"We went yesterday," I replied.
We met Sally and Jake a year ago and the great supportive friendship we have with this couple has developed over this time. In October of last year we went to Epcot with them. Yesterday the four of us went to Disneyworld in Orlando.
It became apparent that my husband's energy is going downhill from a year ago because he could not participate in a day at Disney as he had a day at Epcot. We chose activities that involved sitting such as three calm boat rides and shows. I took pictures of Jake and Sally on the Tomorrowland Speedway--great fun for Jake who is not allowed to drive now because of he didn't pass his Alzheimer's driving test. When we went to the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Sally was part of the program; her picture appeared up on screen, and a cartooned character interacted with Sally in the program. How do they do this?! We really did have fun at Disney. Sorry hubby couldn't recall his fun this morning.
My husband keeps his charming personality and is really happy, thank God. Last Tuesday night we went to Barnes and Nobel for me to pick up my ordered book on Dr. Mary Newport's book on Alzheimer's and coconut oil. (Review to follow.) Then we went to dinner at Smoky Bones next door. I asked DH what was on his mind. He said,
"How happy I am!"
The young man who waited on us also chatted with us because business was slow. He is going to medical school. I told him to consider finding a cure for Alzheimer's. Hubby told the waiter that he feels fine and loves being retired. I have reflected on this and realize how fortunate I am to have a happy husband. Others experience the anger of their Alzheimer's loved ones. I have rarely experienced that and am claiming Proverbs 26:2 if I do because it is the Alzheimer's that causes the change of personality.
Sally and Jake had a power shortage at their home and are having to replace some appliances. This is hugely confusing to Jake and Sally misses her once capable husband who took care of items such as this. My husband just tends to let me take care of things. A year ago he weeded I noted on the calendar. Now I weed and don't keep up with it. Hubby keeps putting off mowing the lawn. A neighbor has noticed this and has mowed our front yard twice. I need to learn to mow the yards--front and two backyards. When we had a minor plumbing problem recently, my husband just calmly let me handle the situation and the $216 check.
Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble. . . . Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. from Psalm 90 NLT
"Can we do something fun today?" hubby asks.
"When the lawn is mowed, " I say. Midday after I started this post he goes out to mow the lawn. Thank you LORD!
Next week's anticipated blogging posts:
- Review of Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure? by Dr. Mary T. Newport
- My husband's second ALZ driving test
- ALZ walk--support if you haven't by clicking on top right link
We are truly blessed that our sweet husbands are nice most of the time. Some moments aren't so great, but I know it's Alzheimer's and not David.
ReplyDeleteYour outing with your friends sounds like fun......maybe a bump or two in the road, but it was so good that y'all can go out together.
Hugs,
You are blessed in many different ways.. a happy husband.. good friends...wonderful holidays...so blessed.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your journey. I learn so much about caregiving from you Carol.
Good times, good times. Glad you can still have lots of fun. Also glad hubby mowed for you. What fun thing did you do after?
ReplyDeleteThank you for mentioning Proverbs 26:2. I am going to share it with a friend who's husband sometimes curses at her. An Alz. personality change that is very distressing to her as I can imagine. Happy for your special time with friends at Disney. It gave you a precious memory, and your hubby a wonderful feeling, that will stick with you both. Even in our trials, God is continually blessing his own.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly a blessing to have a HAPPY Alzhiemer husband. Mine was almost all the time and I appreciated his gentle spirit and loving attitude.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that your husband didn't remember his good times at Disney. But, you have those memories and will cherish them for years to come.
Sounds like so much fun! Enjoy your good times.
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to say that I hope you have a good time on your Alzheimer's walk with your friend! I never knew that purple was associated with Alzheimer's awareness. Thanks for bringing awareness to the web. I hope you blog about your experience with the walk!
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