I'm sorry I haven't posted in 6 days...that is so unlike me. I have a lot on my plate at the moment and I thank you for always coming by to check on me! I appreciate all of you!!! Please be patient with me if I haven't visited you lately.
Two things can happen in the coming weeks: My posts will be far and few between OR I will have short "happy" posts to "escape" here with you to take my mind off of LIFE (because in spite of all this, I still have great things to share with you! :)
I am learning to deal with my Dad's Alzheimer's.
Through my daily trials, I have learned:
There are good days and there are bad days.
There WILL be good days and there WILL be bad days.
I have accepted this.
I embrace the good days.
I lift up the bad days.
And, I still have so much yet to learn.
To all of you who have sent emails and left comments, I have saved each and every one of them and I look back on them when I am down. Know that you have become a very special part in my healing and understanding...your words have given me great comfort. Thank You.
34 comments:
Good to hear from ya and sad that you are going through such a hard time with your Dad. I know it is tough but just know we are all out here thinking and praying for you both!
xoxo
Jodie-
I have been keeping you in my prayers. I know your struggling with this and just remember that its not him saying what he says and he loves you very VERY much. My offer still stands call me day or night if you need anything even some crown and coke. Ill pop over and you can cry on my shoulder while we down our drink. I love you hun. Keep your head up and if it gets down just remember he loves you and your all he has to keep his life a little normal!! BIG BIG BIG HUGS
love-
Sarah
Hang in there hon, it is a struggle for sure! There isn't a day that goes by that I struggle with the care of my Dad, it is hard. Take care!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Jodie, He is lucky to have you although he may not be able to express it. Been there and it is not easy. Thinking about you and praying for you each day. Hugs, Pam
Jodie, how hard for you...i will be thinking about you...and praying for you too!!!
Sorry to hear that you and your dad are going through this awful time. I vote for easy escapist posts and a disclaimer saying you won't have time to leave comments on other folks blogs for awhile. Blogging always cheers me up when I'm down and I have a feeling it might do the same for you.
I was wondering where you were, so glad to know that although you are dealing with a lot right now, you are okay. Know that you are not alone. Wishing you all the best as you learn to cope with the challenges you are facing at present. Peace and blessings,
Jodie
I keep you in my continued thoughts and prayers...just loosing my dad a year ago to this..it is ruff..keep in your mind the good times and rely on friends to keep you smiling...hugs for my friend.
Jodie---I lost my dad to alzheimers about six years ago. He spent the last two years in a place called Sunrise for the memory impaired. No one can tell you how to get through this, but I can relate if you ever need to chat through email.
Jodie: Saying prayers for you and your dad as you try and maneuver through these uncharted waters. I wish there were more I could do.
Hugs to you...
Lou Cinda
Jodie, we all miss you, but like Barbara said, short posts are probably a good way to "take a break" from it all. Don't worry about making comments, we know you care, and we love you, so just know we are thinking about you and praying for you.
My FIL has it and he doesn't know who my husband is, it's so hard on the children. So I have an idea of what you are going through.
God is good and He gives us His grace for these tough times.
Hugs, dear Jodie,
Debra
I have recently found your beautiful BLOG...you are absolutely in my prayers. My friend and I were just talking about this...getting to an age when parents and friends parents start having issues. Take Care...
Jodie, I'm praying for you both. There will be good and bad and a lot to learn, but at the end of the journey, you will love whom you have become.
Hugs,
June
Jodie - My thoughts are with you as you are dealing with your Dad's Alzheimer's. Your dad will know that you were there for him through the good and bad days and that is what will make it all worthwhile. Take Care,
Jane
Jodie,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
A great book that helped us understand this condition with my late mother-in-law was "The 36 Hour Day: A Family Guide for Caring for Persons With Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life" by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabbins.
I found it very helpful to understand the condition from the perspective of the one suffering from the condition and it helped to not only have patience but to not get so upset by the things she said or did that were hurtful.
Hang in there and know that you are covered in prayer!
Jodie. You know I'm thinking about you. Don't worry about us - we'll live. Post when and what you can. A breather is nice, so at least you have this escape.
Remember, it is the disease - not your Dad when a few choice things come out of his mouth. But it just happens - you must look past it and not take it to heart. Because there will be those moments.
Big giant hugs. I wish we were closer so I could give it to you in person.
Lots of prayers . . . Karen
Jodie,
Like Miss Sandi said..."The 36 Hour Day" is a must read! There were days I thought I couldn't and wouldn't make it another moment, but then I would read further into the book and realized that I wasn't alone. There are so many children who are now taking care of the parents or an elderly loved ones with this devistating disease. I pray that in our life time there is a cure! Know that God is walking beside you all the way on this journey and you will be so much stronger that you ever thought you could possibly be! From a daughter who took care of her Mother with this disease there is one thing I did learn...that it is important, very important to take personal time for yourself. Believe me it helps if you will take the time..blog, my friend, if only for a little, it will help you heal!
My prayers
Gale
Sending love & hugs to you Jodie.
Life can be hard sometimes and we need to keep our chin up.
I am going through the same thing with my Dad.
It is a rollercoaster of emotions, he has good days and bad days too.
It has me on edge, every time the phone rings.
Sorry for what you are going through.
Take care and look after your sweet self.
Hugs
Carolyn
My crazy cajun friend,
As you can see, there are a lot of folks who care and are praying for you and your daddy. I hope this brings you some light in what appears dark. Know that we are here always and will do anything to help make your load lighter.
While I went through something similar to this with my mother, I don't think it was as severe as your dad's. I know it was hard taking care of Mother, but looking back, I'm so glad I was able to and I think you will be too.
I'll keep some ice on hand if you decide you need that C&C.
Deb
Oh Jodie, you are strong and reading posts you've shared of families, I know you are surrounded with so much love. But I guess there are "down" days which I think are inevitable.
We have different difficulties that come our way and we may not be able to relate to each others experiences. But the feeling, I think, is similar. Not what we go through, but the feeling.
YOu have some coping and adjustments that is coming . . . has come your way. Of course, your dear blog friends will understand that. :-)
Mizpah,
Li
DEAR JODIE,
I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. I CAN IMAGINE THAT THIS IS A VERY SAD TIME FOR YOU. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF TOO AS YOU CARE FOR YOUR DAD. BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
GWENNY
Darling Girl, my heart is with you in this phase of life that you and your father are traveling together. You are in this together and together you will get through it.
My Grandmother suffered from the same disease and some days she recognized her family and some days she didn't. It was a trying time for all. But, on those good days - it was priceless.
xoxo - Julie
Dear Jodie,
I'm keeping you and your Dad close in my heart in prayer.
My husband Jim's Mom lost her battle with Alzheimer's at 90 last August and we can fully relate.
Love and blessings always,
Linda
Hang in there Jodie, I'm sure it's tough.
Hey Jodie,
Thinking about you and wishing you happy, positive days. Hang in there. My best friend since 1st grade is in a very similar situation and I know how difficult and challenging it can be. Know that many people are thinking of you each day, including me.
Love,
Sharon :-)
Hi Jodie such a tough time for you.
Sending positive thoughts your way
Alison
Jodie, I'm so sorry you and your dad have to go through with this. I know it's not easy. My FiL had dementia the last years of his life. It was difficult for my DH to see him that way. So lots of love and support and prayers going your way.
~Marilee
Jodie,
Alzheimer's is one of the most painful diseases to deal with... it is robbing your father of something very cherished- his memories. My prayers for you and your family are fervent. I pray for comfort and strength for you. Many hugs, friend.
Sweet Jodie~
You...your sweet father & your family are in my prayers. I know this must be really hard. I will be checking in on you often.
Blessings~Hope
I'm so sorry to hear about this. My FIL was just diagnosed as well. So hard to see the changes so rapidly taking place in him. I was also going to recommend the book, "The 36 hour day", as it was highly recommended to us as well. Do hang in there gurl and you know, you can blow stem or cry with all of us anytime.
c
yapping cat
God Bless you and your father. I have been praying for him daily and will continue to do so:).
Blessings dear friend,
Kim
Jodie, do what works for as long as it works then try something else. You just have to take things as they come and deal with it the way you think you should. Everyone of these moments in time will be another moment that you have with him, cherish each one of them as hard as some may be, he can not help himself at all. Enjoy the little blessings-a smile, the sound of his voice or even a quick glance he may give you. Hug him and tell him you love him even if he doesn't know who you are, you know who he is and how much he means to you. Take care of yourself and if there is anything I can do for you please let me know.
I am learning to deal with my Dad's Alzheimer's THROUGH MY SISTERS.
Through my daily trials, I have learned:
There are good days and there are bad days. AND I AM THERE BESIDE YOU FEELING YOUR TORMENT AND ANGUISH TOO.
There WILL be good days and there WILL be bad days. I WANT TO BE THERE FOR BOTH GOOD AND BAD REPORTS.
I have accepted this. I HAVE ACCEPTED THAT YOU LOVE ME JUST THE SAME, EVEN THOUGH I LIVE FAR AWAY AND CAN'T BE THERE AS I WANT TO BE.
I embrace the good days. MY HEART PRAYS FOR RENEWAL, STRENGTHENING, PEACE FOR YOU ON THE GOOD DAYS.
I lift up the bad days. I KNOW THAT REASON TELLS US THESE DAYS WILL EVENTUALLY PASS, BUT WHILE IT IS HAPPENING, I KNOW MOMENT BY MOMENT FEELS LIKE AN ETERNITY TO YOU, PENNY, SHERRY.
And, I still have so much yet to learn. JODIE, I LOVE YOU. I SEE A SISTER WHO HAS NEVER QUIT! I SEE A SISTER WHO GIVES ALL AND SOMEHOW CONTINUES TO KEEP GIVING... FOR THEN I KNOW THIS LOVE IS TRULY GOD'S LOVE SHINING THROUGH YOU.
I LEARNED TO WAIT PATIENTLY. I LEARNED TO BE THERE AND TO LISTEN WHEN I WANTED TO REACH SO BADLY OVER THE PHONE TO HELP DRY YOUR TEARS, TO HUG YOU, TO SHARE OUR GRIEF TOGETHER. I LEARNED THE DEPTH OF YOUR COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR FAMILY. I LEARNED FROM YOU SO MUCH...MY BABY SISTER...THE 'LITTLE ONE'.
I LOVE YOU...
AND
I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN...
EACH DAY, MAY I LEARN SOMETHING BENEFICIAL AND WORTHY TO HELP US BECOME WHAT WE WERE CREATED TO BE BY GOD!
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST!
REMEMBER TO FILL THAT PITCHER UP SO IT DOESN'T GO DRY.
EMBRACE WORDS LIKE 'SURRENDER' 'ACCEPT' 'TRUST' AND FIND STRENGTH THROUGH YOUR FAITH THAT REALLY DOES SHINE THROUGH TO ALL OF US.
I LOVE YOU MORE JODIE, MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.
ALWAYS.
OXOXOXOXOXOXOX
KAREN
Happy Birthday Month! My birthday is this month too, on the 18th. Love the idea of celebrating all month.
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