(First I have to put an apology regarding the spelling. I am using a laptop while I am traveling and the keys sometimes stick and I am trying to catch all the mistakes, but you never know do you?)
You know how people ask whether it is better to have the body go first and then the mind, or the other way round? Some people say they would much rather have their faculties about them and let the body decline, even as sad as that is. Others are of the mind that they would prefer to not know what is happening to them. If I had my druthers as they say, I would much rather have my body go and keep my brains.
My Grandma has always been sharp as a tack. Smart, on the ball and with a memory like an elephant. She remembers dates, places, prices, everything. Everyone knows this about her. You can't spend 5 minutes with her without realizing she's one sharp cookie.
And it scared the beejeebers out of me this morning when I got here to the rehab facility she is in when she was talking all kinds of nonsense to me. Nothing she has said today has made any sense. Nothing. It breaks my heart to think this might be a new symptom in her decline. I immediately addressed this with the nurse and hopefully we can get this sorted out. The nurse said that in patients Grandma's age sometimes this is a symptom of either a UTI or dehydration. I never heard of that before. But I am in new territory with this.
I have been with lots of my family members as they were nearing the end of their lives. But it has always been at the hands of that evil cancer, not advanced age. This brings about all new things to deal with.
My Grandma recently celebrated her 92nd birthday and her mother had lived to be 96. I have always been rather proud of this and consequently my chances of making to my 90's as well.
I don't know how things are going to progress and I don't know exactly what I am doing. But I am trying my best to help her in this. I keep trying to approach each day with love and an open heart.
Keep up the prayers and positive healing thoughts. We need them.
Lisa, this post made me cry...for your grandma, you, for all of us when we reach old age. On a positive note, it sounds like maybe that she will regain her sharp mind if the doctors find a uti or hydrate her. I lost both grandmothers when I was a teen, so you have a gift--long relationships.
ReplyDeleteBTW, some meds cause confusion in older people.
Your grandma is lucky to have you!!!
I want my mind to stay sharp to the end.
LisaPie--We've been thru this with DH's mom...the mental confusion due to UTI. Now her Alzheimer's has progressed so far that it's no longer an issue n quite the same way.
ReplyDeleteHaving been through something like this you just have to take it one day at a time and live in the moment.
Hugs to you and your grandma!
our Grandmas are definitely on parallel tracks right now, so it's always interesting to read your updates and see more examples of it. We've been going through this with my Grandmom since late last year. Most of the time, she's pretty right-on, but then she'll launch into a story about how the Dallas Mavericks were at the nursing home the previous night attending a gala. We've found her episodes tend to be pretty related to stress and changes in the environment (such as the appearance of a roommate).
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat, this is my first family member to really see going through the advanced aging process. It's really really difficult, but I think you're doing exactly the right things by just being there for her. Hang in there.... love to you both! hugs and kisses