Update

It has been 3 1/2 years since Randy’s last day of work.  3 years and 3 months since his misdiagnosis .  3 years and 1 month since he has driven a vehicle.  2 years and 10 months since being given the correct diagnosis that has altered our lives, forever.

While we wait for our referral for a new Neurologist, it is a daily crap shoot in regards to what will be his next trigger.  His next meltdown, fit or verbally abusive rant.  He is suffering.  We are suffering.  The only option is to tread lightly while we wait however, we have become quite comfortable with letting him “pout it out”.

His confusion has increased exponentially and his inability to express his wants and needs verbally, is the cause of much angst.  He is diminishing before my eyes.  He has frequent headaches and head pressure.  His shrinking brain is erasing who he is.  Who he was.  What we had.  

He is now beginning to exhibit a form of confusion that could be a pre-curser to the hallucinations, that I know are coming.  Asking indecipherable questions, for which I cannot provide answers.  In these moments, he is quite fond of telling me that I don’t listen.

He is happy one moment and angry the next.  For absolutely no reason.  A week ago, he couldn’t stand being away from me.  Now, my presence seems to provoke the “Grumpy Randy” but still not wanting to be away from me.  (Marraige, right?)

He goes back and forth between thinking no one knows he has Alzheimer’s to being pretty sure the whole world knows.  With this comes bouts of hopelessness and depression.  

Cookies and Drumstick ice cream cones are the quickest cures.  The magic boobies still work but I am keeping the big guns on lockdown, as they promote “Amorous Randy”.   That guy is now a pubescent, giggling, naive lad, whom I avoid at all costs.

It all seems to be happening so quickly.  Constant changes in behaviors, likes and dislikes, routines, etc.  It’s exhausting for me.  It’s exhausting for him.  It’s exhausting for our Angel, Nette.

I am no longer his favorite person, as he told Nette that he was glad she was with us because “Melissa is mean”.  (The kids would have, once upon a time, agreed with you buddy!). As if I needed further proof that I am his mother figure.

So here we are, in child rearing mode for an unteachable mind.  We are becoming quite skilled at redirection and damage control.  The less he can do on his own, the more his boredom intensifies.  Finding ways to occupy his mind, restless soul and fidgeting hands are key to keeping the smile on his face.

Day by day, we keep fighting.  For him.  Rolling with the flow.  For him.  Finding the little rays of sunshine in our storm.  For all of us.

Cheers♥️














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