Loving and Living Alzheimer’s

I am happy to report we are still flying on a high of happiness.  Randy has been in such a great place for over a month now.  It’s been such a peaceful and needed change.  As I’ve said before, I dread the end of the high he is on but will do my best to enjoy it. He has returned from his solo travels safely but not without a few glitches.  Due to no fault of his own, these will be his last.   Southwest Airlines just can’t seem to get the “traveler assistance” concept right.  His return to California from Denver was chaotic and scary.  They assisted him off the plane and to a secure location without informing anyone.  It took over an hour, numerous people and several trips through security, down to baggage claim (he only had a carry on), and repeat, before he was located.  He was frantic and near tears, as was my cousin, who was trying to collect our precious cargo. Amazingly, after his fear and anger subsided, he was back on his happy high. ...

 It’s been over a month since we’ve experienced a meltdown. Should I dare to hope that this version of Randy is the one I’ll get to keep for the duration?  My mind tells me I’m being naive but a girl can dream… I have recently been overcome by a tremendous urgency to get Randy traveling before it’s too late.  He has been anxious to get out of the house and see family out of state.  The dilemma is not having vacation time to take him. After much thought and panic (mother-mode), I decided to let him travel alone.  Alone being, straight, short flights.  This was a scary decision but deep down, a small part of me had faith that he could do it. Much like allowing children to travel unaccompanied, special arrangements needed to be made.  I reached out to our tribe for assistance and, as always, they came through with flying colors. The airlines were notified of his mental impairment, buddy passes were obtained so the King could be accompanied through securit...