and your mother are able to get some rest.  I admire you for being there for them and for making sure that he doesn't wake up alone if you can help it.
  Lori
  http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages
• #3 Comment from gazker 
  12/27/06 5:29 PM | Permalink

  I have just started reading your blog. Be who you need to be on my space, if it helps at all........... Good luck.
• #2 Comment from deshelestraci 
  12/24/06 11:46 PM | Permalink

  Well, Santa has spent the last hour putting together all the Christmas joys for two little girls!  I'm beat but I am reading to settle before bed.
  Good luck, Traci
  Merry Christmas!
  
• #1 Comment from ukgal36 
  12/24/06 9:18 PM | Permalink

  I am intrigued...
  Lyn