Saturday, April 12, 2008

Saturday, and Your Sunday Signs

My husband has been having more confusion which makes it almost impossible to get on this machine without being called on every minute or so. I was going to post on Thursday night and had to forget it. Last night he was really bad. There is NO reasoning with a person when they are confused. I did go to the Caregivers Support Group meeting this week. They have it monthly and I try to go as much as I can. They give you lots of info and all the agencies involved in caring for people like that are usually there as well; Home Health Agency's, Hospice, Alzheimer's Center, etc. It truly is a good thing to go to and you learn a lot. They offer lots of material like the pamphlet you see in this picture. Once he winds down and falls asleep after being so confused then I'm too pooped to think about getting on here, so I usually head to bed. When I try to reason with him he gets angry with me. I don't take his anger personally. I know that is just the confusion talking. It's hard though, because he gets so mad I'm afraid he'll bust a gut or something!! Or have another stroke!! About 11 p.m. last night he got so tired that he finally went to sleep.


Yesterday the tornado sirens went off. We got a storm but it wasn't that bad here. However one of the counties joining ours did get a tornado with homes and barns totally destroyed. We got lots of rain, some wind, and small hail. The water below us is muddy today after all that rain.


Not one, but THREE CHURCH SIGNS!!!

This one still fits the bill now since we got all that rain yesterday!



This one is great for this week since they are having the master's tournament.



This one is great since it's tax time!! Only two more days to get your taxes done!! Have a blessed wonderful Sunday everyone!!




31 Comments:

Blogger Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Rachel. Bless your heart, I know what it's like to deal with Alzheimer's. All you can do is take it one day at a time. I hope you have someone who can sit with your hubby occasionally so you can get away and have some "me" time.

We had the tornado sirens and storms earlier in the week. Like you, we didn't have any damage in our immediate area but others close to us did. And we still months more of tornado season to go!

Love the signs, as usual. ;o)

Have a great week, dear heart.

Love and hugs,

Diane

7:51 PM  
Blogger Susie said...

Hi Rachel,
I do understand the exhaustion that comes with coping with dementia. I hope you can get some help with someone coming in now and then to give you a break.
Love the Sunday signs.
xo

8:24 PM  
Blogger sonia a. mascaro said...

Dear Rachel, I am so sorry...I can understand your problem... I am sending positive thoughts to you.
Many hugs! And I hope you have a nice Sunday!

8:29 PM  
Blogger Cheyenne said...

I too know what you are going through. May God bless you.
Love the signs. I will be working on my taxes.

10:32 PM  
Blogger Gattina said...

I know it's very hard to live with such a person. I hope you have some help to get away from time to time to "fill" up your tank and get new forces !

10:43 PM  
Blogger Donna. W said...

I haven't read your blog long, so I didn't know about your husband's condition. So I went back and read older entries until I found a bit more about it. I'm so sorry. I must say, you do a great job of looking on the sunny side of life. I had no clue you had something like this going on in your life.

3:46 AM  
Blogger Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Rachel! It takes a special person to do what you do and you are a special person. It amazes me how upbeat and happy you are. I also hope that someone comes to your home to stay with your husband so you can get some you time. My thoughts are with you. Lisa

5:11 AM  
Blogger Cliff said...

Hi Rachel, I was fearful that was the reason for your absence. Sorry to hear about this again. Your husband is a fortunate man to have you to take care of him.
Good signs btw. I'll send a note.

6:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't even imagine what it would be like to have this happen to the one you love. Even knowing the behavior is part of the disease, it would still be so difficult. I know it has turned your world upside down. You are a very strong, loving person to take care of him like you do. I'll continue to pray for you.

Your church signs always bring a smile to my face.

6:25 AM  
Blogger Lucy Stern said...

I love that last sign Rachel. Like Diane says, take one day at a time and just hang in there. Your husband is so lucky to have you to take care of him....

I'm glad that you didn't get any of the tornados, what crazy weather. Talk to ya later.

7:36 AM  
Blogger Jamie Dawn said...

I'm so sorry that things have been more difficult lately with your hubby. I'm sure you get very tired and frustrated. I know you said you don't take his anger personally, but I am sure your feelings have been hurt even though you know that it is his confusion and disoriented mind that is talking so harshly.
You are showing him a great amount of love and patience. I'm glad the support group is helpful.
It's okay if you can't always get in blog time. Don't worry about it because your blog buddies (ME, for sure!!) will be here no matter.
I'm hoping to play the game tonight that you sent us. Keith is back in CA for a couple of weeks, but the kids and I can play it. We haven't had an evening together with all of us home since we got back from our trip. Courtney has been acting in one of her friend's movies, so she's been gone a lot. Taylor has been out with friends. I think both kids will be home tonight though.
:-)
I always enjoy the Sunday signs.
I hope you have a good day, and I hope Phil is not confused so you can have a peaceful, restful day.

11:59 AM  
Blogger Ralph said...

Great signs Rachel. Sory to hear about your husband, you'll be in our thoughts.
Ralph

1:10 PM  
Blogger Granny Annie said...

Rachel, your devotion inspires us all! Bless your heart.

About that last sign. "It's Tax Time Again"... should be followed by "Rescue The Perishing!"

2:06 PM  
Blogger Jim said...

Hi Rachel - Yes, you are indeed having a tough time of it right now. You are a faithful and kind wife, God will bless you fully!

Your church signs are appropriate. Is that church nearby?

Jamie is right, your blog buddies will stay. You are special to me because you left the first comment on my first blog! Thank you one more time.
..

2:54 PM  
Blogger b13 said...

Hearing those sirens must be terrifying. I couldn't live like that. But those signs always bring a smile to my face.

8:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel,
Sending wishes for calmer times,more rest for both of you, and hugs. I can only imagine how it is to have your heart torn. Similar, but not the same, conditions existed for relatives, but I was not the primary caregiver, which is a HUGE difference.

I'm glad you're able to go to the caregiver support group. I hope others can give you a break sometimes. That siren must have been a scare on top of everything else. I feel for those who did have damage.

Best wishes for a good week.

10:37 PM  
Blogger Carole Burant said...

Good morning, dear Rachel:-)

Taking care of a loved one who is ill can be harder than anyone can imagine. I'm so glad you have these monthly meetings to go to, I am sure it helps to talk to others who are going through the same thing as you.

Oh dear, I do hope your weather settles down. On Friday and Saturday we got quite a snowfall but now it's starting to melt again, although it's only going up into the low 40's today. Spring is really having a hard time getting sprung around here! lol

Love the signs!! xoxo

8:27 AM  
Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

Rachel dear....this has to be extremely difficult...! I'm not sure I could manage as well as you do, at all. You are amazing! I think it is wonderful that there are these support groups...THAT has to be really really helpful---as you said. I send you hugs, my dear and pray for you to stay string!

Your weather sounds quite scary....I guess no matter where one lives there are 'the elements' to contend with...! I'm glad you did not get the Tornedo part...!

9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love how creative the church signs get. It had become an art.

9:47 AM  
Blogger JunieRose2005 said...

Rachel,

I had been wondering about how things were with you- I'm sorry things can get so hard at times. I hope you can have help from family and friends! I think of you often, Rachel, and admire you greatly!

:) I loved the Sunday signs!

Junie

10:56 AM  
Blogger Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

That tax church sign was hilarious. I didn't know you were having bad storms your way. We've had two days of rain now and yesterday it even spit out a few snowflakes.

It's awfully hard to care for a confused person and my heart goes out to you. I know you must be mentally exhausted and I hope you are getting some outside help.

Take care.

6:03 PM  
Blogger Kendra Lynn said...

hi....I am sorry you are having to endure the confusion on your own. So is my Papa...you can read my recent posts on my Granny if you like...right now she is doing all right, but sometimes...well, it is stressful.
You are in my prayers.

God bless you.

Kendra

7:38 PM  
Blogger Peggy said...

Rachel, I know from dealing with Fran's anger and confusion that its hard not to be hurt. Your husband is truly blessed to have you and I am sure he knows that too. Stay strong and remember you have lots of prayers going up for the 2 of you. Love your church signs!!

7:57 AM  
Blogger Beverly said...

Hi, stopping by here from JD's. I love the signs.

11:32 AM  
Blogger Scarlet said...

Rachel, I can't imagine how difficult it is to go through what you're going through with your husband's confusion. It must be frustrating and I can tell it's tiring. I hope he can rest more and that you can relax and get out a little.

The signs are excellent, especially that last one. How fitting for the season! :)

Wishing you a peaceful day.

4:02 PM  
Blogger Doug Bagley said...

God bless you Rachel. My Grandfather had alzheimers. I know a little of what you're going through.

5:59 PM  
Blogger Jerry in Texas said...

Rachel,
Mom was that way this evening. All red in the face and wanting her shoes on because she's going to town (in her housecoat). I came back an hour later and she was all calm, settled in her chair.

It's very frustrating and exhausting, I know. Thinking of you both in my prayers.

6:36 PM  
Blogger Janell said...

God bless you, Rachel. I remember having those confused conversations with my mom. In a very agitated state, she would ask a question, I would answer it and then her face would calm down for just a moment and then cloud over again with the agitated scowl and she would ask the exact same question again. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you and your husband.

8:10 PM  
Blogger Mountain Mama said...

I agree with Diane. You need to have lots of 'me' time. I pray you have someone who you are comfortable with to stay with him during that time so you can really relax.
It makes it so much easire when you are with him if you can have some breaks.
I love the signs, especially the last one. LOL
God Bless!

9:14 PM  
Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

Thanks for ypir visit Rachel...I just LOVE The Doves, too! There is something really so very dear about them, isn't there? And a softness that they exude...! I'm hoping there will be more "nests" as the Spring goes on....!

8:13 AM  
Blogger Almost American said...

Glad to hear that you get out to a support group and that it helps. I'd suggested one to my father-in-law when my mother-in-law first showed signs of Alzheimer's. He went just once and refused to go again - said it was too depressing. He didn't like hearing the stories of what was to come. He half killed himself keeping her at home as long as he could because she had always said she wouldn't want to be institutionalized. Eventually she was and it was better for both of them. He still kept trying to reason with her though. He got very angry with her when she said that the staff at the nursing home were torturing her. We knew they weren't. Instead of arguing with her, I just agreed that the staff was terrible but told her that because she'd complained they'd all been fired and the new staff had already started work. That made her happy - she didn't remember any of the faces or names anyway.

Such an awful disease. I pray they find a cure sooner rather than later.

9:54 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Free Hit Counters
Web Counter