Hey all...just checking in...

[Jersey mike]

So not much to report as far as riding goes, did get a couple 1/2 day rides in over the last 3 months but we’ve had some big things go on here.

Late in May my youngest daughter celebrated her 18th birthday but that was over shadowed by my wife’s dad (afflicted with Alzheimer’s) being sick in the hospital with gallbladder issues as well as suffering a heart attack. While playing her final soccer game after 13 years I sat in the stands hoping he wouldn’t pass and having to break that news to her. A few days later “pop” went home as healthy as the could get him. He has serious heart issues, needs 6 stents (all blockages are between 75-90% blocked) and has a heart valve that only operates at about 15%.

On June 6th, only a few days after getting home his wife passed. Barbara’s brother and sister came up from Virginia stayed a week or so to stay with pop.

The middle of June, our daughter who just turned 18 graduated from H.S., a bitter sweet day. Lots of wet eye syndrome that day.

Barbara and her sister rotated off for a couple weeks of staying with pop at his house but it was very taxing.

On July 6th we moved him into our house. Last week it was back to the hospital for the gallbladder, the infection returned, again not a candidate for surgery even though the cardiologist approved it as we were made aware of the possibility of losing him on the table. Gastro doc’s said he has so much sludge in the gallbladder infection is always possible.

So for now pop goes to adult day care and lives with us.

77 years old and doesn’t know who we are and it’s like having a grown up toddler.

So that’s where we’re at here on the Jersey Shore. Not much riding going on, there’s been a few days as well as a couple evenings I wanted to go but didn’t have the heart to just ride away leaving Barbara all alone.

Alzheimer’s sucks....we should fix it.

[JFaje1]

Mike, went through the same thing with my mom, so I kind of know what you are going through. Best of luck to you and your family.
John

[97BLKVALK]

Mike,

Going through the Alzheimer's stages with my father.  Moved in to help mom as the task is monumental as you know.  One day at a time.   

From one Mike to another........

Cheers to you and your family!

Michael

[DirtyDan]

Be strong Mike

Dan

[cookiedough]

sort of know how you feel, but not to that degree of health issues.    Dreading the day my mom does not recognize who I am....    

She still thinks she can go home and live by herself but the last few months she has needed a wheelchair unable to walk on her own with a walker off and on.  She has good days and bad days but the bad days are becoming more and more often it seems ever since December when she fell at home.

Been thinking of quiting my crappy job and moving in myself with her since the 3600 per month asst. living check is hard to swallow which is more than I make per month by far as well as what mom takes in thru social security and my dad''s pension check.  

[Jersey mike]

Hardest part of this is;

The heartache and tears from Barbara when her dad asks who she is. At one time they were extremely close and had a great relationship. It’s been years since he called anyone by name.

The other is what goes through his mind. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be among people you don’t recognize, to be in a place that is “unfamiliar “, not know what’s going on and need to trust “these people”.

It’s a crazy disease and so different from person to person.

[solo1]

I was the caregiver for my wife for two years. Physically, she was bad but mentally, she was fine. Alzheimer's is probably the worse since the loved one is there but not there, and reverting back to a child.

[PJR]

Kind of know the feeling. We moved mother inn law in with us 4 1/2 yrs ago. She has dementia/Alzheimer. In June she had a TIA-small stroke. We took her to hospital, and from there had her admitted to nursing home. Tis a very hard thing to do, wanting to care for, but not wanting to care for. She needed someone around 100%, or she would get anxious and come looking for someone. Was afraid she would wander outside, and be totally confused.
 As said above, one day at a time. God bless, and best wishes.

[robin]

Sorry to hear Mike stay strong.